While beauty is relative, cliffside hotels are breathtakingly beautiful. From whitewashed suites above the Aegean to fortress hotels carved into Mediterranean rock, these are the 5 most beautiful cliffside hotels in the world, each offering its own blend of dramatic views and thoughtful designs.
Cliffside hotels have a strange kind of beauty. Some hotels are popular because they are on the beach, and some because they are built uniquely. Cliffside hotels, on the other hand, seem to have been placed on the edge of the world for a reason. The view here does half the talking, and even a quiet morning coffee feels a little more cinematic than usual. Cliffside hotels have the kind of effect that stays with you long after the vacation is over and bags are unpacked. They offer height, drama, privacy, and a sense of escape that beach resorts and city hotels rarely match. According to Outlook Traveller, these are some of the world's best cliffside hotels.
The 5 best cliffside hotels in the world
Canaves Oia Suites, Santorini, Greece
A perfect example of a postcard-perfect cliffside hotel, Canaves Oia Suites in Santorini is one of the best in the world. Perched at the entrance of Oia in Santorini, it looks over the caldera with the kind of whitewashed charm that has made the island famous around the world. There are 40 suites, many of which have private plunge pools and sweeping volcano views, and a beautiful villa that makes you feel like royalty. Inside, the style is polished but not overdone, with Paola Navone furniture and Hermès fabric details adding a refined touch. However, the highlight is the spa. Tucked in a 17th-century wine cave, it has treatment rooms, a Rasul steam bath, a sauna, and an outdoor couple's treatment space. For dining, Petra Restaurant and Panorama Balcony are as romantic as it gets.
Cap Rocat, Mallorca, Spain
This Mallorca gem feels less like a cliffside hotel and more like a secret discovered inside a historic monument. It was once a military fortress and now sits in a private protected stretch of Mallorca's Bay of Palma. It is surrounded by nature, sea views, and a remarkable sense of stillness that makes it worth visiting. The restoration respected the original structure, which is why the property feels so distinctive compared with more conventional luxury resorts. The rooms here are carved into the old fortress, with a scale hard to replicate. The spa is built into the heart of this fortress. At the same time, the elegance of La Fortaleza Restaurant sits comfortably with a relaxed beach view.
Belmond Hotel Caruso, Ravello, Italy
Perched high above the Amalfi Coast, Belmond Hotel Caruso brings old-world Italian glamour to one of Europe's most beautiful landscapes. The hotel is built in a restored 11th-century palace, and its heritage is evident in frescoes, antique details, and sweeping terraces that look out across the coastline. The heated infinity pool is a major draw with the dramatic view of the beach. Guests also have access to a spa, open-air fitness area, shuttle service to Amalfi, boat tours, and several dining options, including Ristorante Belvedere and the Caruso Grill.
Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, United States
Built high above the Pacific in Big Sur, Post Ranch Inn is for travellers who enjoy wilderness, design, and silence in equal measure. With over 35 guest rooms and private homes, it offers something for every kind of traveller. Ocean Houses feature living roofs, Tree Houses are raised on stilts, and Coast Houses and Mountain Houses each frame the scenery in their own way. Inside, the aesthetic is cosy and warm, with replaceable bedding, private decks, heated floors, and organic mattresses. The food at Sierra Mar is as good as the view.
Alila Villas Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia
One of the most design-forward hotels on the list, and one of the most consciously built as well. Set on limestone cliffs in Uluwatu, it was designed by WOHA, and that shows in the architecture. Clean lines, open spaces and a strong connection to the sea below, the hotel screams WOHA through its design. The resort uses recycled, organic, and local materials, and Hyatt describes it as the first resort in Indonesia to receive EarthCheck's highest BPDS certification. Its zero-waste policy and move away from single-use plastic are equally admired by the guests. However, the highlights are the pool villas, ranging from 300 to 3,000 square metres.
Planning to visit unique hotels in the world? These articles will help you plan your trip better:
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