By Paul Oswell
There's nothing like relaxing with a sundowner cocktail and admiring a stunning
view. Here are five of our favourites: beach views, jungle views, mountain views
and more. And all from the comfort of your balcony!
Who can do it? Travellers who want to admire the peaks without
(necessarily) scaling them.
Let's go! The famous pitons of St
Lucia are twin peaks towering 3,000 feet above sea level. You can admire
them from the hillside luxury of your treetop or seaview villa at the Anse
Chastanet Resort. Perched on the hillside and surrounded by 600 acres of
tropical forest, you can either head up the romantic, flower-strewn slopes,
or down to the sheltered waters for kayaking and snorkelling. Serenity is promoted
by trading TVs for complimentary yoga sessions.
Top tip: Take a jeep out to the pitons to save your feet, and
be sure to see the drive-in volcano!
Who can do it? For those for whom one beach just isn't enough!
Let's go! At the Paradee
Resort on this fantastic island, the only difficult choice to make is whether
to head to the gorgeous white sands or the spectacular coral reef. The days'
activities can be as strenuous or relaxed as you like, whether it's diving or
snorkelling in the crystal waters or just lolling in your beachside villa's
private pool. Each villa has its own design and character, and the name Paradee
("Sixth heaven") is richly deserved.
Top tip: If you want to see around the island, the most scenic
way is to take the speedboat service which runs from most of the beaches
Who can do it? Anyone looking for a secluded, slightly spiritual
retreat
Let's go! The lush foothills just outside Ubud are decorated
with exotic, orchid-flecked forest foliage and rice terraces, and just looking
out over this natural bounty brings on a sense of calm. The villas at the Alila
Ubud resort sit in splendid seclusion amid this amazing setting, with authentic
Balinese architecture and an infinity pool that feels like you're sitting on
top of the tree canopy. To complete the relaxation process, book into the Alila
Spa, which uses locally sourced ingredients for its treatments.
Top tip: Take the free shuttle bus to the village of Ubud,
which has local crafts and nightly shows of traditional dancing.
Who can do it? Fans of tropical, green-fingered expertise
Let's go! The French doors of the stunning villas at La
Gemma Dell’ Est all open out onto fabulously landscaped gardens, showing
off the best of the local Tanzanian flora. You can relax in this idyllic setting
with the sound of the Indian Ocean lapping on the shore just metres away. The
beaches here have to be seen to be believed, with white sands and a coral reef
running the length of the shoreline. Start the evening with a cocktail at the
end of the 100m jetty, with just the ocean and a sunset for company.
Top tip: Take an excursion to nearby Stone Town for its bazaars
and bustling cobbled streets, where you can pick up an original souvenir.
Who can do it? Ocean lovers and water babes
Let's go! You can’t get closer to an Indian Ocean experience
than a Maldivian water villa, and the beautiful villas at Conrad Maldives Rangali
Island are among the very best. From the moment your seaplane transfer touches
down, the Maldives work their magic. The thatched-roofed villas here are set
across two immaculate islands and the pampering doesn’t stop, from the
oversized outdoor bathtubs overlooking the shallow waters to the onsite spa
retreat with its full menu of indulgent treatments.
Top tip: For a truly unique experience sample the exquisite
cuisine in the undersea restaurant - but remember to book in advance as availability
is limited
Fancy a villa with a view? Check out our latest
holiday deals now!
Paul Oswell is a freelance travel journalist who regularly writes for The
Daily Mail, Travelmail.co.uk and Luxury Travel Magazine