courtesy viceroy bali

The best
rooms
with
a view islands
�
daydream with this photo. Best
Imagine that you’re staying on of the
this hillside on Bali, that you’ll world
toast the sunrise here and that
you’ll lounge beside the pool all day.
Of course, this view has its share of
breathtaking rivals. Tahitian waters,
breaching whales, historic forts — you
can see them all if you know exactly
where to stay. Thanks to islands edi-
tors, contributors and readers, we’ve
pinpointed the island resorts and rooms
The Viceroy Bali that offer the most stunning views. You
lets resort guests literally may never see the world the
walk out into the
island scenery. same way again. Go ahead, take a look.

by adrienne egolf and ashley fraxedas

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 the best

Sofitel Moorea Best overwater view

Sofitel Moorea,
Islands of Tahiti
> Blue water, turquoise water, crystal-
clear water — those are the best reasons
to visit the Islands of Tahiti. In fact, stay
in the easternmost Superior ­Overwater
Bungalow at the Sofitel Moorea Ia Ora
Beach Resort, and you may forget you
have a panoramic view just beyond
your 100-square-foot terrace; the best
window in this room is the one in the
floor. Sure this bungalow offers one of
Moorea’s only unobstructed views of
­Papeete and a look back at Mount Teara.
But the glass panel at your feet showcases
a living aquarium: A veritable city of col-
orful fish swims over a natural coral reef,
visible all day and night thanks to soft
lighting below the huts. It will be tempt-
ing to spend all your time looking at this
protected lagoon through glass — but
don’t. What’s great about this viewtkis right
Caption that
when you’re finished looking,
here rightyou
here can
tk.
just dive in. Rates from $350. sofitel.com

Best View of the heavens

Kona Village Resort, Hawaii
> Look left, look right. And then, look
up. That’s where you’ll find the best view
from New Hebrides 5 at Kona Village
Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii. This
hale, or bungalow, is situated above the
Best relaxing view and a pool that all beg you to do noth- Pacific Ocean on a bed of hardened, black
The Viceroy Bali ing but lounge, look, soak, look. Take a lava. The 270-degree panorama from the
> No window is big enough to frame stroll to the CasCades Restaurant for room’s private lanai spans from south to
this view. Instead, the Viceroy Bali in- lunch and the Lembah Spa for an out- west, but it’s the heavens above that will
vites guests to step out of their hillside door Balinese massage, and the view is have you craning your neck for just one
villas and into the picture. The resort’s the same — you’re floating in the valley. more look. Ask the resident astronomer
manicured gardens, stone terraces and When the sun sets behind the thatched for insight on the Southern Cross, Cas-
infinity pools flow seamlessly into the roofs and the view vanishes, the Viceroy siopeia and Orion constellations. When
saturated wildflowers and swaying palms Villa’s second bedroom can become an the sun goes down, place a coconut at your
of this hidden river valley. Of all the elegant dining room. The catering and front doorstep to signal you need privacy
east-facing villas, the namesake Viceroy butler services will swoop in and out. In and turn off the lights in the thatched-
Villa exemplifies the offerings, opening the morning, the sun will light it all up roof bungalow. Since few outdoor lamps
courtesy sofitel moorea

onto a private lawn, an intimate pavilion again. Rates from $700. viceroybali.com are used to light the property (watch
your step at night), the light pollution
is minimal, making for optimal stargaz-
ing conditions. One night of wishing on
endless stars, and you’ll be counting the
What’s great about this view is that seconds until that magic sunset wraps it
when you’re finished looking, just dive in. up. Rates from $660. konavillage.com >>

78 D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 9 isl a n d s . c om
 the best

Best view from the top is probably better suited for a curi- Best view of everything
Frenchmans Lookout, ous traveler. Wake up with the sun Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui
British Virgin Islands flooding into this second-floor suite > You could spend days looking for
> Many people only see the Brit- through two walls of windows. Open the best views on Maui. Or you could
ish Virgin Islands from the deck of a the French doors to the wraparound just book Deluxe Ocean View Suite
boat. Here’s your chance to look down porch, and you can choose your van- No. 497 at the Fairmont Kea Lani. This
on them — literally, though not figu- tage point. To the south is the U.S. one-­bedroom, fourth-floor corner room
ratively, of course. Just stand on the Virgin Island of St. John, to the north, features a 400-square-foot wraparound
balcony outside the master bedroom the white-sand beaches on Jost Van lanai, so depending on where you stand
at Frenchmans Lookout, a hilltop Dyke. Just below are the shops and and where you gaze, you will see any
villa on the island of Tortola. As the docks that make up the mariners’ vil- number of Maui’s landmarks. ­Molokini
name implies, this five-bedroom house lage Soper’s Hole. And all around are Crater and Kaho’olawe island? Look
is well poised for an alert watchman. sea-level boaters who have no idea what straight out, right in front of the ­resort’s
However, with its swinging hammocks they’re missing. Rates from $12,500 a private beach. The island of ­Lanai ?
and sunny decor, this elevated house week. frenchmanslookout.com Northwest, just over the horizon. Sun-
rise over Haleakala? Walk to the east
side of the balcony, and see the shadows
change with the coming light. Humpback
Swim to the edge and gaze. Since ­nothing whales breaching in the winter? Grab
the room’s complimentary binoculars to
interrupts your line of sight toward the look for pods of playful splashes. Devote
sea, the view is all yours. a whole day to relaxing on the furnished,
breezy balcony, counting picture-perfect
vistas. Then devote the next several
Hummingbird Villa, days to seeing all those sites up close.
Mustique Rates from $339. fairmont.com/kealani

Best poolside view

Villa Collection, Mustique
> Sitting by the pool is nice. Sitting by
a private infinity pool with a sweeping
view of the Caribbean? Divine. That’s
the appeal of the master bedroom in the
Hummingbird Villa, one of 71 luxury
rental villas on Mustique in the Grena-
dines. Set on the slope of one of the
island’s highest hills, this six-bedroom
residence overlooks the southern tip of
Mustique — and ­beyond. For the best
access to that vista, stake claim on the
master bedroom; it opens to the view,
plus a stone swimming pool with a dis-
appearing edge. Take a plunge at mid-
day when the high sun cuts through any
lingering morning haze and that cool
water is at its most refreshing. Swim to
the edge and gaze southwest toward the
Southern Grenadines. Since no other
ja d dav e n p o r t

villas dot the hill below and nothing

interrupts your line of sight toward the
sea, the view is all yours. Rates from
$5,000 a week. mustique-island.com >>
 the best
Best view of sunrise
Cheeca Lodge, Florida Keys
> “I’m never leaving.” That’s the thought
you’ll have after waking up in Room 416
at Islamorada’s Cheeca Lodge. Grab a
cup of coffee and head out to your pri-
vate lanai for a soak in your open-air
tub filled by a steady stream dropping
from above you. It’s the perfect place
for an unobstructed welcoming look at
the sunrise. Don’t even turn your head:
Your fourth-floor room already faces due
east out over the expansive ocean. Gaze
out onto the resort’s 525-foot wooden
pier and ­Alligator Lighthouse, barely
visible about five miles out. Fishermen
are already bringing in the day’s catch
(mahimahi, grouper, wahoo, depending
on the season), which you might find on
your plate later that evening. Barefoot
elegance surrounds you, from the glass
rain shower to the West Indies decor. It’s
the perfect recipe of simplicity, relaxation
and luxury. And when you eventually
have to leave this room, you can’t wait to
come back. Rates from $250. cheeca.com
Best view OF The PAST
Aran Islands Hotel, Ireland
> The dramatic rolling green hills paint
the picture already in your mind. As
your ferry docks at Inishmore island off
the western coast of Ireland, the real
hills appear. Just being here seems like
enough, but then you check into one of
the five king rooms with balconies at
the Aran Islands Hotel, the only hotel
on this tiny gem of an island. Immedi-
ately open your window (even if it’s wet
and rainy). Panoramic views from Con-
nemara to Clare are visible on a clear day.
Thousands of miles of stone walls, built
by hand over hundreds of years, mean-
der atop the entire island. And when you
just can’t take it anymore, experience the
view firsthand by walking this ciúnas gan
uaigneass (silent but not lonely) island.
Dún Aonghusa fort has been sitting just
a few miles from your window since the
late Bronze Age. This is history only few
see — and it’s right outside your window.
Rates from $70. aranislandshotel.com
82
9 Beaches, Bermuda
Best view seen in postcards
Brampton Island, Australia
> Bird’s-eye-view images of the Whit-
sunday Islands inspire awe. And Room
37 on private Brampton Island at the
southern end of the Whitsundays puts
you in the picture. See the calm, ­heraldic
blue waters of the Whitsunday Island
Passage just 20 feet from your window.
Don’t worry about passers-by inter-
rupting the scene. This is the only ­resort
on the island, and day-trippers aren’t
­allowed. Look north to see the blues
turn green on Carlisle Island, where the
ancient Melaleuca Forest dominates
the landscape. Look both east and west
to find pristine, white-sand beaches, a
­national park, jogging tracks, picnic spots
and outdoor massage crannies. Look up
to see birds jealous of your view. Rates
from $250. www.brampton-island.com
Best view FROM ISLANDS’ READERS
9 Beaches, Bermuda
> The view is dressed to the nines at
9 Beaches. This Bermuda resort over-
whelmingly received the most votes
from islands readers. Cabana 55 off
the Paradise Pier takes home the top
prize. Directly over the water, ­Cabana
55 boasts the most private locale with
clean views of ­Daniel’s Head Island and
­Atlantic sunsets. Limestone grottoes and
hidden caves set the background. Sail-
boats and kayakers glide past in search
of the shipwreck poking out of the water
about 100 yards out. A Plexiglas win-
dow in the floor (called a “Bermuda TV”
by one reader) lets you see the snor-
kelers and marine life swimming past.
t y s aw y e r
That’s worth watching. Rates from $205.
9beaches.com Vote at islands.com/best