Sky High Sophistication: The World’s Most Stunning Hotel Rooftops
There's a rooftop renaissance happening, and here at Y Travel we are loving these new alfresco spaces which are quite literally 'raising the bar' of a hotel experience! Stylish properties around the world are transforming previously unused spaces into spectacular chic terraces where guests can eat, drink, swim, and soak up some of the most enviable views on earth. With summer on the horizon in the northern hemisphere, we're sharing our most coveted hotel rooftop secrets – the insider picks straight from our Y Travel team. From ancient Rome to futuristic Singapore, each represents a mix of our distinctive Y Factors that elevate a simple stay into a top-shelf experience.
Six Senses - Rome, Italy
What we love:
When in Rome, we adore this Mediterranean-luxe 'urban garden in the sky'. Imagine yourself sipping on an Aperol Spritz as the Eternal City's terracotta rooftops come aglow in that magic 'golden hour' light that Italy is famous for, as the laid-back beats from Notos' ‘On-The-Roof’ live music series create the perfect soundtrack for a night of la dolce vita.
El Fenn - Marrakesh, Morocco
What we love:
We love feeling as though we have stepped back in time to the heady days of Marrakesh in the 1960s, when rock stars and the fashion crowd flocked to Morocco to soak up the exotic sights, sounds, and flavours of the medieval medina. By day, lounge on a daybed beside El Fenn rooftop’s irresistibly seductive green-tiled pool, and by night head across to the bar for dinner and cocktails as the call to prayer from nearby Koutoubia Mosque rings through the warm, fragrant Moroccan air.
Andaz - Singapore
What we love:
Mr Stork at the Andaz Singapore is our 'go-to' for futuristic fun and playful luxury. Thirty-nine floors above Singapore's dynamic streets, we love the rooftop’s lush green vegetation and the 10 cozy teepee huts scattered across this sophisticated alfresco dining space – revealing panoramic views across the skyline, stretching all the way to Marina Bay. Not sure what you're thirsty for? Mr Stork's cheeky cocktail quiz will inspire the resident mixologists to create the perfect drink, delivered straight to your tent!
1Hotel Brooklyn - New York, USA
What we love:
The incredible views of Manhattan from the heart of hip and happening Brooklyn puts us firmly in a New York state of mind! And despite being in the heart of one of the worlds biggest concrete jungles, the 1Hotel group's sustainability ethos is evident throughout the property. From the eco-friendly design and architectural elements to the fresh and creative organic food and drink options, we love soaking up the sun's rays by the pool or sipping cocktails as night falls – all with a delicate carbon footprint.
La Réserve Eden au Lac - Zurich, Switzerland
What we love:
Switzerland's financial capital of Zurich isn't exactly the first place you would think of for quirky creativity, but iconic designer Philippe Starck's 'imaginary yacht club' concept for La Muña rooftop at La Réserve’s Eden Du Lac – accessed via the glass lift from hotel’s lobby straight to the sixth floor – quietly rewrites the script. The tree-lined terrace is a nautical treasure chest of extraordinary objects collected from around the world and delivers breathtaking 360-degree views of the lake, the city, and the iconic Alps in the distance.
CIRQA - Arequipa, Peru
What we love:
At an altitude of 2,335 metres above sea level, CIRQA boutique hotel in the heart of Peru's historic 'white city' takes our breath away – literally and figuratively! Drawing inspiration from traditional Picanterías – original Arequipeñan road-stops – it's easy to get lost in the rooftop bar and restaurant El Techo's historic spirit of wayfarers sharing stories over sundowners - all with a delicious culinary twist that you'd expect from a Relais & Châteaux property.
Le Cheval Blanc - Paris, France
What we love:
As Ella Fitzgerald once sang, “I love Paris in the Summer”, and so do we when Le Cheval Blanc opens up its 7th floor rooftop terrace café 'Le Jardin' between May and September each year. Bursting with red and white furnishings, sunny yellow accents, and all the fragrant floral blooms one would expect from a Parisian garden, we adore the added touch of joie de vivre with terrace games like table football and Connect Four, as well as old-school postcards for guests to write a message home.
The Museum Hotel - Cappadocia, Turkey
What we love:
While most hotel terraces come to life as the sun is going down, the terrace of the Museum Hotel has its moment as the sun comes up. Breakfast here is the most beautiful meal of the day (and definitely worth setting an early alarm for) as dozens of hot air balloons gracefully float through pink and golden dawn skies and across the otherworldly Cappadocian landscape. Once the sun is high in the sky, you might decide to stay on the terrace, lounging by the gorgeous mosaic-tiled pool, or even dine out under the stars once the darkness falls.