The most stunning clifftop hotels around the globe

When it comes to what makes a hotel truly exceptional, there’s no rival to a cliffside location. Some of the most awe-inspiring properties in the world are perched dramatically on cliffs, offering a view that’s simply unbeatable.

With commanding views of oceans, mountains, or valleys, and situated in enviable destinations, these hotels possess an irresistible charm – it’s easy to see why they are among the most sought-after places to stay worldwide.

"Cliffside properties tick every box for a perfect hotel experience," says Josh Alexander, a travel consultant with Protravel in New York. "They offer romance, seclusion, and often unparalleled luxury. When you're there, you truly feel like you're on top of the world."

These are the kind of hotels you’ll dream about for future vacations, even if, for now, travel may still be a distant prospect due to the ongoing pandemic.

From Dominica and Big Sur to the Amalfi Coast and Santorini, here’s a selection of some of the most breathtaking and envy-worthy cliffside hotels around the world:

Secret Bay, Dominica

Located on the pristine Caribbean island of Dominica, this exclusive all-villa resort sits atop a scenic promontory, offering sweeping views of the ocean. Each villa is equipped with a kitchen, spacious sitting areas, both indoor and outdoor, and its own plunge pool for ultimate relaxation.

Nearly every corner of the property offers breathtaking ocean views, including the open-air restaurant and the treehouse-inspired spa. Guests can indulge in a wide array of activities both on land and in the sea, from lionfish hunting and diving in the Champagne Reef to exploring the longest hiking trail in the Caribbean.

Secret Bay: Ross Blvd Portsmouth, Dominica; +1 833 916 0833

Angama Mara, Kenya

Set 1,000 feet above the Maasai Mara, Angama Mara rests on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, offering endless views of the plains below. The camp’s name is derived from the Swahili word for 'suspended in mid-air.'

The location also served as a backdrop for the 1985 film *Out of Africa*. Guests can enjoy exceptional game viewing, including Africa’s Big Five, year-round, both on game drives and walking safaris. The camp features a photography studio, fitness center, art gallery, a 40-foot swimming pool, and a workshop where local Maasai women create bespoke beaded items.

Angama Mara: Suswa Mara Triangle, Kenya; +254 730 630630

Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa, Amalfi Coast, Italy

Once a 17th-century monastery, the family-owned Monastero Santa Rosa clings to a cliffside above the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Gulf of Salerno. This stunning retreat offers 20 rooms, an infinity pool, five levels of lush gardens adorned with bougainvillea, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and numerous outdoor pavilions.

The spa is considered the finest on the Amalfi Coast, offering treatments that use locally sourced herbs and plants. The charming towns of Amalfi, Positano, and Ravello are just a 20-minute drive or boat ride away.

Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa: Via Roma, 2, 84010 Conca dei Marini SA, Italy; +39 089 832 1199

Grace Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection, Santorini, Greece

Perched on a cliff in the village of Imerovigli on Santorini’s northwest edge, Grace Hotel provides the perfect vantage point to experience the island's stunning sunrises and sunsets over the Aegean Sea.

The property features a Champagne lounge with panoramic sea views, a beautiful infinity pool, a Mediterranean fine dining restaurant, and a yoga and Pilates studio. For those seeking ultimate luxury, the two-bedroom villa offers an expansive outdoor terrace with a private pool and a spa area complete with a heated indoor plunge pool.

Grace Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection: Imerovigli 847 00, Greece; +30 2286 021300

Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort, Al Jabal Al Akhdar, Nizwa, Oman

Perched 6,000 feet above sea level on the edge of a canyon, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar – meaning 'green mountain' in Arabic – offers sweeping views of Oman’s rugged, mountainous terrain. This spectacular landscape was once visited by Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana in 1986 to witness its striking beauty.

The resort features 115 rooms, a cliffside infinity pool, six diverse restaurants and lounges, and a spa with a traditional hammam. Guests can explore the valleys on foot, stargaze under the clear night sky, go mountain biking, or discover ancient villages and nearby historical landmarks.

Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort: No 110, Al Jabal Al Akhdar, Nizwa 621, Oman; +968 25 218000

Reid’s Palace, Madeira, Portugal

Perched on a dramatic cliff above Madeira’s Funchal Harbor, Reid’s Palace is surrounded by ten acres of lush subtropical gardens. From each of its 158 rooms, guests enjoy expansive views of the vast Atlantic Ocean.

One of the resort's three swimming pools is located at the base of the cliff, featuring a sea-level platform that allows guests to dive directly into the ocean. The Italian restaurant, with its panoramic sea views, is a perfect spot to enjoy a meal while watching the island's stunning sunsets.

Belmond Reid’s Palace: Estrada Monumental 139, 9000-098 Funchal, Portugal; +351 291 717 171

Cliff House Hotel, Ardmore, Ireland

Nestled on Ireland's southeastern coast in the charming fishing village of Ardmore, the Cliff House Hotel sits on the edge of a bluff, offering stunning views of Ardmore Bay and the vast ocean beyond.

The Well by the Sea spa features treatment rooms and a relaxation area that appear to float above the bay, providing a serene and tranquil experience.

The hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant offers contemporary Irish cuisine, and it serves as an ideal base for exploring nearby villages and the city of Cork, which is less than an hour’s drive away.

Cliff House Hotel: Middle Road, Dysert, Ardmore, Co. Waterford, P36 DK38, Ireland; +353 24 87800

Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California

Tucked away in the remote beauty of Big Sur, Post Ranch Inn, a favorite retreat for Hollywood's elite, is perched 1,200 feet above the Pacific Ocean.

Guests are treated to the sights and sounds of crashing waves, breathtaking sunsets, and a laid-back atmosphere. Days here are spent hiking scenic trails, unwinding by the pool, or enjoying spa treatments nestled deep in the woods. Dining at the property’s glass-enclosed Sierra Mar restaurant feels like floating above the world.

Post Ranch Inn: 47900 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920; +1 831-667-2200