The World's Best Balconies

Survey most of San Francisco from the Penthouse Suite of the historic Fairmont hotel, built in 1907. If that's not enough to look at, inside you'll find artworks by David Hockney and ornate Chinese vases. You also get the 24-hour services of a personal masseuse, chef and personal trainer— and a fridge stocked with farmers'-market produce. The Fairmont San Francisco, rates from $599 per night, fairmont.com.

Watch boats bob on the sea as you sunbathe in seclusion at Curtain Bluff. Away from your terrace, the resort offers activities including deep-sea fishing, scuba-diving and tennis, often with the chance of being coached by former number-one seeds, who visit the island regularly. Curtain Bluff Resort, call to make reservations 888-289-9898 or book online, curtainbluff.com.

Like the Eiffel Tower? You'll love having it right in front of your face when you step outside of your suite at the Shangri-La Paris. This room comes with a hefty price tag, but you do get 220 square metres of space, plus incredible views from each of the vast windows. Shangri-La Paris, shangri-la.com.

There may not be much else to look at but ocean, but that's OK when it's the Indian one. Find tranquility like nowhere else on earth marooned on the Maldivian isle that's home to the Baros resort. Baros Resort, baros.com.

Look out over some London landmarks from the balcony of the Suite ME at ME's outpost in the capital. The view encompasses the Shard, Tower Bridge, St Paul's and the London Eye. ME London, melia.com.

Feel like you own a private patch of Venice for the night with this brand new suite at the Luna Hotel Baglioni, right by St Mark's Square. It overlooks San Giorgio Island from its impressive 100-metre-square perch. The San Giorgio Terrace Suite at the Luna Hotel Baglioni costs from about $4,900 a night, baglionihotels.com.

Gaze out over soul-stirring Lake Pichola in Udaipur from the prime vantage point of own your balcony. The lake, built in 1362, and misty Aravalli Mountains lie in the distance. The Leela Palace Udaipur, theleela.com.

Coachloads of tourists may be herded in for sunset on Santorini each night, but guests at Grace can enjoy it in peace from their own private terrace, overlooking the Caldera. Grace Santorini, gracehotels.com.