They may be completely unaffordable for most of us, but if high-altitude views are what you are into, nothing beats the sights from these towering hotels.
- MANDARIN ORIENTAL, New York:
This is the view that any visitor to New York wants to wake up to; jaw-dropping, floor-to-ceiling vistas of leafy Central Park surrounded by a sea of skyscrapers.
Occupying the top 20 floors of the uptown Time Warner Centre at Columbus Circle, the Mandarin Oriental treats guests to this panorama, as well as views of the Hudson river and of midtown Manhattan.
Doubles start at $939 (R9 000) (including breakfast)
- BANYAN TREE, Bangkok:
Anyone enjoying a cocktail in the Banyan Tree's aptly named Vertigo Grill and Moon Bar could be forgiven for feeling a little dizzy. The alfresco restaurant is at the summit of this 196m-high tower, with views of the vibrant Thai capital beneath.
Banyan Tree's signature aesthetic of restful decor and Oriental accents prevails in the rooms, which each come with those all-important views.
Doubles from 6 591 baht (R2 000), including breakfast
- SWISSOTEL THE STAMFORD, Singapore
In the centre of the Raffles City complex, Swissôtel towers over bustling downtown Singapore.
At 73 storeys, it's South-east Asia's loftiest hotel, with 1 261 rooms. The 72nd-floor cocktail bar gives a bird's-eye view of the harbour below.
Doubles from S$389 (R2 600), including breakfast
- BURJ AL ARAB, Dubai
The Burj Al Arab resembles a billowing sail gently buffeted by the winds of the Arabian Gulf. Set on its own private island, this 321m-high property is one of the Emirates' most luxurious, with 27 floors housing 202 duplex suites.
Its Al Mahara restaurant is reached through an aquarium via a simulated submarine. Suites from £1 102 (R16 000), room only
- PARK HYATT, Shanghai
When it opened last year, this monolith stole the mantle of the highest hotel in the world from its neighbour and sibling, the Grand Hyatt. The 174 bedrooms are set out on the upper floors of the gleaming 101-storey Shanghai World Financial Centre.
By day you can watch the boats gliding silently up and down the Huangpu river, and by night, marvel at the mass of twinkling lights that make up the Shanghai skyline.
Double room from 3 680 yuan (R5 000), room only. - The Independent