What a viewtiful world we live in

A great hotel bar is a joy to behold, and even better with your poison of choice in hand. It’s a salve for weary travellers and an escape for local denizens, all tinged with the frisson of a chance international encounter. Of course, there are any number of factors which make a hotel bar great, not least of which are the cocktails, but to really make you feel like you’re connected to the city, it’s hard to beat a knockout view and setting. So, sorry Bar Hemingway, we love you, but sometimes a gal’s gotta give a little extra, and these babies really put the oh AND the aah into panorama…

Total Eclipse of a bar

Barcelona – Eclipse
Europe’s first W hotel debuted in a modern landmark shipshape glass tower in beach and party nabe, Barceloneta and what a looker it is. Head straight up to the futuristic Ricardo Bofill-designed rooftop glamour hang Eclipse with its eye-popping 360° city and Med Sea vistas. Take in the views through floor to ceiling wraparound windows, or kick back to DJ tunes and enjoy the eye candy of the city’s pretty kits and party peeps around you while knocking back lush, inventive libations.

Fabette Bebek on the Bossy

Istanbul – Bebek Bar Terrace
Little old Bebek Hotel may not be as famous, chic and plush as the big boys, but when it comes to grandstand Bosphorus views, its Bebek Bar Terrace is the envy of most. Don’t come here for the scene however, because it’s all about the setting. Sun-splashed by day, this quiet and too romantic little yachty deck located in a charming residential district is perfect for cocktails, candles and canoodles over the Bossy come night.

Donny builds it all sky high

Chicago – The Terrace at Trump
Could we be developing a soft spot for Uncle Donny? First he gives Chicago a beautiful hotel with understated, stylish rooms and an excellent fine dining restaurant, Sixteen; now he’s opened the city’s best upscale alfresco lounge, The Terrace at Trump, with surround sight of Lake Michigan, the Chicago River and twice-weekly fireworks over the famed skyline that kicks New York’s right up the brownstone. Try one of their nautical themed drinks such as Anchors Aweigh made with Hendrick’s gin, fresh cucumber, watermelon juice and mint, and we think you’ll agree, this time Donny has really come up Trumps.

Sittin' on the top of the Bay

Miami – Bayside Grill
Star hotelier André Balazs The Standard properties are notorious shindig pads, but even hipsters have to recharge their batteries and this grown up’s sanctuary is where they come to unwind. There’s no better spot for a sundowner than at its casually chic alfresco cutie, Bayside Grill, magnificently perched by the water. Order a mojito as the day disappears and the dolphins appear and say goodbye to the madness of South Beach.

Solid as a Rock Bar

Bali – The Rock Bar
Bali’s sprawling Ayana resort may be 30 mins from happening Seminyak, but it has a major ace up its sleeve to lure you there (apart from its fabulous spa) and that’s The Rock Bar. This glam, open-top stunner, perched on the edge of a cliff fourteen metres above the water comes complete with groove tunes, crashing surf and jaw dropping sunset views over the endless Indian Ocean, guaranteeing you a real Bali high. Just add moonlight and watch the twinkle in hubby’s eye…

Barcelona. W Barcelona. Plaça de la Rosa del Vents 1, Final Passeig de Joan de Borbó. T: +34 932 952 800. W: w-barcelona.com
Istanbul. Bebek Hotel. Cevdet Pasa Cad. 34, Bebek. T: +90 212 358 2000 W: bebekhotel.com.tr
Chicago. Chicago Trump Tower. 401 North Wabash Avenue. T: +1 312 588 8000 W: trumpchicagohotel.com
Miami. The Standard Miami. 40 Island Ave., Belle Island, Miami Beach. T: +1 305 673 1717. W: standardhotels.com
Bali. Ayana Resort. Jl Karang Mas Sejahtera, Nusa Dua. T: +62 702 222. W: ayanaresort.com