Some hotels are really, really high up. They’re in mountains, they’re on top of mountains, and even some of those are not high enough off the ground to get on this list.
And this isn’t the same thing as the tallest hotels, God no! Anyone can build a freakishly tall building (well, not anyone, but it appears quite a lot of people have). So no Buri Al Arab on this list — although that’s no longer even the tallest hotel in Dubai any more. That crown sits atop the newly opened Ciel Dubai Marina hotel, which reaches 1,227 feet into the heavens it’s named after.
Buri Al Arab, the quixotically curved, sail-shaped hotel that has been one of the modern wonders of the world for most of the last three decades, is actually the fifth tallest hotel in Dubai. It must suck to get a low-floor room in that tiny country — they have seven of the world’s 10 tallest hotels. But the highest? Ha! Not a chance.
Those exist in, literally, rarified air.
Hotel Everest View (Khumjung, Nepal)
Located 13,000 feet above sea level, Hotel Everest View has been the Guinness Book of World Records’ Highest Placed Hotel in the World since 2004. It’s not likely to lose the distinction any time soon.
About half way up Mount Everest, the resort is located in the Everest National Park — known as Sagarmatha National Park to locals — which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built with the help of local sherpas in the 1960s, the hotel took years to construct — this is, let’s face it, not surprising — due to the distance they needed to climb with the materials, and lack of access to roads. Each of the 12 rooms showcases a 360-degree view of Mount Everest.
This property certainly has bragging rights in the “best view” stakes. If, oddly, the mountain view doesn’t do it for you, the location’s access to nearby villages — there are villages up there, 2 ½ miles up… — and Nepal’s famous rhododendron forests should. If none of that impresses you, you are just too damn jaded.
Glacier Hotel Grawand (Val Senales in South Tyrol, Italy)
This is the highest hotel in Europe, sitting in the Ötztal Alps between northern Italy and Austria. Situated over 10,500 feet above ground, there are unbeatable views of 126 mountain peaks. The hotel offers marvelous skiing from September to May, and the opportunity to hike the many nearby trails and visit the Iceman Ötzi Peak, one of Europe’s highest viewing platforms. You’ll have to be taken there by an experienced “rope team” of expert guides, since it’s a glacier. The hotel experience begins and closes with an adventure, as the only way in or out is by gliding up the glacier peaks on the Val Senales cable car.
Hotel Tayka del Desierto (Siloli Desert, Bolivia)
The Hotel Tayka del Desierto is a remote location more than 14,000 feet up in the Siloli Desert near the Bolivian-Chilean border. At an altitude of 15,000 feet above sea level, the volcanic rock hotel is near the Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa, home to Bolivia’s Laguna Colorada (“Colorful Lagoon”), the Sol de Mañana Geyser (Tomorrow’s Sun”), and the Árbol de Piedra (“Stone Tree”). You can also visit the historic burned Village of San Pedro de Quemes. Make sure you’re prepared for the altitude — as the entire country of Bolivia is high above sea level, and some people experience difficulty breathing. Just saying.
3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat (Zermatt, Switzerland)
You can find the highest hotel in the Swiss Alps over 10,000 feet above sea level in Zermatt. With this location, mountaineers and skiers have easy access to Zermatt’s wide network of hiking trails and three ski areas. You can also visit the Stellarium Gornergrat for a unique experience of panoramic views that have attracted scientists for over 100 years. Zermatt is a car-free mountain, so make sure to arrange your shuttle from Täsch. Or, you know, climb the mountain.
Sanctuary Lodge (Machu Picchu, Peru)
The Sanctuary Lodge is the only hotel inside the Machu Picchu Archaeological Park. At nearly 8,000 feet above the sea level, the hotel’s location offers ancient Inca ruins and hiking trails for those looking for outdoor adventure right outside the front door. You’ll also have the opportunity to watch the sun rise and set over the UNESCO World Heritage site, be able to explore Machu Picchu before crowds in the morning and stay later in the evening. Perks, baby! There is no better place for travelers to immerse themselves in Peruvian culture.
The Lodge at Breckenridge (Colorado, US)
On a forested cliff 10,200 feet up, The Lodge at Breckenridge is the place for rustic Colorado charm and unparalleled views. See the Boreas Pass, Breckenridge Ski Resort, and the Tenmile Range from a height you’ve never experienced before — I mean, we’re being presumptuous, here, but generally we’re probably on solid ground — and visit the town, only 5 miles away, with the hotel’s Lodge Shuttle. Originally built in the 1970s as Breckenridge’s first fitness center, the renovated lodge offers endless activities for guests, including hiking, skiing, biking, golf, white water rafting, and festivals. You can even sign up for the lodge’s dog-friendly experience, so you can bring your pets along for the trip!
Amankora Gangtey Lodge (Phobjikha, Bhutan)
See Bhutan, the world’s last Buddhist kingdom, from 9,843 feet at the Amankora Gangtey Lodge. The hotel overlooks unique views of the 16th century Gangteng Monastery and the rare Black-Necked Cranes in the remote Phobjikha Valley. Enjoy traditional meals or opt for hotel-provided picnics in a traditional potato hut, a tourist must-do (in our opinion). The hotel also offers hikes to the legendary Tiger’s Nest Monastery, tours of Thimphu’s sacred areas, Buddhist tours, and wellness activities for guests. As you fall to sleep under what appears to be endless stars, you’ll see why Bhutan is called the Land of Happiness.
Intercontinental Lhasa Paradise Hotel (Lhasa, Tibet)
Elevated 11,972 feet above sea level on the Tibetan Plateau, ancient Lhasa is one of the highest-altitude cities in the world, inspiring its nickname of “Sun City” with its usual sunshine. The Intercontinental Lhasa Paradise Hotel provides easy access to the jewels of Lhasa, including the Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery, Norbulingka (“Treasure Park”), and Potala Palace, the highest ancient palace in the world and the UNESCO World Heritage Site former home, for over a thousand years, of the Dalai Lamas. Enjoy days exploring the Lhasa River and Barkhor, the colorful commercial center of Lhasa’s old city.
Hotel Tateyama (Mount Tateyama, Japan)
Hotel Tateyama is more than 8,000 feet above sea level in Murodo-daira, the highest point of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route of Mount Tateyama in the Northern Alps. The highest-altitude hotel in Japan offers guests the opportunity to explore Murodo-daira’s unmatched panoramic views, snow-topped landscapes, and several trails, including the climb up Mount Tateyama. The hotel offers stargazing and watching tours to spot the Raicho bird (Ptarmigan), a rare bird that resides on the mountain and is known as the messenger of mountain gods. You have activity options all year, with backcountry skiing, Yuki-no-Otani Snow Corridor walks, autumn foliage hikes, summer nature walks, and more.
Wyndham Ion Majestic (Titiwangsa Mountains, Malaysia)
The highest-altitude hotel in Malaysia was built into the ancient rainforest landscape at 6,000 feet up in the Titiwangsa Mountains. This location offers trail hiking, kayaking on the nearby river, and horseback riding. Guests can also take advantage of the close proximity to Genting Highlands, an area known for its cool weather, picturesque greenery, adventure theme parks, and vibrant nightlife. This Wyndham holds the titles for Highest Altitude Clear Glass Sky Lift and Highest Altitude Glass Bottom Link Bridge in The Malaysia Book of Records.