These days hotels need to do much more than provide comfortable accommodation and good service to capture the hearts of travelers; they also need to be picture-perfect. With more travelers turning to Instagram to document their vacations, gorgeous hotels around the world are elevating their games when it comes to design and scenery, hoping to induce envy across all of social media.
Gorgeous Hotels Made for Instagram
Whether you’re booking out the presidential suite or just eating out at the hotel restaurant, these gorgeous hotels offer abundant opportunities for photographic moments worthy of the glossy pages.
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge in New York City
You might be surprised to hear that the hottest hotel in New York isn’t in Manhattan. The brand-new 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge opened in 2018 and is worth the trip across the river.
The lobby melds concrete design elements with lush, floor-to-ceiling foliage, creating an atmosphere that feels both industrial and creative
The Shot to Get: The Gray Hammock
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXvbqq_FHG4/?taken-by=1hotels
Take a quick scroll through the feeds of former guests and you’ll spot this one hammock popping up over and over again. Cozy and soft, it’s the perfect place to pose for a skyline sunset. You can find it in either the Skyline 1 Bedroom Suite or the Riverhouse.
Book it: Get prices for 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge and other area hotels
Azulik in Tulum, Mexico
Azulik is a gorgeous hotel and resort that embraces the natural beauty of the Mexican coast in every element of its design. This adult-only resort is made up of four restaurants and seven open-air villas named after natural elements such as the Moon Villa or the Jungle Villa. They are kept cool by the ocean breeze.
At Azulik, you can visit the stunning Maya Spa for treatments such as massages, sound healing, and biomagnetism.
The Shot to Get: The Net Canopy
If you can’t swing your own private villa, you can still nab Azulik’s most iconic shot at KIN TOH, which serves gourmet Mayan-Mexican cuisine and sits on stilts above the jungle. Make your reservation ahead of time, and when you get there, don’t miss the opportunity to get your shot lounging in the canopy.
Book it: Get prices for Azulik and other area hotels
Amangiri in Canyon Point, Utah
Located in Utah’s Canyon Point Valley, Amangiri is a five-star resort whose minimalistic design lets the striking landscape of the American Southwest speak for itself. The colors of the resort change with the sunrise and sunset, making it a lovely and luxurious place to start and end every day of adventure from horseback riding to hot air balloon rides.
The suites too mimic the pastel earth tones of the Utah landscape, and every room comes with either desert or mesa views from a private terrace.
The Shot to Get: Views By the Pool
Show off your desert oasis by hanging by the pool. It’s here where the clean lines of Amangiri’s design are best juxtaposed with the rugged form of the canyon behind it.
Book it: Get prices for Amangiri and other area hotels
The Conrad in Bora Bora Nui, French Polynesia
For a romantic getaway, there’s nothing more jaw-dropping than a private overwater bungalow on the Tahitian island of Bora Bora. If you’re looking for remote luxury and seemingly endless shades of blue, the Conrad in Bora Borais a beautiful paradise.
The accommodations are lovely, but in Bora Bora it’s all about the clear blue waters and white sand beaches. Whether you choose to snorkel or dangle your legs over the ledge of your private deck, you’ll be surrounded by pristine tropical views.
The Shot to Get: Floating Without a Care
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgcFz9qgHVc/?taken-by=conradboraboranui
There’s no better photo to get than one of yourself floating carelessly far away from the stress of the rest of the world.
Book it: Get prices for the Conrad Bora Bora Nui and other area hotels
The Alpina Gstaad in Gstaad, Switzerland
For the chicest of ski vacations, look no further than the Alpina Gstaad, a large resort located in the Swiss Alps. With fabulous restaurants, a heated pool, and cozy décor, this hotel has tons of eye candy to offer. However, the views of the town of Gstaad, especially lit at night in the snowy mountainside, are the real attraction.
The Shot to Get: Underground Sanctuary
You’ll find this stunning indoor pool at the hotel spa, like a cave lit with a glowing blue light.
Book it: Get prices for the Alpina Gstaad and other area hotels
Virgin Hotels in Chicago
Virgin Hotels Chicago entices guests with pop art-inspired sculptures and graphic art pieces. There’s loads to photograph here, from the rooftop views of the top-floor nightclub, Cerise, to the funky art hiding in all corners of this gorgeous hotel.
The Shot to Get: A Fun Backdrop
At the diner-inspired Miss Ricky’s Restaurant, you can pose in front of a wall of patterned neckties, which makes for a fun and playful background.
Book it: Get prices for Virgin Hotels Chicago and other area hotels
Casa de Uco in Mendoza, Argentina
In the wine region of Mendoza where Argentinian winemakers grow their famous Malbec grapes, Casa de Uco is a paradise for wine lovers. Nestled in the Uco Valley at the foothills of the Andes, the gorgeous hotel is surrounded by mountain and vineyard views. Inside the hotel, you are never far from the landscape with glass walls and minimalist décor inspired by the natural materials of the Uco Valley.
The Shot to Get: The Barrel Room
At any winery in the world, the best part can always be found in the cellar. If you find yourself visiting Casa de Uco, head down to the barrels to snap this pleasingly symmetrical shot.
Book it: Get prices for Casa de Uco and other area hotels
Riad Yasmine in Marrakech, Morocco
When it comes to photogenic vacations, Morocco has it all, from the colorful wares of the markets to the silhouettes of camels walking through the desert. But if you plan your trip right, you can find Morocco’s most beautiful sights right in your hotel. Riad Yasmine is a gorgeous hotel in Marakech bursting with leafy palm trees and fabulous design.
The Shot to Get: The Tiled Pool
Riads like Riad Yasmine are defined as palaces with interior gardens or courtyards. The interior courtyard of this Marrakech riad outshines them all with its beautiful tiled pool, often seen from above, accompanied by comfortable daybeds and bowls of fruit. You’ll want to spend all day hanging out in this beautiful scene.
Book it: Get prices for Riad Yasmine and other area hotels
Katikies Hotel in Oia, Greece
The island of Santorini is justifiably popular with travelers seeking photos of its bare white walls and blue-domed churches. To get away from the crowds (without losing the perfect shot), book a hotel that is built in the Santorini style and offers amazing views of its main city. Katikies Santorini is Oia’s original luxury hotel, and each room comes with a view overlooking the city and the water.
The Shot to Get: Infinite Views
Perch yourself at the edge of the infinity pool, where you’ll get not only the iconic cityscape in the background, but also the distant mountains that make up the Santorini Caldera.
Book it: Get prices for Katikies Hotel and other area hotels
Ladera in St. Lucia
On the southern side of St. Lucia, Ladera is set on top of a volcanic ridgeline with jaw-dropping views of the Caribbean and the Pitons, the island’s iconic mountains. Each suite is designed with an “open wall” concept, which means there’s nothing separating you from the view or your personal heated pool. Chances are you’ll never want to leave your room, but if you do want to go for a dip in the ocean, the hotel offers a shuttle from its mountain perch to the beach.
The Shot to Get: The Pool Swing
To create the picture of ultimate relaxation at Ladera, you’ll want to take advantage of the swinging bench that hangs over the pool, which is available in most suites.
Book it: Get prices for Ladera and other area hotels
More from SmarterTravel:
- 10 Truly Awesome Hostels You’ll Never Want to Leave
- 11 Hotels Worth Booking Your Whole Trip Around
- The 12 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the United States
Jamie Ditaranto is a writer and photographer always looking for her next adventure and picture-perfect moment. Follow her on Instagram @jamieditaranto.
We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
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