Shangri-La The Shard, London

A suite at Shangri-La The Shard, London, feels like staying on top of the world. Set within Western Europe’s tallest building, the hotel occupies levels 34 to 52 of the skyscraper, with the Iconic Shard Suite positioned near the summit.

Here, a marble-clad bathroom with underfloor heating and floor-to-ceiling windows frames a freestanding bathtub with a commanding view. Immersed in warm water, London feels cinematic: Tower Bridge cuts its silhouette across the River Thames, the capital humming with life far below - vibrant yet strangely distant from this height.

Museum Hotel, Cappadocia, Turkey

Embedded in the Cappadocian mountainside, Museum Hotel feels carved from history itself. Its 34 cave and stone rooms are layered with antiques and artefacts, echoing centuries of Anatolian heritage.

Several suites offer bathtubs with far-reaching views, but the most striking sits within the Tekeli Cave Suite. Here, a soak unfolds against sweeping valleys and ancient rock formations, with hot-air balloons drifting across the morning sky. Surrounded by stone and silence, the setting feels contemplative and almost mystical.

Rosewood, Matakauri New Zealand

The ethereal beauty of New Zealand’s South Island has to be seen to be believed, but even those accustomed to it will be wowed by the dramatic scenescapes at Rosewood Matakauri. Perched on the edge of the glacial Lake Wakatipu, guests can sometimes feel like they’re in the most isolated part of the world, even though it’s just a short drive from Queenstown Airport.

Bathrooms in the suites and villas open onto lake and mountain vistas, but the most compelling perspective belongs to the Grand Lake View Suite. From its freestanding tub, the panorama is uninterrupted; shimmering water below, the rugged peaks of the Eyre Mountains rising beyond.

Patina Maldives, Fari Islands

Luxury and paradise are unified at Patina Maldives. The atmosphere is suffused with calm at this island resort, which is home to 90 private villas. Golden sand, azure water and open sky form the backdrop, while tree-lined pathways lead quietly between villas and lagoon.

Choose a Water Pool Villa and the bathing ritual moves outdoors: the tub sits on the private deck, perched above the lagoon, with wide sliding doors that open the villa to salt air and light. From the bathtub, the horizon feels boundless, with dolphins occasionally tracing silver arcs through the shallows. Once the sun has been swallowed by the sea, it’s easy to spend the evening wine in hand, luxuriating in the warm water as the stars blaze.

The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, Iceland

The Retreat at Blue Lagoon is a sanctuary in the wild southwestern corner of Iceland. Sitting on the edge of the lagoon it’s named for, the hotel is famed for its subterranean spa and Michelin-starred dining, both rooted in the surrounding geothermal terrain.

While every accommodation option here has something special about it, the best bathtub is undoubtedly located in the elegant Lagoon View Jr Suite. A freestanding tub sits beside floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the deep cerulean waters, inviting quiet immersion while contemplating the untamed beauty of this natural wonderland.