This week’s theme of FriFotos is “A Room with a View” and for the most part my view is usually the back alley, a brick wall or no view at all on the inside cruise cabin.  Traveling solo, I’m usually more interested in saving money so I rarely get a “room with a view” – I’d rather be exploring the city rather than in the room looking out (note this opinion will not apply in Fiji, Bora Bora or the Maldives if/when i get to visit).

Here are a two examples of when my view was pretty nice – not quite the back cover of Conde Nast Traveler but for me a step up from the norm and quite memorable.

Venice

Staying at the Westin Europa & Regina for one night before a cruise and using points, I wasn’t expecting much, given that it is Venice and I was using points for a standard room (i.e. – no view).  I was pleasantly surprised by the great location of the hotel and despite the room not ready upon arrival, I was upgraded due to my Gold Status with Starwood. My room had a water view (overlooking the canal) a few floors above the hotel canal entrance.  Even with the rain and the grey skies, I found the view pretty cool.

Zimbabwe

Visiting Victoria Falls, I stayed at Elephant Camp on the Zimbabwe side.  Camp had private tents overlooking the grounds where the animals can roam freely.  I didn’t see any elephants from my room but did see impala and buffalo which was exciting.  It was a very relaxing room with a view –  the tent sides can roll up and you have a view from the living room, bed or the sunken tub in better weather. For now, I had to make do with the lounge chair, bedroom view with sliding doors open or the pool view (let the collective pity begin, haha!).  This tent was insane as was the morning walk of the hotel pet cheetah, Sylvester.  For more read about this tent/room read my prior post.

A room with a view  takes on special meaning depending on the city you are visiting and the reason for the visit.   For example, when i was offered an upgrade to a canal room in Amsterdam for a small fee, I declined, opting for the quiet garden view (the canal is used for daily life so can get noisy).  In London, one of our preferred hotels, The Grange, is across from St. Paul’s Cathedral and this can be your view day and night from a corner room (not the standard).  So is the added cost worth it?

What type of view do you prefer and what has been the best view so far?  Let me know city/hotel so maybe I can change my mind and upgrade from my standard view of the air con units, parking lot or brick wall.