When it comes to staying at luxury properties, documenting your visit — whether for your carefully curated Instagram feed or just so you can reminisce later — is almost as important as experiencing it.
For a photoworthy vacation, choose one of the following eight properties, chosen as the most photogenic hotels in Europe and the Middle East by Marriott Bonvoy members.
A Moorish-Inspired Masterpiece
The Moorish pink of The Ritz-Carlton, Abama set against Tenerife, Spain’s, azure sky and foregrounded by palm trees and lush tropical gardens creates a vibrant color palette, one that oozes stylish getaway. Only one thing is required to complete the composition: you at the center, donning your swimsuit and oversized sunhat.
Located on the southwest coast of Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands, this clifftop property looks out onto the Atlantic Ocean and the neighboring island, La Gomera. The best spot for a sunset photo shoot, though, is on the golden sand beach, which is a short walk away.
The Parisian Princess
No trip to Paris is complete without a shot of the Eiffel Tower, France’s most photogenic monument. And if you stay at the Paris Marriott Champs Elysees Hotel, a sumptuous five-star hotel tucked along the famous avenue, you may be able to get a photograph of yourself with this beauty in the distance, from the privacy of your very own balcony — preferably while enjoying breakfast in a plush robe.
Even if a room with a view of the Eiffel Tower is not in the cards, the hotel’s soaring seven-story atrium makes for a dizzying geometric image.
Venice’s Canal-Front Stunner
Comprising five waterside palazzi, the oldest dating to the 17th century, The St. Regis Venice offers canal views from many of its guest rooms and suites (in fact, many of the latter boast private terraces).
But for the best photos, head to Gio’s Restaurant & Terrace, where you can dine on Venetian and Italian dishes with a modern twist while gazing across the Grand Canal to the striking Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute and, if you’re lucky, the iconic San Giorgio Maggiore. It brings the idea of a picture-perfect meal to a whole new level.
A Greek Island Great
Mykonos is one of the most fashionable and sophisticated Greek islands, and Santa Marina, a Luxury Collection Resort at Ornos Bay matches that vibe: The light-filled, stylish rooms open onto balconies with Aegean views, and the private sandy beach is pristine.
Still, when it comes to snapping photos, beauty lies in simplicity: the cool blue of the infinity pool against the deep blue of the Aegean and the cerulean sky. It’s even better if you manage to capture these color gradients during sunset.
The Dubai Darling
Occupying one of the most sought-out stretches of sand in Dubai, The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai offers seclusion while still holding a prime location in the heart of Jumeirah Beach’s waterfront, just off Sheikh Zayed Road, a major thoroughfare. Such a prime location offers incredible views of the Persian Gulf.
Be sure to have your camera on hand when lounging on the hotel’s private beach or dining at one of the on-site restaurants — many with outdoor seating overlooking the expansive seascape and the landscaped gardens.
The Opulent Emirati Gem
The opulent grounds at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal are certainly eye-popping — the 10 Venetian-inspired buildings form a semicircle around verdant grounds and a colossal outdoor pool, one of the largest in the city.
The best view is, without a doubt, of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, an architectural masterpiece that glows white in the sunset.
Ask the staff at the front desk to guide you to the balcony that perfectly frames the mosque (and provides a place for you to pose).
An Egyptian Wonder
While nothing can top the Egyptian pyramids, the JW Marriott Hotel Cairo manages to encapsulate the region’s desert grandeur.
The luxury hotel has its own private beach-themed water park complete with multiple swimming pools, a kids area, rock fixtures and a large fountain made to look like ancient gates.
While more verdant than most desert locations, this modern-day oasis is the perfect backdrop for some stunning photos.
The Desert Dream
The massive Grand Pool at Al Messila, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Doha is a study in geometry.
With the five-star resort’s main building as the backdrop, Al Messila’s pool is surrounded by evenly planted palm trees and cabanas, studded with square- and rectangle-shaped outcrops, and even holds a long, narrow island at its center, populated with the same carefully spaced palm trees.
The latter looks almost like a well-manicured catwalk, waiting for you to strut down it. Pictureworthy geometric designs can also be found in the 150,000-square-foot Al Messila Spa, one of the most extensive spa facilities in the Middle East.
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