I've stayed in dozens of places around the world. These photos show why a room with a view is always worth the upgrade.

Joey HaddenJul 16, 2023, 17:18 IST

From hotels to Airbnbs, Insider's travel reporter thinks it's always worth booking a room with a view.Joey Hadden/Insider

You should always book a room with a view while traveling if you can, in my opinion.
I've stayed in accommodations around the world with views of castles, mountains, and waterfalls.

Whether you're visiting a 400-year-old city or the biggest waterfall you've ever seen, it's always worth booking a room with a view, if you can. Take it from me. My job sends me to destinations around the world, and I've stayed in a wide variety of accommodations, from train bunks to five-star hotels.

What made my favorite accommodations stand out from the rest wasn't necessarily the destination or level of luxury; it was whether my home for the night had a view of the place I came to see.

The views in the morning and through the night made me feel more immersed in the destination. Here are the best views I've ever had from bed and why they were worth the upgrade to me.

As a travel reporter, I've stayed in countless accommodations around the world, from standard hotel rooms and train bunks to tiny homes and glamping tents.

The author stays in various accommodations around the world.Joey Hadden/Insider

If I've learned one thing about accommodations, it's that nothing elevates a room like a stellar view.

The author sits on a window sill at the Fairmont in Québec City, Canada, in 2022.Joey Hadden/Insider

Rooms with a view make me feel more immersed in the destination I'm visiting and pull me away from mundane activities I typically turn to at the end of the day, like watching TV.

Inside the author's room at the Fairmont in Québec City, Canada.Joey Hadden/Insider

Rooms with a view make me feel more immersed in the destination I'm visiting and pull me away from mundane activities I typically turn to at the end of the day, like watching TV.

A lifeguard tower outside of Miami that I booked in 2021 through Airbnb gave me my first taste of stunning views from bed.

A lifeguard tower the author booked in 2021.Joey Hadden/Insider

For $100 a night, I got a small room with a comfy bed and sweeping views of the Florida Everglades.

The bed inside the tower.Joey Hadden/Insider

My tower came with wide windows on three sides, which made me feel like I was sleeping outside, but with the comforts of the indoors.

The inside of the tower shows wall-to-wall windows.Joey Hadden/Insider

I could see the sun rise and set from all angles thanks to the windows that wrapped around the tower. It was my favorite part of the whole experience.

Views of the sunset from inside the tower.Joey Hadden/Insider

A year later, I visited Niagara Falls for the first time and splurged for a room with a view at the Sheraton Fallsview. For two nights, it was $1,000.

An arrow points to a room at Sheraton Fallsview Hotel with a peek at the view.Joey Hadden/Insider

The Sheraton Fallsview Hotel faces all three falls that make up Niagara Falls: the American Falls on the left, Bridal Veil Falls in the middle, and Horseshoe Falls on the right.

A view from the author's window of all three falls.Joey Hadden/Insider

The Sheraton Fallsview Hotel faces all three falls that make up Niagara Falls: the American Falls on the left, Bridal Veil Falls in the middle, and Horseshoe Falls on the right.

When I got to my room, I was surprised to find that due to the room's open floor plan and floor-to-ceiling windows, I'd be able to view the epic site from the comfort of my bed.

The author views the falls from bed.Joey Hadden/Insider

When I got to my room, I was surprised to find that due to the room's open floor plan and floor-to-ceiling windows, I'd be able to view the epic site from the comfort of my bed.

I thought it was relaxing to watch the falls from my queen-size bed, and I felt excited falling asleep at night knowing that the falls would be the first thing I'd see when I opened my eyes in the morning without having to face any of the crowds outside.

The falls at sunset.Joey Hadden/Insider

I thought it was relaxing to watch the falls from my queen-size bed, and I felt excited falling asleep at night knowing that the falls would be the first thing I'd see when I opened my eyes in the morning without having to face any of the crowds outside.

The room also had a Juliet balcony. With the door open, I found listening to the falls to be calming. It reminded me of the white-noise audio I sometimes use to fall asleep, except smoother and more powerful.

The author photographs Niagara Falls from the balcony.Joey Hadden/Insider

The room also had a Juliet balcony. With the door open, I found listening to the falls to be calming. It reminded me of the white-noise audio I sometimes use to fall asleep, except smoother and more powerful.

While the falls are breathtaking during the day, staying in this hotel room made me think they may be even more beautiful at night. After the sun went down, I looked out the window to find the falls glowing in changing colors, courtesy of the Niagara Falls Illumination board.

The falls light up at night with colors from the American and Canadian flags.Joey Hadden/Insider

While the falls are breathtaking during the day, staying in this hotel room made me think they may be even more beautiful at night. After the sun went down, I looked out the window to find the falls glowing in changing colors, courtesy of the Niagara Falls Illumination board.

At 10 p.m., I was excited to see a fireworks show explode over the glowing waterfalls, which I enjoyed without obstruction or crowds.

Fireworks explode over Niagara Falls.Joey Hadden/Insider

I had no idea that the falls would glow at night with color and fireworks before visiting Niagara Falls, so if I hadn't stayed in a hotel with a view, I may have never seen them.

A fireworks show over Niagara Falls.Joey Hadden/Insider

I had no idea that the falls would glow at night with color and fireworks before visiting Niagara Falls, so if I hadn't stayed in a hotel with a view, I may have never seen them.

Just a few days later, I stayed at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, a historic luxury hotel in Québec City, Canada, for about $600.

The author stays at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in 2022.Joey Hadden/Insider

I booked a Fairmont room, the hotel's lowest-tier room category. Fairmont rooms are between 175 and 220 square feet and are recommended for couples and solo travelers, according to the hotel's website.

The author's bed took up most of the room.Joey Hadden/Insider

I booked a Fairmont room, the hotel's lowest-tier room category. Fairmont rooms are between 175 and 220 square feet and are recommended for couples and solo travelers, according to the hotel's website.

My first impression of my room was that it appeared small and plain.

The author perched in her room at the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac.Joey Hadden/Insider

But I thought the view from the window was anything but small.

Views from the author's window.Joey Hadden/Insider

Perched on the window sill, I could see the European-style architecture that filled Québec City ...

The author enjoys the view.Joey Hadden/Insider

... as well as mountains in the distance.

A view out the window at night.Joey Hadden/Insider

In between the bathroom and the bed, there was a desk in front of the window with a comfy leather chair I used to eat and take in the view.

The author eats breakfast with a view.Joey Hadden/Insider

The view was easily the coolest part of the otherwise average hotel room, making it worth the price tag, I thought.

Another peek at the author's view from the room.Joey Hadden/Insider

A couple of months after my trip to Canada, I took a 2-week train trip through four European countries and stayed at Castello di Roncade, a castle in Italy. It cost me $360 for three nights.

The author stayed in a tower at Castello di Roncade in 2022.Joey Hadden/Insider

A couple of months after my trip to Canada, I took a 2-week train trip through four European countries and stayed at Castello di Roncade, a castle in Italy. It cost me $360 for three nights.

The property was filled with stunning landscaping, from gardens and hedges to statues and trees.

Trees and hedges on the castle grounds.Joey Hadden/Insider

My room was inside one of the towers. Aside from exposed brick walls and a beamed ceiling, nothing about the room screamed "castle" to me — until I looked out the window.

The author's view of the castle grounds from bed.Joey Hadden/Insider

My room was inside one of the towers. Aside from exposed brick walls and a beamed ceiling, nothing about the room screamed "castle" to me — until I looked out the window.

Although it was partially obstructed by the tower's arches, I loved waking up to this view of the castle's property. It made me more excited to start each day.

A closer look at the author's view.Joey Hadden/Insider

Most recently in April, I stayed in an A-Frame cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. I booked it for a weekend for $1,000 through Airbnb.

The author stands by the cabin's entrance.Joey Hadden/Insider

Right away, I thought the home's pointed and wide windows made the views look even more beautiful and dramatic than any other cabin I've stayed in.

The exterior (L) and interior (R) of the A-frame cabin.Joey Hadden/Insider

With wood paneling and vast windows, I thought the cabin made me feel immersed in nature from the comfort of a cozy bed in a heated home.

Inside the cabin's main bedroom.Joey Hadden/Insider

From Canada to Europe to Tennessee, all of these stays set the scene for my trips from the moment I woke up each morning. From now on, I'll always look for accommodations with stunning views.

The author lies in bed.Joey Hadden/Insider

From Canada to Europe to Tennessee, all of these stays set the scene for my trips from the moment I woke up each morning. From now on, I'll always look for accommodations with stunning views.

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I've stayed in dozens of places around the world. These photos show why a room with a view is always worth the upgrade.

As a travel reporter, I've stayed in countless accommodations around the world, from standard hotel rooms and train bunks to tiny homes and glamping tents.

If I've learned one thing about accommodations, it's that nothing elevates a room like a stellar view.

Rooms with a view make me feel more immersed in the destination I'm visiting and pull me away from mundane activities I typically turn to at the end of the day, like watching TV.

A lifeguard tower outside of Miami that I booked in 2021 through Airbnb gave me my first taste of stunning views from bed.

For $100 a night, I got a small room with a comfy bed and sweeping views of the Florida Everglades.

My tower came with wide windows on three sides, which made me feel like I was sleeping outside, but with the comforts of the indoors.

I could see the sun rise and set from all angles thanks to the windows that wrapped around the tower. It was my favorite part of the whole experience.

A year later, I visited Niagara Falls for the first time and splurged for a room with a view at the Sheraton Fallsview. For two nights, it was $1,000.

The Sheraton Fallsview Hotel faces all three falls that make up Niagara Falls: the American Falls on the left, Bridal Veil Falls in the middle, and Horseshoe Falls on the right.

When I got to my room, I was surprised to find that due to the room's open floor plan and floor-to-ceiling windows, I'd be able to view the epic site from the comfort of my bed.

I thought it was relaxing to watch the falls from my queen-size bed, and I felt excited falling asleep at night knowing that the falls would be the first thing I'd see when I opened my eyes in the morning without having to face any of the crowds outside.

The room also had a Juliet balcony. With the door open, I found listening to the falls to be calming. It reminded me of the white-noise audio I sometimes use to fall asleep, except smoother and more powerful.

While the falls are breathtaking during the day, staying in this hotel room made me think they may be even more beautiful at night. After the sun went down, I looked out the window to find the falls glowing in changing colors, courtesy of the Niagara Falls Illumination board.

At 10 p.m., I was excited to see a fireworks show explode over the glowing waterfalls, which I enjoyed without obstruction or crowds.

I had no idea that the falls would glow at night with color and fireworks before visiting Niagara Falls, so if I hadn't stayed in a hotel with a view, I may have never seen them.

Just a few days later, I stayed at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, a historic luxury hotel in Québec City, Canada, for about $600.

I booked a Fairmont room, the hotel's lowest-tier room category. Fairmont rooms are between 175 and 220 square feet and are recommended for couples and solo travelers, according to the hotel's website.

My first impression of my room was that it appeared small and plain.

But I thought the view from the window was anything but small.

Perched on the window sill, I could see the European-style architecture that filled Québec City ...

... as well as mountains in the distance.

In between the bathroom and the bed, there was a desk in front of the window with a comfy leather chair I used to eat and take in the view.

The view was easily the coolest part of the otherwise average hotel room, making it worth the price tag, I thought.

A couple of months after my trip to Canada, I took a 2-week train trip through four European countries and stayed at Castello di Roncade, a castle in Italy. It cost me $360 for three nights.

The property was filled with stunning landscaping, from gardens and hedges to statues and trees.

My room was inside one of the towers. Aside from exposed brick walls and a beamed ceiling, nothing about the room screamed "castle" to me — until I looked out the window.

Although it was partially obstructed by the tower's arches, I loved waking up to this view of the castle's property. It made me more excited to start each day.

Most recently in April, I stayed in an A-Frame cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. I booked it for a weekend for $1,000 through Airbnb.

Right away, I thought the home's pointed and wide windows made the views look even more beautiful and dramatic than any other cabin I've stayed in.

With wood paneling and vast windows, I thought the cabin made me feel immersed in nature from the comfort of a cozy bed in a heated home.

From Canada to Europe to Tennessee, all of these stays set the scene for my trips from the moment I woke up each morning. From now on, I'll always look for accommodations with stunning views.