The best hotel rooftops are the natural sites of celebrations and special occasions for locals—and a smart first move for any arrival just touching down in a new metropolis. You're reading The MICHELIN Guide, so you love to travel for food—and a great rooftop provides an instant, visual story of any place you’ve come to explore. At a hotel in particular, the roof is where the very best of hospitality and high-design converge: almost guaranteed to come with lavish amenities from infinity pools to buzzy cocktail bars.
Below is a tour of the most unique, spectacular, and impressive hotel rooftops in some of the most exciting cities in the world for food-minded travelers (as well as some of The MICHELIN Guide restaurants nearby). But for new arrivals and locals alike, consider this list a built-in night out.
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The Lana
Dubai, UAEThere's no better way to take in Dubai's futuristic skyline. The 30th-floor rooftop at The Lana is a new Dubai staple and a hotspot for the city’s elite. Aptly named High Society, the exclusive lounge is dripping with views, a visual journey from the Burj Khalifa to the sparking blue waters of the Dubai Canal. Whether lounging by the infinity pool or mingling over creative bites, this is Dubai's hottest address for sunset soirées and unforgettable nights.
Restaurants Nearby: Riviera by Jean Imbert, JARA by Martín Berasategui, Fi'lia
The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai Pudong
Shanghai, ChinaThe Art Deco-inspired interiors and impeccable service attracts international travelers to this hotel, which is capped by FLAIR, the city's highest rooftop bar and restaurant. The Oriental Pearl Tower is so close you feel like you can touch it, and a robust menu of Asian tapas and fresh seafood is paired with extensive wine and cocktail selections. A chic ambiance and resident DJs set the mood for glamorous evenings, and at sunset it's nothing short of spectacular.
Restaurants Nearby: Jade on 36, Maison Lameloise, Dining Room
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Hotel ICON Hong Kong
Hong Kong, ChinaThis hotel is a design masterpiece in the heart of the creative East Tsim Sha Tsui district, lauded for its striking modern aesthetics and heartfelt service. The open-air heated pool, however, is what lands it on this list. On the ninth-floor, its unobstructed views of Victoria Harbour make it Hong Kong’s most distinctive swim. There's an especially lively scene during sunset happy hour.
Restaurants Nearby: Shang Palace, Twist & Buckle, Carna by Dario Cecchini
Andaz Tokyo
Tokyo, JapanFrom the open-air terrace on the 52nd-floor, the aptly-named The Rooftop Bar is built for travelers to admire Tokyo Tower, Rainbow Bridge, and Mount Fuji—a visual feast best appreciated with a fine Japanese whiskey in hand. While inventive Japanese bar bites and seafood specialties are available throughout the day, it’s the twilight hour that truly beckons.
Restaurants Nearby: Kanda, Tempura Aratamikawa, Koshikiryori Koki
Fairmont Ambassador Seoul
Seoul, KoreaAtop this modern sanctuary in Seoul's business-centered Yeouido district, sits the Fairmont Ambassador's 29th-floor M29, a chic rooftop bar with unparalleled sights of the golden sunset over Han River and the endlessly glittering skyline. Savor a delicate cocktail dressed in rose petals as daylight fades to evening and the city lights emerge below.
Restaurants Nearby: Hwa Hae Dang, Jungin Myeonok
Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok
Bangkok, ThailandBangkok’s stylish socialites ride straight to the top of this elegantly designed hotel to Bar.Yard, a fan favorite for the festive-forward crowd. The space is colorful, tropical, and padded in city views, an ideal setting to indulge in unique cocktails, craft beers, and punch bowls. DJ sets and themed parties create a buzzy atmosphere, making it ideal for sunset drinks, weekend brunches, or late-night revelry above Bangkok’s famous street food carts and rumbling tuk-tuks.
Raffles London at The OWO
London, EnglandA famous hotel known for impeccable service, opulent suites, and multiple MICHELIN Guide restaurants is also home to one of London's most beloved restaurant rooftops. Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and the London Eye provide the beautiful backdrop for Endo’s signature sushi and sake pairings. The minimalist design and evocative ambiance is best experienced at sunset, when London's distinctive skyline is bathed in golden light.
Restaurants Nearby: Kioku by Endo, Mauro Colagreco at Raffles London at The OWO, Ekstedt at The Yard
Mandarin Oriental Barcelona
Barcelona, SpainWith an elevated location above Passeig de Gràcia, the hotel's rooftop, Terrat, is well known for its magical 360-degree views of the Catalonian capital, with visitors flocking to soak up the Spanish sun alongside its exclusive rooftop pool. A Peruvian menu and extensive wine list complete an exceptional sky-high experience. This is Barcelona at its most cosmopolitan.
Restaurants Nearby: Batea, Virens, Amar Barcelona
Nimb
Copenhagen, DenmarkYou'll need to check in to experience this one. High above the Danish capital, nestled at the Nimb hotel within the beloved Tivoli Gardens, the Nimb Roof is an exclusive sanctuary for hotel guests and Nimb Club members. It's worth the price of admission: the emerald-green mosaic pool has a built-in tide, and the terrace features a chic bar and lounge with expansive panoramas over Tivoli and central Copenhagen. Come during the warmer months, when the evenings get longer and the rooftop erupts with live music.
Singer Palace Hotel
Rome, ItalySet in a beautifully restored 20th-century palace on Via del Corso, the Singer Palace Hotel snagged some prime Roman real estate—the grand entrance is just steps from Piazza Venezia. With that said, there may be no better place to indulge in La Dolce Vita than the hotel’s rooftop bar. Jim's Rooftop Cocktail Bar, with its multi-level terrace, shows off the best of Rome's rooftops, domes, and bell towers, with signature cocktails crafted by award-winning mixologists and snacks reminiscent of an Italian nonna's.
Restaurants Nearby: Green T., Armando al Pantheon, La Ciambella
The Peninsula Paris
Paris, FranceA masterpiece of the Belle Époque, the Peninsula Paris is known as “The Little Versailles.” Near the Arc de Triomphe, it was here that world leaders signed the 1973 Paris Peace Accords and where Gershwin penned An American in Paris. Today, it's the site of L'Oiseau Blanc, a Two-MICHELIN-Star restaurant wrapped in marvelous views of the Paris skyline (Eiffel Tower included). Adjacent, Le Rooftop presents a lush garden lounge, ideal for cocktails any time of year thanks to its cozy winter domes.
Restaurants Nearby: LiLi, Alan Geaam, Pages
Equinox Hotel New York
New York City, USAThey don’t call the 212 accommodations here “rooms.” They call them “sleep chambers,” built with total soundproofing and next-generation blackout blinds for scientifically-optimized sleep. With that in mind, it’s not much of a surprise that the rooftop is just as extra: 8,000-square-feet (that’s about three tennis courts) with panoramic views of Manhattan’s Hudson Yards, iconic skyline, and this rooftop’s own interesting sculptures. The restaurant, Electric Lemon, provides inventive libations and cuisine.
1 Hotel South Beach
Miami, Florida, USAWhile guests have access to four ocean-view pools throughout this impeccably designed and eco-focused South Beach oasis, the exclusive adults-only rooftop pool on the 18th-floor is the hotel's signature attraction. Beyond the panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Miami's distinctive skyline, this rooftop is Miami’s best example of how sustainability enhances luxury. The pool features advanced water purification technology, energy-efficient lighting, and smart climate controls that reduce environmental impact without compromising comfort.
Restaurants Nearby: Pao by Paul Qui, Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann
The Maybourne Beverly Hills
Los Angeles Area, USAOn the ninth-floor of the extremely elegant, extremely Californian Maybourne Beverly Hills is Dante. Serving Mediterranean dishes and seasonal cocktails in unparalleled glamor, the hills of Hollywood are the backdrop to live music and unparalleled sunsets. Drinks are taken particularly seriously here: the martini menu features ten different recipes.
Restaurants Nearby: Avra, CUT, Nozawa Bar
Chicago Athletic Association
Chicago, Illinois, USAThe building dates back to an 1893 athletic club built in a staggering Venetian Gothic style, and the historic renovation a century later followed the original blueprint faithfully: except for Cindy's Rooftop. Here, the hotel’s one modern addition is a luminous glass atrium that bathes the dining space in natural light. The adjacent open-air terrace is a long strip of expansive views over Millennium Park and Lake Michigan—strategically outfitted for year-round access.
Restaurants Nearby: The Gage, Bar Mar, Prime & Provisions
San Francisco Proper Hotel
San Francisco, California, USAAtop the maximalist masterpiece that is the San Francisco Proper, a 1904 Beaux Arts landmark with interiors by one of the most celebrated hotel interior designers in the world, is Charmaine's Rooftop—a sea of mixed prints, red metal accents, and the playful sophistication for which Kelly Wearstler is best known. Visitors rave over the laid-back but lively vibe, where attentive bar staff shake up intriguing cocktails and the chef offers an inventive menu of bar bites. Come at Golden Hour to see San Fran’s characteristic fog roll dramatically over the cityscape.
Restaurants Nearby: Merchant Roots, Birdsong, Azalina's
Sofitel Mexico City Reforma
Mexico City, MexicoThe original 1930s facade of a private home serves as the base of the Sofitel, artfully incorporated into this 38-floor skyscraper that rises above Paseo de la Reforma: undoubtedly Mexico City’s most iconic avenue. At the very top, the Sofitel’s Cityzen rooftop boasts 270-degree vistas of the city’s most historic landmarks and its dazzling modern skyline. No doubt the wrap-around terrace will be bustling, but if there’s a wait, it’s worth it. In March and April, blooming Jacaranda trees add vibrant purple accents to the boulevard below.
Hotel Unique
Sao Paulo, BrazilFrom the outside, the strange architecture of Hotel Unique resembles a ship; on the inside, cutting-edge modernism blends with organic curves. And at the top of the building, another instantly recognizable feature—the sleek, crimson red pool rimmed by 360-degree views of the city skyline. This is the beating heart of Skye Bar, whose wooden deck is a magnet for the city’s stylish crowd. A dynamic menu of Brazilian and Japanese-inspired dishes and bar snacks pair exquisitely with its list of crafted cocktails. With dusk comes a live DJ set that even swimmers won't miss a moment of—underwater speakers add an appropriately unique experience.
Restaurants Nearby: Chez Claude São Paulo, TonTon, De Segunda
Alvear Palace Hotel
Buenos Aires, ArgentinaWhen Alvear Palace Hotel opened in 1932, guests were enthralled by its Parisian Belle Époque style. Today it’s an official historic monument, filled with crystal chandeliers and gold-leaf walls. On the open-air terrace on the 11th-floor, the Alvear Roof Bar builds on such refinement through panoramic views over the leafy Recoleta neighborhood and the capital city's grandest boulevards. Well-dressed patrons know to arrive just before the sun sets to grab their plush seat under twinkling string lights, where they indulge in a menu of sushi, Argentine-inspired tapas, and signature cocktails.
Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana
Rio de Janeiro, BrazilFrom the golden sands of Copacabana Beach to the grandeur of Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro dazzles. The Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana’s unrivaled location is the spot to revel in it, which is why no visitor to Brazil’s vibrant beachfront metropolis should miss the hotel’s sixth-floor. Spirit Copa Bar is the city’s social hub, boasting spectacular sights, exotic cocktails made with Brazilian fruits, and live samba music.
Restaurants Nearby: Marine Restô, Haru Sushi Bar, Didier
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