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daydream with this photo. imagine that you’re staying on this hillside on Bali, that you’ll toast the sunrise here and that you’ll lounge beside the pool all day. Of course, this view has its share of breathtaking rivals. Tahitian waters, breaching whales, historic forts — you can see them all if you know exactly where to stay. Thanks to islands edi-tors, contributors and readers, we’ve pinpointed the island resorts and rooms that offer the most stunning views. You literally may never see the world the same way again. Go ahead, take a look.

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the viceroy bali lets resort guests walk out into the island scenery.

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Best overwater view Sofitel Moorea, Islands of Tahiti> Blue water, turquoise water, crystal-clear water — those are the best reasons to visit the islands of Tahiti. in fact, stay in the easternmost superior Overwater Bungalow at the sofitel Moorea ia Ora Beach Resort, and you may forget you have a panoramic view just beyond your 100-square-foot terrace; the best window in this room is the one in the floor. sure this bungalow offers one of Moorea’s only unobstructed views of Papeete and a look back at Mount Teara. But the glass panel at your feet showcases a living aquarium: a veritable city of col-orful fish swims over a natural coral reef, visible all day and night thanks to soft lighting below the huts. it will be tempt-ing to spend all your time looking at this protected lagoon through glass — but don’t. What’s great about this view is that when you’re finished looking, you can just dive in. Rates from $350. sofitel.com

Best view of the heavens Kona Village Resort, Hawaii> look left, look right. and then, look up. That’s where you’ll find the best view from new Hebrides 5 at Kona Village Resort on the Big island of Hawaii. This hale, or bungalow, is situated above the Pacific Ocean on a bed of hardened, black lava. The 270-degree panorama from the room’s private lanai spans from south to west, but it’s the heavens above that will have you craning your neck for just one more look. ask the resident astronomer for insight on the southern Cross, Cas-siopeia and Orion constellations. When the sun goes down, place a coconut at your front doorstep to signal you need privacy and turn off the lights in the thatched-roof bungalow. since few outdoor lamps are used to light the property (watch your step at night), the light pollution is minimal, making for optimal stargaz-ing conditions. One night of wishing on endless stars, and you’ll be counting the seconds until that magic sunset wraps it up. Rates from $660. konavillage.com >>

What’s great about this view is that when you’re finished looking, just dive in.

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Best relaxing view The Viceroy Bali> no window is big enough to frame this view. instead, the Viceroy Bali in-vites guests to step out of their hillside villas and into the picture. The resort’s manicured gardens, stone terraces and infinity pools flow seamlessly into the saturated wildflowers and swaying palms of this hidden river valley. Of all the east-facing villas, the namesake Viceroy Villa exemplifies the offerings, opening onto a private lawn, an intimate pavilion

and a pool that all beg you to do noth-ing but lounge, look, soak, look. Take a stroll to the CasCades Restaurant for lunch and the lembah spa for an out-door Balinese massage, and the view is the same — you’re floating in the valley. When the sun sets behind the thatched roofs and the view vanishes, the Viceroy Villa’s second bedroom can become an elegant dining room. The catering and butler services will swoop in and out. in the morning, the sun will light it all up again. Rates from $700. viceroybali.com

Best view from the top Frenchmans Lookout, British Virgin Islands> Many people only see the Brit-ish Virgin islands from the deck of a boat. Here’s your chance to look down on them — literally, though not figu-ratively, of course. Just stand on the balcony outside the master bedroom at Frenchmans lookout, a hilltop villa on the island of Tortola. as the name implies, this five-bedroom house is well poised for an alert watchman. However, with its swinging hammocks and sunny decor, this elevated house

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is probably better suited for a curi-ous traveler. Wake up with the sun flooding into this second-floor suite through two walls of windows. Open the French doors to the wraparound porch, and you can choose your van-tage point. To the south is the U.s. Virgin island of st. John, to the north, the white-sand beaches on Jost Van dyke. Just below are the shops and docks that make up the mariners’ vil-lage soper’s Hole. and all around are sea-level boaters who have no idea what they’re missing. Rates from $12,500 a week. frenchmanslookout.com

Hummingbird villa, mustique

Swim to the edge and gaze. Since nothing interrupts your line of sight toward the

sea, the view is all yours.

Best view of everything Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui> You could spend days looking for the best views on Maui. Or you could just book deluxe Ocean View suite no. 497 at the Fairmont Kea lani. This one- bedroom, fourth-floor corner room features a 400-square-foot wraparound lanai, so depending on where you stand and where you gaze, you will see any number of Maui’s landmarks. Molokini Crater and Kaho’olawe island? look straight out, right in front of the resort’s private beach. The island of lanai ? northwest, just over the horizon. sun-rise over Haleakala? Walk to the east side of the balcony, and see the shadows change with the coming light. Humpback whales breaching in the winter? Grab the room’s complimentary binoculars to look for pods of playful splashes. devote a whole day to relaxing on the furnished, breezy balcony, counting picture-perfect vistas. Then devote the next several days to seeing all those sites up close. Rates from $339. fairmont.com/kealani

Best poolside view Villa Collection, Mustique> sitting by the pool is nice. sitting by a private infinity pool with a sweeping view of the Caribbean? divine. That’s the appeal of the master bedroom in the Hummingbird Villa, one of 71 luxury rental villas on Mustique in the Grena-dines. set on the slope of one of the island’s highest hills, this six-bedroom residence overlooks the southern tip of Mustique — and beyond. For the best access to that vista, stake claim on the master bedroom; it opens to the view, plus a stone swimming pool with a dis-appearing edge. Take a plunge at mid-day when the high sun cuts through any lingering morning haze and that cool water is at its most refreshing. swim to the edge and gaze southwest toward the southern Grenadines. since no other villas dot the hill below and nothing interrupts your line of sight toward the sea, the view is all yours. Rates from $5,000 a week. mustique-island.com >>

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Best view of sunrise

Cheeca Lodge, Florida Keys> “i’m never leaving.” That’s the thought you’ll have after waking up in Room 416 at islamorada’s Cheeca lodge. Grab a cup of coffee and head out to your pri-vate lanai for a soak in your open-air tub filled by a steady stream dropping from above you. it’s the perfect place for an unobstructed welcoming look at the sunrise. don’t even turn your head: Your fourth-floor room already faces due east out over the expansive ocean. Gaze out onto the resort’s 525-foot wooden pier and alligator lighthouse, barely visible about five miles out. Fishermen are already bringing in the day’s catch (mahimahi, grouper, wahoo, depending on the season), which you might find on your plate later that evening. Barefoot elegance surrounds you, from the glass rain shower to the West indies decor. it’s the perfect recipe of simplicity, relaxation and luxury. and when you eventually have to leave this room, you can’t wait to come back. Rates from $250. cheeca.com

Best view of the past Aran Islands Hotel, Ireland> The dramatic rolling green hills paint the picture already in your mind. as your ferry docks at inishmore island off the western coast of ireland, the real hills appear. Just being here seems like enough, but then you check into one of the five king rooms with balconies at the aran islands Hotel, the only hotel on this tiny gem of an island. immedi-ately open your window (even if it’s wet and rainy). Panoramic views from Con-nemara to Clare are visible on a clear day. Thousands of miles of stone walls, built by hand over hundreds of years, mean-der atop the entire island. and when you just can’t take it anymore, experience the view firsthand by walking this ciúnas gan uaigneass (silent but not lonely) island. dún aonghusa fort has been sitting just a few miles from your window since the late Bronze age. This is history only few see — and it’s right outside your window. Rates from $70. aranislandshotel.com

Best view seen in postcards

Brampton Island, Australia> Bird’s-eye-view images of the Whit-sunday islands inspire awe. and Room 37 on private Brampton island at the southern end of the Whitsundays puts you in the picture. see the calm, heraldic blue waters of the Whitsunday island Passage just 20 feet from your window. don’t worry about passers-by inter-rupting the scene. This is the only resort on the island, and day-trippers aren’t allowed. look north to see the blues turn green on Carlisle island, where the ancient Melaleuca Forest dominates the landscape. look both east and west to find pristine, white-sand beaches, a national park, jogging tracks, picnic spots and outdoor massage crannies. look up to see birds jealous of your view. Rates from $250. www.brampton-island.com

Best view from islands’ readers 9 Beaches, Bermuda> The view is dressed to the nines at 9 Beaches. This Bermuda resort over-whelmingly received the most votes from islands readers. Cabana 55 off the Paradise Pier takes home the top prize. directly over the water, Cabana 55 boasts the most private locale with clean views of daniel’s Head island and atlantic sunsets. limestone grottoes and hidden caves set the background. sail-boats and kayakers glide past in search of the shipwreck poking out of the water about 100 yards out. a Plexiglas win-dow in the floor (called a “Bermuda TV” by one reader) lets you see the snor-kelers and marine life swimming past. That’s worth watching. Rates from $205. 9beaches.com VoTe AT ISL AndS.CoM/best

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