I fundamentally disagree with people who say “it’s just a hotel room” or “we won’t be spending much time in our room, anyway”. To me, a hotel is a fundamental part of any trip and a rubbish one – where the staff are aloof or the breakfast below par, for example – can impact significantly on one’s enjoyment.

That doesn’t mean it has to be five star. Two of my favourite hotels (neither of which have outstanding views and one of which was, in reality, rather like indoor camping) both had two stars.

The magnificence of an hotel, in my opinion, can hinge on many things: the waft of a scent that floods your senses when you walk into reception; the bar staff remembering your beverage of choice on your next visit; a personalised message or little treat on arrival in your room; an unexpected upgrade; the vastness of the breakfast buffet; the effortless attentiveness of the staff or simply the memories you’ve made there.

That said, the feeling of ‘wow’ when you open the door to your room and the view from the balcony pulls you, like a magnetic force, and there you stand, looking but not saying anything, is one of the best feelings ever when booking an hotel.

There are only a handful of hotels that have stirred that feeling in me, where I’ve stood in silence, just looking, but probably none more than the Parador de Aiguablava, where the view is nothing short of magical.

A parador is a state-owned luxury hotel in Spain, usually located in a converted historic building such as a monastery or castle, or in a modern building in a nature area with a special appeal or with a panoramic view of somewhere significant.

The Parador de Aiguablava near Begur in north-eastern Catalonia, isn’t a monastery or castle. It was, in fact, built in the 1960s, having been renovated more recently. This hotel clings to a rocky outcrop, perched almost precariously upon it, with staggeringly steep drops down into the Mediterranean, with jaw-dropping views from every single angle. It’s a slim finger of rock that points out into the sea.

I’ve always stayed on the side which overlooks Aiguablava itself, enabling me to sit on the balcony and dream which multi-million Euro villa I’d choose (it’s the terracotta red one with expansive lawn and steep steps down to a private beach). The other side looks across the rugged Costa Brava coastline, isolated coves, tumbling pine forests and the endless expanse of sea.

The hotel itself has bags of modern art, contemporary reception areas and a good pool, but I am too busy looking at the view to take much notice of anything else.

Being total Brits abroad, my sister and I once decided the only way to enhance our breakfast view was to enjoy it whilst drinking cava, so I duly helped myself to what was on offer in a vast, silver ice bucket. The top blasted out of the bottle so quickly and so loudly with just a little twist – and maybe even left an indent in the ceiling – but caused a few fellow diners to snigger, even if it was at me and not with me.

Aiguablava itself, with its brightest of bright turquoise seas, is a gem, as indeed is the majority of the Costa Brava, and home to the wonderful seafood restaurant Toc al Mar, which is literally the first restaurant you come to as you descend the coastal steps from the parador.

One night in a double room for two people in June starts at €162.

Without sounding like I work for the Le Touquet tourist office (the dream), I simply can’t write a blog post about hotels with exemplary views without including Novotel Thalassa Le Touquet – an hotel I have harped on about many times in potentially my favourite place in the entire world.

This is no mean feat for me to admit as I am a warm weather fan and Le Touquet Paris Plage isn’t that far from the UK, hence the weather isn’t significantly different. However, it is the happiest place I have ever been and, even on my last visit, I had to pinch myself. It just tugs at my heart strings.

No matter what the weather, the rooms with seaview always deliver. At this hotel, you aren’t overlooking the beach. You are on the beach. You are part of it. The hotel is built into the dunes.

In the winter months, you can nestle beneath your duvet and watch the crashing waves. In the warmer months, sit on the balcony and see the sea sparkle and foam backwards and forwards, across the opal sands. Whatever the season, sit in smug comfort, knowing you have the best view in town and watch the kite surfers and dog walkers.

The same stunning views can be enjoyed from the dining room (where the breakfast is extensive) or the bar (where it’s easy to sit and make friends of all nationalities who are just happy to be there too). The hotel is also dog friendly, so you and your four-legged pal can enjoy the views together, whatever the weather.

Seaview rooms start at around £165 per night.

Dubai is all about excess and views from Sofitel the Palm Dubai are what you might call excessive too. It delivers on views by the bucket load –  but then again, find a luxury hotel on the Palm that doesn’t!

The Palm itself is a manmade set of islands, built to increase the coastline for Dubai’s tourists. Its trunk is lined with high rise hotels and residences, with its fronds providing lavish communities for those who can afford their eye-wateringly premium price tags. The halo around the palm is home to some of the finest hotels in Dubai, with the world-famous Atlantis being a notable landmark.

On first visit, I wasn’t sure whether I would like Dubai or not, but I LOVE it – and can’t think of anywhere I’d rather stay whilst there than Sofitel the Palm, which was recommended to me by a friend who lived there at the time. For me, the Burj al Arab and Atlantis are a little too big and OTT, if there is such a thing in a place like Dubai, although the Sofitel suits me down the ground.

There are views upon views from the airport to the Palm itself, but sweep into the sumptuous reception at the Sofitel and the true splendour of the view unravels before you, with towering skyscrapers rising up in the distance.

The halo of land that the Sofitel sits on is a narrow, curved slither, with Dubai itself on one side and the vast, open Arabian Gulf on the other. You can choose a room or villa with either view, but we opted for the marvels of a city view, with its high-rise buildings across the water, towering above the billionaires’ mansions nestling on the Palm’s fronds. It’s a view you can never tire of.

It’s peaceful out there on the Palm, away from the mayhem of the city, which sparkles like the expensive, blingy jewel that it is. Book a speedboat tour around the palm from the water sports centre at the hotel and overdose on views.

I can’t write about this hotel and not mention the amazing service. We were made to feel so very special, as I am sure everyone who visits does. Some places just get it oh so very right.

Double rooms start at around £280 per night.

While rooms at the Hotel Bodega Tio Pepe in Jerez, southern Spain, may not all offer hugely panoramic views themselves, the 360-degree view from the roof terrace in this city centre treasure is nothing short of breath-taking.

The hotel is situated in the historic centre of Jerez, virtually on top of the cathedral, attached to potentially the most well-known bodega in sherry production and a cork pop away from the Alcázar.

Therefore, views are of sun-drenched, ancient buildings, terracotta roof tops, distant rolling hills (where the sherry grapes are grown) and the world’s largest working weather vane (in the shape of a sherry bottle). There is a warm waft of oakiness and booze in the air, and the feeling of being on a film set.

Climb the steps to the viewing platform on the roof terrace and breathe in the sunset. It’s enough to make you go ‘ahhhh’ is the sun slips behind the hills and reds turn to black, and the city twinkles all around you. Time to enjoy a sherry cocktail on the terrace before slinking out into the film set for tapas and flamenco.

Double rooms start at around €215 per night.