8 Budget-Friendly Hotels with Amazing Views of Iconic Architecture

Just a few hundred feet from Barcelona’s mesmerizing basilica, the Ayre Hotel considers the Sagrada Família to be its raison d'être. The hotel boasts up-close views from many of its rooms, which are designed with handsome dark wood, burgundy accents, and contemporary artwork, along with conveniences like flat-screen TVs and complimentary minibars. Higher-category rooms are not only affordable (starting at 105€), but offer Jacuzzi tubs and Nespresso machines. Factor in the panoramic terrace with shaded lounges facing the Sagrada, and the Ayre Hotel offers a truly impressive bang for your buck in Barcelona.

• Outdoor spaces in several rooms
• Breakfast buffet
• Room service

With its unmistakable structure (a series of white “shells” resembling the sails of a ship), the Sydney Opera House is considered one of the 20th Century’s most lauded architectural works—not to mention one of Sydney’s biggest appeals. Savvy travelers should stay at the no-frills, apartment-style Macleay Hotel, which offers great views of the awe-inspiring building, minus the price tag. Located on a tree-lined street in the vibrant neighborhood of Potts Point, the hotel consists of studio and multi-bedrooms apartments, the latter of which boast large balconies and full kitchens. For dinner, guests can savor BBQ and burgers at the on-site restaurant, Billy Kwong, though there are plenty of options within a stone’s throw of the hotel. The friendly local staff is happy to arrange massages or manicures at the off-site spa, along with visits to an affiliate gym. 

• Airport shuttle
• Free in-house movies
• Laundry room

Travelers will feel like in-the-know locals at Hotel Gustave, where romantic-meets-eclectic decor is second only to Eiffel Tower views. Located on a quiet street within walking distance of the Seine, the intimate hotel prides itself on its sumptuous decor: think jewel-tone sofas, velvet ottomans, glass-enclosed cabinets filled with tchotchkes, and contemporary light fixtures. The design quality continues in the rooms, many of which have direct views of the Eiffel Tower from French windows, along with Nespresso machines and smart LCD flat-screen TVs. Breakfast is served in the colorful dining room, where there is a small honesty bar and courtyard for alfresco dining.

• Several accessible rooms
• Room service
• Gluten-free options served

When Burj Khalifa emerged from the Dubai skyline in 2010, it shattered Guinness World Records and wowed the world over with its boundary-pushing engineering, architecture, and extravagance. Travelers come to Dubai to gawk at the 160-floor skyscraper from all angles (in addition to visiting the observation deck inside), but the lucky guests of Ramada can gaze at the building from their hotel room.

The ultra-modern hotel offers Burj views from many of its accommodations, including one suite with a spacious balcony that puts visitors tantalizingly close to the structure. When not exploring the surrounding area, guests will be well-entertained between the swimming pool, sauna, fitness center, and badminton court; and multiple dining options, with contemporary Arabic cuisine and crowd-pleasing fare like pizza on offer. 

• 24-hour room service
• Buffet breakfast
• Kid’s club and playground

With a relaxed ambiance, cheery decor, and friendly service, Hotel Colloseum reflects the atmosphere of the Eternal City through and through. Guests are welcomed by the colorful lobby, with pastel green walls complementing vintage furnishings and mod-inspired lighting. Rooms are more understated in decor, outfitted with air conditioning and satellite TV, and some boast balconies with views of the Colosseum. Most time should be spent on the rooftop terrace, however, which is framed by topiaries and offers panoramic city views of not only the hotel’s namesake but of Rome’s multiple basilica domes and hillside towns in the distance. Here, guests lounge on shaded chairs and savor drinks and snacks in the afternoon. Breakfast is served in the dining rooms downstairs, with its vintage-style coffered ceiling. 

• Bikes and scooters for rent
• Triple and quadruple rooms ideal for families

Known as the world’s most spectacular romantic homage—the mausoleum complex was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in his late wife’s memory—the Taj Mahal is often regarded as the most exquisite work of architecture on the planet. At Crystal Sarovar Premiere, roughly half of the hotel’s accommodations offer views of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, many of which are straight-on vistas. Taj Mahal views continue in many of the hotel’s common spaces, including the rooftop, where an alfresco grill and pool make the hotel far more than a crash pad. Crystal is also very family-friendly, boasting well-equipped rooms with satellite TV channels and central air conditioning, as well as a kid’s play area.  

• Fitness center
• Full-service spa with deep tissue and Ayurvedic massage treatments

Among London’s many great architectural works, the Renzo Piano-designed Shard is arguably the most striking, with its pyramidal glass seemingly piercing the sky. DoubleTree puts visitors right at the forefront of the tower, affording views of not only the Shard, but of the Gherkin and Tower Bridge. The best vistas are enjoyed at Savage Garden, the hotel’s rooftop restaurant, where creative cocktails, top-shelf whiskies, and snacks are served beneath a retractable roof. Rooms are expectedly tasteful, with creamy white linens and handsome wooden fixtures (several accomodations overlook Tower Bridge, providing a truly luxurious London experience). Common areas were designed with an extra dose of style, including the light-filled lobby atrium and contemporary ​​City Cafe, where a crowd-pleasing breakfast buffet is offered daily.

• Chocolate chip cookies upon arrival
• Accessible rooms
• Fitness center

Athen’s crown jewel is the Acropolis, an ancient citadel presiding regally over the city. Travelers usually pay top-dollar for views of the Neolithic landmark, but the Home and Poetry Hotel is a lovely gem for travelers on a budget. Ideally situated for sightseeers (the Parthenon and Acropolis are both within walking distance), the hotel is set in a neoclassical building with a rooftop garden and bar with sublime views of Acropolis. Rooms are similarly impressive, with hardwood floors, classical moldings, exposed stone walls, and skylights, and all offer flat-screen TVs. Guests have the option to rent bikes or scooters to explore Athens, while the concierge is available to book city tours and cruises to nearby islands.

• Room service
• Buffet breakfast