Sprawling across 30 acres of bushland hills, Qualia can be found teetering at the edge of the tropical Hamilton Island. Spend days lazing by one of the two infinity pools with views across the Coral Sea, or head down to the base of the hill where Pebble Beach restaurant welcomes guests with extravagant tasting menus consisting of sustainable and locally sourced Austrailian food – and a side order of views across the water.

On Corfu’s southeastern coast, this idyllic resort is perched on a tree-clad hillside. Check in to any of the hotel’s suites – all have gorgeous sea views – before heading straight to the poolside bar to sip on Corfiot wines with an unobstructed view of the horizon. Dine on traditional Greek dishes at San Giovanni restaurant or opt for a classy evening at Apaggio for tasting menus on a terrace heavily scented by the neighbouring herb garden.

Teetering atop a rocky cliff face rather than a hilltop, the Post Ranch Inn quite literally puts guests on the edge. On California’s dramatic Big Sur coastline, this adults-only retreat offers recycled-redwood cabins, roaring log fires and uninterrupted views of the gently ebbing Pacific and cloud-free starry skies. Head to the terrace to clink glasses of lavender martinis as you soak up those Californian views.

Set among the beautiful hilltop village of Gordes, this sleepy hotel offers sweeping views across Provence’s surrounding fields and valleys. Explore the La Bastide’s medieval ramparts, ancestral decor and the nearby lavender fields before treating yourself to an outdoor massage at the hotel’s Sisley Spa or a soak in the clawfoot bathtub in your room.

Nestled in the rolling hills of Ramatuelle, La Réserve beckons travellers looking for tranquility among jasmine- and lavender-scented fields. A welcome escape from the glitz and glamour of St Tropez, it has a spa which offers treatments including purifying steam baths and volcanic-mud fangotherapy, while simple, detox-friendly food is served on the hotel’s leafy terrace.

Overlooking the Unesco World Heritage Site of Val d’Orcia, this 800-year-old Tuscan estate offers hilltop romance at its best. Spend days pootling between the heated infinity pool – set atop a lavender- and bluebell-covered hill with views of Tuscany’s rolling fields – and the hotel’s spa located in the estate’s former wine cellars. Come evening, make your way through the estate’s vineyard for a wine tasting.