You may have already tried a Singapore Sling at Raffles Singapore, a daiquiri at La Floridita in Cuba or a Bellini at Harry’s bar in Venice.  Iconic though these venues (and drinks) are, you don’t need us to tell you about those!

Here at Temple World we’re all about creating alternative experiences you might not find in your guidebook. With this in mind we put our heads together to come up with a shortlist of the top 5 hotel bars in the world (according to us!).  Whether you like to dance the night away on a city rooftop or want to watch the sun set in blissful silence with a chilled G&T in your hand, we have the spot for you.

1.    Rock Bar – Ayana Bali

Suspended above the ocean in Bali’s laid back beach resort Jimbaran, Rock bar’s dramatic cliff-side location is reached by funicular from the 5 star Ayana Hotel.  International DJ’s spin laid back Mediterranean tunes to complement the incredible sunsets.

Drink: Spa on the Rock, made with vodka, blackcurrant liqueur, blueberry and cranberry juice or try the Bartender’s Rock Shots if you dare – a set of 6 shots to share.

Stay: Ayana’s tranquil Jimbaran location, private white sand beach and cliff-top pool make it a wonderful choice as part of a Bali holiday. The bars and restaurants of Seminyak are only a 20 minute taxi ride away but the feel here is of blissful isolation.   From £220 per room per night, including breakfast.

2.    360 ° Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai

Perched on the end of a pier, with views of the sea and iconic Burj al Arab hotel, 360 ° features international DJs and award-winning mixologists. It’s the TW team’s favourite spot for cocktails in Dubai, and the half price drinks during happy ‘hour’ from 5-8pm each evening mean double the fun!

Drink: a Gin-Quat, served in an Old Fashioned glass, tangy kumquats are muddled with lemon juice, Tanqueray, Cointreau, sugar syrup and mint.

Stay: The Jumeirah Beach Hotel is one of the original (and still one of the best) luxury beach hotels in Dubai. With its iconic ‘wave’ design and incredible facilities it is one of our clients’ most popular hotels for both couples and families alike. Looking swish after an extensive refurbishment, this hotel is hard to beat.  From £530 per room per night, including half board

3.    Fish Eagle Bar at Eagle Island Lodge, Botswana

Voted by the New York Times as one of the most romantic bars in the world, Fish Eagle Bar at Belmond’s Eagle Island Lodge in the Okavango Delta is the most remote bar on our list.  Swap tales of your safari adventures as the sunset sinks below the horizon of the tranquil Delta floodwaters.

Drink: A classic G&T is the appropriate drink here, invented for the colonies as the quinine in the tonic is a natural mosquito repellent. For romantics, a flute of champagne is perfect.

Stay: Set on a private island, there are only 12 luxury suites at ultra-exclusive Belmond Eagle Island Lodge. Immaculate service, amazing guiding and the option to explore by helicopter or on horseback make this one of the finest safari experiences in Africa.  From about £1800 per room per night, including meals, drinks and game experiences. Ask Katie for more details – she has just got back from a stay.

4.    Sky Bar at Lebua Bangkok

One of the highest rooftop bars in the world, the vertigo-inducing Sky bar sits atop the iconic Lebua hotel in Bangkok’s Bang Rak district. One of the city’s hottest nightspots, enjoy sundowner cocktails at Sky Bar before heading to the hotel’s award-winning Sirocco restaurant.

Drink: A Hangovertini, made with green tea liquor, Martini Rosso, green apple juice and rosemary-infused honey,  created for the cast of The Hangover Part II while they were filming at Lebua.

Stay: With some of the best dining and drinking options in town, Lebua makes a great option if nightlife is your thing. Standard Rooms are a bit dated but the all-suite Tower Club is fabulous and highly recommended and the hotel concierge can get you on the Sky Bar guestlist. Suites cost from £146 per room per night, including breakfast.

5.    Red2One, W Santiago

Overlooking the spectacular Andes and the Santiago skyline, Red2One at W Santiago features glass walls for uninterrupted views. With chic décor, guest DJs and a sophisticated clientele, this is a bar to see and be seen at, located in the city’s super-modern business district.

Drink: Try a Desierto Florido, inspired by Chile’s sun-scorched Northern deserts, made with Tequila, grapefruit juice, Vermouth Bianco and Elderflower Liqueur and served long.

Stay: We don’t often recommend chain hotels here at Temple World, but if you love modern décor and want a young, vibey feel, this funky property makes a great contrast to Santiago’s colonial hotel scene. The rooftop infinity pool is also a major draw.  Rooms cost from £234 per room per night, including breakfast 

Temple World’s local expertise
We hope you’ve enjoyed our suggestions! The big difference when you book a holiday with Temple World is that we’ve been there, often we’ve lived and worked there too.  We can offer honest first-hand recommendations for local bars, cafes and restaurants that we’ve tried and tested, and can pre-book tables before you travel, free of charge.  From Cape Town and Cuba to Tanzania and Tokyo, we know a little place you’ll love…

Contact Temple World on 020 8940 4114 to speak to an expert and start planning your trip today.