The UK’s favourite hotel and Airbnb views
From overseas escapes to staycations, seaside breaks to city skylines, Brits are searching for the perfect holiday scenery. We’ve analysed search data to discover the UK’s favourite hotel and Airbnb views, shortlisting the categories that people are searching for the most.
It might surprise you that it’s not our country’s impressive coastline that comes out on top, but a love of landmarks and broader interest in standout views of all shapes and sizes. For accommodation owners, that means any strong backdrop can become a selling point.
We’ve rounded up the most popular views, sharing expert tips on how to make the most of your scenery:
- The UK’s favourite holiday views
- Landmarks are the most popular view
- Sea and ocean views get second place
- City and skyline views are third most popular
- Other popular views: lakes, rivers, mountains
- UK holidaymakers are fond of any scenic view
- Making the most of your Airbnb or hotel view
The UK’s favourite holiday views
| Type of view | Combined UK monthly search volume |
|
| 1 | Landmarks | 5,410 |
| 2 | Sea/beach/ocean | 2,620 |
| 3 | City/skyline | 1,620 |
| 4 | Harbour/bay | 1,570 |
| 5 | Lake | 1,560 |
| 6 | River/canal | 1,250 |
| 7 | Mountain | 560 |
| 8 | Pool | 200 |
Significant searches for hotels and Airbnbs with any type of view (3,680 combined monthly UK searches for non‑specific ‘view’ queries) show how keen Brits are for a scenic backdrop at their destination.
Landmarks are the most popular view
With a coastline of at least 7,723 miles (see this BBC article on why it’s impossible to measure it precisely), you may expect seaside views to take the crown. However, the data reveals that landmarks and tourist attractions come out on top.
With over 5,000 UK searches every month (5,410), landmarks are the most popular view by far. The Eiffel Tower is particularly beloved, accounting for almost half of the searches (2,490), showing that Brits are especially interested in landmark views when holidaying abroad.
Closer to home, the capital’s Tower Bridge (250), Big Ben (110), and the London Eye (80) are perennial contenders, as well as Edinburgh Castle (150) up north. A recent report shared by Time Out supports these findings, noting that Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament were voted Britain’s favourite sight.
Sea and ocean views get second place
What’s more refreshing than opening your windows and hearing the sounds of waves lapping against the shore, and a gentle sea breeze coming in?
According to a survey by Visit Britain, seaside towns are the most popular destination during the summer months (July to September). With 2,620 combined monthly searches, Brits are partial to a breezy ocean view.
In addition, a view of a harbour or a bay receives 1,570 monthly UK searches, a perfect match for sailing enthusiasts or fans of picturesque boats bobbing in the distance.
Blockhouse and Seabreeze Cottage, on Tresco, Isles of Scilly
Tom Matthews, Head of Marketing & Communications at Tresco Island, a stunning island at the heart of the Isles of Scilly, notes that maximising the spectacular views are central to the appeal of their cottages. The IDSystems team installed pocket sliding doors at the remote location 28 miles from the Cornish coast, where the high-quality performance is essential in order to withstand the natural elements.
In a recent guest review, Linda B says: “‘sea view’ understates the spectacular location of these cottages. Literally on the edge of the beach with high tide lapping at the garden edge and panoramic views of the surrounding islands.”
City and skyline views are third most popular
The third most popular view is a city or skyline view, with 1,620 monthly searches in the UK. Besides city views in London and Manchester, Britons search for rooms with a skyline view of top destinations like Rome, Barcelona, and Berlin in Europe, and Hong Kong, Manhattan, and Tokyo further afield.
It goes to show that the popularity of skylines is not confined to boardrooms and other corporate spaces, but it appeals to holidaymakers too. It’s the perfect view to watch the world go by, and enjoy the hustle and bustle of metropolitan life.
Other popular views: lakes, rivers, mountains
Connecting with nature and being outdoors is a top reason for overnight trips, according to a recent Visit Britain report. Views of natural surroundings are therefore ever popular, with lake views seeing 1,560 monthly UK searches, and river or canal views 1,220.
Brits are also keen for a mountain view, with 560 monthly searches for rocky destinations both abroad, such as Fuji and the Dolomites, and beautiful peaks in Wales and the Lake District closer to home.
UK holidaymakers are fond of any scenic view
While people in the UK are clearly partial to views of landmarks and coastal wonders, they are also frequently looking for any nice view in their target destination.
With an additional 3,680 combined monthly UK searches for non-specific types of view, including ‘hotel with scenic view’ or ‘London hotel with view’, many people simply value a nice view over anything. From the London skyline to Primrose Hill or Camden Town, the capital city has endless sights to enjoy.
When picking a picturesque destination, there’s also trust that there are so many view-worthy windows that there’s no need to specify. For example, who wouldn’t want to see the Sagrada Família when you look outside the window, instead of the busy road you usually see from the office. Spotting the stunning work of Gaudí the moment you wake up, rather than the same old setting you usually see.
There’s something about a nice view that helps break up the monotony of everyday life, a perfect way to set the scene of your holiday.
Making the most of your Airbnb or hotel view
For stays and accommodation owners, the good news is that you can work with what you have, whether that’s an idyllic countryside landscape or the London Eye. What’s for certain is that Brits love a view, so it’s important to not only invest in it but also show it off.
When guests book a holiday property in a coastal or rural location, they aren’t just paying for a place to stay; they are buying an escape from their normal lives and a holiday property can be greatly enhanced by making the most of the view.
Edward Stobart, Technical Sales Manager at IDSystems, says: “For those who are fortunate to own holiday properties that overlook a rugged coast, a picturesque lake or rolling hills, strategically designed architectural glazing can maximise the views, enhance the guest experience and drive higher booking rates and values all year-round.
“For larger expanses of glazing, choosing slim sliding doors with ultra-thin frame profiles can help eliminate visual interruptions between the inside and out. Minimal sightlines mean less frame, more glass and allow the natural surroundings to take centre stage.”
Stobart advises that opting for large panes of glass creates a dramatic, picture-window effect, helping to frame the view out even when the weather keeps guests indoors. He continues: “Floor-to-ceiling glass with minimal aluminium profiles ensures guests can enjoy panoramic, unbroken views in total comfort.”
Stobart notes that high-performance glazing also has the power to make spaces feel larger, brighter, and instantly luxurious: “This doesn’t just enhance the guest experience it also increases the appeal of the property on listings – driving clicks and turning browsers into bookings.”
Since installing the pocket sliding doors in 2022, Tresco Island has noticed guest reviews mention the beautiful views. “One of the things guests comment on most about these cottages – and certainly one of their main selling points – is their proximity to the ocean, with the stunning sliding doors really bringing the outside in and making the most of the incredible location,” says Tom.
“The cottages on this side of the island look out towards the white sands of Green Porth and the shimmering silhouette of the Eastern Isles beyond,” says Tom. “Maximising these stunning sights with high-quality glazing was the essential finishing touch on our luxury offering.”
Ready to upgrade your holiday property or your own home? Get in touch with the IDSystems team today to discuss the best ways to maximise your views
Featured properties:
Blockhouse Cottage, Tresco, Isles of Scilly
Perfectly positioned beneath the historic Blockhouse and just steps above the sandy shores of Tresco, this exceptionally secluded haven sleeps up to twelve guests. Offering breathtaking, far-reaching views across Old Grimsby Harbour, the property is designed for luxury and unforgettable gatherings with two sets of pocket sliding doors that breakdown the boundaries between inside and out. For more information and to book a stay visit tresco.co.uk
Beachside, Sheringham, Norfolk
Get as close to the sea as you’d ever want with this luxury holiday let cottage in the vibrant, traditional seaside town of Sheringham on the North Norfolk coast. Beachside offers panoramic sea views thanks to the large set of sliding doors that allow access onto the private deck and down directly on the promenade. For more information and to book a stay visit beachsidesheringham.co.uk
The Barrels, St Agnes, Cornwall
Tucked into the cliffside high above Trevaunance Cove, The Barrels is a truly exceptional coastal home where striking modern architecture meets the beauty of Cornwall’s north coast. Bold, design-led and beautifully positioned, the property enjoys panoramic sea and coastal views thanks to the large fixed frame glazing integrated with a glass-to-glass corner and sliding doors. For more information and to book a stay visit cornishgems.com
