Hotel Window Blog
It started off as a bit of fun.
I travel extensively and for a few years whenever I stayed somewhere I started to take pictures out of my hotel room window, mainly to show friends and family when I got home. One evening, in a roof top bar, as a bunch of us snapped the skyline, I realised I was snapping a view that existed in a thousand other places and that if you wanted a view of Shanghai or New York from up high you only had to go online or buy a postcard.
But what about a collection of views that nobody else has, that isn't Golden Gate Bridge appearing through the fog, or the surf crashing on Copacabana beach? How do you compete with the best travel photography when you're on the ground floor facing the car park in Nowhereville?
What once began as a straight-out snap each time has become a quest to find, I guess, the most interesting view. This now involves a lot of gear: DSLR, wide-angle and telephoto lenses, action camera, smartphone, unusual angles, the optimum light and whether or not to obey the rule of thirds. I changed the game over time, too - so not only hotels, but wherever I stay.
I missed some great opportunities early on - Copacabana Beach, Melbourne, Buenos Aires, Tokyo. Back then I never carried a camera or a device capable of decent image quality. Oh well. I'm not sure where this project will go or when it will stop - I might lose the ability to travel or fall out of a window onto the street below - but in the meantime I'll keep developing that collection of views that nobody else has... Enjoy!
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I travel extensively and for a few years whenever I stayed somewhere I started to take pictures out of my hotel room window, mainly to show friends and family when I got home. One evening, in a roof top bar, as a bunch of us snapped the skyline, I realised I was snapping a view that existed in a thousand other places and that if you wanted a view of Shanghai or New York from up high you only had to go online or buy a postcard.
But what about a collection of views that nobody else has, that isn't Golden Gate Bridge appearing through the fog, or the surf crashing on Copacabana beach? How do you compete with the best travel photography when you're on the ground floor facing the car park in Nowhereville?
What once began as a straight-out snap each time has become a quest to find, I guess, the most interesting view. This now involves a lot of gear: DSLR, wide-angle and telephoto lenses, action camera, smartphone, unusual angles, the optimum light and whether or not to obey the rule of thirds. I changed the game over time, too - so not only hotels, but wherever I stay.
I missed some great opportunities early on - Copacabana Beach, Melbourne, Buenos Aires, Tokyo. Back then I never carried a camera or a device capable of decent image quality. Oh well. I'm not sure where this project will go or when it will stop - I might lose the ability to travel or fall out of a window onto the street below - but in the meantime I'll keep developing that collection of views that nobody else has... Enjoy!
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Rue Voltaire, Dunkerque, France. 7pm, July 2024 - 0 comments
A long weekend in an Airbnb rental on Rue Voltaire in Dunkerque that coincided with Bastille Day, the EURO 2024 final, one Wimbledon singles semi- and two finals, and three stages of the Tour de France, suggested that as long as we had access to a TV we'd be ok. But we didn't. This shot was taken during some downtime on Saturday evening when none of those were currently playing out and we weren't searching for radio commentary. I think I am now a fan of courtyard gardens - no-one can see you and there is no grass to agonise over... ground floor
Hotel Jabokwirt, Westerndorf, Austria. 8am, January 2024 - 0 comments
We left the hotel by around 830 each morning to ski Westerndorf and Soll and arrived back after the light had largely disappeared, and by the time we left in the morning the sky had not brightened enough to create any kind of light in the front of the hotel, making a decent shot impossible. But at 9am this morning the sky was not so bright that it could trick the camera sensor and there was just enough balance between fore- and background. We skied down from that mountain a fair few times - those trees are tall and they disguise just how much snow there actually is up there....
Corinthia Hotel St.George's Bay, Malta. 8am, October 2023 - 0 comments
A third hotel for a four night break, after our return flight from Malta on Thursday was cancelled, as was our outbound on Sunday. The affected passenger group was pretty excited to be told by the airline that we were being put up in 5-star hotels for the night, but we were less excited to only arrive at them at 6pm and then have to leave early Friday morning. The Corinthia has beautiful views over the bay and I was hopeful our room would face that way. It didn't, but it was fascinating watching the construction going on over the road before and after breakfast. Those trucks... reminded me of childhood games in the back garden... 2nd floor
Golden Tulip Vivaldi, St. Julian's, Malta. 11am, October 2023 - 0 comments
Well, despite sea views being from the other side of the hotel, town views for me are the most interesting - just watching life unfold and the sun rise and set... aaahh. After two firsts already this week - one being Malta itself and the other a night at a Gatwick hotel due to a cancelled outbound flight - the third 'first' is unfolding as I write: the flight home is delayed until tomorrow, so that's both ways and another overnight in another hotel. Three hotels for the price of one. This blog is a bit like British buses.. you wait ages for one and then... 6th floor.
Renaissance Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Hotel, Netherlands. 7am, June 2023 - 0 comments
Around 40 of us had varying views over several nights last week and I enjoyed mine of the rear from the 2nd floor. What was going on out there was perfectly clear for me, but less so for those who tried to interpret this image at first look. So: the sheep wandered in each morning from the farm next door to feed; beyond Meester Jakob Takkade and the canal is Schipholdijk; the overpass is Fokkerweg, the airport highway; behind that is Amsterdam Schiphol itself. Surely, very few airports in the world have such immediate surroundings as gorgeous as Schiphol does...
Holiday Inn Exress Munich North, Germany. 7am, May 2023 - 0 comments
On arrival on the Monday it was bright and sunny and lots of life unfolded below my 2nd floor room. The remaining two days had heavy rain and there were great views of various guests dodging the downpours in and out of taxis, holding wind-blown umbrellas. But these views were mostly from the lobby as we waited to go back and forth and I never got a 'people shot' in the end...
The Old Ground Hotel, Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland. 7pm, Apr 2023 - 0 comments
In the west of Ireland, the locals say "West is Best," and I was thoroughly looking forward to seeing it for myself over two days in Shannon this week. The Old Ground Hotel in Ennis is gorgeous, as I imagined, as was Ennis itself. If only everywhere was as warm and friendly as Ireland and its people... my view out back from the 4th floor suggests that Ennis is not that pretty, but an extra snap here from the corridor at the front proves it is.
Hotel Principe de Piemonte, Sestriere, Italy. 5pm, Jan 2023 - 0 comments
Our skiing base had a 360 degree walk-around balcony which tempted me to wander it in order to find a shot that included some form of life. But it was too cold, too icy, and may have raised questions from other guests... however, the changing weather gave gorgeous views morning and afternoon. There was fog, snow and sunset over the week but 5pm on Friday was beautifully clear and bright and it resembled much of the conditions that we were lucky enough to ski in for a few of those days. 2nd floor.
The Kings Hotel, Brighton UK. 9am, Nov 2022 - 0 comments
This was our base for one night to watch the Australian Pink Floyd tribute band at the Brighton Centre on Saturday evening. What will surely be the warmest weekend this winter saw a gorgeous sunset followed by a lovely bright, crisp morning. We had to change rooms this morning - this shot was from the first floor at 9am, but I had the chance of a different view from the basement level an hour later. I wonder, if two shots each time from now, if possible, is the best way for me to tell the full story of each stay...
Premier Inn, Woolwich Arsenal, London UK. 7pm, Sept 2022 - 0 comments
Planning for three days in Docklands ideally meant staying somewhere a short walk away, but leaving it as late as I did to start searching meant nothing available for anything resembling a sensible price. I don't think I've ever been to Woolwich, but looking at the map south of the river and realising it was only one stop down on the fabulous Elizabeth Line simplified things a fair bit. It's fascinating to see how flat and low rise it is on the south side of the river here versus the steep and high rise on the other. 2nd floor.
Planning for three days in Docklands ideally meant staying somewhere a short walk away, but leaving it as late as I did to start searching meant nothing available for anything resembling a sensible price. I don't think I've ever been to Woolwich, but looking at the map south of the river and realising it was only one stop down on the fabulous Elizabeth Line simplified things a fair bit. It's fascinating to see how flat and low rise it is on the south side of the river here versus the steep and high rise on the other. 2nd floor.
Hotel SB Plaza Europa, Barcelona, Spain. 730pm, Sept 2022 - 0 comments
The team were pretty happy when Barcelona was selected as the location for our late September meet and it was good to be back in the temperatures that the UK enjoyed in August. In amongst working there was some fun to be had and there beneath my 2nd floor window is the bus that took us to dinner on Wednesday evening, shortly after I took this shot of it.
The team were pretty happy when Barcelona was selected as the location for our late September meet and it was good to be back in the temperatures that the UK enjoyed in August. In amongst working there was some fun to be had and there beneath my 2nd floor window is the bus that took us to dinner on Wednesday evening, shortly after I took this shot of it.
Creta Maris Hotel, Hersonissos, Crete. 8pm, July 2022 - 0 comments
Nine of us ascended on this gorgeous, sprawling resort hotel for 11 days of sun, food and generally relaxing. It's been a few years since I played water polo - I forgot how competitive dads can be when they have slowed down but have learnt the tricks over the years... There was so much to do here that the only time our balcony was used was for this shot. 2nd floor.
Nine of us ascended on this gorgeous, sprawling resort hotel for 11 days of sun, food and generally relaxing. It's been a few years since I played water polo - I forgot how competitive dads can be when they have slowed down but have learnt the tricks over the years... There was so much to do here that the only time our balcony was used was for this shot. 2nd floor.
Casa Churchman, Blue Hill nr San Miguel, Spain. 6pm, June 2022 - 0 comments
We have been coming to Casa Churchman for the past 20 years but for some reason this was the first time I got around to taking a TTHW shot. Mainly because Tony finally had the huge palm tree that blocked this view taken down last year. There are often some spectacular sunsets front right, but photography-wise they throw the immediate view into darkness. However, the view from the small roof terrace is pretty decent and it's hard to comprehend the amount of development that's occurred over the years. 2nd floor
We have been coming to Casa Churchman for the past 20 years but for some reason this was the first time I got around to taking a TTHW shot. Mainly because Tony finally had the huge palm tree that blocked this view taken down last year. There are often some spectacular sunsets front right, but photography-wise they throw the immediate view into darkness. However, the view from the small roof terrace is pretty decent and it's hard to comprehend the amount of development that's occurred over the years. 2nd floor
Galena Cottage. Wardlow, Peak District, UK. 4pm, May 2022 - 0 comments
If a picture tells a story, then the story here is that six of us arrived here on Saturday from different directions and enjoyed two days and nights ambling around nearby Bakewell, Tideswell and the comfort of Galena. Although we dressed mostly for the pub, we did hike a couple of nearby trails which got us some raised eyebrows from those who take hiking much more seriously - and pubs much less so - than we do. Ground floor.
If a picture tells a story, then the story here is that six of us arrived here on Saturday from different directions and enjoyed two days and nights ambling around nearby Bakewell, Tideswell and the comfort of Galena. Although we dressed mostly for the pub, we did hike a couple of nearby trails which got us some raised eyebrows from those who take hiking much more seriously - and pubs much less so - than we do. Ground floor.
Travelodge. Teddington, UK. 1pm, April 2022 - 0 comments
We get to Teddington less often these days than we have done over the years but we were both happy to be back on Easter Saturday for a friends wedding that was bounced twice by lockdown - At Last, by Etta James, was chosen as the exit piece. Nice. Our south-facing 4th floor view pointed in the direction of the Thames river lock where as kids my brother and I fished regularly with Dad, and generally where Justina spent much of her childhood; before heading out we had a very enjoyable 20 minutes looking at the skyline that included Wembley and Docklands, and Justina pointing out who lived where back in the day and whose houses she visited after school.
We get to Teddington less often these days than we have done over the years but we were both happy to be back on Easter Saturday for a friends wedding that was bounced twice by lockdown - At Last, by Etta James, was chosen as the exit piece. Nice. Our south-facing 4th floor view pointed in the direction of the Thames river lock where as kids my brother and I fished regularly with Dad, and generally where Justina spent much of her childhood; before heading out we had a very enjoyable 20 minutes looking at the skyline that included Wembley and Docklands, and Justina pointing out who lived where back in the day and whose houses she visited after school.
Watergate Bay Hotel. Newquay, Cornwall UK. 8am, Feb 2022 - 0 comments
It's easy forget how rugged some of the Cornish coastline is but we quickly remembered why we love it so much whilst driving the last couple of miles of our journey up to this fabulous hotel that's effectively carved from the rocks. Two nights was a good break but that's never enough. In that surf at 9am on the Sunday we spent a couple of hugely enjoyable hours bodyboarding in wetsuits. I tried to catch us on time-lapse but the waves bashed the camera around too much.
It's easy forget how rugged some of the Cornish coastline is but we quickly remembered why we love it so much whilst driving the last couple of miles of our journey up to this fabulous hotel that's effectively carved from the rocks. Two nights was a good break but that's never enough. In that surf at 9am on the Sunday we spent a couple of hugely enjoyable hours bodyboarding in wetsuits. I tried to catch us on time-lapse but the waves bashed the camera around too much.
White Hart Royal Hotel. Moreton in Marsh, Cotswolds UK. 9am, Oct 2021 - 0 comments
Was quite some time since I was last in the Cotswolds for any length of time, but three nights over a long weekend here gave us a chance to have a good look around. Yes, it's as gorgeous as I remember it being. And a Stable Room here at the White Hart Royal is highly recommended. The predicted snow did arrive around 7am on the Saturday morning.
Was quite some time since I was last in the Cotswolds for any length of time, but three nights over a long weekend here gave us a chance to have a good look around. Yes, it's as gorgeous as I remember it being. And a Stable Room here at the White Hart Royal is highly recommended. The predicted snow did arrive around 7am on the Saturday morning.
The Priory. Luccombe Bay, Isle of Wight UK. 10am, July 2021 - 0 comments
We spent a lot of time at the window during our four days here, just gazing out over to Shanklin and Sandown from our 2nd floor apartment in The Priory. We have been past this point on foot or in car many times on previous visits and were always a little envious of the property owners who enjoy these views every day. A fun few days on the island with some long-time friends.
We spent a lot of time at the window during our four days here, just gazing out over to Shanklin and Sandown from our 2nd floor apartment in The Priory. We have been past this point on foot or in car many times on previous visits and were always a little envious of the property owners who enjoy these views every day. A fun few days on the island with some long-time friends.
Sound View Chalet. Bovisand, Devon UK. 5pm, May 2021 - 0 comments
Not sure which I was more thrilled at - the chance to get away for the first time in ages, or being able to get a TTHW shot. Although the 6 hour car journey to cover the 200 miles to get there made me consider that lockdown at least means no traffic queues. It rained heavily for most of the 5 days here. A short drive from Plymouth, Bovisand is a surfers' and hard-core walkers' paradise... And spectacular Dartmoor is also within driving distance.
Not sure which I was more thrilled at - the chance to get away for the first time in ages, or being able to get a TTHW shot. Although the 6 hour car journey to cover the 200 miles to get there made me consider that lockdown at least means no traffic queues. It rained heavily for most of the 5 days here. A short drive from Plymouth, Bovisand is a surfers' and hard-core walkers' paradise... And spectacular Dartmoor is also within driving distance.
Seafront. Bexhill On Sea, E Sussex UK. Oct 2020 - 0 comments
Our rented apartment this week gave us south-facing views of the sea in rain, sun, light and dark. There is usually little time to get the shot I really want, and in a rush I went for the usual seafront panorama in bright sunlight - that was, until being reminded that I actually did have the time and that the up-close was, perhaps, on this occasion, much more interesting... from 1st floor balcony...
Our rented apartment this week gave us south-facing views of the sea in rain, sun, light and dark. There is usually little time to get the shot I really want, and in a rush I went for the usual seafront panorama in bright sunlight - that was, until being reminded that I actually did have the time and that the up-close was, perhaps, on this occasion, much more interesting... from 1st floor balcony...