The satisfying pop of a cork, the glorious glug of a bottle, the reassuring rattle of a cocktail shaker - whether it's a Virgin Mary, a classic G&T or a Bubble Bath Martini (lychee, poppy-seed, lavender, rose air and a rubber duck, obvs), a good drink at the end of a day spent by the pool, on the slopes or out exploring a destination is hard to beat. Even more so when said drink is enjoyed in a bar set in spectacular surroundings, from buzzing city-centre rooftops with panoramic views to relaxing beach bars looking out across the ocean. Lucky for us, some of the best hotels around the world play host to some truly fabulous watering holes, and here are a few of our favourites...
The Pool Bar at Belmond Hotel Cipriani, Venice
Set amid lush, private gardens on Giudecca Island with views across the water and St. Mark's Square, Hotel Cipriani's Gabbiano Bar is one of Europe's most sophisticated and glamorous, not least because the likes of George Clooney are frequent visitors. Clooney has even created two of the cocktails on the menu!
Signature Drink: A Clooney classic, the Buona Notte (lime, ginger, cane sugar, angostura bitters, vodka and cranberry over crushed iced)
Goatie's Bar at Petit St. Vincent, St. Vincent & the Grenadines
There's something quite special about sipping a cool, refreshing drink while sinking your toes into soft white sand and watching the sun go down across the ocean. Petit St. Vincent offers just such Caribbean bliss and is an all-time Original Travel fave.
Signature Drink: Rum Punch, made to a secret (and spectacularly delicious) recipe by Bequia the bar man
Lantern Bar at The Fullerton Bay Hotel, Singapore
Singapore's skyline is one of the best in the world, never more so than at night when the city's lights dance and glisten in the marina. The Fullerton Bay Hotel's Lantern Bar is something of an urban oasis and enjoys simply sensational views.
Signature Drink: Ginger Elyxir - if you can get over the spelling, it's delicious
Stanley's Terrace at The Victoria Falls Hotel, Zimbabwe
From one of the world's most magnificent cityscapes to one of its most iconic natural wonders: Victoria Falls. An oldie but a goodie, Stanley's Terrace offers a clear view of the Victoria Falls Bridge which connects Zimbabwe and Zambia, perfect for a classic G&T enjoyed while looking out across the misty falls.
Signature Drink: Gin & Tonic, of course
Subsix at Niyama, Maldives
We're heading under water for this next bar - Niyama's Subsix. Non-divers can now get in on the action beneath the waves in this subaqueous den, which is particularly magical after dark as the moonlight illuminates the ocean. Oh, and the picture perfect beaches above ground are also okay, we guess.
Signature Drink: Sparkling Float (cointreau, mixed berry foam and sparkling wine) - warning: it'll be your vision that's swimming after one too many of these
FARM at The Carneros Inn, California
So this is more restaurant than bar but the mixology class at FARM at The Carneros Inn in Napa Valley allows guests to forage the hotel gardens and orchards for ingredients to create your very own signature cocktail under the expert guidance of the head bartender. Sold.
Signature Drink: Poseidon Vineyard's Pinot Noir, Carneros, 2013 - harvested from the vineyard over the road