Have you ever dreamt of sleeping in an eagle’s nest? If so, head over to the world’s first hanging cliffside lodge in Peru’s Sacred Valley. Natura Vive has three transparent capsules etched into the side of a mountain. Each suite comes with four beds, a dining area and a private bathroom. Getting to the Natura Vive Skylodge is an adventure in itself. Guests must either climb more than 1,300ft (396m) of via ferrata (fixed climbing route) or take an alternate trail using zip lines as they go.

Casapueblo, which looks like melting candle wax running down the hillside, was designed and built – by hand – over a period of 36 years by the late artist, Carlos Páez Vilaró, with help from local fishermen. This part-building, part-sculpture features 13 terraced floors. On-site attractions also include a restaurant, spa and museum. Vilaró, who was an ardent traveller and rubbed shoulders with the likes of Pablo Picasso and Brigitte Bardot, picked this spot for its epic sunsets.

Voted one of the top luxury hotels in Africa, the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa boasts an unbeatable position on the Cape Town coast. Named after the ruggedly beautiful mountain range, the boutique hotel is situated on a cliffside overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. In total, there are 55 rooms and 15 swankier suites with wrap-around terraces. Perks include two restaurants and a bar, a spa and free shuttle buses to the V&A Waterfront, home to a host of shops and restaurants.

Stargaze from the viewing platform where Princess Diana once stood at this Anantara, which prides itself as being one of the world’s highest luxury hotels. The Omani resort is a two-hour drive from the capital Muscat and stands perched on the edge of a cliff in the heart of the desert. Luxury bedrooms boast views over the red-rock canyon, as does the infinity pool. For a real cliffhanger moment, guests have the option to climb Oman’s highest via ferrata or abseil down sheer drops.

Tucked between the Sierra Madre Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by lush Mexican forest, Cala de Mar Resort and Spa Ixtapa is a sublime spot. There are 59 suites that cascade down a cliff towards the sea, boasting spectacular ocean views, private terraces and individual plunge pools. On the wining and dining front, there are three restaurants and a tiered terrace bar if you’d like to watch the sunset with a cocktail in hand.

One of the finest small luxury hotels in Ireland, Cliff House Hotel, close to Cork and Waterford, seems to defy gravity, with the building clinging to a cliff. There are 39 sunny rooms and suites, which overlook Ardmore Bay and its fishing village. For extra seclusion, a cottage and beach house are available to rent. The privately-owned hotel also features an intimate spa and a Michelin-lauded restaurant. Sea kayaking, snorkelling and cold-water surfing are on the activities menu.

Set into a cliff edge over tiered lemon and olive groves, Belmond Hotel Caruso seems to float above the ocean. The 11th-century hotel was built by a wealthy family and its lofty location is now considered one of the best spots on the Amalfi Coast. The simple yet stylish rooms, complete with antique furniture and four-poster beds, make the most of the views, with balconies overlooking the coast. Other highlights include a dramatic infinity pool and a private Krug Table terrace for al fresco eats.

On California’s Big Sur coastline, Post Range Inn offers 39 rooms with either ocean or mountain views. The Cliff House is particularly impressive, with an outside deck suspended over a vertical cut of rock. The secluded glass-walled bedroom features a wood-burning fireplace and heated floors for winter months. An outdoor hot tub lets you to soak up watery views. Two heated infinity pools add to the drama. On the activity front, there are guided nature walks, yoga classes and stargazing sessions.

San Antonio, in the picturesque village of Imerovigli on Santorini, is the sole occupant of a cliff face with the luxury hotel built into a sheer wall of volcanic rock. There are 25 rooms with breezy interiors and prime views of the Aegean. The superior and honeymoon suites have private Jacuzzis and the resort's main infinity pool seems to merge with the waters beyond. The Cliffside Dinner Restaurant serves local wines and dishes inspired by Santorini’s heritage.

Amid Cappadocia’s magical landscape of fairytale chimneys, in the ancient village of Urgup, is a unique cave hotel carved into a cliff. Yunak Evleri has 10 cave houses and 120 guest rooms in surroundings dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries. All are connected via a labyrinth of narrow passageways and a curved stone stairway. Two outdoor pools, a spa and a hilltop restaurant overlook the surrounding valleys.