A private balcony has a solid divider on each side, a roof or overhang above, and a view that does not face another balcony. Check the floor plan for those three things before you choose the room.
This guide sits in our privacy rooms topic. It also builds on the method in our neighbour sightline test.
What counts as a private balcony?
A private balcony is yours alone, with walls or screens that block the next one. It is not just a balcony attached to your room. Some resorts use a shared terrace along a row of rooms, divided by a low rail.
The word “private” in a listing may refer to one or the other. Ask which it is.
What are the three floor-plan clues?
Look at the plan and note these.
- Dividers: is there a solid wall or screen between your balcony and the next?
- Continuity: does the rail run along the whole building without a break?
- Depth: how far does the balcony extend, and does it overhang yours from above?
If the divider is missing, the rail is continuous or the one above is open, the balcony is shared in practice.
Who can see us from above and beside?
Sightlines come from three directions. The side is the neighbour, above is the balcony of the upper floor, and across is any building opposite.
On the ground floor, the main risk is the path. On upper floors, it is the balconies above and beside.
How do we score a balcony?
Use this quick table for each room option. Add the numbers, and lower is better.
| Check | Clear (2) | Partly covered (1) | Solid cover (0) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side neighbour | |||
| Balcony above | |||
| Building opposite | |||
| Path or beach below |
A total of two or less suggests a private balcony. Compare the totals for rooms on different floors.
What should we ask the resort?
Keep the questions short.
- Is the balcony of room X shared with another room?
- What stands on each side, and is it a solid wall or a screen?
- Does the balcony above overhang ours?
- What is the view: garden, pool, road or another building?
How do floors and corners change it?
Floors affect who can look down at you. For the trade-offs, read ground floor or upper floor room.
Corner rooms usually have only one neighbouring balcony. See corner room versus middle room privacy to compare.
What should we do next?
- Request the floor plan for your room options.
- Score each balcony using the table.
- Send the resort the four questions.
- Share the replies with us, and we will compare balconies for two.