There’s something thrilling about staying in the shadow of a volcano, as anyone who was in Sicily recently will no doubt attest. Here are five hotels where the views are explosive.

Jade Mountain, St Lucia

St Lucia’s famous soaring pitons are actually volcanic plugs. Though not extinct, they have been dormant for at least 20,000 years – that whiff of rotten eggs you occasionally catch on the breeze emanates from ‘the world’s only drive-in volcano’, the island’s volcanic sulphur springs.  The best view of the pitons is from a gorgeous resort called Jade Mountain, not least because all of the rooms – or sanctuaries – are completely open to the elements on one side. From £800 per night for half board. Parador Cañadas del Teide, Tenerife

Tenerife is very proud of its active volcano (it last erupted in 1909) – El Teide is even depicted on the island’s coat of arms. The volcano sits in the centre of the island, surrounded by a rugged landscape of craters, volcanoes and rivers of petrified lava that make up the Teide National Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site. For the best views, stay at the mountain lodge-style Cañadas del Teide parador, the only hotel in the park. From around £60 per night.Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo, Sicily

Set high on the east coast of Sicily, Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo is not only one of Italy’s most luxurious hotels, it comes with its own volcano – or rather, with one of the best views of Mount Etna. Mount Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and is in an almost constant state of activity, sending rocks and stones high into the sky earlier this year. From around £785 per night. Olveston House, Montserrat

After lying dormant for many years, Soufrière Hills Volcano erupted in 1995 and has been active ever since, submerging the old capital and rendering half the island uninhabitable. You can see the volcano from neighbouring Antigua, or take a helicopter tour over it, but to get the best views, you really need to visit the island itself. Stay at charming Oveston House, a simple but comfortable hotel, with views of the smouldering volcano from its tropical gardens. From around £69 per night.Fuji-View Hotel, Japan

On a clear day you can see Mt Fuji – which last erupted in 1707 – from Tokyo. But since Japan’s iconic mountain is frequently cloud-bound, you’ll need to stay a bit closer to be sure of the best view. Fuji-View Hotel is set on the shore of Lake Kawaguchi, right at the foot of Mt Fuji. There are splendid views of the volcano from many of the rooms, though for the best panoramas, take a stroll through the hotel’s beautiful lakeside gardens. From around £60 per night.

BY MAGGIE O’SULLIVAN