Q. In many hotels everywhere the balconies face the beach or a swimming pool. Early in the morning, when no one is out yet, is there a problem davening or saying brochos facing an area where usually people are improperly dressed?

A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that a beach or a swimming pool area that is empty does not qualify as a bathhouse. Therefore, when no improperly clothed individuals are present, one is allowed to recite brochos, daven or learn Torah in them or facing them.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a