Romantic Hotels of the World

No matter what kind of romantic getaway you choose, though, finding the right hotel is the single most important factor for making your trip memorable.  Here is a list of a few romantic choices around the globe.

 

UNITED STATES

 

Napa Valley, California

Auberge du Soleil

www.aubergedusoleil.com

Because a romantic getaway is made even more so by an intimate dinner with a good bottle of vino, there are few better places for an amorous escape than Napa Valley. While this wine region is filled with lodgings perfect for passion, there's something special about Auberge du Soleil, situated on a scenic hillside surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. Guest rooms come with large stone fireplaces and spacious soaking tubs, as well as French doors that open onto private terraces with sweeping views of the valley below. The spa shares this idyllic vista and features a treatment suite for two. As for that romantic meal, the inn's legendary restaurant serves locally sourced cuisine and has one of the most extensive wine lists in the valley.

 

 

 

 

CARIBBEAN

 

Anguilla, British West Indies

Viceroy Anguilla

www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com

One of the most striking settings in the West Indies, the secluded beachfront along Meads and Barnes Bays is home to the lavish collection of guest rooms, suites, penthouses and villas that make up Viceroy Anguilla. Celebrated interior designer Kelly Wearstler is behind the contemporary interiors, whose white backdrops and silvered accents reflect the natural environment. Couples are sure to be enchanted by the oceanfront suites with four-poster beds and private pools. For the perfect "date night," begin with sunset cocktails at The Half Shell, a secret hideaway carved from the cliffs, followed by alfresco dinner at Cobà and dancing to calypso sounds at the chic Sunset Lounge.

 

 

 

 

 

IRELAND

 

Enniskerry, County Wicklow

The Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt, County Wicklow

www.ritz-carlton.com

 

The dramatic, Palladian-style The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt, County Wicklow is a dream come true for those wishing to discover the romantic spirit of the Emerald Isle. Although located near Dublin, it enjoys a bucolic setting in the middle of Powerscourt Gardens in the scenic Wicklow countryside. Floor-to-ceiling views from the opulently furnished guest rooms and suites range over the gardens and Sugarloaf Mountain, enticing guests outdoors, where fresh air can be enjoyed with a round of golf on one of two championship courses, followed by a pint of Guinness at McGills pub and dinner at Gordon Ramsay's first-ever restaurant in Ireland.

 

 

 

ITALY

 

Fiesole, Tuscany

Il Salviatino

www.salviatino.com

 

In the hillside village of Fiesole overlooking Florence, Il Salviatino drifts like a Medieval dream above one of Italy's most romantic cities. Serving as a palace in the 1400s, the privately owned villa has been lovingly restored by local artisans, blending ancient frescoes and mosaics with a rich contemporary décor that is opulent without being over the top. Among the swooningly aristocratic guest rooms, the best choices for lovebirds include the two-level Marcello Suite at the top of the tower and the Ojetti Suite with a private balcony that gazes over the Duomo. Couples can dine on dishes sourced from local grandmothers, indulge in treatments at Devarana Spa or simply seek out a quiet corner of the gardens for a tryst à deux. That's amore!

 

 

 

MEXICO

 

Riviera Maya

Rosewood Mayakoba

www.rosewoodmayakoba.com

What could be more memorable than arriving at the private dock of your chic sun-kissed suite by boat? This is just one of the many singular ways that Rosewood Mayakobá will make your stay special. Only 30 minutes south of Cancun, this 1,600-acre jungle resort weaves through lush lagoons on the edge of the Caribbean Sea. In the company of herons, cormorants and manatees, you and your beloved can hide away in a luxe retreat that has sheltered some of the most notable celebrities in the world. Whether you spend a day at the nearby Mayan ruins or in the resort's private island spa, each experience is sure to appeal to the romantic in you.

 

 

 

 

NEW ZEALAND

 

North Island

Wharekauhau

www.wharekauhau.co.nz

For many, a farm holiday might not sound like the height of romance, but those who have been to Wharekauhau know that agriculture and ardor do mix. At this 5,500-acre working sheep station overlooking spectacular Palliser Bay on the southern tip of New Zealand's North Island, you can renew both your spirit and your commitment to your significant other. Privacy is assured in ten three-suite cottages scattered throughout the estate. With four-poster beds, gas fireplaces and double spa baths, each accommodation encourages staying in. But if you're feeling in the mood for some PDA time, spend a day out tasting local wines or an evening lingering over a four-course gourmet meal in the resort's dining room.

 

 

 

THAILAND

 

Krabi Island

Rayavadee

www.rayavadee.com

Are you in the mood for dinner in an ancient limestone grotto overlooking the sea? Or perhaps a floral bath for two in a surrounded by lush jungle greenery? Welcome to Rayavadee, where seclusion and serenity top the list of amenities, and your every wish can come true. Fashioned after an idyllic southern Thai village, this exquisite resort features 26 acres of two-story pavilions and sumptuous villas surrounded by sandy beaches. When you're not snorkeling in the crystal waters of Krabi Marine National Park or learning the fine art of fiery Thai cooking, you can snuggle up with your beloved on a once-in-a-lifetime elephant ride or sneak in some private outdoor time on a nature hike to the local waterfall.

 

 

 

If you would like to learn more about any of these properties or destinations please contact Honeymoon Islands at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 703-753-8115

 

 

Source for the Romantic Hotels: Gayou

 

Bulgari Hotels & Resorts

Bulgari Hotels & Resorts is one of the leading luxury hospitality collections in the world. Comprised of a few select properties, located in the most prime luxury and prestigious neighborhoods, Bulgari aims to convey the excitement and timeless glamour of its brand.

 

 

Bulgari Milan

On a private street between Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga, La Scala and the Accademia di Brera, in a tastefully renovated 18th-century Milanese palazzo is the Bulgari Hotel Milan, situated in the cultural and commercial heart of a city that, behind its austere façades, hides delightful and unexpected courtyards and green spaces. One such space is the Bulgari Hotel’s 4,000-square-meter private garden, a natural extension of the nearby Botanical Garden, a restorative oasis of serenity and relaxation in the midst of Milan’s busy pace.Set within the leafy green harbor of its own private park, bordering Milan's Botanical Gardens, this location is a stylish haven which features fifty-eight rooms, eleven suites and the largest indoor swimming pool in Milan.

 

 

Bulgari Bali

Loocated in one of the most exclusive destinations in the world, a veritable emblem of the tropical exoticism of the Orient, combining the breathtaking beauty of unspoiled nature with a sophisticated contemporary design born from the encounter between traditional Balinese forms and high Italian style. The quality of the services along with the views of the Indian Ocean offered by its magnificent position 150 meters over the sea are the perfect introduction to the second luxury property from Bulgari Hotels & Resorts. This hotel is the pinnacle of tropical luxury, a sleekly modern resort perched on a cliff with awe-inspiring views of the Indian Ocean. Each Villa sizes at least 3,000 sq. ft. and features a private plunge pool. Complimentary Butler and Transportation Service is available to nearby beaches

 

 

 

Bulgari London (Opening Spring 2012)

This property will feature eighty-five rooms with Suites overlooking Hyde Park and will house the largest indoor hotel swimming pool in London. Will be the closest luxry hotel in proximity to Harrods for which makes for convenient shopping excursions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tokyo Restaurants

Bulgari brings its distinctive style and sense of luxury to the city of Tokyo, with an Italian-style restaurant and lounge bar with terrace in Ginza and a café and chocolate shop in Omotesando , designed to offer customers a unique and exclusive experience of the Bulgari lifestyle in a luxurious yet informal setting imbued with warm hospitality. The Tokyo Restaurants are operated by Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, with the same standards of incomparable service as the Hotel Bulgari in Milano and the Bulgari Resort in Bali.

 

 

 

For more information on Bulgari Hotels & Resorts contact Honeymoon Islands at 703-753-8115; visit Bulgari Hotels & Resorts

 

Kashbah Tamadot Sir Richard Branson’s Moroccan Retreat - Christmas in the Atlas Mountains

 

This Christmas the usual routine doesn't have to apply! A stay at Kasbah Tamadot in the Atlas Mountains over the festive season can only be described as magical, and there's plenty of entertainment on offer, from strolls in the nearby area with our experienced guides to some authentic local entertainers. If cooking for a house full of relatives doesn't appeal, then you'll certainly appreciate exquisitely prepared Berber feasts with all the trimmings. Plus, we make it easy, by including all your meals, drinks and transfers into one all-inclusive rate. For more information please visit Kashbah Tamadot.

 

 

Best in the World Cities, Islands, Hotels, Resorts, Cruises, Airlines

 

Here they are, the final winners sifted from more than 8 million votes cast in our

annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey, swept up together to form travel’s apex of

excellence. Each cube represents one of the 1,285 top scorers who arrived at their

allotted place on the following pages (color coded by category).

 

These awards reflect the combined opinions of 28,876 Condé Nast Traveler readers

rating the cities, islands, and hotels they visited in the past year, and the airlines and

cruise ships they traveled with. For its range and depth, the Readers’ Choice Awards

are a unique and trusted source of advice globally, and that is thanks to America’s

most discerning and demanding travelers—you.

 

Conde Nast Traveler Worlds Best Awards 2011

 

Il Salviatino - Florence Italy

 

Opened in 2010, Il Salviatino is a restored Renaissance villa nestled on the hillside of Fiesole in a park-like setting with panoramic views of Florence, just 12 minutes away. The villa has been painstakingly and lovingly restored and converted into a 45 room property with gourmet Tuscan cuisine, a Thai Spa, outdoor pool, complimentary shuttle to the city center, and a dedicated service ambassador for every guest. Surrounded by an idyllic 12-acre park, there is not a more ideal location in all of Florence, as the villa enjoys the charm of Fiesole while giving the feeling of being lost in the purest Tuscan countryside.

 

Half of Il Salviatino’s accommodations are suites and many rooms have sweeping views overlooking the roof-tops of Florence and the iconic Duomo. Each room and suite is appointed with the latest technologies and is individually decorated with an elegant blend of handmade artwork and the finest leathers to make each one of the suites and rooms a truly unique experience. Each guest is assigned a Service Ambassador help enhance the experience and deliver the very best of Il Salviatino, Florence, and the wonderful region of Tuscany. Any whim, from private tours of museums, Ferrari and Lamborghini tours of the Chianti wine region, or reaching neighboring regions by helicopter can be organized by a Service Ambassador.

 

Two restaurants, La Terrazza and Le Serre, offer the best and freshest of Tuscan cuisine, from classics to modern interpretations. The chef will even personally escort guests to the local markets and then return for cooking classes and demonstrations. Whether dining in the beautifully appointed historic surroundings or al fresco in the gardens, meals are a highlight of any stay.

 

The history of Il Salviatino dates back to medieval times in the 14th century, where it earns its name from the Salviati family who remained the proprietors of the villa and who completed many restorative projects during the 16th and 17th centuries. Using local artisans to painstakingly wash and replace centuries-old mosaics, re-panel the old library, and carefully restore the glass houses which have been empty for decades, Il Salviatino has now emerged as a perfectly restored piece of history.

 

Contact:  Teresa Belcher at Honeymoon Islands 703-753-8115  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it     www.salviatino.com