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
