9 Spectacular Hotels For A Romantic Getaway
KATIE BERRINGTON has a rendezvous with the beguiling hotels that are perfect for an escape à deux – from old-world classics to the new romantics – starring safari sunsets, beachside picnics, lakeside splendor and luxurious bathtubs made for two…
El Fenn, Marrakech, Morocco
Exquisite El Fenn, in the heart of the Marrakech medina, is a sumptuous and art-filled riad, bursting with a kaleidoscope of jewel-toned colors. There are three swimming pools (most bewitching when illuminated by candlelight as dusk falls) and a beautiful, vibrant rooftop with sublime city vistas, while the interiors boast a magnificent art collection. The bedrooms are particularly alluring, saturated in rich hues and showcasing standout features including four-poster beds, stained-glass windows, double-headed rain showers and silver roll-top tubs.
Lime Wood, New Forest, England
For a romantic foray in the English countryside, it doesn’t get much more picturesque than Lime Wood. Close to the charming town of Lyndhurst in the New Forest National Park, wild ponies roam the sweeping drive to the wisteria-garlanded manor house. With roaring fireplaces and sink-into sofas aplenty, this is the perfect place to hole up, leaving the sumptuous bedrooms only to indulge in the locally sourced, Italian-inspired delights at Hartnett Holder & Co and unwind at the steamy and serene Herb House Spa. The two-storey Pavilion, with its freestanding bath in the bedroom and majestic domed ceiling, and the Lake Cabin on its own private little island, with an alfresco tub, are the most romantic rooms.
Four Seasons Miami, US
For lovebirds who prefer a sky-high perch, Four Seasons Miami has a covetable cosmopolitan locale above Miami’s Brickell Avenue. But despite its slick cityscape credentials, the palm-shaded swimming pool – where hammocks roomy enough for two are suspended over the water – offers a supremely tranquil oasis. For the most romantic itinerary, have a private candlelit dinner poolside and book in for a couple’s aromatherapy massage at the spa, before returning to one of the hotel’s elegant and capacious suites. The penthouse and presidential bayfront suite boast the most breathtaking views across the Biscayne Bay.
Goatfell, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
If your idea of a romantic night in involves books, boardgames and endless cups of tea, Goatfell could be your perfect match. Situated in Sri Lanka’s lush, undulating Hill Country, this quietly luxurious four-bedroom bungalow on a tea estate offers the ultimate home-from-home experience, with sublime views, an infinity pool and some of the best curries you’ll ever eat. Temperatures are considerably cooler here than the more tropical neighboring regions, providing ample opportunity to cozy up by the log fire in the evenings. Alfresco breakfasts in the pretty manicured gardens are a leisurely affair, leaving you feeling like there’s all the time in the world to soak up the vistas over a pot of the very finest Ceylon.
Le Grand Mazarin, Paris, France
Known as the ‘City of Love’, Paris is world famous for its romantic idyll, and there is a plethora of hotels here for a rendezvous à deux. Packing a punch is recent opening Le Grand Mazarin, which enjoys a fantastic location in the heart of the creative neighborhood of Le Marais. Featuring magnificently eclectic design, imagined by Martin Brudnizki, the hotel offers a contemporary take on Paris grandeur across its beautiful selection of rooms and suites. It also has a charming restaurant and a decadent bar – and, best of all, a remarkable mosaic swimming pool beneath a fabulous frescoed ceiling.
Villa d’Este, Lake Como, Italy
Settings don’t come much more renowned for romantic credentials than Lake Como, and Villa d’Este – which recently celebrated its 150-year anniversary – boasts a prime position overlooking the marina, surrounded by an immaculate 10-hectare private park. The elegant hotel interiors are perfectly matched to the splendor of the surroundings. Choose a suite with a balcony to relish a dreamy morning coffee or a sunset cocktail with a view. If you visit during the summer, there are often orchestral performances to enjoy on the lake terrace.
La Valise, Tulum, Mexico
The reasons for Tulum’s popularity are abundant – from the serene white-sand beaches and the glistening Caribbean Sea to the cultural and culinary experiences and the oasis-like accommodation options. La Valise is an ultra-dreamy private-beachfront property with expansive suites that lead out onto the saltwater infinity pool. For the height of romance, the Robinson Master Suite has a sculptural centerpiece bathtub and a king-size bed that can be rolled out onto the private terrace so you can fall asleep to the sound of the waves under the stars.
Nirjhara, Bali, Indonesia
The spectacular resort of Nirjhara melds into its lush Balinese surroundings of forest, waterfall and rice fields, inviting guests to immerse themselves in its secluded sanctuary. The beautiful suites and villas are decked out in relaxing earthy hues, and champion Indonesian design and works from local artisans. The Canopy suites are wonderfully designed for couples, sitting high amid the coconut trees, with their own rooftop decks complete with a large freestanding tub. But the River and Jungle Pool Pavilion villas, with their private infinity pools, might be the most show-stopping of all.
Lion Sands Game Reserve, Kruger National Park, South Africa
If you’re looking to add an air of Dangerous Liaisons to your getaway, it doesn’t come more thrilling than a safari sleepover. The majority of a stay at the Lion Sands Game Reserve takes place in its elegantly appointed lodges and villas; however, a next-level experience comes from a night spent in a lantern-lit treehouse surrounded by the wilderness. Bring your overnight bag for a picnic at sunset, before snuggling up in a king-size canopy bed under the stars. If rustic romance isn’t really your thing, have no fear: there are luxury rain showers built for two. And who needs Wi-Fi when you have the wildlife in the surrounding bush to watch?