Top 10 Romantic Hotels Around the World

Top 10 Romantic Hotels Around the World

Auberge du Soleil - United States

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.

Viceroy Anguilla -  Caribbean

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.

Le Royal Monceau - France

Though The Royal Monceau has been serving up luxury since 1928, don't expect a stuffy, old-fashioned atmosphere here. After a full-on, midcentury design assault by Philippe Starck, this hotel is now fresh, modern and still — thankfully — oh so Parisian. The personal details are what make this property enticing, especially in the suites, where you might even find a packet of love letters among the amenities. As for how you and your beloved can spend your time when you're not hidden away in your room, you might attend a special screening at Le Cinéma des Lumières, savor a seductive treatment at the Spa My Blends by Clarins or toast your love over a meal at La Cuisine, which masterfully blends the opulence of a grand cathedral with the intimacy of a family dining room.

Hullett House - China

We adore bustling, cutting edge Hong Kong for leading the hotel pack through the 21st century, but when it comes to romance, we're happy to trade sleek and trendy for intimate and unique. With just ten suites (the smallest measuring in at 800 square feet), Hullett House blends Chinese and British influences in a classic white colonial building dating back to 1881. Each room is individually decorated, from the Tsing Lung Suite, paying tribute to Imperial China, to the Pui O Suite, showcasing the jazz ethos of old Shanghai. There is one highlight, though, that all accommodations share: private terraced balconies with views of the gardens, harbor and/or Hong Kong skyline. The property has five — count 'em, five — drinking and dining venues, including Mariner's Rest, where guests can enjoy cocktails in the original jail cells of this building that once served as the city's Marine Police Headquarters. Prisoner of love, indeed!

The Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt - Ireland

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.

Il Salviatino - Italy

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!

Rosewood Mayakoba - Mexico

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.

Wharekauhau - New Zealand

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.

Rayavadee - Thailand

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.

Qasr Al Sarab - United Arab Emirates

For romantics seduced by the vast desert expanses in Bernardo Bertolucci's sultry "The Sheltering Sky," there is Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara. This decadent oasis is located in what is called the Empty Quarter of the Liwa Desert, one of the largest uninterrupted sand deserts in the world. Every aspect has been selected to capture the Bedouin spirit of the region, from succulent meats roasted in fragrant spices to exfoliating sand baths in the spa. Guest rooms, suites and palatial villas feel right out of an Arabian Nights dream, with jewel-encrusted bronze chandeliers and gilded mosaic glassware. Couples desiring an unforgettable wedding should consider the private Royal Pavilion, which enjoys a secluded setting a kilometer from the main resort.