Like much in life, what’s romantic to one person might not strike quite the same chord with another. But it’s safe to say that a supremely comfortable hotel room, delicious food, and some serious pampering tick the boxes for most couples, whether you’re traveling for a honeymoon, anniversary, milestone birthday, or merely a celebration of the two of you for no reason at all.
Add in experiences like stargazing in the desert, beach bonfires, snorkeling in secluded lagoons, horseback riding through open woodlands, and candlelit dinners, and romance will naturally enter the chat. Whatever makes your heart flutter, you and your beloved are sure to kindle your connection at one of these stylish hotels and resorts.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Paris Marriott Champs Elysees Hotel
“The City of Light” is the French capital’s official nickname, but it might as well be “the City of Love.” By some estimates, the Eiffel Tower is the backdrop for thousands of proposals each year. As oxytocin-boosting as a stroll across the River Seine on the Pont des Arts may be, you needn’t stick to the well-trodden tourist trail in Paris to feel the love. Plan a picnic in a romantic park like Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in the 19th arrondissement, or find a quiet café and walk hand-in-hand across wrought-iron footbridges in the more local backdrop of the Canal Saint-Martin.
Neoclassical architecture at Paris Marriott Champs Elysees Hotel strikes a grand backdrop for a stay right along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées. The hotel’s Clef d’Or concierge can help plan an outing to remember, perhaps a private tour of the Louvre or a romantic cruise on the Seine. Request a suite with a view of the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower and you won’t even have to leave the premises for the proposal of all proposals.
Pier One Sydney Harbour, Autograph Collection
With glamorous restaurants, some of the world’s most beautiful urban beaches, and every big city cultural draw you could desire, Sydney is a natural choice for a romantic getaway. Look skyward together for the Southern Cross during a stargazing outing at the historic Sydney Observatory; take a sunrise swim at Wylie’s Baths, a tidal swimming pool in Coogee Beach; or book a table for two at Bennelong, the architecturally stunning restaurant inside the iconic Sydney Opera House.
Right on the water near Sydney’s oldest historic district, the Rocks, and with spectacular views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Pier One Sydney Harbour, Autograph Collection has balcony suites overlooking the waterfront that seem tailor-made for popping the question. At the very least, relax there together with a glass of fine Australian wine and soak in the views.
Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay
With swaying palms and crystal-clear seas, the South Pacific sets the bar high for romantic resort destinations. Fiji welcomes couples into its warm embrace with silky ocean breezes and tropical flowers that bloom all year long.
You can make your overwater-bungalow dreams come true in these islands, too, at this seriously romantic hotel. Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay has a collection of luxurious, adults-only bures (traditional bungalows) clustered around and above the turquoise waters of its lagoon. Follow your private staircase down from your overwater bure directly into the warm ocean to snorkel together within clouds of tropical fish. Once the sun goes down, relax on your terrace and watch the stars prickle to life.
Le Méridien Zhengzhou
Travelers looking for the best romantic getaways in China seek out experiences beyond the typical hot spots of Beijing and Shanghai. On the bank of the Huang He (Yellow River), Zhengzhou’s ancient rammed earth walls still stand in the center of the metropolis, creating a striking contrast of the old and ultramodern in plain view. A sunset overlooking the Yellow River is worth planning your day around.
Le Méridien Zhengzhou in Henan Province is perfect for romance, with a wine room and cocktail bar for canoodling over drinks. Indulge in multisensory treatments, like body scrubs and wraps, at Pure Spa to relax you after a long day spent enjoying the city’s shopping and historic sites.
Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort
Sprawling, vibrant, and imbued with an infectious, unstoppable energy, Rio de Janeiro is for lovers who thrill to late nights tearing up the dancefloor. Picture yourself strolling the beach at sunset among the legions of lovers in Copacabana and Ipanema as the sky lights up in violet and orange. Hike Sugarloaf mountain, or steel your nerves and soar over the city from Pedra Bonita during a tandem paragliding flight with an experienced guide.
Incredible views abound in town, too, especially at Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort, where the hotel’s signature restaurant, L’Etoile, offers French-inspired fine dining and views over the city skyline and ocean from the 26th floor. It’s the perfect setting for a quiet moment with your significant other away from the bustle of the city.
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas
In the Caribbean, swoonworthy natural landscapes and some of the most luxurious hotels in the world create a recipe for romance. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas is a beach-lover’s dream, complete with powdery sands that invite you to lounge under an umbrella or snorkel right from the shore.
Romance is ingrained in the DNA of The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, where private cabanas with the lapping ocean as a soundtrack set the scene for seaside couples massages. Linger afterward to celebrate your love with chilled rosé and decadent strawberry-covered truffles. Come sunset, step aboard a luxury catamaran to cruise St. Thomas’ coast and toast the Caribbean’s good life with chilled Champagne.
JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa
With warm days that cool into snuggle-temperature nights, a nightly canopy of stars, and bursts of wildflowers that bloom after winter and spring rains, Arizona’s desert landscapes seduce all the senses. Whether you’re walking pathways through cactuses and floral wonders at a botanical garden in Phoenix or waking up for a sunrise hike at storied Camelback Mountain, it’s easy to see why stars started coming here to recharge during the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Book one of the Deluxe Pool Suites or the Jackrabbit Suite at JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa and you’ll look forward to coming back from the day’s activities and unwinding in your private swimming pool, enjoying a couples massage at the Jackrabbit Spa, or taking a private tennis lesson on the resort’s courts.
The St. Regis Goa Resort
Couples looking to add some adventure to their love lives never go wrong in Goa, India, where a day might see you biking together through villages and spice farms; wading into warm, shallow waters; kayaking along the Nerul River; or relaxing at a beach bonfire.
Surrounded by tropical foliage on the shores of Mobor Beach, The St. Regis Goa Resort has 24-hour butler service for perpetual pampering and opulent villas you can call your own, complete with personal lap pools where you and your beloved can splash around undisturbed. Be sure to book a bespoke Ayurvedic treatment at the St. Regis Spa, where infused oils create a unique sensory experience.
Mount Juliet Estate, Autograph Collection
Ireland’s old-world charm around Kilkenny oozes ambience, whether you’re exploring the grounds and regal interiors of Kilkenny Castle or ambling along the cobblestone streets of the medieval city itself.
Situated on 500 acres of Irish countryside, Mount Juliet Estate, Autograph Collection is a serene setting where you can try new things together, like falconry and archery. Toss a line in the River Nore to hook a salmon or gallop on horseback along woodland trails. Plan a special dinner at Lady Helen Restaurant, holder of a MICHELIN Star, where the seasonal menus pull from the bounty of the estate’s terroir.
laïla, Seychelles, a Tribute Portfolio Resort
Honeymooners looking to truly get away from it all have long been drawn to Seychelles, an Indian Ocean archipelago off the coast of Africa known for its famed boulder beaches, like the one on La Digue, as well as thriving marine life and endemic giant tortoises.
Fronting a half-moon-shaped bay protected by a reef known for spectacular snorkeling, laïla, Seychelles, a Tribute Portfolio Resort makes for a dreamy backdrop for intimate moments. Treat your loved one to indulgent treatments at laïla Spa, where wraps and massages showcase pure coconut oil, ylang-ylang blossoms, and cinnamon harvested from the island. Spend your afternoons lounging by the pool or paddleboard together out into the sheltered aquamarine waters. At the end of the day, book a private table right on the beach and dig into dishes featuring ingredients from the resort’s on-site spice garden.
The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad
The city that never sleeps rings in round-the-clock romance, too. Rekindle your romance under the fall foliage in Central Park, hop a ferry ride under the Brooklyn Bridge, or dress to the nines for a Broadway show.
Raise a glass to love at Nubeluz by José Andrés at The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad. The rooftop offers 270-degree views of Manhattan’s glittering skyscrapers, which are best appreciated with a round of inventive, perfectly balanced cocktails, with or without spirits. For when you’re going all-out, there are even caviar bumps. The spa’s Primrose Suite offers an escapist experience secreted away in the city, with massages and facials for two that segue into a private steam shower, with canapés and Champagne service to follow.
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