Best places for a romantic weekend getaway

From city breaks to remote island getaways, these are the best places to visit as a couple

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Romance can be many things to many people, but few can resist the allure of a romantic escape for two. While there's no wrong answer when it comes to romance, some of the world's most beautiful spots lend themselves to catering to couples, especially when it comes to hotels. So whether you're planning a honeymoon, an anniversary or a weekend getaway just because, these are our top picks for the most romantic places in the world, plus where to stay in each. 

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  Tryfon Georgopoulos

  1. Santorini, Greece

  Santorini is the knockout Greek island – the island with the best views, the best sunsets, and the best hotels. Combine all of these elements and it's a recipe for one of the most romantic spots in the world. Days are best spent out on the water, sailing to nearby islands and hopping between the best beaches in Santorini. But then again you could easily stay at one of the best hotels in Santorini – where private infinity pools boast the best seats in the house – and never want to leave. 

  For a romantic glimpse at local village life check into Andronis Boutique Hotel, a series of traditional cave-style suites and villas with private infinity pools, cave pools and hot tubs, set right in the heart of Oía. Another option is Perivolas, set within 300-year-old stables and a clutch of fisherman’s shacks with a different view of the caldera from every window. It's set a little way out of Oia, making it perfect for retreating with a very cold glass of wine and your loved one to the pool. Don't miss a massage on your private terrace. 

• Sakis Papadopoulos

  2. The Maldives

  For going off-grid

  Confetti bursts of colourful tropical fish in gin-clear lagoons, freshly prepared breakfast spreads delivered to your private pool via floating trays, sipping a morning coffee while a manta ray soars underneath your feet – it's the stuff of honeymoon dreams and the much lauded reality of a trip to the Maldives. While there are plenty of family-friendly hotels in the Maldives, few places can compare to the archipelago country's innate sense for romance and adults-only stays. Boutique stays and lo-fi boltholes area rarity here, instead the best hotels in the Maldives are world class, spread out on their own private islands, nestling state-of-the-art spas and multiple restaurants amongst lush jungles, pristine beaches and house reefs. 

  For couples, we love Cheval Blanc Randheli (as do the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge), and the Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru for its outstanding spa. In terms of aesthetics, it's hard to beat Gili Lankanfushi Maldives, set in one of the most eye-wateringly beautiful lagoons in the country, a vision of broad white beaches, shape-shifting sandbanks and waters that dance from peacock green to sapphire blue. All the villas here are stilted over the water, keeping the island wild and the beaches on full dazzling display. On the beach there's sunset yoga, a few restaurants and a brilliant spa. Is this the Maldives most astonishingly romantic hotel? It might just be. 

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  3. Paris, France

  For a weekend break

  When it comes to a romantic city break it's hard not to have all eyes on Paris. The clichés can't help but ring true when exploring the city, from serene strolls along the Seine to a glass of wine with a view at one of the best rooftop bars in Paris. And then there are the hotels in Paris, amongst some of the best in the world, sublime in their views, old-world charm and effortlessly chic interiors. 

  For a seductive boutique bolthole full of mirrors, velvet and exotic flourishes, we love Monsieur George in the 8th arrondissement. To make a grand romantic gesture, reserve a room at St James Hotel in 16th arrondissement, Paris’s only officially designated château-hotel. If it's a seductive romance you seek, look to the Sinner in the 4th arrondissement. Most luxury hotels have a frisson of naughtiness, but this is something else. Churchly interiors in the public spaces make way for more stripped-back (but still luxe) bedrooms with baths that are easily big enough for two. Or more. Couples getting cosy and Parisian party kids make up the crowd. If you feel like venturing out of the bedroom, you’re a short walk from the Pompidou Centre and the Picasso Museum, and the bars and restaurants of the Marais proper. And there's a decadent spa for romantic treatments without so much as leaving the hotel. 

• 4. Marrakech, Morocco

  For a winter sun escape

  With Morocco’s year-round, bone-warming weather just a three-hour flight from London, Marrakech makes for a sunny romantic escape when all is gloomy at home. And while the buzz of the Old City's winding souks and the sight of cobras dancing out of baskets make for a fun adventure, there are other sides to Marrakech away from the noise of Jemaa el-Fna square and the tourists at the Jardin Majorelle. For a slower and more private pace, swap the medina for the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech, followed by a drink at Grand Café de la Poste, one of the most beautiful restaurants in the city. 

  When it comes to places to stay, the list of best hotels in Marrakech has grown rampantly in recent years, but our favourite – and by far the most romantic – is still La Mamounia. Set in 20 acres of gardens just inside the walls of the Old City, the hotel has retained the feel of a palace but added a contemporary theatricality to its accommodation (which now includes three three-bedroom riads with their own pools), plus four restaurants, five bars and a Salon de Thé. There's also a glorious spa with a traditional hammam, indoor and outdoor pools, treatments by Valmont Cosmetics and a yoga pavilion. Faultless service is still the rule, whether staff are serving cocktails on your private terrace, organising a shopping trip in the medina or taking you into the Atlas Mountains for lunch. 

• 5. Tulum, Mexico

  For bohemian chic

  The golden beaches of Mexico have long been a draw for couples, but one such spot is increasingly becoming the go-to for well-heeled couples seeking bohemian barefoot luxury. Just south of Cancun on the Yucatán Peninsula lies Tulum, the promised land of designer yoga, spiritual jungle journeys and ancient-temple-fringed sands. Plus some of the best hotels in Mexico. One standout stay is Casa Malca, a former hacienda of Pablo Escobar’s, and now a boutique hotel highly curated by socialite art dealer Lio Malca. Down a dirt path and away from the scrums of man-buns and juiced-up goddesses, here beach suites face a quiet stretch of powder-white sand; all windows point to the Caribbean. The hotel itself is like one giant immersive art exhibition; the entrance has a huge door carved out of tree trunks, framed by curtains stitched from vintage wedding gowns, between which dangle two swings made of antique furniture. As Lio says, it’s about ‘connecting with yourself and the wild’ as well as ‘luxury and art’.

• 6. Big Sur, California

  For the outdoorsy

  Nature-lovers can’t help but fall for Big Sur, a wild and storied stretch of California’s central coast. Its bewitching blend of towering redwood forest, muscular green mountains and crashing ocean views has drawn everyone from bohemian writers (Henry Miller) to Hollywood heavyweights (Steve McQueen), seeking isolation in its eucalyptus-scented heart. Is there anything more seductive than hiking hand-in-hand to remote, wooded waterfalls or discovering your own dramatic, deserted beach? 

  When it comes to resting your head for the evening, look to Alila Ventana, which sprawls across a Big Sur mountain meadow and where suites have a rustic-luxe, cabin-esque vibe. When you’ve finished gazing over the Pacific from your balcony hammock (roomy enough for two), try a couple’s treatment in a forest-facing spa cabana, plunge into the open-air Japanese baths, or take a dip in the clothing-optional communal pool.

• 7. Amalfi Coast, Italy 

  From the naturally blessed shores of Lake Como right down to Sicily's heart-melting capital Palermo, you could throw a dart anywhere on a map of Italy and land on one of the most romantic places in the world. It's spurred on much debate within the team but if we had to choose just one fuzzy-eyed spot in Italy, it's the Amalfi Coast. We're not alone in our admiration either. The Greeks, so taken by the area’s natural beauty, attributed it to a nymph who captivated the heart of Hercules. The towns of Amalfi Coast only add to the charm, with brightly hued houses dotted along the rocking hillside, each offering a unique outlook along with shops, restaurants and swimming spots that are up for discovery. In terms of places to stay, pretty much all of the best Amalfi Coast hotels fit the bill for a honeymoon or romantic getaway. For a knockout view, Hotel Santa Caterina in Amalfi Town itself is among the top contenders for the best location, and one of the few with direct access to the sea – from a terrace that juts out of the rocky hillside. But for a stay that pulls out all of the stops, it doesn't get much better than Le Sirenuse, a Pompeii-style red and white building in the centre of Positano. The rooms aren't huge but they are incredibly lovely, especially the balconies with tables and chairs overlooking the tumble of village houses and down to the beach. The restaurant here, La Sponda, with its 400 candles and bougainvillaea-clad dining room, is quite possibly the most romantic in the region.

• 8. Seychelles

  For island indulgence

  The world ‘oohs’ and 'aahs' about the Maldives but smart travellers know the Seychelles warrants just as much fanfare. Thanks to the islands' remoteness – 1,600km off the east coast of Africa – they have never been cheap to visit, or, for that matter, on any cruise-ship itineraries. And there in lies the appeal. Only the best of the best can set up a hotel in the Seychelles. One such address is the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles, a remote hillside retreat overlooking the bay of Petite Anse on the south-west coast of Mahé. The 67 stilted villas and suites feel like tree houses, peeping out from the jungle canopy of coconut, mango, jackfruit and cinnamon trees. All the obligatory features of the luxury 'Robinson Crusoe' experience are in place – infinity-edged plunge pools, open-air showers, glass-walled bathrooms and expansive outdoor living areas – but taken to another level. The hilltop spa has eight treatment rooms, and its spa menu incorporates island herbs and spices including cinnamon, frangipani and lemongrass, as well as locally made herbal tonics and organic teas. A good choice for couples is the deeply relaxing and hydrating Coco de Mer ritual, involving body scrubs, wraps, a bathing ritual and a massage using whipped massage cream. An ocean-facing yoga room, connected to the spa by a timber walkway, is available for private sessions from dawn till dusk.

• Stefano Scatà

  9. Bali, Indonesia

  The spiritual getaway

  Bali is beloved as the land of a million islands, misty, mythical mountainous stacks, and chilled-out beach clubs. It's also the land of some of the most beautiful places to stay in the world. No matter how many five-star hotels open up though, Bali is no homogenized island resort. It's a magical, spiritual place, which manages to retain its authenticity and culture, as well as its unspoilt beaches and green tropical landscapes. All essential ingredients for a romantic stay. The list of fabulous Bali hotels is always expanding, but for something more down to earth look to Sandat Glamping tents, set among bright-green rice fields close to Ubud. Cuddling up under canvas here is less lumpy groundsheets and roof leaks, more canopy beds and private decks. And with each tent encircled by jungly garden, couples can relax on rattan loungers by their own pool in utter privacy. Mornings might begin with sun salutations at the on-site bamboo yoga pavilion and afternoons should most definitely involve the bar’s signature Italian Spritz.

• 10. New York

  It may be a busy city, full of comings and goings and beeping traffic jams, but New York is no stranger to magical moments of romance. It usually hits the city when the first autumn leaves start to fall, blanketing the city in shades of auburn and ruby, crescendoing up until Christmas when leaves are swapped for twinkling lights. During this time one of the most romantic things to do in New York is to just take a walk, around Central Park, through Greenwich Village, along The High Line. And when it's time to rest your feet, the best hotels in New York have you covered. To lean into the romance of it all, play up to the old New York charms with on stay on the Upper East Side. There's The Lowell (pictured) on ritzy East 63rd Street, where bedrooms are the last word in elegance, with polished mahogany floors, Persian rugs and good, hand-made furniture. If you stay here in winter, book a table by the working fireplace at Majorelle, the hotel's beautiful Moroccan-inspired French restaurant run by Charles Masson. 

• 11. Ibiza, Spain

  For island chic

  As insiders will tell you, there's a lot more to Ibiza than meets the eye. Go off the beaten track even a fraction and you will discover a world of sleepy hill villages, wild forests, rambling orchards and crumbling farm houses. Time your visit to spring and a further surprise awaits: almond trees in full bloom, covering great swathes of the interior, with entire valleys exploding into glorious white and pink blossom. All this is complemented by an appealing combination of warm days and chilly nights. Front-row seats for this extraordinary natural show are available at Cas Gasi, a 12-room property that spills down a hillside smothered in almond, fig and carob trees. Since opening in 1998, Cas Gasi has become known as one of the best hotels in Ibiza, particularly with high-profile guests who love its secluded location and low-key luxury. Richard Gere and Kate Moss have both been guests, as have the King and Queen of Norway and Jade Jagger, who often stays in the winter to avoid having to open up her own house on the island. Run by a Spanish-German couple as a small, eco-friendly hotel, it has bedrooms in the main building and in converted barns and stables. Cas Gasi is adept at meeting guests' individual needs: if you want romantic meals for two in a secluded location, no problem. There is also a small spa offering superb treatments including the knockout 'Ibiza Relax Massage'. The estate produces all its own organic vegetables, fruit, olive oil and free-range eggs, and the meat and fish comes from local farmers and fishermen.

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  12. India

  For romance by rail

  There is something irresistibly romantic about luxury train travel. Add India to the mix and you've got an experience guaranteed to dazzle. In the heyday of the maharajas it was not unusual for royalty to travel with their furniture – four-poster beds, thrones, you name it. This is certainly the look the new Maharajas' Express is going for. One of the only luxury trains offering itineraries that cross India's state borders, 'Royal India' is a seven-day epic journey from Delhi to Mumbai, taking in Agra, Ranthambore, Jaipur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur (pictured above) and Vadodara along the way.

  Among the highlights is a decadent Champagne lunch on a hillock overlooking the Taj Mahal, a tiger-spotting jeep safari in Ranthambore National Park and elephant polo matches in Jaipur culminating in a Champagne dinner. Life on board is all about comfort. All the cabins and suites are wonderfully regal with huge windows, comfortable beds, LCD TV's and DVD players; but if your feeling particularly flush, book the two-bedroom Presidential Suite, which occupies an entire carriage and has a living room big enough for several comfortable sofas and a dining table. (The junior suite is also surprisingly roomy and much more reasonably priced.) Other treats include an observation carriage with its own bar, games table and club armchairs, and two fine-dining restaurants.

• Hoshino Resorts

  13. Kyoto, Japan

  For city romance

  From the weeping willows and paper lanterns of the historic Gion district to serene, manicured gardens and tinkling temple bells, Kyoto is a completely charming urban retreat. The antithesis of frenetic, futuristic Tokyo, it’s an immersion into the romance of a bygone Japan. And that romance really ramps up when you take a boat ride along the Oi River, where city streets are slowly transposed with misty, wooded hills. It's also the only way to access Hoshinoya, a singularly elegant ryokan group. Though the newer Tokyo version recently won a place in our Hot List, it’s at the Kyoto outpost that you’ll find the distinctive grace and tranquillity of Japan distilled. Moss-covered paths curve around sculpted maples and cedars; guest pavilions are exactingly designed, with sliding paper screens opening onto peaceful forest views. Better yet, bathrooms have deep, cypress tubs, with seasonal herbs provided to infuse your soak.

• 14. Hamilton Island, Australia

  For adventurous couples

  Forget for a moment that the Whitsundays’ largest inhabited island is positioned right beside Heart Reef (exactly as it sounds: a perfectly heart-shaped coral reef). Because Hamilton Island isn’t for your typical doe-eyed duo – more for those possessing an affinity with the Australian fixation for flinging yourself into adrenalin-pumping stuff. The immaculate waters of the Great Barrier Reef offer world-class dive sites to discover together, while the island’s off-road trails provide a white-knuckle rush deep into the bush. After a thrilling helicopter ride over this insanely Eden-esque landscape, daredevils can decompress at Qualia, a smart property on its own peninsula. It has 60 secluded one-bedroom, glass-walled pavilions, with private sundecks for gazing over the water – some with their own infinity-edged pool.

• 15. French Polynesia

  The off-grid escape

  Want to run away together? No one will find you at The Brando, an all-villa, super-exclusive hideaway on a private South Pacific island (30 miles north of Tahiti, but accessible only by six-seater plane). Marlon Brando bought Tetiaroa atoll in 1967 and, decades later, set about creating this sustainable, utopian spot, where nature alone provides both decoration and diversion. Smart, thatched dwellings tucked among coconut palms each have their own strip of sand, infinity pool and outdoor tub. The pristine lagoon and blindingly white beach are yours – all yours! – to explore. A hefty all-inclusive rate encompasses daily spa treatments, Champagne, food, excursions and more. (Be sure to make eyes at each other over French chef Guy Martin’s Michelin-grade feasts.) With only 35 villas on the entire island, intimacy comes guaranteed.

• 16. Antigua, Caribbean

  The spa retreat

  Accessed only by boat, the secluded, car-free private-island hideaway of Jumby Bay (pictured above), two miles off the coast of Antigua, offers the quintessential Caribbean experience. The standout for romance is the spa, set close to the beach and open to the elements, with five treatment rooms that open onto private terraces. The signature treatments use ingredients taken straight from the garden; one of the highlights is a treatment that involves lying in a soft, handmade hammock while a therapist focuses on pressure points in your head, back, hands and feet to release tension. You can then amble over to your thatched bohio (hut) on the beach, or to one of the many hammocks strung up between the palm trees. The resort is good for creative little extras: to help you enjoy the astonishing night sky, staff will pack a Champagne picnic dinner and send you off to star-gaze on Pasture Beach; there are also cookery classes for men, led by head chef Paolo Lovari, so while their partners indulge in spa treatments (not to generalise), they can learn how to make everything from ceviche to Caribbean lobster bisque.