Nothing puts us in the mood for love like travel. There are the world for destinations where romance is not just promised—it's guaranteed.
COUNTRY LIVING
Inn at Palmetto BluffBLUFFTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
On a tidal stretch of the May River, just west of Hilton Head, the new Inn at Palmetto Bluff puts the charm back into Southern hospitality. Spend mornings paddling kayaks along marsh-lined coastal waterways inhabited by snowy egrets and playful dolphins, or pedaling bikes with a naturalist on woodland trails fragrant with loblolly pine. In the 50 white clapboard cottages, landscapes by low-country artists evoke a languorous, bygone era. T+L TIP Paint each other with therapeutic mud, then soak in a Spanish moss-and-citrus bath during the Boggin' massage treatment at the spa.
Hacienda Puerta CampecheCAMPECHE, MEXICO
Crafted from a row of colonial-era houses, the Yucatán Peninsula's latest hacienda brings a dose of urbane style to this historic town. Most of the 15 guest rooms have a bathroom the size of a big-city apartmentand a sun-drenched daybed. Pools built between the red and yellow façades of the old manor houses flow through porticos from room to room and are capped with floating hammocks. T+L TIP Ask a driver to take you to the nearby ruins of Edzna. After midnight, the pyramid complex makes a perfect backdrop for an unforgettable proposal.
House of JasminesSALTA, ARGENTINA
The hottest attraction in Argentina's northwest corner is the seven-suite House of Jasmines, actor Robert Duvall's 120-year-old, 300-acre ranch in the shadow of the Andes. On foot or horseback, guests are free to roam the Edenic grounds, which are overrun with aromatic roses, orchids, and jasmine. Inside your white-on-white adobe casita, the best treat you can give yourselves is a long siesta in the wrought-iron four-poster bed. T+L TIP Try a granita made with the region's signature wine, Torrontes.
Red Capital RanchBEIJING
There's not much at the arcadian Red Capital Ranch to disturb a weekend tryst—except, of course, its gaspingly close proximity to the Great Wall. There are just 10 villas; request one with a rooftop terrace. Feast on Manchurian mountain dishes (lamb roasted over an open fire with willow leaves), or simply cocoon in a corner of the Tiger Bar and soak up the serenity. T+L TIP Ascend the wall at sunset to watch the surrounding hills, rustic villages, and crumbling watchtowers melt into the purple haze of northern China's twilight.Anantara Resort & SpaKHAO LAK, THAILANDRetreat from the crowds of Phuket into your own thatched-roof manor. The 51 villas all have four-poster beds and glorious views (of silvery beaches along the Andaman Sea or of a 22-acre palm grove surrounding a sapphire lagoon), and each expansive marble bathroomopens onto a secret garden. T+L TIP Commune with nature by visiting rescued leatherback turtles at Hat Thai Muang National Park, then take an afternoon jungle trek to secluded waterfalls and hidden beaches.
Four SeasonsLANGKAWI, MALAYSIA
Malaysia's newest resort is also its most luxurious. Overlooking the turquoise Andaman Sea are 91 villas, teak-shingled in traditional Malay style, many with separate gated entrances, wooden patios, and private "spa rooms" with gold-hued Spanish-marble showers. The main spa is itself an invitation to hedonism: six dark wood pavilions floating in lotus ponds. But everything—in the end—centers on the sugar-sand beaches and the dramatic limestone formations that trail out to sea like a string of pearls. T+L TIP Hire a private boatman for a moonlit drift in a perahu (a traditional Malay boat) outfitted with silk cushions—beneath shadows cast by the granite cliffs that loom above the sea.
Mykonos Theoxenia HotelMYKONOS, GREECE
Standing between windmills and sand, blue crystal waters and the narrow, cobblestoned streets of Mykonos, the restored Mykonos Theoxenia is everything you wouldn't expect from a classic Greek hotel. Its 52 rooms revisit the sixties, with Pop canvases and retro furniture playing off stark-white stone buildings that glow in the afternoon sun. T+L TIP Watch the moon rise over the sacred island of Delos from deserted Kapari Beach. The concierge will take care of all details, including a speedboat to bring you back to the hotel.
The PalmsTURKS AND CAICOS
At the Palms resort, on Turks and Caicos' celebrated Grace Bay Beach, guests can wander through water gardens, relax beside the infinity pool, or choose a treatment administered in the 15,000-square-foot spa. All of the 72 suites—which have vaulted ceilings, marble floors, and Roman baths—overlook the ocean and come with terraces where couples can dine alfresco before slipping past the railing and testing the waters together. T+L TIP Book one of the three-bedroom penthouse suites. They're accessible only by private elevator and come with a butler.
Cristal Room BaccaratPARIS
Most restaurants attached to brand names are worth avoiding for the homogeneity they inevitably deliver. The Cristal Room Baccarat is the sumptuously appointed exception to this rule: the Empire-chic interior is the work of Philippe Starck (the raw brick-and-gilt walls are not to be overlooked); chef Thierry Burlot changes his refined Gallic menu on a monthly basis; and at dinner the room is suffused with the exquisite glow cast by candelabra and, of course, Baccarat chandeliers. T+L TIP Step into the 10-seat, terraced private dining room to view the first black-crystal chandelier Baccarat ever created.
Rio Grande RestauranteSEVILLE
On a candlelit veranda planted with lemon trees, you can sample the creations of executive chef Nacho Martinez, who has brought a globe-trotting sensibility to Rio Grande's traditional Andalusian menu. This little bistro in the Triana district turns out fresh seafood in countless original ways (the black-rice paella with lobster and jumbo prawns is a local favorite). T+L TIP The six-course tasting dinner is worth the three hours it requires to eat.
Tugra RestaurantISTANBUL
Every element of the Tugra experience is calculated to set your inner clock to Levantine time—after all, the Çiragan Palace Hotel Kempinski, which houses the restaurant, was the last residence of the Ottoman emperors. The cuisine is derived from recipes found in historic Ottoman texts, but new executive chef Aydin Demirgives dishes his own 21st-century flair, creating entrées such as salmon "pastrami" with orange-and-mint couscous. T+L TIP Take one of the tables at the edge of the vast columned terrace, which directly overlooks the Bosporus.
The Cupola at Three on the BundSHANGHAI
Those hunting for indulgence in Shanghai should concern themselves with only one reservation: the upper cupola at Three on the Bund. This two-tiered dome atop a landmark 1916 building seats just two and commands 360-degree views of the Bund's Neoclassical architecture and the futuristic, neon-streaked skyline of Pudong. T+L TIP Request extra portions of the decadent chocolate cake and chestnut-rum foam from former Jean Georges pastry chef Jason Casey.
The Aviary, Twin FarmsBARNARD, VERMONT
Luxury at this 1930's estate has been taken up a notch with the Aviary suite: the latest addition to the property is a 1,100-square-foot house for two built into the treetops, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing views of the Green Mountains. Should cross-country skiing and tobogganing on the 300-acre property fail to send Cupid's arrows flying, nap hearthside with your partner and a bottle of wine. T+L TIP Try a deep-sea body wrap or hydrotherapy soak at the spa.
Vera Wang Suite at HalekulaniHONOLULU
Revisit your wedding day in the newly opened Vera Wang Suite, a collaboration between the A-list bridal designer and the Hawaiian landmark hotel that hovers on the edge of Waikiki's famous surf. Wang breaks the Halekulani's all-white tradition with a fruity palette in the lounge and private dining room—which is set with her signature crystal and china. T+L TIP Have a traditional Polynesian Nonu massage or a couple's lomilomi in the newly christened SpaHalekulani.
Casa LisaLOS CABOS, MEXICO
The Baja Peninsula's Casa Lisa may share a shoreline with the exclusive Esperanza resort, but at this five-bedroom villa, the only person who shares your view of the pale blue sea is your partner. If snorkeling and kayaking don't inspire you, head to the desert for horseback riding, then celebrate sunset over Land's End with a fresh margarita. T+L TIP Watch your host, Ali Ordoñez, catch spiny lobsters in front of the villa and whisk them to your chef, who will serve them by candlelight in a thatched cabana.
The Penthouse, Merrion HotelDUBLIN
When a hotel suite has an extra room to accommodate "security personnel," chances are that high-caliber guests are spending the night. Such is the case at Dublin's most exclusive hotel, where celebrities (like Bruce Springsteen) have kept the 3,000-square-foot duplex penthouse booked since its September opening. Ensuring the utmost in discretion, a private elevator opens right into the suite's first floor, where two bedroomslook out on the hotel's faithfully re-created 18th-century gardens. T+L TIP Snap your fingers and staff will serve a full-course dinner on your rooftop terrace—beside the cedarwood hot tub.
Royal Penthouse Suite, King George II HotelATHENS
Play gods while overlooking the Parthenon from the terrace of the King George II Hotel's most opulent guest quarters, recently reopened after a 16-year hiatus. Adding to the extraterrestrial atmosphere of the entire-ninth-floor suite are a Jacuzzi and butlerand enough public space to entertain more than 70 friends in full view of the Acropolis.T+L TIP Swim in the Parthenon's shadow in the terrace's infinity pool.
Abu Elephant Villa, Abu CampOKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA
This exquisite two-bedroom villa is set in an ancient riverine forest, just across the lagoon from the five-tent Abu camp. A classic mahogany four-poster bed dominates the main room; the purpose of the second room is left to your imagination. Couples can take one of Abu's famed elephant-back safaris, then return to soak in their en suite copper bathtub in the afternoon. T+L TIP Spend the evening on the teak pool deck gazing at fish eagles swooping over the water while your personal chef prepares dinner.
Great Mercury IslandNEW ZEALAND
Through New Zealand's Seasonz Travel bespoke outfitters, you can rent a cloistered retreat on the privately owned Great Mercury Island—25 minutes by helicopter from Auckland. The two Scandinavian-inspired residences are set into the hillside and have panoramic views of the Pacific. You won't feel isolated, though: massage therapists, personal cooks, and expert guides are at your beck and call, and endless activities await. T+L TIP Ask the staff to prepare a basket of picnic goodies and transport you by boat to a secluded beach where you can play Robinson Crusoe.
Hôtel Guanahani & SpaST. BART'S
Long before P. Diddy began chartering yachts here, St. Bart's was courting celebrities who basked in the glow of the flashbulbs. It's surprising, then, to note that the ultrachic island has suffered for so long the lack of a full-service spa. Thanks to the Guanahani, the reign of spaless sun breaks is over. The hotel's 5,000-square-foot open-air space blends into the pastel cottages—and caters to couples in search of corporeal indulgence.T+L TIP Take a body scrub in tandem, then surrender to the island's laid-back rhythm in an Indonesian-style daybed for two, set beneath shady palms.
Aghadoe Heights Hotel & SpaCOUNTY KERRY, IRELAND
Emphasis is on the casual at the recently expanded Aghadoe Heights Hotel's new spa—don't let its regal 10,000 square feet fool you. From the private balcony or thermal suite, guests can admire the nearby lakes and mountains of Killarney without wearing anything more formal than a robe. After a precious-stone therapy followed by massages in the couples room, the only thing you'll need to do is breathe the country air while exploring the Zen gardens. T+L TIP Sample the Kerry lamb at the hotel's acclaimed restaurant, Fredrick's at the Heights.
Evason Hideaway at Ana MandaraNINH VAN BAY, VIETNAM
On verdant hills that seem to tumble down to the sea, 54 thatched-roof villas face Ninh Van Bay's natural rock formations, which stand like sentries in the distance. Competing with the serenity of the view is the Six Senses Spa, where holistic remedies and tai chi classes are performed beside the rhythmic sea. T+L TIP Escape to Dam Tre Island's secluded beach, 30 minutes away by speedboat, for an amorous day trip.
Wildflower HallSIMLA, INDIA
Built at the base of the Himalayas, Wildflower Hall was the former residence of Lord Kitchener, commander of the British Army. His adventurer's spirit can still be felt: after spending a day horseback riding through apple orchards and nearby villages, guests head to the Spa Pavilion to loosen up with the Spirit of Ayurveda (more than three hours of Indian pampering with herbal oils) on side-by-side massage tables. T+L TIP Sign up for the Romancing the Himalayas package and its three-hour spa session.
Moorea Pearl Resort & SpaFRENCH POLYNESIA
Go local while getting a royal rubdown—all treatments at the Moorea Pearl Resort's new 17,373-square-foot holistic spa use natural oils rich in Tahitian botanicals. When you're not being slathered with umuheioil (a Tahitian love potion) from the Marquesas, you can spend time reconnecting in your over-water bungalow or tracing the shoreline as the sun sinks. T+L TIP The Manea Manea treatment for two combines the best of the spa's therapies: a steam bath, body scrub, moisturizing wrap, full-body massage, and facial.
ON THE WATEREvolutionGALÁPAGOS ISLANDS
International Expeditions transports nature-loving lovers not only to the Galápagos Islands—where they can snorkel in a submerged volcanic cone filled with sea lions—but also to another decade. Itsnewly christened Evolution is modeled after European steamers of the twenties, but with a few amenities (such as a sundeck-surrounded pool) thrown in for 21st-century comfort. Although its cabins are spacious, this love boat is designed for just 32 guests. T+L TIP With a naturalist guide in tow, take out a glass-bottomed kayak to watch turtles and manta rays.
Frederic ChopinPOLAND & THE BALTIC COAST
After touring the Romanesque and Gothic architecture of Poland's inland, the two of you can indulge in six meals a day or settle into a chair on the teakwood sundeck. Wrapped up in a blanket, you can silently watch the ancient forests of the Oder River Valley as you float by on your way to the Baltic. T+L TIP Take a horse-drawn carriage through the rolling hills and fishing villages of the Isle of Hiddensee, off the German Baltic coast.
Tu Moana and Ti'a MoanaFRENCH POLYNESIA
Why sleep in a thatched-roof hut when you can float from island to island in Bora Bora Cruises' design-driven super-yachts? These 226-foot-long sailboats house just 30 cabins each, with interiors decked out in richly grained hardwood and decidedly un-cruiselike touches (Philippe Starck bathroom fixtures, Sharp Aquos flat-screen plasma TV's). T+L TIP Dine on executive chef Jean-Michel Braesch's island-influenced French dishes at either boat's Ra'a restaurant.
SEXY CITIESToronto
The 19-room Drake Hotel combines urban elegance with a dose of the avant-garde. Check out the cityscape from the wooden rooftop, Sky Yard, which becomes an ice bar and starlit movie theater in winter; the hotel provides overstuffed parkas and hot toddies so you can keep warm while you watch. T+L TIP The Drake's Pleasure Menu takes room service to the next level; frisky guests can discreetly order massage oils, how-to videos, and other intimacy kits.
New York CityIn winter, the city sparkles beneath crystal-blue skies, and the cold air draws only the toughest outdoors. High above Fifth Avenue, Boudoir Suites in the landmark Pierre hotel have panoramic vantages of snow-dusted Central Park. T+L TIP If you hold your wedding at the Pierre—with up to 200 of your closest friends—the hotel will present you with a seven-night honeymoon at any Four Seasons resort.
South Beach, MiamiJust when you thought this city couldn't get any steamier, another style-driven hotel opens its doors. Right next to Gianni Versace's former mansion, the L. Murray Dixon-built Hotel Victor has been restored in high sybaritic fashion by celebrated French designer Jacques Garcia. T+L TIP Those dramatic guest rooms are lovely places to linger, with ebony-lacquered furniture and large soaking tubs tucked behind diaphanous draperies.
LondonAustralian chef Christine Manfield's Asian-fusion restaurant, East@West, is the talk of the town, but only those in the know are aware of the three-room West Street Hotel that takes up the two floors above. Each suite is individually designed: the White Room is all Carrara marble, the top-floor Loft Room is decked out with oak floors, slate-and-glass walls, and chocolate-brown leather furnishings. You're in the heart of Covent Garden, but it feels as private as a monastery.
ParisMake a wish on the five-minute twinkle of the Eiffel Tower (on the hour), and wander through the side streets off the Boulevard St.-Germain, where the haute, hot, and highbrow intersect. T+L TIP Splurge on a night in the über-luxurious Suite Duc de Crillon at the Hôtel de Crillon, just off the Champs Élysées.
RomeInspired by Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn (both of whom honeymooned here), the Hassler Hotel has introduced a Marriage Proposal package. Couples are picked up from the airport in a vintage Rolls-Royce, greeted in their suite with a bottle of champagne, then whisked around the city on a twilight carriage ride. T+L TIP Upon arrival, the would-be question popper can meet with the Marriage Manager, who's devoted to coordinating the perfect proposal—and knows how to keep a secret.
ZürichThe 142-room glass-and-steel Park Hyatt Zürich is just steps from steepled churches, centuries-old guildhalls, and glistening Lake Zürich. When the two of you tire of exploring the quiet cobbled alleys and leafy squares in the winding Old Town, retire to the hotel's sexy, backlit bar, Onyx. T+L TIP Visit Zuri-West, the city's onetime industrial quarter, fresh from a Berlin-like makeover.
MarrakeshWith the opening of British hotelier Jonathan Wix's Riad Farnatchi, Marrakesh is paying homage to the glamour of its ancient past. Guests enter the three 450-year-old riads to find five suites with Egyptian-cotton sheets and personal djellabas. T+L TIP If you want to return at midnight to a room covered in fresh roses, or a belly dancer writhing to your favorite song, manager Lynn Perez can arrange it.
EXOTIC CASTAWAYSCapella Lodge
LORD HOWE ISLAND, AUSTRALIAThe maximum number of visitors to this World Heritage-listed island, two hours from Sydney, is 400, and there are few places besides Capella to stay. Around the recently rebuilt nine-suite lodge, walking paths meander through a virgin rain forest, where the songs of rare native birds fill the air. Brilliantly colored fish practically swim past your front door, and a treatment at the Aboriginal-inspired spa is the only way to end the day. T+L TIP Stretch out on the open-air deck of Gower's Terrace and sip a mango-lime-coconut daiquiri while planning your next adventure.
Losari Coffee Plantation Resort & SpaINDONESIA
In the temple-covered hills of central Java, surrounded by eight spectacular volcanoes, a 1920's Dutch Colonial coffee plantation has been lovingly converted into a boutique hotel by Italian-born Gabriella Teggia. Its 18 thatched-roof villas have teak four-poster beds, sunken marble tubs, and private verandas. Organic meals at the poolside restaurant complement the hammam, yoga classes, and spa treatments. T+L TIP Ask the concierge to book you a ride on the vintage 1902 cogwheel steam train that runs through coffee fields and Javanese villages.
Dugong Beach Lodge MOZAMBIQUE
Set on a sheltered white-sand peninsula, the latest eco-resort to open on the Mozambique coast has just 10 chalets. But there's still plenty of action: manta rays, leatherback turtles, and the eponymous dugong (an endangered mammal that's something like an elephant seal) frequently share the open Indian Ocean with guests. Scuba dive, deep-sea fish, or kayak, or sit by the pool, staring out at the flocks of pink flamingos.T+L TIP Request a table under the gazebo at the end of one of the jetties and order the Portuguese-style peri-peri prawns.
Al Moudira LUXOR, EGYPT
Live like royalty just a few miles south of the Valley of the Queens. Every detail of the newly constructed Al Moudira is salvaged from the corners of Egypt, and the 54 guest rooms reflect their landscape: stained glass lines the ceilings, frescoes and latticework adorn the arched walls, and the enclosed garden is fragrant with henna and jasmine. T+L TIP Try to secure the Pharaonic Room, with furniture and paintings inspired by pharaonic art.
Casas Rapa-nui EASTER ISLAND
Adventure-loving romantics can trek around the volcanoes, dive among the reefs, and examine the moai—those giant basalt statues—up close, all with Explora's multilingual guides, then spend the night in a nine-bedroom outpost equipped with an expansive terrace and (for better or worse) the latest technology to keep them plugged in. T+L TIP Ask the Explora team to pack you a basket of snacks and pisco sours for a sunset happy hour beside the five moai at Ahu Tahi.
SECRET VILLAGESSareFRANCE
The quintessential Basque village (with timbered houses and an open-air court for playing pelota) lies tucked in the foothills of the Pyrenees. There, you canhide away in the restored farmhouse at Olhabidea Chambre d'Hôte.
Sandhamn SWEDEN
From central Stockholm it's a two-hour ferry ride to the island of Sandhamn, in the overlooked Swedish archipelago. There's an abundance of beaches, red-painted cottages, and paths that wind through pine forests. Book one of the 17 rooms in the Sands Hotell, where old-world details (cast-iron radiators, worn wooden floors) are juxtaposed with modern luxuries.
Snaefell Peninsula ICELAND
At this seaside spot, flanked by an extinct volcano, a glacier, and a boulder-strewn lava field, only two buildings stand beside the water: a 19th-century church and the Hotel Budir, a 28-room property with two bright, white wings joined by a gleaming wood-and-glass structure that surprisingly fits in with the scenery. The hotel's restaurant pioneered modern Icelandic cuisine; be brave and try the stingray in Cognac sauce or reindeer with pears.
SalvinaITALY
A new minimalist Mediterranean resort puts the Aeolian Island of Stromboli's long-overlooked neighbor, Salvina, on the map. The 13 rooms, five suites, and stellar restaurant at Capofaro Malvasia & Resort occupy seven whitewashed, flat-roofed cottages set amid vineyards. When the volcano on Stromboli throws sparks at night,the faro (lighthouse) and the archipelago are illuminated.
Bebengan BALI
Carved out of verdant jungle and centuries-old taap trees, this tiny (population 300) Hindu farming village on the Penet River isn't far from the beaches of Kuta. Check into one of six thatched-roof villas at the Sukhavati Retreat and indulge in yoga classes and lulur treatments.
ADRENALINE HIGHS Four Seasons Whistler BRITISH COLUMBIA
The newest addition to the Four Seasons family in North America hugs the base of Blackcomb Mountain, just 90 miles north of Vancouver. Après-ski here means having the concierge arrange a dogsled ride through the forest to an alfresco dinner for two, served under a heated canopy.
Ian Anderson's Caves Branch Adventure BELIZE
Chaperoned by a local guide, a daring couple can hike 90 minutes through the rugged rain forest of central Belize, then rappel down a dark, 300-foot limestone sinkhole in the forest floor to a series of underground caves ending in the ultimate secluded honeymoon "suite": a candlelit chamber decked out with champagne and a bed strewn with flowers.
La Pleta Hotel & Spa ARAN VALLEY, SPAINA
3 1/2 hour drive from Barcelona, La Pleta Hotel & Spa adds another dash of style to ski-lodge living. Rise early to hit the 5,000-foot slopes or take a stroll through nearby hamlets with fifth-century Romanesque churches. End with a vin cau (hot wine) nightcap on the lodge's wraparound deck.
Ponta dos Ganchos Exclusive Resort SANTA CATARINA, BRAZIL
At Ponta dos Ganchos Resort, a 20-bungalow retreat spread over 20 acres of Brazilian beachfront, a rain forest looming just beyond the shore and a fishing village provide the only land action—but the turquoise waters of the Arvoredo Biological Marine Reserve, less than an hour away, sustain a rainbow of aquatic life, from 300-pound green sea turtles to tiny pocket-size sea horses.
Blixen's Africa EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA
Now anyone can relive Robert Redford and Meryl Streep's adventure with Blixen's Africa, a travel company founded by a relative of Isak Dinesen (Karen Blixen), author of Out of Africa. The family custom- designs safaris to fit any fantasy—from exploring the Okavango Delta by elephant, to running with giraffes in Kenya, to relaxing on the powdery sands of Mnemba Island off Tanzania.
For anyone with a dream of sun-drenched fun, Mexico's beaches are no longer just for the well-to-do. Today, resorts on the country's Pacific and Caribbean coasts offer something for every taste, and budget. Even during the high season (October through May), room rates at the poshest resorts can start as low as $150 per night. What's more, most Americans can make the trip to Mexico in little more than a two-hour flight. So, before making plans for an adventure south of the border, read on for Travel Channel's list of the Top 10 Mexican Beach Resorts.
Location : Manzanillo, Mexico
Location: Cancun, Mexico
Location: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Location: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Location: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Location: Acapulco, Mexico
Location: Cancun, Mexico
Location: Manzanillo, Mexico
Location: Los Cabos, Mexico
Location: Los Cabos, Mexico
