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Top Romantic Hotels, Inns, and Resorts in the World
There are many romantic hotels, inns and resorts in the
world. The ones that we cover here are some of the romantic
hotels that we find unique and could strengthen couple
relationship. The world’s most romantic hotels 2005 according to Forbes:
1. Cayo
Espanto at Belize
Few
romantic hotels are as secluded and romantic as Cayo Espanto in
Belize. This four-acre private island resort has only five
villas and a staff-to-guest ratio of two-to-one. All meals
are eaten inside the villa--or on the guests' private
docks--so chances are you'll rarely see another person. Each
villa comes with a houseman who can be reached at any time
via a walkie-talkie, and who has an uncanny knack for
appearing with cocktails as soon as guests enter their
villas. All meals are custom-prepared, and the resort can
also arrange a private picnic for two on a deserted island.
Turkish robes and Yves De Lormes sheets are perfect
Valentine's Day touches. All-inclusive rates start at $1095.
For more information, visit
www.aprivateisland.com or call (888) 666-4282.
2.
Hotel Ritz, Paris, France
If you believe that the best way to win someone's heart is
through their stomach, then book a romantic hotel weekend at the
Ritz in
Paris. This
legendary hotel, which claims Ernest Hemingway as a
long-time guest, even offers the opportunity to take cooking
classes at its Ritz Escoffier School.
Classes are aimed at all levels of cooking skill, so don't
worry if you can't tell the difference between petit pois
and petits fours. To burn off all the gourmet food,
there's always the Ritz Health Club with its extravagant
column-lined pool. Rates start at ˆ610 ($800).
For more
information, visit
www.ritz.com or call (33-1) 43-16-30-30.
3. Le sirenuse, Positano, Italy
The
dramatic cliffs and staggered villages of the Amalfi coast
offer a picture-perfect image of the Italian Riviera.
Driving along the winding roads, it would be impossible not
to feel amore. Le Sirenuse, one of Italy's grandest
romantic hotels, has long attracted celebrities and royalty. The
hotel used to be the summer home of the
Sersale
family until they turned it into a hotel in 1951, though
they still handpick every piece of furniture in all 62 rooms
and suites. The hotel's spa, featuring glass walls and
teak-wood floors, is a nice addition. There's also a private
yacht for excursions and a stunning cliff-side pool. Doubles
start at ˆ280 ($365).
For more information, visit
www.sirenuse.it or call 39-089-870-5066.
4.
The Point,
Saranac Lake, New York
The
Point, the former
Rockefeller
residence in Saranac, guards its privacy so fiercely that
guests are only given directions to its location a few days
before their arrival and non-guests are not allowed to tour
the property. Located in the heart of the Adirondacks, this
elegant hideaway features rustic log cabins with stone
fireplaces and marble baths. The food is superb and
black-tie attire is recommended. A maximum of 22 guests are
allowed, and activities include hiking, fishing and
water-skiing, depending on the season. All-inclusive rates
start at $1,250.
For more information, visit
www.thepointresort.com or call (518) 891-5674.
5.
Dar Mimosas, Morocco
For
Arabian Nights-style romance, head to Dar Mimosas in
the Moroccan coastal town of Essaouira. The hotel, which
opened in 2000, accommodates only 24 people at a time.
Guests can stay in the main house--which has open-air rooms
and an arcade built around a courtyard--or in separate
villas. Hot-pink bougainvillea covers most of the buildings'
walls and doors, and surrounding the hotel are acres of the
perfumed mimosa trees for which the hotel is named. Book a
camel-riding expedition on the nearby beach. Rates start at
$375.
For more information, visit
www.darmimosas.com or call (0) 44-47-59-34.
6.
Four Seasons
at Jimbaran Bay Bali, Indonesia
Set
in terraces above the water's edge and within a walled
tropical garden, free-standing thatched-roof villas offer
the ultimate in privacy. Each villa has separate sleeping,
bathing and living/dining pavilions, as well as a private
plunge pool. The restaurant, Taman Wantilan, offers stunning
views of Jimbaran Bay and Bali's distant volcanoes. Water
from the 115-foot long, infinity-edged pool cascades over a
23-foot waterfall into the free-form soaking pool below.
Rates start at $575.
For more information, visit
www.fourseasons.com/jimbaranbay or call 62-(361) 701 010.
7.
La Villa
Gallici, Aix-En-Provence, France
The
Villa Gallici is a tiny, chic manor house protected by a
walled garden and the shade of ancient cypress trees.
Located just off the town center of Aix-en-Provence, the
Villa has just 22 rooms--each decorated in a color theme
inspired by Cezanne.
The main building is washed a delicate shade of peach, while
the rooms have a soft look with pastel colors and
carved-limbed furniture. Gorging on French food is de
rigeur. Rates start at ˆ280 ($365).
8.
The Bauer,
Venice, Italy
The
Bauer is the place to stay to experience the magical city of
Venice. The hotel, which first opened in 1880, will make
guests feel as if they are staying in a private palazzo.
The hotel also has a modern wing, conceived during the
recent $38 million renovation. Try to book a room with a
balcony for the best views. Rates start at ˆ285 ($370)
For more information, visit
www.bauervenezia.com or call 39-041-520-7022.
9.
The Inn Art
Irving Place, New York
New
York City's The Inn at Irving Place is tiny, sumptuous and
discreet--in other words, the perfect place for a romantic
hotels weekend. The Inn, located near Gramercy Park, is built from
two combined 1830s townhouses and is marked by only a tiny
sign at the top of the stoop that is difficult to read even
from street level. The hotel has only 12 guest rooms--all
decorated in turn-of-the-century style with fireplaces and
antique typewriters, but with modern luxuries like Frette
linens, as well. The Madame Olenska Suite, named after the
notorious character in Edith Wharton's 1920 comedy of
manners, The Age of Innocence, is the largest in the
hotel, with a window seat overlooking the eponymous Irving
Place. Rates start at $325.
For more information, visit
www.innatirving.com or call (212) 533-4600.
10.
Twin Farms,
Barnard, Vt.
Twin
Farms is a gorgeous property, located on 300 acres of
fields, forests, gardens and a lake in a small town just ten
minutes from picturesque Woodstock. Guests stay in one of
the main house's four rooms or in one of the 11 cottages
scattered around the property. Every room is lavish with
décors that draw their inspiration from Moorish,
Scandinavian, Japanese and Adirondack designs. The
seven-acre lake has canoes, fishing and swimming for warm
summer days, while winter activities include ice skating on
the outdoor rink--complete with a warming hut and
bonfire--skiing on private slopes and snowshoeing on groomed
trails. All-inclusive rates start at $1050.
For more information, visit
www.twinfarms.com or call (802) 234-9999.
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