The Most Romantic Hotels in 15 Popular Destinations Around the World

Nothing says romance like a view of the Eiffel Tower from your luxurious suite, and that's just what you get at the iconic Hotel Plaza Athenee. The world-renowned luxury hotel -- a part of the Dorchester Collection -- is synonymous with Parisian elegance and good taste, and is the perfect spot for a romantic jaunt to gay Paree! The 146 rooms and 45 suites are decorated in classic Art Deco style -- picture draped curtains, gilded wall panels, and crystal chandeliers -- with modern touches like flat-screen TVs and marble baths. And the top-notch Dior Institute spa features tons of couples treatments. Finish the day with a romantic meal at one of the six distinct restaurants. Though Hotel Le Bristol comes at a close second, Hotel Plaza Athenee surpasses it with its uber-luxe rooms and outstanding views.

This upscale boutique hotel, with just 12 rooms, is housed in a gorgeous historic mansion less than 10 minutes from the Trevi Fountain. Despite its small size, the hotel goes above and beyond with amenities, offering a gym, beautiful spa, lovely outdoor garden, and excellent free breakfast -- all things that help set the mood for romance. The rooms blend elegant decor (antique furniture and artwork, patterned bedspreads, crown moldings) with modern technology (iPod docks, flat-screen TVs). The luxurious, large marble bathrooms are the highlight, especially for couples -- all have separate showers and tubs. Many of the rooms overlook the hotel's private courtyard. Its upscale, quiet vibe, beautiful rooms, gorgeous common areas, and high-end amenities put Villa Spalletti at the top of our list for romance.

The 74-room boutique Metropolitan by COMO is a gorgeous Art Deco property from the luxurious COMO brand. The pistachio and gray guest rooms are stylish, and outfitted with modern features like 42-inch flat-screen TVs, Nespresso machines, and free Wi-Fi. Additional amenities include a pretty outdoor pool, beach service, fine-dining restaurant and bar, elegant spa, and rooftop hydrotherapy pool. Service is genuinely friendly and doting, and the hotel attracts an upscale clientele of primarily couples. If you're looking for a calm, relaxing getaway in South Beach, Metropolitan by COMO is the premier pick.

The Bucuti is a romantic, adults-only resort taking up a prime stretch of Eagle Beach in the Low-Rise hotel district. This intimate, 104-room property has 14 acres of beach, and the main activity here involves lingering on the sand under shaded palapas; there's also a chic infinity-edge pool. The hotel has been open for 25 years, and the original owner can often be seen socializing during check-in while guests each enjoy a free glass of champagne. Rooms have stylish furnishings and modern amenities such as iPod docks, laptop tablets, and free Wi-Fi. A free breakfast buffet is served daily, and there is a restaurant for lunch and dinner, though plenty more restaurants are within walking distance. The resort sees a high percentage of repeat visitors, so interested guests should book well in advance.

Luxurious, stately, and composed, this 380-room hotel projects an air of exclusivity. The Langham Hotel London blends a certain quintessentially English air of prestige without the usual pretension, and has all of the luxury amenities one could hope for. With gorgeous, classically decorated rooms, an in-house book butler, spacious fitness center, and a premier location for West End shopping, this is a good place to be. The beautiful Chuan Spa, 16-meter pool, and salt sauna just adds to its romantic vibe.

This five-pearl boutique resort in the green hills of the artsy Ubud area has 20 separate villas, each providing guests with their own butlers; many have private pools. The rooms are individually designed and make abundant use of teakwood and Balinese art, giving the spaces an authentic Balinese feel; the indoor/outdoor bathrooms with deep soaking tubs and rainfall showers are highlights. A fresh made-to-order breakfast, daily high tea, and happy hour are all included; the on-site restaurant also serves Western and Asian specialties for lunch and dinner, and room service is available almost all day. There is a lovely outdoor infinity pool with a poolside bar, a full-service spa with a variety of treatments, and a fitness center that offers yoga classes.

Asian-influenced decor, with an emphasis on deep red, black, and gold, makes for a super sexy interior at this luxury property. With only 38 rooms, Buddha-Bar has a romantic, intimate vibe -- but comes with all the trappings for a romantic stay; there's a delicious on-site restaurant as well as a spa. Plus, massive rooms, decorated with fresh orchids, come with deep soaking tubs and separate showers, and some room rates include free massages and champagne. The richness of the hotel is accented by its fantastic central location in Old Town, where many sights, restaurants, and shops are within walking distance.

Luxurious in every way, the 16-room, adult-only resort Nayara Springs is the top resort in the area for couples seeking romance and privacy -- but who can do without volcano views. Large, rustic-luxe rooms have a bevy of free amenities (free minibar items, free international calls) and gadgets (Bluetooth music players, espresso machines), all of which you pay for in the room rate. Even though many guests prefer to enjoy the private hot springs pools in the Villas, there is also a chic infinity-edge pool for all guests overlooking the rainforest. The hotel is only a 15-minute ride into the town of La Fortuna, but most guests seem to spend the majority of their time on the property.

The Golden Tower Hotel, a luxury boutique renowned for its decadent touches and prime location, is a premier choice for couples. A blend of contemporary Italian furnishings, sumptuous fabrics, and rustic architectural details create a vibe that is opulent without being too stuffy. Swanky guest rooms offer flat-screen TVs, cozy beds, and sparkling marble bathrooms. The posh vibe extends to the Golden Spa with its specially lit whirlpools, and the Golden Chocolate Bar with its selection of more than 30 types of chocolate. The hotel's location is another big draw, as it is close to everything from high-end shopping to popular tourist sights.

One of Barcelona's top-rated hotels, the 28-room Mercer Barcelona offers the intimacy of a boutique hotel and the amenities of a larger property. Add in its location -- tucked away on a charming, cobblestone street in the city's Gothic Quarter, and within walking distance to many top attractions -- and the Mercer can be a win-win for travelers. For a property with just 28 rooms, the Mercer Hotel Barcelona packs in several features that might be expected of a much larger property. Guests can eat and imbibe on the rooftop deck, in the cocktail lounge, in the tapas bistro Le Bouchon, and in Jean Luc Figueras' Mercer Restaurant JLF. There's also a terrace on the hotel's fourth floor that houses a plunge pool and offers views over the ancient rooftops of the Gothic Quarter.

The Hotel Adlon Kempinski is an elegant, classic hotel with a rich history. Its predecessor was one of the most popular hotels in Europe up through World War II, hosting guests such as Charlie Chaplin and Josephine Baker. The original building was demolished, but after the fall of the Berlin Wall, a building inspired by the original was built on the same site near the Brandenburg Gate. This 382-room hotel still attracts A-list clientele -- this is where Michael Jackson dangled his baby son from a balcony in 2002. Luxurious rooms have heavy drapes, four-poster canopy beds, plush couches, and fresh-cut roses. Marble bathrooms offer soaking tubs and heated floors. These inviting rooms, combined with the hotel's impressive amenities -- an indoor pool, full spa, fitness center, and variety of restaurants -- make this one of the best picks in Berlin.

It's no wonder royalty, A-list celebrities, and athletes keep returning to the luxurious Calistoga Ranch: It's in a class all by itself. Guests here rent exquisite private lodges all set on a private 157-acre park-like property complete with hiking trails and a top-of-the-line restaurant and spa. Attention to detail carries over from room design to landscape planning -- all modules for the lodges were flown in by helicopter to minimize impact on surrounding trees and to maximize privacy. The property boasts plenty of activities, including outdoor yoga, a beautiful heated outdoor pool, a bocce court, a fabulous fitness center, and wine tasting seminars. This property stands out as one of the most remarkable not just in Napa Valley but in the entire country.

Andara Resort and Villas is one of the most expensive five-pearl options in Phuket, but with the high price tag comes over-the-top extras like private chefs and access to a customized yacht. Well-heeled guests choose from luxury villas or suites; most of them have gorgeous private pools and sweeping views of the Andaman Sea. It would be easy to spend an entire vacation holed up in the villas, which get stocked with guests' favorite foods, and a private chef comes to prepare customized meals. Other great features are the relaxing spa, infinity-edge swimming pool, and Silk restaurant.

When it comes to romance, it's tough to top The Merrion's quiet exclusivity, gracious Georgian interiors, first-rate fine dining, and luxury spa. It has fewer rooms than the nearby Shelbourne and feels more intimate and private, though its list of features is still extensive: In addition to the full-service spa, it has a lovely Roman-style indoor pool and well-equipped fitness center. The impressive restaurant offerings include Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, the only restaurant in Ireland to receive two Michelin stars, as well as the casual and atmospheric Cellar Bar, housed in the original 18th-century wine vaults. It's the top pick in Dublin for couples planning a posh getaway.

Blancaneaux Lodge, one of two resorts in Belize owned by movie director Francis Ford Coppola, enjoys a splendidly lush location beside a creek in the country’s Mountain Pine Ridge. This fabulous hideaway features great amenities for couples, including horse stables, a serene spa with wonderful Oriental treatments, and a fresh water infinity pool with mahogany loungers perfect for a quiet day in the sun. Cabanas have thatched roofs, private wooden decks, and rustic-luxe decor that includes colorful Guatemalan textiles. Some even have private plunge pools. The lodge’s remote location adds to the intimate vibe.


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