While a candlelit dinner and bouquets of red roses are classic romantic gestures, those looking for a unique way to create an intimate connection should consider booking a travel experience rather than a restaurant reservation.
From a quaint cottage stay in Santa Barbara to a secluded getaway in the British Virgin Islands, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite relationship-expanding travel experiences, all of which have a mix of ambiance and amenities sure to up the romance factor. These incredible properties offer bonding experiences all year round, from Valentine’s Day to anniversaries, honeymoons and beyond.
Explore Mallorca, Spain through a curated journey of the island’s most sought-after excursions
A newly opened, Mallorcan-family-owned five-star retreat surrounded by sweeping views of the Sierra de Tramuntana mountain range, Zafiro Palace Andratx is built around the contours of a towering mountain overlooking the ocean. The hotel is offering exclusive access to some of the island’s most sought-after excursions with a brand-new over-the-top romance package for two, inclusive of a four-night stay in the hotel’s top suite (complete with a private pool, dedicated concierge, and more) a lavish floating breakfast for two, take-home cosmetic bags from local designer Teixits Vicens, and a Celebrities Ritual Spa Treatment. Beyond the grounds of the pristine 308-key resort, couples who book this once-in-a-lifetime package will enjoy a private tasting at eighteenth-century winery Bodegas Ribas or world-renowned distillery Bodega Surau, and a perfume-making class at Viti Vinci with professional perfumiest. This package starts at $21,000 and may be booked via email at customercare@zafirohotels.com or by calling +34 971 897 008.
Indulge in Michelin-starred dining and over-the-top luxury in Ibiza, Spain
Jetsetters looking to wow their partner in a lavish destination setting will find everything they need and more at the island’s first five-star resort, Ibiza Gran Hotel. This serene haven is renowned for its exceptional five-star service, outstanding culinary venues, celebration of contemporary art, state-of-the-art spa and relaxed atmosphere. Here, couples can opt for a stay in the hotel’s newly renovated 1,600-square-foot Gran Suite Dalt Vila, Ibiza’s most decadent suite with unmatched Formentera views and exclusive amenities like Bentley airport transfers and customized pajamas. Book an intimate, side-by-side wellness ritual in the 14,000 square-foot Open Spa’s private Romance Suite. Wine and dine at Ibiza Gran Hotel’s flagship, Michelin-starred restaurant, La Gaia by Óscar Molina, which exquisitely showcases ingredients from the island in their purest form, or imbibe with the Balearic sunset as a backdrop with a private yacht excursion with Xaloc Charter.
Sail, snorkel, and wing foil on a secluded island getaway on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands
For couples seeking a serene and exceptionally private vacation locale, Oil Nut Bay in Virgin Gorda, known as the Sailing Capital of the World, is the perfect fit. Only accessible by boat or helicopter, the secluded resort is spread across 400 exquisite acres an guests stay in private villas custom-built into the island’s topography, such as the one-bedroom Cliff Penthouse Suite atop a craggy bluff overlooking the dramatic coastline. Private chef dinners are available in-villa and on the beach along with romantic picnic spreads in secluded locales around the property. The Deep Bay Watersports center offers kite surfing and wing foiling lessons, as well as snorkeling, sailing and more. Additional amenities include a beach club with three pools and a swim-up bar; Nova overwater restaurant and bar; world-class dining options and wellness amenities including in-villa spa treatments such as a couple’s aromatherapy massage.
Fall in love in a ‘Magic Town’ and explore the “Galapagos of Mexico” in Loreto, Baja California Sur
Perched on a calm bay and surrounded by colossal peaks, Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto by Danzante Bay sits on the Loreto Bay National Marine Park, Mexico’s largest marine preserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The protected waters of the park are a haven for marine life, including thousands of tropical fish, sea turtles, sea lions, dolphins, and whales, making it an ideal location for couples who want to explore life undersea. Hotel-led scuba, kayak, and snorkeling tours offer guests an up-close-and-personal view into the “Galapagos of Mexico.” The only ‘Magic Town’ in Mexico with an international airport, guests can reconnect over whale watching, ATV desert tours, LED standup paddle boarding at night, surfing at Scorpion Bay, cultural city tours and more. After a day of adventure, couples can relax at the on-site 39,000-square-foot Sabila Spa, which offers candlelit aromatherapeutic massages for two.
Take romance to new heights in Waikiki Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach offers an aloha-chic ambiance and sophisticated, awe-inspiring design that pays homage to Hawaii’s rich cultural heritage. The property sits where the city meets sand and includes multiple restaurant concepts from internationally recognized culinary figures, such as Iron Chef Morimoto and Chef Tsutomu Ochiai, creator of the Uni pasta. ‘Alohilani is celebrating the season of romance with a unique “Love is in the Air” package which includes private rooftop aerial yoga, welcome passionfruit Mai Tais, a private cabana at the SWELL rooftop pool with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Brut Rosé, and access to the Longboard Club, featuring morning and evening bites along with a selection of beer, wine and spirits. Room rates for this package start at $495 and can be booked at this link.
Wine and dine like royalty in Montecito, California
John and Jacqueline Kennedy honeymooned at San Ysidro Ranch, an iconic California property nestled in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains, which has been called one of the most romantic resorts in the world. The enchanting grounds have witnessed the midnight wedding vows of Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh, as well as the nuptials of many other illustrious guests including actor Chris Pratt to Katherine Schwarzenegger and Gwyneth Paltrow to Coldplay’s Chris Martin. Guests can book the “Romance at the Ranch” package inclusive of a four-course candle-lit dinner, in-room Veuve Clicquot Brut Rosé and chocolate-covered strawberries, petal toss, and one dozen roses, along with a couples activities including horseback riding, bicycle rentals with a to-go picnic basket, an in-room wine tasting with charcuterie, or a couples massage with oils made from citrus grown onsite. This package begins at $5,000. Tip: Book the Kennedy Cottage where John & Jackie spent their honeymoon in 1953.
