Which hotels and resorts inspire love and romance come Valentine’s Day?
When you picture your ideal Valentine’s Day destination, what do you see? Are you snuggled up to your fantasy man wearing nothing but a string bikini somewhere tropical? Are you cuddled up by a fireplace as snow falls outside by a mountain? Whatever your wish, I’m fulfilling your desire — because I’ve found the ten best hotels to stay at for love, romance and s-e-x this Feb. 14. So where will you be staying while you’re busy getting some loving?
#1 Il Salviatino, Florence, Italy
If it’s amore that you want, look no further than Tuscany’s Il Salviatino. Although it’s located in Florence and not Verona, you can well imagine a Romeo & Juliet-type love story taking place at the palazzo, which dates back from the 14th century. Believe it or not, guests are also treated to a complimentary 30-minute massage. Bliss! Stay in the leather-laden Marcello suite or a Salviati De Luxe room, which has a gorgeous garden view.
Rooms from $392 per night
Via Salviatino, 21
50137 Fiesole Firenze, Italy
The Ladera
#2 Ladera, St. Lucia, West Indies
If you want romance with a dash of the wilderness, look no further than the Ladera. Each of the 23 suites at this picture-perfect hotel — which was once an old cocoa plantation in the port town of Soufrière– has an open wall overlooking the Caribbean. This means your room is actually outside – so you may find tropical birds and iguanas as additional roommates. You’ll get your own plunge pool, a view of the volcanic Piton mountains and free use of the hotel’s sulphur baths (a rare and uber-expensive treatment anywhere else in the world). If you’re lucky, you may get the staff to tell you all about the famous actor who stayed at the Ladera and got some good (and loud) loving!
Rooms from $615 per night
P. O. Box 225
Soufriere, St. Lucia
West Indies
The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans
#3 The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, Louisiana
Located in the heart of New Orleans’ French quarter, the Ritz-Carlton is the epitome of good, old-fashioned Southern charm. Think of your experience here as less of one of the city’s infamous Hurricanes, and more of a glass of expensive champagne: classy, tasteful, gothic and romantic. However, you’ll be so close to Bourbon St. that you might just be able to have a little taste of both!
Rooms from $269 per night
921 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
The Caves
#4 The Caves, Negril, Jamaica
If you want a tropical love-fest come Valentine’s Day, head to The Caves in Negril, Jamaica. You’ll feel like you’re removed from the rest of the world as you skinny-dip off of the resort’s honeycomb cliffs at sunset. There are any number of nooks, crannies and caves where you can have some secret sexy time, which gives this hotel an air of clandestine allure. But heed my advice for your man: make sure he stays away from the green stuff, because you will NOT be feeling red hot when he can’t — er — perform.
Light House, Negril
Rooms from $475 per night
Peter Island Resort
#5 Peter Island Resort & Spa, Peter Island, British Virgin Islands
Believe it or not, you can actually buy out this entire island if you really want to be alone with your respective other — and that means paying for a staggering 32 rooms, 20 beachfront suites and three luxury Villas! However, even if you’re only buying one room at this award-winning British Virgin Islands resort, you’ll still have your very own chef and personal assistants who cater your trip to your specific needs. Whatever happens on Peter Island stays on Peter Island, too, which is why so many celebrities travel there to get away from it all: there’s a no-fly zone above the resort, which means that pesky paparazzi have no way of getting all up in your business!
Rooms from $605 per night
Road Town Tortola
Peter Island
British Virgin Islands
Shangri-La
#6 Shangri-La Hotel, Paris, France
Ooh la la! Is there a better place to find true romance on V-Day than Paree? (The question was rhetorical, by the way). When you’re not strolling arm-in-arm with your honey past the Champs-Élysées or gazing up in wonder at the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower, head to the Shangri-La Hotel for a little bit of amour. Built in 1896 as the home of Prince Roland Bonaparte – Napoleon Bonaparte‘s grandnephew – the Shangri-La has fab views of your must-see Parisian landmarks like The Louvre and the Seine. It’s sumptuous, indulgent and seductive — the perfect place to say ‘voulez vous coucher avec moi ce soir?’
Rooms from $1,015 per night
10 Avenue Iéna 75116
Paris, France
#7 Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California
When you stay at the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, you’ll feel like you’ve hit the tip of the world. This resort is the organic California has to offer. It’s a haven away from society where you and your honey can enjoy meditation, hikes and relaxation in an eco-friendly way (and yes, that includes being chauffeured around in a Lexus Hybrid). But trust me, you don’t have to be a tree-hugger to be enchanted by this private paradise.
Rooms from $595 per night
47900 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
The Katikies
#8 Katikies, The Hotel, Santorini, Greece
Santorini is, quite simply, magical. How can you not be seduced by a place known as ‘lovers island’? The Katikies is a wonderful place to experience what makes Greece so unique: white-washed walls, views of the Aegean Sea and sunsets over the Caldera Cliffs. Only in your imagination could a getaway be this perfect.
Rooms from $515 per night
Oia (Ia), Santorini 84702
Cyclades Islands, Greece
Hilton Bora Bora
#9 Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa, Bora Bora, French Polynesia
When you stay at the Hilton Bora Bora, you don’t even have to leave your bed to explore the exotic. But before your mind goes to the gutter, let me explain. You can actually lie in bed and watch marine life float past your bedroom from the hotel’s glass-floor viewing panels. AMAZING. This resort is a wonderful secret escape as well, as it’s tucked into a cove of white sand and lava rock. FYI: this is where Ali Fedotowsky made her life-changing romantic decision — Roberto or Chris — on last season’s The Bachelorette!
Rooms from $940 per night
BP 502 Vaitape
Bora Bora, French Polynesia 98730
#10 The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado
If you’re looking for romance in The Rockies and dream of fireplaces, snowfall and spiked cider, than The Stanley is the perfect destination for you. The hotel itself is staggeringly beautiful and serene, but do prepare to be spooked if you go: this is actually the inspiration behind Stephen King‘s The Shining, and is reportedly haunted! Just remember how beautiful you thought the place was before Danny started muttering ‘redrum.’
Rooms from $125 per night
333 Wonder View Ave.
Estes Park, Colorado