With weather temperatures continue to drop, with snow falling in many places, it’s time to snuggle up close with your special someone the season and treat your loved one to a romantic escape for the ultimate quality time together at these 11 romantic retreats.Tuscany for Two – Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco & Grand Universe Lucca
Sister properties Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco (www.renaissancetuscany.com) and Grand Universe Lucca (www.granduniverselucca.com) invite couples to lose themselves in one of Tuscany’s most unexplored and enchanting areas — the majestic Serchio Valley. Overlooking the valley that’s dotted with hilltop, medieval villages, Renaissance Tuscany is a breath of fresh air, minutes away from the charming town of Barga. Home to just 10,000 locals, this most important village of the Serchio Valley is chock full of mom-and-pop shops and history at every turn — with a winding path that leads up to the Duomo for panoramic views. Renaissance Tuscany also offers access to local biodynamic wineries, including Podere Concori, owned by a local couple dedicated to preserving this unique form of wine harvesting. Less than an hour’s drive away, Grand Universe Lucca is a beacon in this most elegant Tuscan city, built to honor the town’s musical roots and culture. From wine tastings in the ancient cellar to musically inspired cocktails at the city’s only rooftop bar, Sommitá, to horse drawn carriage aperitivo ride and one-on-one sessions with a musical composer, couples will find plenty of ways to enjoy, toast to, and commemorate their Tuscan adventures.
Sky-high Love – AC Hotel Orlando Downtown
Grab your S.O. and get cozy this winter with a city-inspired getaway at AC Hotel Orlando Downtown. Standing stylishly over “The City Beautiful ” is the property’s rooftop terrace with panoramic bird’s eye views of downtown Orlando that come alive at sunset. Thanks to its 18th floor perch, stylish lighting, live entertainment and cosmopolitan cocktail menu, SkyBar feels like it belongs in Miami or New York City. Toast to love with an artfully crafted cocktail overlooking the magical city, then set out to explore and enjoy all the destination has to offer for a romantic retreat. Pedal together in a swan boat at Lake Eola, enjoy a wine tasting at Quantum Leap Winery, or cheer on The Orlando Magic at Amway Center, just steps from the hotel.
Love at Frost Sight – Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club
Bundle up and embrace the winter season at Cape Cod’s award-winning Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club. Here, couples can cozy up and enjoy a private, romantic igloo dinner at The Frost Bar under the starry sky. Each igloo is adorned with adirondack chairs, blankets, a heater, string lights and bluetooth speaker to customize the setting. With the First Frost package, couples receive a $150 deposit put towards igloo dining, savings on luxury accommodations at The Mansion, and 50% savings on a second spa treatment at The Beach House Spa. In addition to these package perks, couples can spend quality time together enjoying the resort’s other winter amenities, including multiple heated pools, weekly mixology lessons, bingo and trivia programming, and the new Artists of the Cape series showcasing different female Cape Cod artists and their creations each week.
Lovers in Paradise – Southernmost Beach Resort
Situated in the quieter southern limit of the famed Duval Street, the newly renovated Southernmost Beach Resort features a modern sleek design with classic coastal charm while ocean views abound. Boasting three palm-fringed pools with private cabanas, a secluded tanning pier, signature restaurant, and gorgeous oceanfront rooms, this idyllic oasis sets the tone for a romantic and memorable stay in Key West’s Historic District. Snuggle up with your partner and watch the sunset on the resort’s private beach, explore Key West’s historic Old Town – straight out of a storybook scene in a southern romance, or spend your time on property reveling in the steamy activities, like salsa dancing or sip and spill painting classes. Lovers with a taste for adventure can book the “Love is the Air” package for overnight accommodations plus an incredible sunset helicopter tour over Key West for two. Every experience at Southernmost will allow you to reconnect and celebrate your love in an unforgettable way this Valentines Day.
Coupled Up in Curaçao – Curaçao / Southern Caribbean
Recognized worldwide for its unmatched ocean life – offering 35+ beaches and some of the best diving spots in the world; candy-colored Dutch and Colonial architecture; rich history with its entire capital city of Willemstad being a UNESCO World Heritage Site (not just one or two monuments; diverse culture with more than 55 nationalities on the island; and unique experiences for adventure-seeking couples, Curaçao is a dynamic hidden gem in the heart of the Caribbean. Offering year-round tropical climates and a prime location on the fringes of the Hurricane Zone, Curaçao is a reliable and attractive destination for couples looking to enjoy a mix of both land and sea, and both adventure and relaxation. From holding hands and snapping photos throughout the picturesque streets of Willemstad in the day, and then enjoying a romantic dinner at some of the island’s best restaurants like Fish & Joy, Mosa/Caña or Restaurant 020 in the evening, followed by a full-day of beach hopping via Jet Ski with Tourrific Curaçao, the Dutch Caribbean island offers plenty of opportunities for romance and creating unforgettable memories. For couples looking to take things up a notch, Curaçao’s uninhabited island of Klein Curaçao (only accessible by helicopter or private boat ride) makes for a perfect day trip and offers utmost privacy. Accommodation options range from independently owned and artsy boutique hotels like Bario or BijBlauw, to recognized brand-name hotels like Renaissance Curaçao or Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort that are all centrally located in Willemstad. Couples can also opt for remote beach resorts like Papagayo Beach Hotel or Blue Bay Curaçao Golf & Beach Resort, as well as private villas and Airbnbs. For more information on the latest news and events for the island of Curaçao, please visit: www.curacao.com.
Wellness, Whales and Private Whirlpool Suites – Westin Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
A direct flight from many US cities, Puerto Vallarta draws in couples with its mountains-meets-the-ocean landscapes, colorful culture, culinary delights, and of course, its refreshing beaches and many water activities. Just a five minute drive from Puerto Vallarta’s international airport, The Westin Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta — a former palm tree plantation turned luxury wellness resort — offers a lush setting for a romantic escape. Outdoor, beachfront restaurants serve up fresh, daily-caught seafood and locally inspired cuisine paired with some of the best views of Banderas Bay. Take the romance factor up a notch with a brand new oceanfront picnic catered by Arrecifes restaurant, featuring a gourmet selection of charcuterie, sandwiches and of course, bubbly, to accompany the majestic cotton-candy-colored sunsets that Puerto Vallarta is famous for. Couples will be sure to enjoy unmatched views from their private balconies, some of which offer private whirlpools where you can toast to your love and, if you’re really lucky, witness humpback whales breaching around the bay. Get the perfect night’s rest on Westin’s signature Heavenly Beds, and the next day, rent a complimentary bike for a sunrise ride around the marina, book a private yoga or tennis lesson, experience pure pliss with a beachside couple’s massage or lounge and sunbathe in one of the resort’s two sparkling pools lined with hundreds of towering palm trees. Experience all of this and more for less than $200 per night during Winter 2021. For more information or to book, visit: www.westinpuertovallarta.com.
Romance in Riviera Nayarit – W Punta de Mita
Couples in search of a romantic getaway where they can take in the most beautiful ocean views,learn a new skill together, and be treated like royalty should visit W Punta de Mita — a chic, indigenous-inspired resort located on one of Mexico’s best surf breaks with an amazing beach, incredible surfing program, and amenities for days. When they’re not practicing their hang-ten, couples can unwind in oceanfront suites with private plunge pools and bathrooms that feel like you’re showering in the outdoors, relax with locally inspired treatments at the resort’s AWAY Spa (agave + tequila facial? Yes, please!), indulge at restaurants ranging from Jean Georges’ renowned Spice Market to a vintage 1950’s Chevy truck that’s been converted into a beachside ceviche bar, and reserve the incredibly romantic Mesa1 — an ultra-exclusive al fresco dining setting that offers just one nightly seating for a private chef’s dinner under the stars — it’s also the perfect place to pop the question! For those keen on capturing the most picture-perfect moment, the resort’s Instagram concierge service can make just about any vision for a photo, a reality.
Couple’s Dream in Cancun – JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa
Tacos, tequila and one of the world’s brightest blue beaches — just three of many reasons to book a romantic, tranquil escape to Cancun for two. Luckily, the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa is the perfect combination of luxe and relaxation, allowing couples to relax and retreat with Bali-style day beds, brunch baskets, cocktails by the infinity pool, restorative spa treatments, and gram’ worthy culinary experiences. For the couples that are also searching for a lively atmosphere for their epic date night, the JW Marriott Cancun won’t fall short. The lovely pair can begin their night at the JW Lobby Bar to shake things up and indulge in their 150 Margaritas Menu, and end the night with a cozy, toes-in-the-sand dinner at SacBé Beach Shack with front row seats to picturesque sunsets and soothing ocean views.
Fall in Love with Zihua / Thompson Zihuatanejo
Trade in the chill of winter for the warm sun and the crystal clear waters of Mexico’s Pacific Coast with a stay at the sophisticated Thompson Zihuatanejo. Couples can book the Romance Package which includes a stay in the boutique hideway’s recently renovated Beachfront Villas where they can cozy up in their private plunge pool or fall asleep to the sounds of the ocean waves. Guests will be greeted with a bottle of bubbly and Mexican truffles upon arrival, can unwind with an al fresco couples massage on their terrace, indulge in a four course special menu curated with local ingredients, and enjoy late check out and some Thompson Zihuatanejo branded tequila to take home. For love birds looking to explore beyond their den, they can opt to whale watch or kayak to a hidden island, chase waterfalls in the nearby jungles or visit the colorful and quaint fishing villages nearby. They can then retreat back to the resort for an intimate mezcal tasting and a swim in the adults only pool or check out the pop up ceviche stand for a fresh seafood snack right on the sand or dance all night at the beach club. To book the Romance package, visit Thompsonhotels.com/Zihua.
Bahamian Bliss at Resorts World Bimini
Enjoy a tropical and romantic getaway in Bimini, the closest Bahamian island to the coastal U.S. and home to Resorts World Bimini — an oceanfront complex that encompasses a chic Hilton hotel, world-class casino, spa and a brand new day club. The seven-mile island is surrounded by the bright blue waters of the Caribbean Sea where love birds can relax with a drink in hand while sunbathing at one of two hotel pools: the ground-floor lagoon pool or the rooftop infinity pool, both of which have poolside bars with specialty cocktails and local bites. For an immersive experience, head to the recently-debuted Resorts World Bimini Beach, a 4.5-acre private beach and lounge that blends laidback luxury with unrivaled ocean backdrops and chic vibes similar to beach clubs in Mykonos or Tulum. With beachfront cabanas, two pools, shaded hammocks, bohemian-inspired rustic decor, live DJ entertainment and direct beach access, it provides the ideal balance of fun and relaxation. Want to turn the romance up a notch? Head to the Serenity Spa for a couples massages… or a beachfront massage is never a bad idea, either! Learn more and view packages available for booking at www.rwbimini.com.
You, Me & Aruba – Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
Those looking for an exotic, beachfront destination for a romantic getaway in the Caribbean need to look no further than Aruba Marriott Resort on Palm Beach. The resort boasts the most spacious accommodations on the island, with most hotel rooms boasting a balcony view overlooking the sparkling waters of the Caribbean Sea. For the ultimate romantic getaway, the resort’s ‘You, Me and Aruba’ package is sure to create lasting memories for those on their trip. Couples planning a stay for at least four consecutive nights can book this package and immediately find paradise with jaw-dropping views of the pristine beaches and palapas from their Deluxe Ocean view room in the adults-only Tradewinds Club, the resort’s luxury hotel-within-a-hotel. Couples at Aruba Marriott Resort’s Tradewinds Club have every luxury they could ever desire within reach, including a private floor and lounge, access to the H2Oasis adults-only pool, exclusive amenities, personal concierge, complimentary food and beverages each day in the Tradewinds Lounge, and reserved beach seating. Upon arrival, couples can even toast to their new journey together with complimentary bubbly and strawberries. The package also includes a dinner for two at Atardi, the resort’s toes-in-the-sand restaurant which boasts front-row seats to the island’s most vibrant sunsets. For more information or to book visit www.arubamarriott.com and use code HON.