Traveling is one of the best ways to rekindle a relationship and get closer to your partner. There is something about being away that encourages love and bonding. Maybe it is what you experience and the wonderful memories you create together, or maybe it is just because finally, you have time for each other.
As no two couples are the same, we have picked four of our favorite hotels in Europe, located in very diverse destinations, which we hope will suit your different moods and preferences, from art lovers to celebrity spotters.
Splendid Venice – Romance among Venetian treasures
It may be considered a stereotype, but the truth is that you’ll struggle to top Venice when it comes to art and romance. Wherever you turn your gaze, there is a jaw-dropping piece of architecture, or an art gallery full of treasures.
The island of St Giorgio Maggiore, home to the basilica of the same name and the Borges Labyrinth, seen from St Mark’s Square.
In the very heart of the city, you’ll find Splendid Venice, a luxury boutique hotel just a few minutes from the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Square. Here the full Venetian experience awaits you; from rooms with views of the canal to a private dock for water taxis, not to mention its Lounge Bar, lavishly appointed with grand mirrors, rich fabrics, and a cocktail menu with which you’ll certainly fall in love. Altana, the bar on the roof terrace, is the perfect location to have a romantic drink, with views of the domes of St Mark.
The Splendid Venice is a luxury boutique hotel in the very heart of Venice, minutes from both the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Square.
Now fully renovated, the Splendid is more so than ever before, led by General Manager Salvatore Pisani, one of the wisest and most experienced hoteliers I’ve ever met. He put special attention on the refurbishment of Le Maschere, the fine cuisine restaurant at the hotel. Here, Executive Chef Massimo Livan has created a sophisticated menu that shows off the best of regional cuisine, with special emphasis on local fish.
Contact: Tel. +39 0415200755 reservations.splendidvenice.ve@starhotels.it
Grace La Margna, St Moritz – Alpine glamour
From Alfred Hitchcock to George Clooney, Kate Moss, and Claudia Schiffer, St Moritz has become their winter resort of choice. Royal families also flock here to enjoy its blue skies (St Moritz has an annual average of 300 sunny days) and first-class ski slopes.
Inside: © St. Moritz Tourismus AG
Grace La Margna is one of the most iconic hotels in St Moritz, with nearly 120 years of history – and glamour – within its walls. After a thorough renovation, it opened its doors again last summer, bringing 21st-century luxury to the Swiss town. All the rooms at Grace La Margna enjoy mountain views and are equipped with everything you could possibly need to feel as if you were in heaven. From allergy-free rooms to a pillow menu, humidifiers on request, and even Dyson hairdryers in the bathroom, there is nothing that General Manager David Frei and his team haven’t thought of to provide their guests with a truly luxurious experience of comfort and service.
Grace La Margna is the first hotel in St Moritz to truly offer 21st-century luxury.
With three restaurants, a cocktail bar, and a cozy “Living Room” for afternoon tea, you’ll have to push yourself to explore any other gastronomic destinations.
The spa/wellness center is equipped with a gym, two saunas, a hammam, a gorgeous indoor pool, and a fabulous water circuit that works wonders on your muscles after a day of heavy skiing. You must try the lymphatic drainage leg massage; fantastic to boost your circulation, which suffers from air travel and high altitudes.
Contact: Tel. +41 81 832 22 10 welcome@gracestmoritz.com
Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort Cyprus – Mediterranean serenity
As an increasingly popular tourist destination, Cyprus can get quite busy during the summer months. However, the end of winter or early spring is a very quiet time, with many hours of sun and mild, pleasant temperatures of around 18°C. The district of Paphos, in the southwestern part of the island, is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites and according to legend, the birthplace of Aphrodite, who emerged from the sea foam of its coast.
Located on the southwest coast of Cyprus Paphos has been inhabited since Neolithic times and is home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort is the perfect location from where to explore the beauty and historical richness of this region. All rooms are generously sized with floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic views of the sea. Its Mediterranean gardens boast centuries-old olive trees just meters from the beachfront. Watching the sunset by its large pool is a mesmerizing experience that I can’t recommend enough.
Cap St George Hotel & Resort, on the shores of the Mediterranean, is an abode of peace boasting panoramic views across two kilometres of beachfront, a 2,585 sqm spa, and ten restaurants and bars.
Cap St Georges offers several treatments for two at its Cleopatra Spa, such as “Time for Us”, a 150-minute ritual focused on bonding and reconnecting with one another. It includes a full body scrub, an intimate Rasul bath, an Oriental Relaxing massage, and a stimulating facial. The essential oils applied are meant to calm, nourish, and inspire feelings of love.
With 10 restaurants and bars on-site, you can take your loved one on a culinary journey like no other, starting in Cyprus and going all the way to the country of the rising sun. My favorite is probably Kohili, set under a canopy of ancient olive trees overlooking the coastline. Here, the traditional aromas and flavors of Cypriot cuisine are reinterpreted in a modern fashion, bringing the best out of seafood and local ingredients.
Contact: Tel. +357 2600 0000 enquiries@capstgeorges.com
InterContinental Cascais-Estoril – The heart of the chic Portuguese Riviera
Less known than its French and Italian counterparts, the Portuguese Riviera is a true gem destination, just a 30-minute drive from Lisbon. At its heart lies the pretty town of Cascais, which combines the cultural vibe of its Arts District with the hustle and bustle of the restaurants dotted along its coastline and the old town, and idyllic sea landscapes that will take your breath away.
View of Casa Santa Maria, a 19th-century stately home in Cascais distinctive for the blend of architectural styles that give it its very unique and distinctive character.
The InterContinental Cascais-Estoril is strategically located in the heart of the bay, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and with easy access to the coastline and the two towns. This boutique hotel oozes sophistication, decorated in soft tones and noble materials; very subtle, very elegant.
All the rooms face the ocean and have a balcony, so every guest can enjoy Cascais’ spectacular sunsets. Within a very short walk, you can be on the beach. Although you may prefer to stay by the hotel pool, sipping cocktails and having a swim every now and then.
InterContinental Cascais Estoril is set on the oceanfront of the Atlantic Ocean, offering unparalleled views, exceptional service, and the opportunity to experience the best Portuguese fish and seafood specialties.
Dinner at Bago du Vin, the hotel’s flagship restaurant offers Mediterranean cuisine with elements of fusion from different parts of the world, complemented with a wine list to die for. The spectacular views of the ocean make it even easier to start with lunch and still be there by sunset.
Contact: Tel. +351 218 291100 liset.reservations@ihg.com
Words: Julia Pasarón
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