ROMANTIC EXPERIENCES WORTH THE TRIP THIS VALENTINE’S DAY

Fresh off another holiday season rife with engagements, many lovebirds may be looking to Valentine’s Day and beyond to plan the most romantic retreats of their lives. As the holiday of love quickly approaches, the possibilities for romance seem endless — but finding that dreamy escape that ticks all the boxes may seem like a daunting task at first.

Whether seeking a relaxing sun-soaked beach getaway, a seductive European escapade, or looking to party it up with your love in a city buzzing with energy, there’s a dream trip out there for every type of love bird. Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite romantic retreats from around the globe sure to help any couple create their own storybook romance.

A true retreat from the ordinary, Monteverdi Tuscany was recently recognized as a hotel with one of the “Sexiest Bedrooms” in the world by Mr. and Mrs. Smith. The boutique hotel features 3 villas and 18 ultra-cozy suites complete with romantic bathtubs, unparalleled views over the undulating hills of the Val d’Orcia, and design details that may make you never want to leave the room. If you do choose to venture out, you won’t have to go far to recreate your very own Romeo & Juliet affair as the property is an albergo diffuso, or a hotel dispersed throughout a medieval village — meaning you and your lover will have a wide array of settings from which to confess your love.

At Monteverdi, you will feel like you are a world away, while still being just a two-hour drive from Rome and less than ninety minutes from Florence. A perfect retreat for all the senses, the property is also ideally situated in one of the best culinary and wine regions of the world, meaning you can enjoy date night sampling some of the region’s best Brunello wines at any of Monteverdi’s farm-to-table dining venues, such as the fine dining restaurant Oreade or the more casual Enoteca.

Looking to bring a taste of Tuscany home? Enjoy a couple’s cooking class at the brand-new Culinary Academy led by Monteverdi’s master chef Giancarla Bodoni, where you will develop traditional Italian cooking skills you will be able to enjoy together for years to come.

Want to completely relax the mind, body & soul?  Pamper yourself at the newly expanded state-of-the-art spa at Monteverdi with a Hammam treatment or a side-by-side massage using all-natural local ingredients, followed by a relaxing bathing ritual enjoyed while overlooking the expansive Tuscan surrounds.

For more information or to book a stay at Monteverdi Tuscany, please visit www.MonteverdiTuscany.com.

Newly opened for winter 2018/2018, this all-suite design hotel in the stylish Condado neighborhood of San Juan is an experience like none other in Puerto Rico. The majestic (adults-only) O:LV Fifty Five hotel, opened by the couple behind the award-winning O:live Boutique Hotel (see below), has all the makings of a scene straight out of a Bond movie – unparalleled sunset views over the Condado Lagoon, expansive terraces, jet-stream infinity pool and in-room bathtubs designed to fit two people, with room to spare.

Featuring black and white marble floors, brass details and unconventional sleek design touches, the hotel is intimate enough for a discreet, seductive romance yet ideally situated to access just about all that San Juan has to offer. With two on-site restaurants by award-winning chef Mario Pagan, a panoramic terrace lounge and private rooftop cabanas for couples’ massages – you’ll never need to leave the property to enjoy a dream weekend away with your love. Yet when you do, you will have much to explore across the vibrant city – from salsa dancing the night away in Old San Juan’s charming bars to enjoying some of the best cuisine in the Caribbean, there’s something for everyone to enjoy on this incredible island that’s back in full force for 2019 after its strong recovery following Hurricane Maria.

O:LV Fifty Five’s Decadent Valentine’s Day: Couples checking in for Valentine’s Day who book this package will receive a bottle of Tattinger champagne and chocolate truffles upon arrival, as well as a luxurious bath ritual with citrus mimosa bath salts, and candles, to be enjoyed at any time in their suite. Additionally, the team at O:LV Fifty Five will set up a romantic two-hour picnic on O:LV’s floating champagne deck, located just outside the hotel in the Condado Lagoon.

**Package pricing starts at $729 including all taxes.

**Room rates start from $309 during low season and from $349 in the high season.

**For more information on O:LV Fifty Five, please visit www.olvhotel.com.

Situated in an intimate 7-room converted craftsman bungalow in the buzzing neighborhood of East Austin, the Heywood Hotel is an adults-only boutique hotel perfect for a romantic escape. The Heywood team’s dedication to handmade hospitality ensures each guest feels sincerely welcome, as if visiting their closest friends. So, if you’re the type of couple that wants all the privacy of staying at home, yet all the resources needed for a fun day/ night on the town, the Heywood may just be your favorite weekend away.

This Valentine’s Day, the Heywood welcomes you with a special Romance Package which includes an artisan floral arrangement featuring local Texas flora, handcrafted chocolate from a small-batch chocolatier, and bubbly upon request. Clink glasses and indulge in the complimentary sweets while soaking in a bubble bath in one of Heywood’s oversized “tea for two” tubs, and you have the recipe for a perfect romantic night in with your love.

A stay here means a short walk to Austin’s best live music, incredible honky tonks and some of the best restaurants in the country, so for the couples that love to explore – there’s no better town to visit than Austin.

Rates for the Heywood Hotel range from $179 – $319 in the low season (Summer and Winter) and $209 – $349 in the high season (Spring and Fall).

 

For more information & property images, please visit: Heywood Hotel.

Those seeking to leave all worries behind this winter should look no further than the heavenly Villa Tres Amores, a private oasis within the gated enclave of scenic Punta Mita – home to world-class golf courses and white-sand beaches. This expansive, high-design villa features 4 en-suite bedrooms and sleeps 10 – 12 guests, making it the perfect location for a couples’ retreat, where you and your friends can enjoy five-star amenities including an in-house chef, 24-hour concierge, heated salt-water pool + jacuzzi, and an expansive outdoor terrace with breathtaking panoramic views over the Pacific Ocean.
Looking for a romantic escape, but bringing the kids? A romantic night out or in is just a quick call away, as Villa Tres Amores offers an on-call nanny to watch the kids should you and your love need some alone time mid-trip
For the couples that are looking to go beyond the pool this Valentine’s Day, Villa Tres Amores has created an itinerary in partnership with Journey Mexico (www.JourneyMexico.com), featuring the best of Mexico, including experiences like a private mixologist class, or romantic air expedition to a tequila distillery. Lovebirds can catch a buzz together while enjoying a class with their own personal mixologist whipping up specially crafted cocktails poolside on the expansive back terrace.  Adventure-seeking couples will get the chance to board a Pilatus aircraft to Guadalajara for a birds-eye helicopter ride to a world-class tequila distillery and watch a tequilero use traditional tequila-making methods passed down through five generations to create their very own bottle to go. Couples who book the experience will, of course, enjoy round-trip private deluxe transportation throughout the entire trip — from the plane to the doorstep back of their own private abode.
A stay at Villa Tres Amores starts from $2,295 per night in low season to $3,495 in high season, with peak season holiday travel times starting from approximately $4,495 per night.
For more information, please visit www.VillaTresAmores.com

For those who love the idea of San Juan but want something a little more classic, Olive Boutique Hotel is the perfect solution. Located just steps from O:LV Fifty Five, the property is the first hotel created by the duo behind the OLV Hotels brand. Each suite in the romantic, Mediterranean-inspired hotel features a private terrace with an outdoor stone bathtub and shower; meanwhile stunning sunsets can be watched ever night from the hotel’s chic rooftop lounge – one of the first on the island of Puerto Rico. Both OLV Hotels are adults-only properties, making them ideal for a quick weekend getaway sans kids after a short flight from many major U.S. airports.

O:live’s Magical Moments Package:  This Valentine’s Day, O:live Boutique Hotel will welcome lovebirds into a rose petal-decorated room where they will enjoy a bottle of complimentary Taittinger champagne and French macarons before being indulged in an outdoor bath experience, complete with lavender salts and candles.

If/when you and your lover decide to emerge from your lush accommodations, a two-hour picnic on the hotel’s one-of-a-kind floating champagne deck will also be a part of this special Valentine’s Day offering. What could be more romantic than floating through the scenic Condado lagoon with the sun setting over the sparkling skyline that surrounds you?

**Package pricing starts at $599.

**Prices for rooms at O:live Boutique Hotel range from $209 – $329 / night.

**For more information or to book a stay at O:live Boutique Hotel, please visit www.OliveBoutiqueHotel.com.

Not everyone can get away for Valentine’s Day, but that doesn’t mean the weekend shouldn’t be spent planning your next romantic retreat. There are few destinations in the world that can compare to the extraordinarily romantic setting of the Amalfi Coast, so why not use the holiday of love to plan your dream trip to this breathtaking region come summer?
Perched high in the hills above Praiano, between Positano and Ravello, Il Maniero is an exquisite villa from which to experience the unparalleled beauty of the Southern Italian coast. Originally conceived in the 16th century as a prominent yet protected lookout against marauders from distant empires, Il Maniero sits atop the iconic rocky coastline with lavish vistas over the azure Tyrrhenian Sea below. With spectacular sunrise to sunset, 270-degree panoramic views, couples can linger all day by the infinity edged pool, feasting and celebrating while being pampered by the attentive, pleasant staff.
** Price available upon request.
 

**For more information and property images via Homebase Abroad, please visit: www.HomebaseAbroad.com

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