Valentine Hotel Hotlist: 6 Sexy Places To Spend Time With A Special Someone
Written by Jaillan Yehia
Falling in love with hotels for Valentine’s Day…
A romantic weekend away for Valentine’s Day – sounds like a great idea in principle, right?
But as anyone who has tried to book even a simple night away with their partner already knows, the process of finding the perfect hotel for romance isn’t all hearts and flowers.
You’re searching for seclusion and sophistication in a Valentine hotel, but you also need that unquantifiable quality – sex appeal. And just like dating itself, there’s always the worry that hotels which look good on paper could turn out to be a let down when we meet them in person.
So I thought I’d compile a list of the 6 sexiest places in the entire world I’ve ever stayed. These are tried and tested hotels that I would not hesitate in recommending for romance, so you can kick the research to the kerb…
I’ve organised these geographically, because chances are the location of the Valentine hotel is the first thing you’ll need to know – Valentine’s Day is a lovely excuse for romance but I doubt you’re planning on flying halfway around the planet for it.
What Does This Post Cover?
Europe
England
♥The Zetter Townhouse♥
London, UK
Bedroom at The Zetter
If you’re on a mission to track down the perfect romantic setting for a decadent Valentine hotel in London many of the city’s bolt-holes can be written off right away for being too corporate, too cliched or simply too bland.
But while The Boundary and The Town Hall Hotel are worthy contenders for a little Valentine getaway, get behind the little blue Georgian door of the Zetter Townhouse and you’ll be sure to fall in love with its opulent feel and English eccentric décor.
Zetter Townhouse Bar
The Zetter is plush, lush, quirky – and above all cosy, cute and comfy. Attention to detail in here in spades – cutlery is bone china handled, crockery is Wedgwood, beds are antique, plumped and inviting, and bathrooms are classical with big-enough-for-two soaker tubs.
The vibe is classic country house chic, but in the middle of town so perfect for a hedonistic couple looking for a Valentine hotel which combines seclusion with a sinful city break.
North America
Canada
♥The Wickaninnish Inn♥
Tofino, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
Bedroom at The Wick
It’s hard not to feel the romance when you’re enveloped in the elegant yet rustic and secluded setting of what’s known here on Vancouver Island as simply The Wick – a hotel that’s as connected to the natural environment as its possible to be – while being delightfully disconnected from the rest of the world.
The intimate atmosphere makes it fitting that the hotel specialises in elopements – as well as honeymoons, anniversaries and other romantic celebrations such as Valentine weekends of course.
Try All You Need Is Love which includes a special romantic turndown service where the big-enough-for-two bath is filled with orchid petals and romantic music fills the air, while champagne and truffles are on hand.
The view from The Wick
The lucky couple can also enjoy a tasting menu dinner at the hotel’s fine dining restaurant The Pointe, spend their time walking on the endless beach and spotting local wildlife, from starfish and sand dollars to bald eagles and whales.
During February winter storm watching is firmly on the agenda – this part of the Canadian coastline is famed for its spectacular storms, in stark contrast to the serenity and relaxation once you’re back inside enjoying the comforts of this cosy Valentine hotel.
USA
♥The Inn Above Tide♥
Sausalito, California, USA
The bedroom at The Inn Above Tide
It’s almost impossible to imagine a more mesmerising and memorable view to wake up to on Valentine’s Day than the panoramic vista from the Skyline Suite of Sausalito’s quietly sophisticated Inn Above Tide.
The beauty of the San Francisco Bay Area is silently strung out in front of you, from the downtown skyscrapers via the Bay Bridge and the legendary island of Alcatraz to Berkeley and Oakland, with the endless view bookended by Belvedere at one edge and the Golden Gate, hidden by the hills, at the other.
View from The Inn Above Tide
This is the way to explore San Francisco while keeping the romance; from your serene base in upmarket Sausalito village you can cycle across the bridge on the hotel’s complimentary bicycles, before venturing into nearby Sonoma wine country for tastings in the hills.
Return at sunset to watch over the water from your terrace before retiring inside for a toast in front of a roaring fireplace.
South America
Mexico
♥Banyan Tree Mayakoba♥
Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Bed at the Banyan Tree
When it comes to splashing the cash on a romantic night away, couples are looking for something very special. More than just a beautiful setting, you’re searching for a whole other magical world which will open up its exclusive doors and usher yourself and your honey inside, leaving the stresses and strains of everyday life well and truly outside.
Step forward the Banyan Tree at Mayakoba, an ultra luxurious and utterly tranquil resort which defines that ‘screensaver come to life’ combination of sea, sun, sand, spa and superior service.
You can entrust your Valentine’s hotel dreams to Banyan Tree, whose signature Eastern style is blended here with a Mayan influence inspired by the setting on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula – where you can also make memories together swimming in a cenote, diving with turtles and exploring the temples of Tulum.
Banyan Tree Mayakoba
Tick everything off your romantic wish list, from private secluded villas with landscaped gardens and infinity pools to double-sized alfresco candle-lit stone baths. Then bike to the beautiful stretch of beach or peddle at your leisure around the manicured grounds.
You’ll also be spoiled with superior cuisine and sommelier recommended wines, and add in a visit to the stunning signature spa and it makes this an idyllic Valentine setting.
Africa
♥Thakadu River Camp♥
Madikwe, South Africa
Tented suite bed at Thakadu
It may go against the seclusion requirement just a tad to share your Valentine hotel with all manner of wildlife, but I’d argue there’s nothing more romantic than an African Game Reserve on Valentine’s Day.
Imagine waking up to the sounds of the dawn chorus and spending the day in the company of each other and the animals of the bush, as you sit in the coveted high spotting seats of your safari vehicle and drive within inches of a pride of lions, find an elephant touching your rear bumper or spy one of the 300 species of native bird.
The view at Thakadu
Because the relatively unknown Madikwe park, on the South Africa-Botswana border, is barely featured in brochures and not open to day visitors, once you’re ensconced within Thakadu Lodge’s exclusive grounds, you’ll meet far more four-legged creatures than two, and you’ll certainly get your fair share of privacy and seclusion with dinner under the stars followed by the beauty of an African sunset from your luxurious tented suite.
Asia
♥Pangkor Laut Resort♥
Pangkor, Malaysia
Room at Pangkor Laut (This one is from their website as I’m *in* all the pictures I have. Oops)
The concept here at Pangkor Laut is ‘One Island, One Resort’ meaning the entire 300-acre Malaysian island is your Valentine paradise complete with nature trails, pools, spa pavilions, restaurants and bars to explore – but as only a small fraction of it is developed so you have the perfect combination of pristine wilderness mixed with impeccable service.
Couples can arrive via the hotel’s boat service through the Straits of Malacca but for added decadence you can arrive by helicopter which is probably what Pavarotti used to do – this was the legendary opera singer’s favourite hotel.
Dinner On The Rocks is the romantic highlight – a fine dining experience perched off the a rocky outcrop overlooking the straits, while stringed instruments are strummed alongside your table.
At the end of the meal you’re presented with a photograph to remember the occasion complete with hand-made wooden frame.
View at Pangkor Laut
Staff here seem to know what you want before you even know it yourself, your breakfast buffet is shared with roaming peacocks, and you can luxuriate and unwind in outdoor power showers under tropical palms – I challenge you to find a sexier setting for a Valentine hotel.
Trackback from your site.