With Valentine’s Day approaching, love is in the air. And what better way to celebrate than with an exotic escape for two? Whether you fantasize about waltzing cheek to cheek at a Viennese ball, escaping to a private-island paradise off the coast of Zanzibar, cozying up inside an art-filled hotel in the Scottish Highlands, these 7 hotels (pictured above: White Elephant Palm Beach) make easy work of making sparks fly.
White Elephant Palm Beach | FLORIDA
About: Toast to your timeless romance at this 1924-era boutique hotel on Palm Beach’s Main Street. With just 32 rooms, the property channels the charm of a grand private home while balancing landmark heritage and contemporary flair. A highlight is the museum-worthy collection of art with more than 120 original pieces on display; look for works by artists like Orit Fuchs and Fredrick Prescott.
What’s Hot: This winter, guests staying in one of 19 suites have complimentary access to West Palm Beach’s most exclusive waterfront sanctuary: The Cove Club. The private members-only club is revered as the city’s ultimate oasis, with a floating dock and cabanas, a glittering pool, and a see-and-be-seen bar and restaurant with water views and weekly live music. For those not staying in the suites, a day pass—priced at just $50 per person, per day—opens the doors to all the club’s exceptional amenities and services.
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andBeyond Mnemba Island | TANZANIA
About: A private island paradise off the coast of Zanzibar, andBeyond Mnemba Island epitomizes barefoot romance (in fact, many guests remove their shoes the minute they arrive and don’t put them back on until they leave). The 13 beachside bandas open to the island’s warm, tropical air, and couples can stroll the entire perimeter of the property — one mile of powdery white sand — in an hour. More adventurous types can hit the well-stocked, newly renovated dive center to coordinate snorkeling excursions and learn about impactful conservation and community projects taking place in and around the Mnemba Atoll (think: turtle hatching and coral restoration).
What’s Hot: The island reopened in October 2024 after a complete rebuild, debuting a comprehensive refurbishment of its main lodge structures and guest areas. Highlights include a revamped spa; an expanded bar area that transitions from a coffee and juice bar by day to a cocktail lounge by night; a mezzanine level in the dining area offering stunning views of the Indian Ocean; and an inner courtyard for torch-lit dinners with a Swahili influence.
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Romance is in the air at andBeyond’s Mnemba Island, off the coast of Zanzibar
La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich | SWITZERLAND
About: Nestled on the serene shores of Lake Zurich, La Réserve Eden au Lac exudes romance with its stunning Belle Époque architecture, breathtaking lake views, and luxurious, nautically inspired design by Philippe Starck. Imagine sharing a private balcony overlooking the water, sitting for a candlelit dinner at the Michelin-starred restaurant or enjoying drinks on the rooftop with 360º views.
What’s Hot: The “Love Birds” package indulges couples to a 5-course wine pairing dinner at the Michelin-starred Eden Kitchen & Bar as well as a Polaroid camera and a photo book to capture every special moment. Or opt for the “For Love” package, which includes romantic room decorations and a sushi sharing menu in the room for an intimate and cozy dinner.
See More: Michel Reybier Hospitality
The view from La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich
Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay | MOROCCO
About: At the newly opened Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay, adventurous couples are invited to explore a hidden gem of Moroccan Riviera. Spread along 700 meters of white sand, the property is as much a celebration of seaside refinement as the white-glove service and spare-no-expense decadence that guests of the Royal Mansour Collection have come to expect. A highlight is the 46,285-square-foot media spa, where treatments balance traditional rituals and the latest technology, as well as distinctive restaurants helmed by Michelin-starred chefs including Éric Frechon, Quique Dacosta, and Massimiliano and Raffaele Alajmo.
What’s Hot: Tamuda Bay is an excellent base for half- or full-day trips to delve deeper into Morocco’s diverse sights — from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tétouan, where guests will wander to meet with local artisans and artists, or the Jebel Zem-Zem mountains, where a 4×4 Land Rover trip culminates with a picturesque cheese tasting and an immersion into Jbala culinary traditions.
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Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay is the collection’s latest debut — a seaside stunner with top dining and wellness
The Fife Arms | SCOTLAND
About: Located in the storybook-pretty town of Braemar in the Scottish Highlands, the 46-accommodation hotel is ideal for active couples. Take your pick from a guided tour in a Land Rover, complete with warm tea and blankets; an on- or off-property whisky tasting; wild swimming; creative writing class with an award-winning pet; and more.
What’s Hot: During the winter season, guests can enjoy a traditional Swiss Alpine fondue hut (inspired by the Swiss owners of Artfarm, the parent hospitality and development company). The romantic setting (picture: wood paneling, a cozy fireplace, and plush seating) is the ideal place to enjoy a selection of Swiss cheeses from the famed Emmental Valley in Bern. Scottish options are also available for a more locally inspired affair.
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The gorgeous bedrooms at the Fife Arms are themed, including the Scottish Culture Room, celebrating literature and astronomy to engineering and exploration
Almanac Palais Vienna, AUSTRIA
About: Located within a pair of historic palaces on Vienna’s most elegant boulevard, this 80-suite, 31-guestroom hotel is steeped in the grandeur – and romance – of yesteryear. Couples will feel that they’ve been transported back in time as they wander the property’s art-filled corridors (featuring works by Gustav Klimt and Hermann Nitsch) and sip coffee in the hotel’s grand Viennese café-bar. While you’re in the heart of the city, a stay isn’t complete without being pampered in the subterranean two-floor wellness sanctuary, home to a marble-clad spa and a 14-meter indoor thermal pool.
What’s Hot: This year, Vienna will celebrate the 200th anniversary of its most famous son, the classical composer Johann Strauss, who was famous for his Viennese waltzes and operettas. There’s no better way to celebrate the festivities than during the annual ball season. Almanac Palais Vienna is deeply embedded in the culture and social fabric of the Austrian capital and has recently unveiled a “Night at the Ball” package. Available through February, the offer includes a private dance class, a gown from Juergen Christian Hoerl atelier, in-suite makeup services, and an exclusive photoshoot – all before hopping in a horse-drawn carriage to be escorted to the ball.
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The bright Klimt Suite at the Almanac Palais Vienna
Gili Lankanfushi | MALDIVES
About: The ideal backdrop for any castaway romance?
The Maldives’ eco-chic Gili Lankanfushi, where 45 overwater bungalows hover above turquoise waters and fan out from a palm-studded private island. Couples delight in the signature romantic experiences, like dinners on lantern-lit beaches and private wine tastings. The Meera Spa combines ancient healing practices from all over the world, such as Ayurvedic therapy, Tibetan singing bowl sessions, reiki healing, and detoxifying seaweed baths. The resort even has its own time zone – an hour ahead of Malé – to allow couples to make the most of their precious time together.
What’s Hot: For an unforgettable evening, opt for the “Dining for the Senses” experience: a blindfolded four-course dinner at a secret location on the island.With toes in the sand and the soothing sound of waves lapping against the shore, couples can savor aromatic dishes thoughtfully crafted to intrigue the palate. Between courses, servers present native flowers and fruits, inviting guests to identify them by scent and touch.
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