Words by Shari Mycek, Becca Hensley, Ann Abel, Jake Emen, and Katie McElveen; each hotel is being equally honored in no particular order.
We love a good love story. And Palazzo Avino, in the picturesque village of Ravello on Italy’s Amalfi coast, is one with multiple dimensions. The story goes that the now-beautifully restored, 12th-century “pink palace” was in ruins when Giuseppe Avino stumbled upon it decades ago. Falling instantly in love, he purchased the former aristocratic quarters, vowing to restore it stone by stone. In 1997, after years of transformation, the Palazzo opened its doors as a five-star, luxury hotel. And today — after learning every aspect of the hotel business at their father’s knee — the Avino sisters, Mariella and Attilia, operate the hotel. Some say, under the daughters’ stylish eye (they recently added a beach club and pink closet boutique), that Palazzo Avino is even more romantic than ever. We visited last fall and — from our sun loungers overlooking the infinity pool and the Mediterranean Sea, and surrounded by lemon trees and pink bougainvillea — we most definitely agree.
More on Palazzo Avino, Ravello Italy
Set high in the hills of Ravello, Palazzo Avino is a sea of pink — from its scallop-hued walls to its pink-and-white striped pool umbrellas, chic gelato cart, and rows upon rows of bougainvillea. Suites feature private terraces overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and terraced gardens (with pool). Still, it’s worth a climb to the rooftop for the steam, sauna, and hot tub soak with yet more sea views. Dining is stylishly elegant in both the Michelin-starred Rossellini’s and more casual Terraza Belvedere, known for its homemade (and ridiculously tasty) pastas. But jaws drop over the martini and lobster bar, pairing fresh lobster with Champagne, or alternatively 100 different martinis, crafted by the hotel’s mixologist.
Other Very Best Romantic Hotels we discovered, rediscovered (and fell in love with) this year:
Manoir Hovey, Quebec, Canada
For lovers inspired by gastronomy, nature, the French language, and historic lakeside chambers, Manoir Hovey, a family-owned Relais Chateaux property, fits the bill. Nuzzled amid pine trees in Quebec’s more remote Eastern Townships, the more-than-century-old manor boasts cosseting common areas, a new spa and spa suites, amiable service and a storied farm-to-plate restaurant as well as the refurbished original rooms. Seasonal activities run the gamut from boating to snow-shoeing.
Dar Ahlam, Skoura, Morocco
This once-ruined, now gloriously resorted kasbah outside Ouarzazate — “the gateway to the Sahara Desert” — is as seductive as it gets. The 14 rooms are low-lit, with glowing lanterns and floating curtains. But the main way in which it lives up to its name, which aptly means “House of Dreams” in Arabic, is its no-rules attitude. Meals don’t begin and end at set times but are offered whenever guests emerge hungry. There’s no restaurant. Each couple is seated in a different location around the property — or the starry desert beyond — for lunch or dinner, sometimes lit solely by candles or serenaded by local musicians.
Domaine des Etangs, Auberge Resorts Collection, Massignac, France
About a year and a half ago, Auberge Resorts announced itself as a serious contender in French countryside hospitality when it opened the magical resurrection of the 13th-century château that was once the private holiday estate for the family of billionaire French industrialist Didier Primat. Its transformation into a uniquely French boutique hotel puts the art de vivre at the center of the experience — one of the most popular is taking a hotel-prepared picnic (baguette sandwiches, fresh salads, a special bottle from a nearby winery) into a quiet corner of the immaculate gardens or rustic farmland. The estate’s 2,500 acres still produce organic vegetables and aromatic herbs, thriving fruit orchards, and more than 600 ginger-coated Limousin cows, whose delectable beef is specific to this small corner of France.
Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla
There are beaches and then there’s Cap Juluca’s beach, a perfect crescent of silky, bone-white sand edged by water that’s such a deep shade of turquoise that it seems surreal. And since nearly every space within the resort looks out over the water, you’re never more than a step or two away from a glimpse of the stunning scene. Moorish architecture — whitewashed exteriors with deep archways, pale marble flooring and bright solariums — are unabashedly romantic, as is the sound of waves and rustling palms just outside your door.
Rosewood Luang Prabang, Nauea Village, Laos
Step into the lush jungles of Laos, and make your nest for a few nights at one of the 23 extravagant villas, tents, and suites of the Rosewood Luang Prabang. Each space is unique at the Bill Bensley-designed masterpiece, with rooms based on archetypal travelers such as photographers, explorers, and artists. Nab a villa to enjoy a personal pool and private outdoor deck, along with sultry amenities such as an outdoor soaking tub, all with the idyllic backdrop of a small river running just past your personal haven.
Hotel Wailea, Maui, Hawaii
When you’re craving luxury wrapped in old Hawaii, book a trip to Maui and stay at Hotel Wailea, where beautifully designed, oversized suites are set within lush, fragrant gardens. Perched on a bluff overlooking the ocean, Hotel Wailea is a small jewel filled with all the things you love about Hawaii —the scents, the views, the aloha spirit, the cuisine—without the noise or bustle of larger resorts. Dinners at the open-air restaurant are a treat, but be sure to book the seven-course chef’s dinner in the treehouse, a private dining space tucked into a fragrant grove of mango and avocado trees.
Hôtel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf, Saint Barth
Saint Barth has no shortage of romantic escapes, but at Hôtel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf, its low room count of just 21 suites, discrete service, and high-end amenities turn up the sex appeal in a major way. Enjoy a secluded room in the form of a standalone bungalow with a private sun terrace and plunge pool. A vibrant Caribbean color scheme adds a bit more flair, as does the hotel’s unique perch atop the town of Gustavia. Grab a bottle of the house brand of Fouquet’s Champagne to get the evening or afternoon, started in the right direction.
Feature image courtesy of Palazzo Avino
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