Hotels with Heart: 8 Uber-Romantic Stays To Book This Winter

Sitting on 400 acres of raw, wind-whipped clifftop, CABN X is romance stripped back to its essentials. Wake to the sounds of native birds and waves crashing on the shore from Scandi-style off-grid cabins. This luxury accommodation is sleek and minimal, and the amenities are top-tier – relax with a glass-walled infrared sauna, private outdoor bath, in-cabin wine fridge and crackling fireplace. Everything is solar-powered and intentionally tech-free, so it’s time to truly switch off, slow down and take in the natural beauty of Kangaroo Island.

This romantic escape is where slow living shines. Views stretch over native bushland and across the ocean, and you’re just a scenic drive from Kangaroo Island’s natural attractions like Seal Bay, Little Sahara and Flinders Chase.

On the north coast of Mana Island, this five-villa resort is exclusively adults-only and promises a seriously secluded escape. Each villa sits just metres from the sand and comes with its own plunge pool, thatched roof terrace, open-air stone bath and dedicated personal butler. Unwind with interiors of polished timber, handwoven rugs and soft coastal tones.

Daily a la carte meals are included, along with premium drinks, meaning sunset cocktails and multi-course dinners are a daily ritual. The resort can arrange bespoke dining experiences – think beachfront candlelit meals or private island picnics – as well as snorkelling, kayaking, couples’ massages, spa treatments and island-hopping tours.

Tucked into the emerald folds of the Payangan rainforest, Padma Ubud is a retreat in every sense. Rooms and suites are fitted with marble bathrooms, timber floors and private balconies overlooking the misty river valley, while the resort’s 89-metre heated infinity pool curves through the treetops. In the cultural heart of Bali, take in fresh mountain air and an abundance of lush greenery.

The spa offers Balinese rituals for two, complete with herbal compresses and flower baths, and floating breakfasts are a morning staple. You’ll also find yoga classes, forest walking trails and three dining venues – from poolside bites to a fine-dining restaurant with sweeping views of the surrounding canopy. This is a romantic hideaway that will leave you refreshed, relaxed and rejuvenated.

Surrounded by neat rows of pinot vines in Central Otago’s wine country, this 24-villa lodge is made for perfect pairings. Each villa has a stone fireplace, freestanding tub and a secluded courtyard opening straight onto the vineyard. With the Southern Alps rising in the distance, this lodge is intimate, indulgent and unshowy, in that quietly luxurious way New Zealand does so well.

The award-winning spa specialises in vinotherapy treatments using grape extracts – plus there’s a steam room, sauna and mountain-facing spa garden. Grab an e-bike and explore nearby Arrowtown, or stay local with a long lunch at the lodge’s rustic-modern restaurant, with views over Lake Wakatipu.

Set on a pristine atoll in the south of the Maldives, this design-forward resort goes beyond the postcard fantasy. Romance meets relaxation in a resort boasting 122 villas – some overwater, some beachfront. The standout is the Aqua Villa, with a submerged master bedroom offering uninterrupted views of the coral reef through wraparound glass.

The all-inclusive offering includes gourmet dining across six restaurants and bars, watersports and daily wellness sessions. Snorkel directly from your villa, book a couples massage at the overwater pavilion, or schedule a private sunset cruise with champagne on ice.

If you’re wishing to whisk away on a weekend of nature-filled romance, Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge is the place to be. On the edge of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, this lodge is a cosy wilderness escape with front-row views of Tasmania’s alpine landscape. Timber cabins are fitted with wood-burning fireplaces, luxe king beds and picture windows that look out onto misty forest or open moorland – ideal wombat-watching territory.

The Waldheim Alpine Spa offers couples treatments with views over Pencil Pine River, or take a dip in the hot tub after a long day on breathtaking trails. Surrounding boardwalks lead straight into the World Heritage wilderness, where you can hike, paddle or spot wildlife.

Occupying a prime position overlooking Bangkok’s Lumpini Park, SO/ is bold, stylish and made for couples who like their stays with a little edge. Each room is based on a design element – water, earth, wood, fire or metal – and features oversized tubs, glass walls and moody, city-facing interiors that light up after dark.

The rooftop infinity pool feels lifted from a fashion shoot, while the spa offers couples suites and rituals that use Thai techniques with a high-glam twist. Downstairs, find one of the city’s best bars, FLOOR/9 – a go-to cocktail destination known for bold flavours. Follow this with a decadent Sunday brunch, then discover the buzz of Bangkok waiting just beyond your door.

This former Medici estate sits on 732 hectares of stunning Tuscan countryside, just 40 minutes from Florence. The 400-year-old main villa has been converted into a boutique heritage hotel, while separate apartments and suites sit within the surrounding medieval hamlet. Stone walls, vaulted ceilings and olive groves in every direction create the perfect romantic hideaway.

The onsite spa offers treatments using local herbs and oils, while the fine-dining restaurant draws heavily on the estate’s own vineyards and gardens. Guests can take cooking classes, book a tour through the hills, or spend an afternoon wine tasting beneath the 17th-century vaulted ceilings of the estate’s ancient cellars.