Reconnect with... Romance

Whether you've endured lockdown together or suffered time spent apart, treat yourselves to a little loved up luxury on a romantic getaway to one of these dreamy destinations. From sailing the seas of the Caribbean at sunset to desert island dining amid the Indian Ocean, make memories to cherish forever, together.

For: Desert Island Dreams

If you're looking to escape from it all, turn off your phones and simply enjoy each other's company, Gili Lankanfushi is the place for you. With its spellbinding scenery, secluded overwater villas and extra-special sunsets, you will struggle to find a more romantic resort than this one.

Stay: For a true desert island experience, stay in a captivating Crusoe Residence. Standing suspended above the lagoon, a short boat ride from the main island, seclusion and solitude are plentiful here. Two storeys of luxury await, complete with a master bedroom, living room, spacious semi open-air bathroom, water hammock and private rooftop terrace complete with a daybed and furniture for romantic dinners and even sleeping beneath the stars. Choose a residence that looks back at the inspiring island, or gaze together towards the iconic Maldivian sunset.

Do: Hop aboard a luxurious private yacht, welcomed by champagne and canapes, before setting off from the island in the afternoon in search of local spinner dolphins. As the sun begins to set, spot these cheeky creatures as they frolic in the waves. For a more traditional sailing experience with just as much romance, choose to cruise by traditional Maldivian dhoni boat at sunset, toasting to your future with fizz and admiring the endless ocean before you.

Gili Lankanfushi - Crusoe Residence

Gili Lankanfushi - Sleep under the stars experience

Gili Lankanfushi - Sunset sailing on traditional Dhoni

For: Love Blooming in Barbados

Elegant and refined, as well as warmly welcoming, Coral Reef Club is a beautiful, boutique Barbados hideaway and fabulous for couples looking for an escape to the island. Walk hand-in-hand past the Frangipani trees, listening to the sweet sound of tropical hummingbirds sing above you, as you head through the gardens towards the secluded beach.

Stay: Prepare to be awed as you check-in to your Luxury Plantation Suite, complete with a four poster or canopied bed, light-filled living room and huge bathroom. Soak up the sunshine and spend time together on your private sundeck, cooling off in your plunge pool and enjoying views of the Caribbean Sea.

Do: The stunning spa here is home to an outdoor pavilion especially for couples, complete with a private garden, in which you can indulge in the dedicated Spa Retreat for Two. You'll enjoy an island-inspired lemongrass and ginger body scrub, a calming Caribbean massage and a classic pedicure, followed by a delicious and nutritious spa lunch.

Smaller sister property to Coral Reef Club, The Sandpiper ticks all the boxes when it comes to a luxurious romantic retreat. There are yet more tranquil tropical gardens filled with bamboo, bougainvillea and birdlife, leading towards a wonderful west coast beach where hours will be spent beneath the sunshine. There's a spa, two sleek swimming pools, al fresco restaurant surrounded by koi carp, while for an even more serene stay, children are not allowed at the resort between 20th January and 28th February annually.

Stay: The most luxurious choice here is a Treetop Suite, reserved exclusively for guests over 12 years old and complete with an impressive terrace with a complimentary bar. There is also an open sundeck with a private plunge pool - ideal for unwinding beneath the Bajan sunshine - or you can cosy up with a movie thanks to your living room's very own 'media centre'.

Do: Embrace island life together as you make the most of The Sandpiper's low key, live entertainment - whether you want to dance to live reggae music, mingle with the owners at an exclusive cocktail party, taste authentic Bajan flying fish at the weekly West Indian feast or enjoy a beachfront barbecue backed by the sweet sound of steelpans.

Coral Reef Club - Couple on Beach

Coral Reef Club / The Sandpiper - Spa Pool

The Sandpiper - Tree Top Suite Curlew

For: Magical Maldives Moments

Serene, secluded and seriously stunning, Milaidhoo Island Maldives is set on a tiny island, surrounded by powdery white sand and overlooking a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Exclusively comprising secluded one-bedroom villas and not allowing young children, this resort is beyond romantic, the shimmering Indian Ocean serving as the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable couples' trip.

Stay: You might struggle to bring yourselves to leave your huge thatched Beach Villa, set right on the soft sands and surrounded by tropical palms. Along with a beach-view king bed, private wine fridge and al fresco shower, you can enjoy 180-degree Indian Ocean views from the impressive sundeck, take a dip in your private freshwater infinity pool, or share stories as you sit on your Maldivian-style swing chair.

Do: On many couples' bucket lists, take a boat to an uninhabited and utterly mesmerising private sandbank or island for a day of romance in paradise, completely forgetting about the outside world. Sunbathe, explore, snorkel or just dream the day away in complete peace and privacy, before feasting on a delicious island barbecue and a crisp bottle of rosé.

Milaidhoo - Beach Dining

Milaidhoo - Water Pool Villa

Milaidhoo - Deserted Island Dining

For: The Allure of Antigua

Antigua's award-winning Blue Waters Resort & Spa is a bolthole of style and sophistication, fabulous for a couples' trip that combines elegance with laid-back living. Set within tranquil, tropical gardens, the sea-facing cottages and larger Italianate villas ensure plenty of privacy, while there is loads to do for two in and around the resort - whether sailing across secluded Soldier's Bay, trying your hand at fishing, a guided walk around the gardens, wine tasting or a couples' treatment in the elegant spa.

Stay: Treat yourselves to a stay in one of the gorgeous Cove Suites, situated away from the main resort for even more seclusion and serenity. Décor dreamily combines contemporary luxury with beach living, flaunting plenty of white wood, rattan and blue fabrics. There's a covered terrace for romantic sea-view drinks and an exclusive infinity pool shared between Cove Suite guests. If all that wasn't enough, you can also enjoy access to the wonderful Cove Concierge service, who can arrange an array of romantic pursuits, dreamy dinners and more.

Do: Toast to the two of you and soak up the sensational sea views at a private dinner in the clifftop gazebo here. Feast on delicate dishes that fuse Caribbean and French cuisine, sip champagne and enjoy precious time together in paradise.

Blue Waters Resort & Spa - Private Dining

For: A Thailand Trip for Two

Nestled amidst coconut groves, beaches, the Andaman Sea and jungle-covered cliffs, Rayavadee offers a romantic getaway with a sprinkling of adventure. You can soak up the Southern Thai sunshine together on the beach, gain insight into the country's culture with a cookery class or head to the spa for a journey dedicated to romance - including a floral bath, aromatic massage and refreshing facial.

Stay: Tucked away within lushly landscaped tropical gardens, the Pool Pavilion is an ideal choice to get away from the rest of the world and just enjoy each other. Ensuring a true Thai experience, the pavilion beautifully blends indoor and outdoor living, while the unique circular design houses a large living room and upper-floor bedroom. Outside, the impressive pool is the perfect place to unwind in privacy.

Do: Characterised by dramatic cliffs, emerald green waters and white sand beaches, the Phi Phi Islands are an undeniably romantic destination, which you can explore on an eye-opening excursion from Rayavadee. Jump onto one of the resort's ultra-luxe two-engine speed boats and set sail towards the islands, their lush green foliage and captivating hidden caves. Visit Bamboo Island, a stunning tropical islet away from the crowds, where you can enjoy a delicious picnic, swim and snorkel above the coral reef teeming with tropical fish.

For: An Escape to St Lucia

One of St Lucia's best kept secrets, East Winds is a charming Caribbean hideaway, surrounded by lush plants, tropical trees and colourful bird life, while overlooking the beautiful blue of the natural private bay below. After a warm welcome from the longstanding local staff, get stuck into island living together with watersports, luxurious boat trips and sunset cocktails, while dining ranges from beach barbecues to table d'hôte dinners for two.

Stay: Treat yourselves to a stay in an outstanding Ocean Front Suite, located in a beautiful beachside building that was once a private residence of the owners. Cool, contemporary and wonderfully airy, these suites promise a secluded and romance-filled trip, with the private patio the perfect place for sundowner drinks for two. There is also an open lounge exclusively for Ocean Front guests.

Do: While the beaches are brilliant, a stay in St Lucia offers more than just soaking up the sunshine. See the world together and learn more about local culture with a trip to a nearby rum distillery, learning about the perfected process of turning sugar cane into the island's famed rum, before a tasting of the tipple yourselves. Nothing says romance like chocolate - another huge export of the island - and you can make your very own tasty chocolate bars from roasted cocoa beans.

For: Seychellois Serenity

Get away from it all on an inspiring island escape to the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles, a hillside hideaway that just so happens to overlook one of the top ten beaches in the world. After a leisurely outdoor breakfast, indulge in a romantic floral bath ritual in your hilltop hideaway or a private beachfront yoga session, then end your day of romance with a private dinner on the beach.

Stay: Enjoy uninterrupted quality time together in an exclusive and intimate Serenity Villa. Something seriously special and designed specifically with romance in mind, these one-bedroom retreats are gloriously private and hidden within the lush jungle greenery, while the infinity-edge swimming pools offer panoramas over Petite Anse bay - bliss.

Do: Fancy an unforgettable adventure that also helps the environment? This resort has just the activity. Together, you can help to prepare a charming heart-shaped metal frame that will be planted in an underwater nursery to help sustain the growth of a rescued coral fragment! Afterwards, join an expert guide for a snorkel in the surrounding bay, spotting various marvellous marine life.

If you really want to detach from the outside world and spend time just the two of you, Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island is the perfect place. Utterly paradisiacal, expect dazzling white sand and crystal-clear waters, while boundless activities include world-class diving in the island's coral reef, coming face-to-face with giant tortoises at the dedicated sanctuary, or for a more restful day of romance, head to The Circle of Connection Spa.

Stay: Choose to stay in an intimate yet luxurious Sunset-view Pool Villa, providing the perfect romantic retreat from days filled with adventure and exploration. This stunning villa features a king bedroom overlooking its private pool, complete with a super-plush cabana for lazing beneath the sunshine, as well as an upper balcony that flaunts fabulous sunset views.

Do: There's something about stargazing that just screams romance and, here at Desroches, you can spend an evening beneath the stars on a unique experience atop the island's runway. Surrounded by candles and sipping bubbly, prepare to be awed by just how clear the night sky is here.

Four Seasons Resort Seychelles - Couple on Beach

Four Seasons Resort Seychelles - View from Serenity Villa

Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches - Pool Cabana

For: Paradise in Bequia

A true unspoiled gem, Bequia is a tiny island in the Grenadines archipelago that is ideal for a laid-back yet luxurious romantic escape. Stay at Bequia Beach Hotel here, a family-run property that's all about vintage island charm, beachfront relaxation and Caribbean hospitality. Days can be spent soaking up the sunshine on the pristine crescent-shaped Friendship Bay Beach, sipping rum cocktails at Jack's Beach Bar, or making memories as you explore the island of Bequia.

Stay: Embrace Caribbean living with a stay in a standalone One Bedroom Cottage. Decorated in a contemporary colonial style with plenty of retro-chic rattan and natural materials, this charming hideaway also features a private porch overlooking the tropical gardens - perfect for a lazy afternoon together.

Do: Hop aboard the hotel's very own luxury superyacht, the 35m Benetti 'Star of the Sea', and set sail to discover the delights of the Grenadines. As well as offering bespoke charter itineraries, the elegant vessel is also available for day-sails to the stunning Tobago Cays, a cluster of five uninhabited islets that house coral reefs and lagoons filled with incredible marine life. Grab the on-yacht snorkelling equipment, paddle boards or canoe and explore this utterly romantic destination, or unwind together in the deck top Jacuzzi. Serene sunset sails are also available.

Elegant Traveller