With Valentine’s Day 2019 falling on a Thursday, we can’t think of a better excuse to pack your bags for a long and relaxing weekend away. Step away from the day-to-day hustle and bustle and put your focus on those who matter most to you. From a rural English countryside retreat to a seaside hideaway in Crete, The Sybarite’s travel writer Ina Yulo has picked out the most romantic luxury hotels for you and your loved one to escape to.
Slieve Donard Resort & Spa
Slieve Donard Resort & Spa is part of Hastings Hotels, Northern Ireland’s premier hotel group. The award-winning Victorian hotel sits on six acres of private grounds and is surrounded by the Mountains of Mourne, the Irish sea, and the Royal County Downs Golf Links. Guests who are in need of some rest and relaxation will be pleased to know that a luxury spa is set over two floors and includes a 20-metre swimming pool, Vitality pool, amethyst steam room, and high-tech fitness studio.
For this year’s Valentine’s weekend, Slieve Donard Resort & Spa is offering an overnight stay package that includes a romantic dinner at the elegant Oak Restaurant, a glass of Prosecco, a full Irish breakfast, car parking, and full use of the health & leisure spa. Valentine’s offerings from other Hastings hotels can be found here.
Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa
Nestled within the Maltese archipelago, the Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa is set on grand landscaped gardens just opposite the Presidential Palace. The San Anton Botanical Gardens is a few minutes by foot, and Mdina and Valetta (both UNESCO World Heritage Sites) are a short drive away, making the hotel the perfect location to enjoy the island life whilst enjoying the cultural gems that Malta has to offer. Easing your tired muscles after an afternoon out exploring is easy with the hotel’s Athenaeum Spa, which offers 50 different treatments. Guests are also invited to enjoy the indoor and outdoor swimming pools, wellness centre, and gym as they please.
Their Valentine’s Escape offer provides visitors with accommodation in a deluxe double bedroom, breakfast in the San Anton suite, full use of the spa and pools, and a romantic treat waiting in your room.
Hotel Prezident
On the hunt for a spa and wellness-focused retreat? Look no further than Hotel Prezident in the Czech Republic. This four-star modern design hotel is located in the middle of the historical city centre of Karlovy Vary and houses state-of-the-art wellness and spa facilities with thermal water sourced straight from the nearby Vridlo Spring. Allow yourselves to be guided by the hotel’s experienced team of therapists or simply experience the healing powers of the Dead Sea as you float in a unique pool built to detoxify and revitalise your mind and body.
For a truly bespoke romantic experience for you and your partner, get in touch with Jitka from Boho Travels. Not only does she partner with Hotel Prezident, but she will be able to put together a tailor-made Valentine’s package for you that includes cultural excursions, natural medical treatments, and relaxing wellness offers.
Corse Lawn House
If traditional hospitality and sumptuous cuisine is what you’re after, the Grade II-listed Corse Lawn House in the Gloucestershire countryside will fulfil all of your romantic weekend desires. Priding themselves on being family-run for over four decades, the hotel is a recipient of the Cesar Award for Best Country House Hotel and their restaurant has been featured in the Good Food Guide for the past 36 years. No need to fret if you decide you’d like to bring a furry friend along; their pet-friendly suites are decorated in warm, welcoming colours and even include a separate sitting room. The hotel grounds make for incredible leisurely walks with a charming duck pond feature by the entrance, and as many of the hotel staff have been there for years, you can expect truly personal, first-class service.
Couples can avail of their special Winter offer which includes a table d’hote dinner, a large double room, and a full English breakfast.
The Glasshouse
Located inside a converted church, The Glasshouse is Edinburgh’s answer to a five-star historical hotel right in the city centre. Whether you decide to warm up by the fire or visit the two-acre rooftop garden to take in views of Carlton Hill, The Glasshouse is the perfect venue for a romantic city break. Prepare to be transported as you walk beneath the gothic façade and into the hotel’s luxury rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, private terraces, and heated bathroom floors. Take a seat at their in-house restaurant which serves up contemporary Scottish cuisine using fresh, local meats and produce. Cap your evening off at The Snug, a cosy nook for you to enjoy the hotel’s vast whiskey selection paired with a premium cigar.
Voted Edinburgh’s Most Romantic Hotel, The Glasshouse’s Suite Romance Package includes a chilled bottle of champagne upon arrival, a deluxe couple’s massage, a private 3-course dinner, and a gift basket of bath oils and salts for utter relaxation.
Coworth Park
Coworth Park, one of The Dorchester Collection’s five-star hotels, is situated on an impeccable 240-acre estate between Ascot and Windsor. The 70-room luxury country house hotel is home to an equestrian centre, an award-winning eco-spa, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and even its own polo fields. The decor and architecture epitomises modern grandeur and celebrates British craftsmanship with English smoked oak flooring, towering Georgian windows, and traditional rustic furnishings.
For a very special romantic break, the Fairway Suite, with its two copper roll-top baths sitting side by side, makes for a blissful and intimate escape. Their special Romance at Coworth Park offering spoils you and your loved one a three-course dinner with wine, fresh rose petals in your room, a bottle of rosé champagne, and an English breakfast.
Gliffaes Hotel
With an unrivalled reputation as a true country house and fishing hotel, Gliffaes is a luxury establishment in the Brecon Beacons. Operated by the same family for the past 70 years, its secluded location amidst the Black Mountains and the river Usk makes Gliffaes an exceptional choice for the couple that enjoys a bit of adventure together. Whether its game fishing or exploring the grounds on horseback, there is a plethora of activities to be had in this stunning location.
Their early spring offer will allow you and your partner to relax in a luxury double room with a view of the river as you relax after a long day’s hike.
