If there’s ever a calendar date on which to make an impact, pull out all the stops and surprise a special someone with an utterly swoon-worthy, breathtaking and pulse-quickening getaway, it’s surely Valentine’s Day.

Yes, I know – a lot of the hype surrounding V-Day has caused it to become a little commercialised and admittedly a bit tacky at times, and believe me, your partner hasn’t been aching for that heart-shaped necklace or teddy bear that popped up on your feed the other day. Other traditional gift options hardly hit the high notes, either. Chocolates so close to Christmas and New Year's Eve? It’s a risky business, and one we’d encourage you avoid. Lingerie? I’ll admit to being a huge fan, but unless you really know your way away around your partner’s precise taste in underwear, I’d argue that’s riskier still. Flowers are always welcome, but they’re best given on literally any other day of the year than the one on which they represent the barest of minimums.

*Let the pulse-quickening getaways commence*

Indeed - for those wanting to really dial up the romance and make some enduring memories, nothing sets hearts a-fluttering like a getaway to the kind of locations that offer breathless escapism as standard. With that in mind, I’ve rounded up nine utterly stunning Valentine’s Day retreats and curated experiences, perfect for couples to mark the moment or celebrate love’s great adventure at any other time of year.

Château Eza, South of France

Few corners of Europe encapsulate old school romance better than the Côte d’Azur. More hideaway than hotel, Château Eza comprises of 14 rooms scattered across the beautiful medieval village of Èze, perched high above the Côte d’Azur. From its clifftop vantage point, views of the Mediterranean stretch toward the iconic Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and are best enjoyed from the Michelin-starred restaurant or candlelit wine cave carved into the rock. It’s truly hard to imagine anywhere more romantic within a two-hour flight from the UK.

February sees the hotel offer a Valentine’s stay for £350 per night, and which includes an overnight in a double room, a sumptuous breakfast, welcome cocktails and an in-room sweet treat and petals for that impactful arrival. Valentine’s Day itself features a romantic dinner and drinks for £160 by renowned Executive Chef Justin Schmitt.

O2 Beach Club & Spa, Barbados

Tucked away on Barbados’ serene south coast, the all-inclusive O2 Beach Club & Spa sets the stage for romance with a curated collection of limited-time experiences designed for life’s most meaningful moments. Couples staying seven nights or more are invited to exchange vows with a complimentary beachfront wedding, while the resort’s Proposal Concierge goes all-out with impeccably styled engagements complete with discreet photography, candlelit private dinners, live violinists and thoughtful, personalised details throughout. Who could wish for more?

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, O2 Beach Club & Spa unveils a “Week of Love,” running from February 8–13 and 15 and costing £900 per couple, highlighted by its signature Private Bubble Dinner Experience. The evening begins with elegant canapés, followed by a three-course dining experience and a bottle of Moët Impérial Brut, all served within a softly glowing dome overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

Hôtel Martinez, Cannes

*The epitome of cinematic glamour in Cannes*

In love with a cinephile, or fancy the idea of tapping into the timeless romance of the silver screen? Few hotels are as intrinsically linked to the world of cinema as Hôtel Martinez, the storied Riviera landmark that has long hosted the Cannes Film Festival jury dinner. Filmic influences permeate the property, from its glamorous design details to its spectacular penthouse apartments — among the largest in Europe — created in collaboration with French cinema luminaries Thierry Frémaux and Isabelle Huppert.

On 14 February, the hotel presents an exclusive Valentine’s overnight experience in the Isabelle Huppert Penthouse. The indulgent stay includes breakfast, a bespoke dining menu, champagne (naturally) and the discreet attentiveness of a private butler. The experience is priced at approximately £10,300 for two.

Hotel La Perla, The Dolomites

For those who know, there aren’t many parts of the Europe with vistas more dramatic or romantic than the Italian Dolomites – the iconic pink-tinged mountains that are home to some of the world’s finest ski pistes and a host of incredibly gastronomic experiences.

Privately family-run and quietly self-assured, Hotel La Perla commands a coveted position in South Tyrol’s Alta Badia, with ski-in, ski-out access and uninterrupted views across the Dolomites. Interiors embrace refined alpine craftsmanship rather than overt display, paired with a tranquil spa and one of the region’s most distinguished culinary programmes. Dining is a defining feature, led by the Michelin-starred La Stüa de Michil and the immersive Incö Table. Tailored to couples who value discretion and detail, days move effortlessly from first tracks on the slopes to lingering lunches, before settling into fire-lit evenings shaped by elegant service and a deep sense of Italian hospitality.

Hotel La Posta, Tuscany

*Tuscan charm that’s impossible to beat*

2025 was the year in which I finally fell head-over-heels in love with Tuscany, and found that there’s much more to this wonderful part of Italy than crowded cities and oversubscribed vineyard. Hotel La Posta is a real testament to Tuscany’s romantic reputation: a discreet wellness retreat in Bagno Vignoni, set within the UNESCO-listed Val d’Orcia, it’s a five-star retreat set away from Tuscany’s main tourist routes and one in which a real sense of the region’s beauty and history come to life.

Set within a traditional Tuscan casa, the property balances timeless Italian character with quietly contemporary comfort, while its thermal pools (fed by natural hot springs) form the soul of the experience and offer sweeping views across the Val d’Orcia and crystalline night skies after dark. Designed for couples who value restraint over spectacle, it offers a composed, restorative retreat where landscape, wellbeing and a sense of time and place take precedence over overt romance.

Crown & Champa Resorts, The Maldives

*A place to lose your heart, Kagi Maldives Resort & Spa*

Want to truly make a lasting impression and leave the world behind for a while? There’s nowhere quite like The Maldives – surely among the most evocative romantic destinations imaginable, and where stillness and a sense of utter escape reigns supreme.

Crown & Champa Resorts, which include Jawakara Islands Maldives, Veligandu Maldives Resort Island, Kagi Maldives Resort & Spa, Hurawalhi Island Resort and the ultra-private Kudadoo Maldives Private Island, presents a considered spectrum of Maldivian island life. Spanning wellness-focused escapes to rarefied, all-inclusive seclusion, these Valentine’s experiences are deliberately understated, prioritising in-villa floating breakfasts, candlelit dinners in beachside cabanas, and relaxed sandside barbecues accompanied by live music. Utterly spectacular, utterly unforgettable.

Dunia Baru, Indonesia

Seeking the utmost in extravagance for a romantic retreat? Live out your own castaway fantasy with Dunia Baru – a hand-crafted superyacht on which to sail through the azure waters of Indonesia.

It’s an opportunity to well and truly retreat from the world, and days unfold at a deliciously unhurried pace and are shaped by languid swims, reef dives and quiet hours spent on deck. As night falls and the sky becomes littered with countless stars, guests can indulge in candlelit dinners prepared by a private chef on uninhabited islands. For couples celebrating Valentine’s Day, a honeymoon or a milestone anniversary, Dunia Baru offers a truly once-in-a-lifetime escape—defined by absolute privacy, seamless freedom and a rare absence of crowds, schedules or distraction.

Wiesergut, Austria

Few corners of Europe offer such heart-stoppingly beautiful vistas as those found in the mountainous regions of Austria. Breathtaking nature, mulled wine and perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter sightseeing flight over the dramatic Leogang Steinberg mountains? It’s enough to make anyone fall head-over-heels.

Wiesergut is a spectacular design-led hotel that boasts 24 luxurious suites, and it offers a serene mountain retreat where winter sports and connecting with the wilderness is the order of the day. Coupled with crackling fireplaces, mulled wine and heated indoor and outdoor pools at the hotel’s stunning spa, it’s hard to imagine a better place to let the vibes take over for a Valentine’s getaway.

Hawar Resort by Mantis, Bahrain

Bahrain’s credentials as a luxurious and romantic destination are now undeniable, and more and more people are discovering what this often-overlooked island nation has to offer those seeking beauty, tranquility and the utmost in high-end hospitality.

Perched on a stunning protected island off the coast of Bahrain, Hawar Resort by Mantis serves timeless romance at a slower, elemental and blissful pace. Boasting beachfront and overwater villas, where romance blossoms beneath endless skies and against a backdrop of sparkling seas, it’s an ideal getaway for nature lovers and those looking for wellness retreats in which to replenish the senses and reset body and mind. Simplicity, warmth and shared experiences are the order of the day… and if that’s not a recipe for true love, we don’t know what is.

Forget Flowers. These Are The Valentine’s Retreats Your Loved One Deserves.