Glamorous Getaways for Couples, (Chocolate) Bar None

Couples trips can be few and far between, so why not go all-out with some truly remarkable 5-star getaways with your sweetie? Ditch the chocolates and start packing for a luxurious indulgence.

In the Maldives, renowned British chef Tom Aikens joins Soneva Fushi in February 2019, hosting a series of dinners at Out of the Blue, Soneva Fushi’s recently opened overwater dining destination. The series, Once Upon a Table, includes some exclusive reservations with eight guests supping on six courses of local fare by the two-Michelin-starred chef. Dishes include a yellowfin tuna with peppered watermelon and Yuzu pickled pearl onion, as well as marinated and torched mackerel with citrus flavors and burnt cucumber, so you feel satisfied without being overly full — thus, ready to lounge in a bathing suit on some of the earth’s most beautiful beaches.

View from the patio at Soneva Maldives © Soneva Maldives

It’s hard to figure out which is more romantic at The Milestone Hotel & Residences in London — the menu or the setting. Private dinners are available in the intimate Milestone’s Oratory, which used to be the chapel of the building. The space also hosts weddings, and is one of London’s smallest venues. Want to go truly over the top? Book the new Meghan Suite, created as a tribute to the Duchess of Sussex, in a location fit for a queen — there are views overlooking Kensington Palace and Gardens.

It’s a scene straight out of a Fellini movie in Rome, with a location atop the Spanish Steps with a panoramic city view. Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly both honeymooned at Hotel Hassler Roma, with 93 rooms (including 13 suites) individually designed with a combination of classic and contemporary touches. The Romantic Escape offer includes a three-night stay, daily breakfast, a bottle of Prosecco upon arrival, an exclusive gift from the hotel, a 50-minute massage for two and a romantic dinner for two at Imàgo, the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant.

Amorvero Spa terrace at the Hassler Hotel, Rome © Hassler Hotel

If your plus-one is your knight in shining armor, check into Ashford Castle in County Mayo, Ireland. The 13^th

-century property is set on 350 acres on the shores of Lough Corrib and the River Cong, with spectacular views of woodlands, lake, river and mountains. The castle and grounds include 83 guestrooms, suites and a cottage, with country sports like a nine-hole golf course, fly fishing, archery, ziplining and a falconry school.

Ashford Castle © Richard Moran, Ashford Castle

It’s time to celebrate the renown of St. Valentine and not St. Patrick in Dublin at the Merrion Hotel, with lovely seasonal options showcasing fine dining and extravagant rooms. The Merrion is a union of four restored Georgian townhouses, joined with a contemporary Garden Wing, with 123 guestrooms and 19 suites.

What better place to be in than Switzerland, the heart of all things chocolate, for a couple’s trip? The 1844 Chocoholic offer at Zurich’s Baur au Lac comes with some pretty sweet views of the Alps, in addition to the hotel’s own park on the shores of Lake Zurich.

SPA at Schloss Elmau © Schloss Elmau

Whether you’re ready for sport or spa, Schloss Elmau in the heart of the Bavarian Alps, is ready to satisfy. Heat up the winter with outdoor pools cranked to 85 degrees Fahrenheit and six separate lavish spas, along with ski and rental services. The hotel even has its own concert hall boasting live performances.