From a charming attic spa in Finland to beachfront accommodations with rooftop bathing rituals for two in Jamaica, these five hotels, members of Design Hotels, offer perfect retreats to rejuvenate, deepen connections, and celebrate the holistic way of life with a touch of romance.
Finland
Situated in the heart of Porvoo’s charming Old Town, Runo Hotel Porvoo is an ideal escape for a cozy weekend. You can explore the picturesque winding streets and snow-topped colourful houses lining the river, indulge in dining experiences at some of Finland’s most lauded restaurants, and relax in the hotel’s attic sauna and spa, outfitted to both one- and two-person treatment rooms. The Runo Romance Package treats guests to a bottle of champagne in their room and two signature cocktails at the bar. Plus, there’s no rush to get dressed in the morning, as breakfast for two is delivered to the room. Alternatively, the Sunday Brunch and Late Checkout package gives visitors the chance to linger longer; it includes Runo’s delectably rich brunch, extended use of the sauna and spa, and a checkout time of 6 pm.
The Runo Romance Package treats guests to a bottle of champagne in their room and two signature cocktails at the bar.
Germany
To fully appreciate the 5,000-square-meter spa area at Seezeitlodge Hotel & Spa, a lakeside retreat in Gonnesweiler, Germany, takes time. A small retreat package for two includes four nights with a dreamy canopy bed, providing guests with the space and time to holistically unwind at the world-class Celtic sauna village, multiple indoor and outdoor pools, and a natural bathing pond. Booking a small retreat also includes access to complimentary wellness classes and a body scrub and aroma massage at the spa, as well as nourishing meals, such as daily breakfast, midday smoothies, and multicourse gourmet dinners. Beyond the wellness facilities, both overnight and day guests can rejuvenate in an outdoor meditation area or during yoga and mindfulness exercises, signature Wyda yoga sessions, and forest bathing rituals.
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Jamaica
The ancient art of bathing rituals is one of nature’s oldest and most beautiful experiences—and at Skylark Negril Beach Resort’s rooftop bathhouses, guests can participate in such rituals, alone or as a couple. The unique open-air rooms each feature two stunning ocean-view soaking tubs, where guests can immerse themselves in one of three Caribbean Essentials signature therapeutic bathing rituals. Each bathhouse also features a couples’ massage space and a lounge to enjoy tea ceremonies specially thought-out to pair with the treatments. Massages and other treatments also take place in the Skylark Spa temple or in a beachside cabana, directly on the white sands and tranquil waters of Negril’s famed Seven Mile Beach.
Mauritius
An adults-only getaway on the shores of Mauritius, SALT of Palmar is a haven for elegant and playful indulgence. Guests can spend the day barefoot on the beach, diving into the crystal-clear turquoise lagoon, and sipping cocktails at three different bars, each with a distinct menu inspired by the landscape. On the rooftop, for instance, a mixologist translates the essence of burning sugarcane fields during harvest through red chilies and tamarind. Then there’s the experience at the SALT Equilibrium spa, which begins by mixing a personalized salt scrub and continues to unfold through the healing effects of salt, as applied in a range of bespoke treatments. All of this and more is backdropped by bold colours and patterns conceptualized by designer and artist Camille Walala, radiating an infectious sense of contemporary romance and pure happiness.
Saint Lucia
The luxury British chocolatier Hotel Chocolat transformed Saint Lucia’s oldest cacao farm into a chocolate lover’s dream—and what’s more romantic than a cacao- and sun-infused escape? At Rabot Hotel from Hotel Chocolat in Soufriere, private lodges feature views of the island’s iconic Petit Piton mountain or the surrounding rainforest, relaxing seating areas, and open-sky rainforest showers. During stays, guests can indulge in chocolate and rum tastings as well as cacao-infused wellness therapies, such as a cacao detox body wrap, wild coffee scrub, or cacao facial, at the Beauté de Cacao Spa. The multisensory experience Project Chocolat also offers the opportunity to explore the sprawling Rabot Estate while learning how cacao is processed from tree to bean to chocolate bar. Rounding out the sublime resort is the Rabot Restaurant and Bar, where cacao cocktails complement cacao cuisine. Here, guests can do as the Aztecs and Mayans did: celebrate cacao as a healthful spice as well as its eternal status as a symbol of love and romance.
