20 BEST ROMANTIC GETAWAYS

WORDS BY Jill Fergus

A trip à deux is the ultimate romantic gesture for Valentine’s. Choose from these cozy restaurants and hotels, island hideaways and seductive spas

The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, Savannah

Savannah, the genteel southern city known for its oak trees dripping with Spanish moss and antebellum mansions, is one of the country’s most romantic spots. Stay at the Westin Resort, on the banks of the Savannah River, with an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts and an outdoor pool. Rooms come with a teal-and-yellow color scheme and wicker furnishings, and many offer river views. Hop aboard the resort’s replica steamboat, which will drop you off in the center of town where you can explore the landmark tree-lined squares such as Madison and Chippewa. But don’t dally too long, because a Georgia Pecan Body Polish awaits you at the spa… followed by a spell in the outdoor Jacuzzi, with a peach daiquiri in your hand. www.westinsavannah.com

Fifteen Beacon, Boston

This charming hotel, housed in a 10-story 1903 beaux arts building on the eastern edge of Beacon Hill, is a block from the gold-domed State House. The 60 rooms are decorated in soothing earth tones and feature push-button gas fireplaces, queen-sized canopy beds, whirlpool tubs and Kiehl’s amenities. The hotel’s restaurant, the Federalist, serves updated New England classics like lobster bisque and beef Wellington. There’s also a wine cellar where a romantic dinner can be arranged. The concierge team effortlessly chats with guests, making it seem more like a private pied à terre for a select few than an actual hotel. Another appreciated perk is the complimentary use of a chauffeured black Mercedes-Benz L430. www.xvbeacon.com

Barclay Prime, Philadelphia

Philly’s leading restaurateur, Stephen Starr (Buddakan, Morimoto) has added another name to his list of trendy hotspots, Barclay Prime. Located on the southeast corner of Rittenhouse Square, the restaurant features a steakhouse menu with a contemporary twist in a beautiful library-like space decorated with walnut bookcases, crystal chandeliers and brightly colored chairs. As you sip a martini, order an appetizer from the raw bar—try the lobster cocktail or oysters Rockefeller. And for the main course, choose from the beef selections such as dry-aged porterhouse, 20-ounce rib eye or kobe hangar steak, and a rich side dish, from creamed spinach to truffl e-whipped potatoes. www.starr-restaurant.com

Hotel Viking, Newport

Newport, the picture-perfect colonial town and yachting center
1.5 hours from Boston, is the ideal place to enjoy a romantic weekend. Perhaps the best place to stay is the Hotel Viking in the Historic Hill district. The stately, red-brick building—erected in 1926—was originally used to house the overfl ow of guests visiting the “summer cottages” built by the wealthiest families of the time, including the Astors and Vanderbilts. Today, the Viking is still a posh retreat for those who appreciate its Georgian- and Queen Anne-style furnishings and top-notch service. Except now the hotel has updated features, such as the soothing Spa Terre (try the Balinese massage), the Top of Newport open-air bar, and candlelight dining at One Bellevue. www.hotelviking.com

Joël Robuchon at The Mansion, Las Vegas

The culinary explosion in Sin City shows no sign of slowing down. Top chefs from all over the globe are opening dazzling restaurants up and down the famed Strip. The latest chef to throw his toque in the ring is Joël Robuchon, whose self-titled restaurant—which recalls the glamour of Paris in the ’30s—recently opened in The Mansion, a new wing of the MGM Grand. The classic French fare features international accents, and some of the most popular dishes include fresh scallops in a lemon and butter sauce, Brittany lobster in a seafood bouillon, and confit of lamb with wheat couscous—and don’t miss the passionfruit souffl é for dessert. There are several dining rooms, but the most romantic is the garden-themed room. www.mgmgrand.com

The Ritz-Carlton, Miami

Where are all the beautiful people heading? To the Ritz Carlton, on a prime stretch of beach in ever-trendy South Beach. Located in a restored 1953 landmark designed by Morris Lapidus, interiors boast updated deco accents and original Joan Miró paintings. The 375 rooms feature paintings from noted Latin American artists, Frette linens and marble baths. The pool, the hub of the resort, is bustling from sunup till sundown—there is a Jacuzzi to soak in, rafts in which to drift aimlessly, and waitresses ready to take daiquiri orders. VIP cabanas can be rented for the day, and lunch—perhaps lobster salad and a bottle of Champagne—will be delivered right to your chaise. After a day of working on your tan, dance the night away at hotspots like Mynt and Opium. www.ritzcarlton.com

Mandarin Oriental, New York

What can be more romantic than a weekend visit to the Big Apple? And one of the best places to enjoy the city and its magical skyline is the Mandarin Oriental hotel in the new 80-story Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle, just across from Central Park. The hotel is located on fl oors 35 through 54, and the 248 rooms and suites feature fl oor-to-ceiling windows and Asian furnishings and artwork. Enjoy the breathtaking views from the spa— couples can book the VIP suite with its own sauna and fireplace. But perhaps the best perches from which to enjoy the view of New York’s glittering skyscrapers are the hotel’s restaurants and bars, including Asiate, serving French-Japanese cuisine, and the Lobby Bar, with plenty of plush couches and wines by the glass. www.mandarinoriental.com

Chateau Elan Winery & Resort, Atlanta

In the town of Braselton in the Georgia foothills, a 40 minute drive north of Atlanta, sits Chateau Elan, a 3,500-acre wine-producing estate. The centerpiece is the 277-room inn, a replica of a 16th-century French château (detailing includes a pitched roof, cornice moldings and wrought-iron railings). Surrounding the inn are lush vineyards where numerous varietals are grown, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling—hour-long tours and tasting are available daily. The complex also features a spa (with couples’ suites), golf and tennis, an equestrian center and Le Cos, serving refined French cuisine— try the five-course tasting menu paired with the estate’s wines. www.chateauelanatlanta.com

The Fairmont, San Francisco

Though a cosmopolitan metropolis, the City by the Bay exudes a small-town charm, especially in its varied neighborhoods including North Beach, bustling Chinatown and hip South of Market (SoMa). And from just about every corner in the city are glorious views of the majestic Golden Gate Bridge. But one of the most charming areas is Nob Hill, and its most famous hotel is the Fairmont, dating from 1907 but extensively remodeled in 2001. One of the most spectacular spaces is the Laurel Court dining room. Design elements include crystal chandeliers, Corinthian marble columns, a wraparound mural and three ornate plaster-and-gold leaf ceiling domes—it’s the perfect spot for afternoon tea. Staying at the Fairmont is like stepping back to a more genteel era. www.fairmont.com/sanfrancisco

Bistro Moderne, Houston

Located in the trendy Hotel Derek near the posh Galleria Mall, Bistro Moderne is a contemporary French restaurant that has been impressing Houstonians ever since it opened a little over a year ago. Helmed by French-born chef and co-owner Philippe Schmit (formerly of New York’s La Goulue and Orsay), the dramatic, see-and-be-seen dining room is beautifully designed with an open kitchen, blonde wood fl oors and iron chandeliers. The menu is rich with bistro classics like steak frites, tuna tartare and bouillabaise, as well as more innovative fare such as roasted monkfish with braised leeks, and venison with a pistachio crust. Save some room for dessert because the hazelnut mousse is a must. www.hotelderek.com

The Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles

Everyone knows that Tinseltown is high on glitz and glamour (a star sighting is practically assured), but the City of Angels has added some substance to its style with new museums and architecturally rich buildings like the Walt Disney Concert Hall. But the most famous hotel in town is still the pink-colored Beverly Hills Hotel, which has long been a hideaway for everyone from Elizabeth Taylor to Brad Pitt. Stay in one of the 204 rooms and bungalows (where your privacy is assured), lounge by the swimming pool surrounded by manicured gardens, and dine at the Polo Lounge—a hangout for all the Hollywood agents. www.beverlyhillshotel.com

Shutters Hotel on the Beach, Santa Monica

The fashionable beach town of Santa Monica (an hour from Los Angeles) is where the bold-faced names go for a little R&R, and one of their favorite hideaways is Shutters Hotel on the Beach—a breezy beachfront resort with a blue-and-white color scheme and a laidback vibe. Rooms feature wooden fl oors, white painted armoires, fl uffy duvets and louvered doors that lead to private patios. Have cocktails in the lobby (you never know who you might spot) and dine on organic Californian cuisine at One Pico. Chill out by the pool or the spa, then do some exploring—go antiquing on Main Street, bike along the beach path or head to the Santa Monica Pier and hope on a ride. www.shuttersonthebeach.com

Rasika, Washington DC

The Penn Quarter, one of DC’s trendiest areas, adds a new restaurant to an already booming dining scene. Rasika, with an open kitchen and wall of spices (the name is derived from Sanskrit and means “fl avors”), features shimmering silk panels, walnut wood columns and stone fl oors. The open kitchen showcases the tandoori ovens and sigri (open barbecues). The executive chef Vikram Sunderam, who spent many years at the esteemed Brasserie Bombay in London, has created a modern Indian menu with dishes such as spinach salad with a date and tamarind sauce, and black cod with fresh dill and star anise, and the sommelier can help pair the appropriate wine. www.rasikarestaurant.com

Amelia Island Plantation, Florida

At this Florida resort (a half hour from Jacksonville) don’t expect a Disney-like atmosphere. There are no over-the-top hotels or attractions. Here, you’ll find uncrowded beaches and nature preserves. The island’s main resort is Amelia Island Plantation, a 1,350-acre property surrounded by marshland, sand dunes and moss-draped oaks. There are standard hotel rooms but there are also romantic villas with kitchens and living rooms. Activities include golfing on courses such as Oak Marsh and Ocean Links, beachwalking with a naturalist, and kayaking along the marshes. And be sure to spend an afternoon in the historic town of Fernandina Beach, whose Victorian homes now house antique shops and art galleries. www.aipfl.com

The Westin and Sheraton at Our Lucaya, Grand Bahama Island

Need a getaway and only a tropical island will do? Make a beeline to Our Lucaya resort in Freeport on the island of Grand Bahama. The expansive resort is comprised of two hotels: the Westin and the Sheraton—although the former is more suited to couples. Once at the resort it will be hard to leave, especially with the miles of powder-soft beaches, pools with waterfalls and swim-up bars, golf courses, watersports ranging from kayaking to snorkeling (swimming with dolphins and sunset cruises can also be arranged), the Senses Spa with treatments including scrubs and wraps, and seafood restaurants. Late night, there are plenty of bars and discos, not to mention a casino. www.ourlucaya.com

Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California

Boasting dramatic views from its cliff-top setting 1,200 feet above the Pacific Ocean in Big Sur, California, Post Ranch Inn is a multi-award-winning eco-hotel that offers the ultimate in luxury. Set in 98 acres just a short drive from the picturesque towns of Monterey and Carmel, it checks every box for an indulgent, romantic escape: stunning ocean or mountain views from the 30 elegantly rustic rooms (complete with wood-burning fireplaces and indoor spa tubs), treatments in the sanctuary of the spa, and world-class, innovative cuisine featuring organic, seasonal fare. www.postranchinn.com

Stephan Pyles restaurant, Dallas

Famed Texas-born restaurateur Stephan Pyles, a pioneer of New American and southwestern cuisine, has launched the first restaurant to bear his name. It’s located in the up-and-coming Dallas Art District, just steps from the Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center and the Meyerson Symphony Center. The restaurant features a tapas/ceviche bar, a 20-seat communal dining table and a terrace for outdoor dining (the private dining room will double as the venue for Pyles’ upcoming cooking classes). Some of the signature dishes include spit-roasted suckling pig with apples, and rib-eye steak with pinto wild mushroom ragout and red chili onion rings. www.stephanpyles.com

The Peninsula, Chicago

If you are seeking a romantic urban getaway, you can do no better than The Peninsula in Chicago, just off Michigan Avenue—better known as the Magnificent Mile. White-gloved doormen greet you at the entrance and the soaring, sun-lit lobby features art deco accents. Certainly, one of the hotel’s best features is the penthouse level spa with an outdoor deck and indoor lap pool—with enormous glass walls allowing for jaw-dropping views of the city, including the nearby 100-story John Hancock Tower. After a day of sightseeing (check out Millennium Park with its Frank Gehry-designed amphitheater), head back to the hotel and request an in-room specialty bath such as the Mandi Susu Milk Bath, formerly used by Japanese royalty. It’s as indulgent as it sounds. www.peninsula.com

Maison Fleurie, Napa Valley

Napa Valley, with its sprawling wineries and intimate restaurants, is the ultimate romantic getaway just 50 miles from San Francisco. You can tour wineries such as Mumm Napa Valley, a sparkling wine-producing estate (enjoy a glass of bubbly in the tasting room) and take a mud bath in the spa town of Calistoga. Stay at the Maison Fleurie in Yountville, one of the best finds in the valley. Reminiscent of a Provençal home, the 13-room inn, housed in an old mansion, features hand-carved wooden beds and French antiques—ask for a room facing the vineyards. Bicycles are available to tour the country lanes, and complimentary appetizers and wine are served each afternoon in the cozy lobby with a crackling fireplace. www.maisonfl.eurienapa.

The Inn at Whitewing Farm, Brandywine Valley

The scenic Brandywine Valley, a 45-minute drive from Philadelphia, is a great spot for a romantic interlude. Stay at the Whitewing Farm, a converted farm on 43 acres that was built in the 1700s. There are antique-filled rooms, a library, a salon for pre-dinner cocktails and an outdoor pool. Breakfast might include pancakes with raspberry sauce, and homemade muffins. While you are in the area, visit attractions such as Chaddsford Winery, Longwood Gardens with its spectacular fl oral displays, and the Brandywine River Museum with paintings by Andrew Wyeth, who lived in the valley with his family. www.whitewingfarm.com