Made for Two
MADE FOR TWO
Stress-free Spacation One of MAIA Luxury Resort & Spa’s straplines is ‘beyond relaxation’. And they’re not lying. We’re talking proper knot-busting, musclesoothing, tension-blitzing bliss on the wild southwest coast of Mahé. This Seychellois refuge is made up of just 30 beautiful villas, all hidden away in the most magical tropical gardens packed with fronds and flowers: coconut and mango trees, cinnamon, lemongrass, hibiscus and orchids to name but a few. The dreamy cocoon-like abodes feature vast daybeds, pools, sunken bathtubs for two, 180 degree views and your own butler complete with sixth sense (they are reportedly employed
We pick some of the world’s best places to hide out à deux. From adult-only hidey-holes to epic escapes and island outposts, here’s to globetrotting with romance in mind.
Adult-only R&R It’s adults all the way at Domes Noruz Chania, Autograph Collection, a boutique Cretan newbie on the outskirts of Chania. It opened last year and hit the couples travel scene with aplomb. Hanging out horizontal comes easy with huge beds, beanbags on the beach, private yoga lessons and the snooze-inducing Soma Spa with its divine menu of Elemis treatments (check out the couples top-to-toe rejuvenation). But not only does Domes do R&R to the nth degree, it’s also super-cool. The exterior borders on futuristic; the 83 suites are sublime pods complete with Smeg mini bars; Zeen Restaurant is all about glocal (global meets local) and famed fitness guru Nikos Pusikis has been flown in
HOTEL HIGHLIGHT
BREAK OUT FOR...
Trekking the 16 kilometre UNESCO protected Samaria Gorge where rugged mountains meet lush nature and an everchanging light. ROMANCE X FACTOR
Alluring strolls hand-in-hand exploring Chania’s old town, which offers a unique blend of Ottoman, Venetian and Greek architecture and culture.
HOTEL HIGHLIGHT
Spa, spa and spa! Just three private thatched open-air pavilions, separated by natural rock formations
All-round Romance
from Thessaloniki to have you looking good and feeling great. Leaving the kids at home has never felt so right.
An exciting calendar of events featuring stand-up comedy and DJs at Raw, guest speakers and weekly mixology nights for cocktail o’clock.
on emotional intelligence). We reckon if anywhere can sink you into a state of soporific serenity, MAIA can.
Grown-up Cyprus Another hideaway leading the way in adult-only offerings is the gorgeous Constantinou Bros Asimina Suites Hotel, a gentle amble from Paphos Town. The suites (there are no mere rooms) are all super-spacious and stylish with floor-to-ceiling
To speak to one of our specialists, please see contact details on inside back cover
windows to max out on the sea views. The sunbeds have squish factor, the Elixir Spa (complete with couples suite) works its stress-busting magic and the service is second-tonone. Foodies will be in their element but if dining on delicious seafood at the waterfront Kymata Taverna isn’t romantic enough, book into dinner on the pier for a one-off meal under the stars.
form ultimate pampering paradise, surrounded by rustling rainforest and birdsong. There is also free morning yoga and qi gong; the treatments and products are by Omorovicza and the 20 dancing finger massage is died-and-goneto-heaven material.
The revamped One&Only Palmilla doesn’t put a foot wrong when it comes to romance. This desert beach escape shines through the Los Cabos hotel scene with its Mexican luxe casitas. Couples are spoiled for choice when it comes to food, spa and adventure. This is a resort reborn: the new look ESPA spa is never-want-to-leave territory with 13 private treatment villas; and the OBO Salon by Jonathan & George, Pedi:Mani:Cure Studio by Bastien Gonzalez and Barber & Blade are all exclusive to One&Only. There are also art classes, whale watching (December to March) and the lantern-lit Agua Bar for evening chill-out time.
BREAK OUT FOR...
A spot of snorkelling at the reef off Anse Louis beach: it’s a pantone-coloured coral hive of activity. ROMANCE X FACTOR
It has to be the setting: the white and turquoise cliché is off the Richter scale.
HOTEL HIGHLIGHT
Food glorious food. The way to a man’s heart is via steak at Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s SEARED or delicious fieldto-table Mexican dishes at Agua by Larbi. Chef Larbi also does a much-recommended culinary tour. BREAK OUT FOR...
Hanging ten with local surfers. Embrace your inner dude and sign up for an excursion to Costa Azul or go wave riding further afield at East Cape. ROMANCE X FACTOR
Legendary diver Jacques Cousteau described the Sea of Cortez as the ‘Galapagos of North America’. Sail this breathtaking sea on the hotel’s 90 foot sleek yacht.
To speak to one of our specialists, please see contact details on inside back cover
17