Looking for an ultra-special stay à deux this Valentine’s Day? Here we present five hotels that are tailor-made for romantic getaways. The Beatles may have opined that money can’t buy you love, but it can certainly ensure a memorable 14th February!
Shangri-La The Shard, London
Take love to new heights at Shangri-La The Shard. Spread over floors 34 to 52 of Western Europe’s tallest building, the hotel offers the most romantic sunset views in London. The individually designed rooms and suites are pretty special too, with their body-contouring beds draped in luxury Frette linens. What better way to celebrate the big day itself than with the hotel’s Romance in the Clouds dining experience for two at TÎNG Restaurant? Toast to the spectacular vistas from your window seat with a glass of champagne. A delectable five course dinner from a seasonal British and Asian menu, along with a romantic dessert option, will be served to your table, complete with rose petals and a candle to really set the mood.
Cliveden House, Berkshire
Ever since the 2nd Duke of Buckingham built the property for his mistress, the Countess of Shrewsbury, it’s been clear that Cliveden House was destined to be a romantic retreat of choice. Explore over 376 acres that surround this Grade I listed mansion with your loved one, marvel at the romantic views and enjoy a stroll by the Fountain of Love or along the River Thames. Later you can toast your visit with a romantic dinner for two in the chandeliered Dining Room, followed by cocktails in the Library Bar, before retiring to one of the hotel’s 48 glorious suites.
Hotel Gotham, Manchester
If you’re looking to impress your other half by staying somewhere with the wow-factor, then Gotham certainly fits the bill. This stunning Art Deco building, designed by Edwin Lutyens, was formerly a branch of the Midland Bank. Today it literally oozes glitzy decadence, with each of its 55 bedrooms and five Inner Sanctum Suites promising a full-on sensory experience, from the extravagantly opulent linen to the brass and leather of the fittings. If you really want to up the romance stakes, book one of the two Bank Manager Suites, which have a copper freestanding tub right next to the bed. Indulge in some pre-dinner cocktails at Club Brass on the 7th floor before enjoying dinner at Honey Restaurant. Ask for a seat next to one of the arched windows for fabulous views of the city.
Gilpin Hotel, Lake Windermere, Lake District
Valentine’s Day is not all about putting on the glitz, so we’ve also included a couple of hotels for those looking for a more serene celebration. Gilpin Hotel is a stylish family-run Georgian house located in the heart of the Lake District. All 28 bedrooms have lovely lake views, most leading directly onto the gardens. Six Garden Suites have their own cedarwood hot tubs, five Spa Lodges boast ensuite spas while the highlight of the three even bigger Spa Suites is a bedroom ‘floating’ over the pond with views to the mountains. A standout feature is the ‘spa trail,’ a bespoke sensory experience for two, designed to gently stimulate and revive the senses.
Scarlet Hotel, Newquay, Cornwall
This adults-only hotel is the ideal destination for a couple’s retreat. Arranged over five levels, the hotel has 37 rooms, each offering an outdoor space and sliding doors so guests can be soothed to sleep by the sound of the sea and coastal breeze. Scarlet is home to one of the most renowned Ayurvedic eco spas in the UK featuring a bromine-filtered indoor pool, outdoor natural reed pool, clifftop wooden sauna and restorative steam room. The pièce de resistance are two log-fired hot tubs perched on the cliffside overlooking the golden sands of Mawgan Porth. Along with its wellness treatments, Scarlet specialises in seasonal, sustainable and local cuisine that leaves its guests feeling both nourished and healthy.
