True romance
Whether your idea of bliss is a lakeside hideaway or glam palace, whisk your beloved off on a memorable escape
WORDS | HARRIET GREEN
HOTEL PALAFITTE, NEUCHÂTEL, SWITZERLAND
Many hotels in the world overlook lakes, but not many stand amid the water, on stilts, like Hotel Palafitte. An extraordinary boutique hotel (that’s less than two hours’ drive from Zurich) on Lake Neuchâtel, it’s within easy reach of the charming town of the same name and comprises 40 super-luxe pavilions. For a really romantic break, book one of the 24 rooms built directly over the lake. With unbeatable views of the Alps from the terrace, they’re also incredibly peaceful. On balmy days, you can walk down the steps from your terrace and step straight into the water. While you’re there, rent a boat and glide through the glimmering waters as the sun sets. From €410; +41 (0) 32 723 02 02; www.palafitte.ch
OBEROI HOTELS MENA HOUSE AND SAHL HASHEESH, CAIRO, EGYPT
The palatial Mena House is located close to the Pyramid of Cheops in 40 acres of jasmine-scented gardens. It’s a peaceful sanctuary away from Cairo’s centre, and after sightseeing, a sparkling pool in the garden, a game of tennis or round of golf awaits you. Later, as the sun sets, it’s time for a cocktail in the Sultan Lounge. Or make the short plane hop from Cairo to Hurghada and the Sahl Hasheesh, a luxe resort overlooking the Red Sea, with its own private white-sand beach and palm-filled grounds. From €250; oberoihotels.com
CLIVEDEN HOTEL , BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND
Arguably one of the most lavishly sexy destinations in the UK, Cliveden was originally conceived as a hunting lodge for the second Duke of Buckinghamshire in 1666, a man who cared for little beyond “pleasure, frolic or extravagant diversion”. Continuing in this spirit, the grand Italianate mansion played host to the great and the not-so-good, as Lady Astor took the helm. It was famously the setting for the scandalous political tryst – known as the Profumo Affair – when Christine Keeler became entangled with the Secretary for State for War (John Profumo) and a Russian spy. Today the hotel continues the tradition of decadent pursuits. In the Cliveden Boathouse, there are lovingly restored vintage launches, perfect for romantic cruising on the Thames. There are few places more dazzling to woo a lover than the rococo French Dining Room, though the intimate Cellar Dining Room is equally sexy. The grounds are open to the public at weekends, From £252; +44 (0) 162 866856, www.clivedenhouse.co.uk
BERTRAMS HOTEL, GULDSMEDEN, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
Family run and welcoming from the moment you step over the threshold, Copenhagen’s most intimate hotel can, at times, feel more like a private residence. There are four-poster beds in light, high-ceilinged rooms: be sure to ask for one overlooking the secluded courtyard, where the sumptuous breakfast is laid out. This is a real feast of charcuterie, thick wedges of Scandinavian cheese, crusty rolls and croissants from a celebrated nearby bakery. The hotel is close to the hip district of Vesterbro, full of galleries, restaurants and cafes. From €123; +45 70 20 81 07; www.bertramshotel.dk
ODETTE EN VILLE, BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
An intimate eight-roomed boutique hotel in an Art Nouveau townhouse, Odette En Ville is in the chic shopping suburb of Ixelles. The décor is extremely stylish – black stair carpets, black doors, black and white prints of French movie stars; and the marble-lined bathrooms are lavish, with huge tubs that easily accommodate two. The library is small but cosy and well worth losing yourself in for a few hours. Discreet lighting in the restaurant ensures privacy – but be sure to book because it’s hugely popular with the locals. From €250; +32 2 640 26 26; www.chez-odette.com
BLAKES, LONDON, ENGLAND
Oozing glamour and elegance, Blakes is the original boutique hotel and London’s sexiest love nest. Tucked away on the corner of a residential Kensington street, the black painted façade only hints at the seductive charms within. Laden with sumptuous satin and opulent silks, each bedroom is unique. Playboys will love room 007 with its magnificent four-poster bed and huge windows, but for a romantic night we loved the sexy black and gold furnishings in room 208. Blending East with West, the restaurant has an unrivalled reputation, while the basement bar is the perfect setting for an intimate tête-à–tête. From £255; +44 (0)20 7370 6701; www.blakeshotels.com
BABINGTON HOUSE, SOMERSET, ENGLAND
Babington House brings a touch of metropolitan cool to the rolling Somerset countryside – it’s exclusive, hip, and beloved of London’s film and media set. But what brings people back time and again is its warmth and homeliness. Staff create a convivial atmosphere with attentive service in a highly luxurious setting that somehow feels informal. The countryside is beautiful, but if the weather’s bad, you could happily stay in all day, with rooms and suites combining gorgeous print fabrics, exposed brick work, original wood beams and free-standing Victorian bathtubs. Otherwise, there’s the Cowshed spa with its legendary treatments, private therapy rooms and hot tubs made for two. From £190; +44 (0)1373 812266; www.babingtonhouse.co.uk
SCHLOSSHOTEL IM GRÜNEWALD BERLIN, GERMANY
In the well-to-do Berlin suburb of Grünewald, the Schlosshotel is close to the city centre, while still offering a relaxing escape amid a sprawling green garden. The hotel attracts all manner of celebrities, from Kate Winslet – who lived here while she was making The Reader – to Jay-Z and Beyonce.
It has a restaurant for fine dining, a swimming pool overlooking the garden, a gym, and an indulgent spa with Turkish baths. Not so very long ago, the hotel was styled by Karl Lagerfeld and the opulent setting retains many of the original 1910 features: chandeliers, gold-painted ceilings, glossy wood walls and gargantuan mirrors. Breakfast is served in Le Jardin, a conservatory that spills out into the garden, while Sunday afternoon tea with pianists and bubbling glühwein is a wonderfully cosy treat. From €239; +49 (0)30 895 840; www.schlosshotelberlin.com
THE WITCHERY, EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
At the end of the Royal Mile, beneath Edinburgh Castle, The Witchery offers wall-to-wall decadence. The eight suites are kitted out in gloriously theatrical style: dark wood panelling, rooms lined in tartan or velvet, “secret” bathrooms and gothic décor. An indulgent supply of chocolates and champagne is included in the room rate. With these aphrodisiacal qualities, it’s not surprising that many guests choose to spend more of their Edinburgh break in their suite than out of it. Dannii Minogue called it “the perfect lust den”, after staying there with her then paramour, the racing driver Jacques Villeneuve. Eat fabulous dishes at The Witchery by the Castle and the Secret Garden, based on the best Scottish produce – celeb diners spotted on the terrace have included Catherine Zeta-Jones and Ewan McGregor. Don’t be put off by the name: witches used to be burned nearby. From £325; +44 (0)131 225 5613; www.thewitchery.com
