7 of the Most Romantic Retreats in the World
Forget the petrol station flowers and supermarket greeting cards. If your partner deserves something really special, nothing says “I love you” like a luxurious trip for two – especially if the destination is somewhere on this list. From tropical island idylls to quaint wine country quarters, these are the best resorts Qantas Luxury Holidays has to offer.
For an all-inclusive experience: Kokomo Island, Fiji
Fiji is honeymoon territory — and with good reason. A postcard perfect paradise with white sand beaches and perpetually warm, tropical weather, there’s no better place to retire to after conquering the logistical monstrosity that is wedding planning. The all-inclusive, private island bliss that is Kokomo Island (hero image), fringed by vast stretches of the coral-rich Great Astrolabe Reef, is a foolproof choice for soaking up that post-nuptial bliss.
Holiday mode starts as soon as you land in Nadi, where you’ll be picked up in the resort’s private seaplane or helicopter for a quick hour-long flight to paradise. Need to recharge after your journey? Slip away to the spa, where a 45-minute treatment will lead you into relaxation, on the house. You won’t even have to ask for the bill when you tuck into a meal at any of the three onsite restaurants, including a pan-Asian diner that’s made for sunset dinners.
For food and wine lovers: Sequoia, South Australia
Forget Bordeaux – South Australia has its own world-class food and wine scene for you and your beloved to sample (and it’s a lot closer to home). Base yourself at the 14-suite, adults-only Sequoia Lodge in the misty Adelaide Hills, where winery hopping is delightfully accessible. Our advice? Start your day with a soothing dip in one of three thermal hot pools before getting ready to hit the road: there’s innovative sparkling at Tapanappa, floral grenache at Yangarra and vintage Grange at Penfolds; all within a half hour drive of the property. In the evening, a romantic dinner at the neighbouring Hardy’s Verandah is essential: the three-hatted restaurant offers four-course and seven-course degustations, shining a spotlight on seasonal ingredients with dishes such as hay-smoked duck and fig ice-cream. Retire to your room, where a mood-setting fireplace and deep-soaking bathtub made for two awaits.
For an ultra-luxe getaway: Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort, Indonesia
Nestled into a cliff face an hour south of Seminyak, this architectural wonder of a resort is breathtaking, delivering incredible ocean views from almost every aspect – including from the jacuzzi on the balcony of an Ocean View Suite where you’ll feel like the only two people on earth.
The hotel’s team is dedicated to making your vacation extraordinary, from organising blessing rituals for couples or coordinating candlelit dinners on a clifftop, complete with a dedicated chef and butler service. One must-do is the 135-minute-long Borneo Island Odyssey pampering experience at the onsite spa — never before have Bornean rice, flowers and cloves combined to create such otherworldly bliss. (You might have to order an evening cocktail or three to recover).
For adventurous duos: Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa, New Zealand
Ideal for couples that are more into “get up and go” than “lounge around” holidays, New Zealand’s Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa places you squarely along the banks of the ultra-blue Lake Wakatipu on South Island for maximum adventure. Each room includes a fireplace and private patio – ideal for soaking up the mountain-and-lake vistas – but the real splendour is outside your window. A 30-minute drive east brings you to the pristine snow-cloaked slopes of The Remarkables or, in the opposite direction, the leisurely three-kilometre Bob’s Cove walking trail that delivers panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu. If you head north, you’ll happen upon Coronet Peak: in the winter, it’s the site of magical skiing, and in the summer, it’s prime territory for mountain biking and hiking, maximising quality time. When you’ve kicked off the hiking boots, you can both have a well-deserved rest with a steam and soak at the resort’s sauna and indoor pool – or hit up the spa for a vitamin-infused body polish.
For the ultimate seclusion: Elysian Retreat, Queensland
You’ll have to make an effort to pass another human at this adults-only private island on the Great Barrier Reef. Enveloped in lush rainforest and framed by crystalline waters, each of the all-inclusive retreat’s 10 beachfront villas are placed to deliver utmost privacy to guests, with a host of features that scream ‘slow down’, from outdoor showers, day beds and lazy hammocks beckoning you into repose. There are endless activities for two, from taking a helicopter to Heart Reef for a romantic picnic, kayaking through the sparkling bay or simply soaking up the sun in the magnesium beachfront pool.
For a family-friendly haven: Sheraton Waikiki, Hawaii
Yes, you can have a romantic getaway with children… if you choose to stay at the waterfront Sheraton Waikiki, that is. Here, adults and kids alike will be given the royal treatment: for the little ones, there’s a dedicated playground pool complete with a 20-metre-long water slide and craft sessions throughout the day to keep them occupied in addition to the the in-house daycare, while parents can take hold hands on a local historical tour, hike up the Diamond Head crater without the persistent barrage of ‘are we there yet’? or simply sip cocktails by North America’s longest infinity pool. Silence is golden, especially when parents are poolside in tropical climes.
For urban adventurers: Shangri-La Tokyo, Japan
Few hotels as romantic as this get you close to the action. The Shangri-La Tokyo’s rooms and suites offer a quiet respite from the electric buzz of the city, occupying the top 11 floors of a towering 37-storey building. This elevation guarantees spectacular skyline views from almost everywhere in the property, from the plush suites with soaking tubs, pillow menus and comfy daybeds to the on-site swimming pool that peers out over the city.
If you want a closer look, you’re well placed for exploration: you’re a 14-minute stroll to the historic Imperial Palace and a 15-minute drive to Hama-rikyu Gardens, once reserved exclusively for royalty, perfect for a quiet stroll hand-in-hand.
Don’t forget indoor exploration, too — including a visit to the indulgent on-site Chi, the Spa, where couples can submit to restorative massages, refresh in a steam room or soak in a private bath.
Do less and get more when you book your next break with Qantas Luxury Holidays. Visit qantas.com/luxuryholidays to explore the latest, value-packed, limited-time deals on the world’s most exclusive hotels.
