The Best Romantic Getaways To Give Your Marriage New Life
After almost two years of quarantining, isolating, and sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, chances are you, and your spouse are in desperate need of a new adventure. No matter how romantic living room movie nights and candlelit dinners can be, there's nothing like packing your bags, saying goodbye to the mundane, and exploring a new city, or taking in a breathtaking new landscape with just you and your loved one. With lockdown rules lifted and the world opening up again (for the most part), why not add a bit of spice to your relationship with a romantic getaway? All it takes is a little bit of research and the bravery to venture beyond the backyard.
According to psychotherapist Franklin Porter, Ph.D., "There is nothing like a vacation, away from work, family, and the stress of everyday life, to bring couples closer." He tells Women's Health that "Sharing new experiences and adventures, or revisiting romantic places shared from the exciting days of the relationship, can go a long way towards reminding the couple what attracted each to the other."
Whatever your vibe, there's a destination for you. Whether you're dreaming of a tropical getaway with white sand beaches and endless mojitos, a couple's ski adventure, or maybe something a bit more rejuvenating and wellness-focused, these 11 couple retreats are sure to generate some unforgettable memories and bring new life to your marriage.
Sightseeing a Stillpoint Lodge, Alaska
Pristine blue waters, evergreen spruce trees, and the crackling of a warm fire – what's not to love about Alaska? Located in the seaside village of Halibut Cove, right outside of the Kachemak Bay State Park, the Stillpoint Lodge offers exhilarating nature encounters along with the ideal intimate cabin experience, making it the perfect destination for that couple seeking to shut out the outside world.
On the peninsula, officials have dubbed "Alaska's playground," you and your partner can enjoy an afternoon whale watching, glacier-spotting, kayaking down Halibut Cove, or even taking on a helicopter-assisted wilderness tour. For the couple seeking a more calm getaway, Stillpoint also specializes in meditative activities. In addition to the palatial private cabins and sustainable local cuisine, the all-inclusive resort also offers daily yoga classes, private saunas, and unique "forest bathing" experiences.
Emerging out of Japan in the 1980s as a psychological exercise called shinrin-yoku ("taking in the forest atmosphere"), the forest bathing offered at Stillpoint focuses on battling tech burnout and inspiring guests to reconnect with the world around them. The eco-antidote, as Stillpoint has termed it, is a perfect opportunity for you and your partner to enjoy a powerfully healing respite from the busyness of the modern world. With this luxurious yet serene getaway, couples are sure to make memories they won't soon forget.
Unplugging at Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, California
Looking for a place to really connect with your partner? This adult-only resort overlooking the California coast's rugged yet scenic stretch is the perfect vacation spot for you. At Post Ranch Inn, you won't find a single television, computer, or alarm clock in sight. It's all about getting back to basics and focusing on the person in front of you at this seaside destination. Each guest room offers a terrace that either overlooks the Pacific Ocean or the Santa Lucia Mountains, ensuring that no matter your room, you're sure to have the view of a lifetime.
Receiving a 9/10 rating from The Telegraph, Post Ranch Inn has also been praised for its on-site restaurant, Sierra Mar, and its state-of-the-art spa facilities. For dinner with your loved one, you'll be treated to 180-degree views of the breathtaking Big Sur scenery while enjoying locally-sourced eats such as Lone Mountain Ranch Wagyu beef and San Francisco halibut with clam jus. Diners have even been known to "spot pods of whales as they eat," according to travel writer Holly Rubenstein.
After enjoying your fine dining experience, you and your partner might end the night with a couple's treatment at the resort's "superb" spa, where products are all organically sourced from local flowers. With such unique, eco-friendly experiences, it shouldn't be a surprise that Post Ranch has often been celebrated as one of the world's best hotels.
Skiing on the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains
Whether you're a pro-skier or still wobbly on the slopes, this mountainous getaway in Whistler, Canada, is the perfect spot for the more adventurous couple. Try something new with The Whistler Sliding Centre's Passenger Bobsleigh Experience, where you'll feel the acceleration of up to 4 G-forces, or hold on tight to your loved one as you follow a guided snowmobile tour across the mountains.
The entertainment options are also perfect for the adrenaline junkies out there, with the Whistler and Blackcomb resort offering world-class shows in the form of nightly firework displays and the "Fire & Ice" athletic event, where world-class winter athletes flip and twist through a burning ring of fire.
For peak romance, visit around the holidays and take in the charming winter wonderland village that springs up at the base of the peaks every Christmas season. Dubbed a "cultural metropolis" by Ski Magazine, the plethora of bars, restaurants, and shops that make up the wintery village will give you and your partner plenty to do even while you're recovering from the slopes.
Travel back in time at The National Hotel in Miami
Hidden away in the trendy South Beach district of Miami, Florida, is none other than the National Hotel — an Art Deco landmark resort that transports you right back to 1939. Consistently rated among the best seaside hotels in Miami, The National Hotel is the perfect marriage of aesthetic splendor and oceanfront adventure – warm sands, palm trees, and all.
The resort has recently been recognized by "Historic Hotels of America" for maintaining the original 1930s architecture, making it the perfect resort for the history and culture buffs out there. Grab your love and check out the hotel's iconic 200-foot infinity swimming pool, or stop by The Blues Bar and sip some champagne under the authentic midcentury chandelier, sure to make you feel as glamorous as a couple from Hollywood's golden age.
Never been to Miami before? No worries, as the National Hotel is only a short four blocks away from the city's famous Ocean Drive boardwalk, well-known for its Art Deco-style facades and endless restaurants, bars, and shops. The Telegraph also reports that guests are only a "quick 20-minute drive from other popular neighborhoods including Wynwood, the Design District, downtown and Brickell."
Of course, a trip to South Beach wouldn't be complete without a proper beach day; travel down the scenic pathway to the sands of the Atlantic Coast, where you and your partner can soak up some sun and tape a dip in the salty ocean.
Luxuriating at Hob Knob in Martha's Vineyard
Situated about 8 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, lies one of the best secret summer hideaways the U.S has to offer – the moneyed haven of Martha's Vineyard. Dubbed the "Hollywood East" by U.S. News, the triangle-shaped island has long been the go-to vacation spot for the country's rich and famous, including the likes of Barack Obama, Lady Gaga, and Diane Sawyer, to name a few (via Hollywood Reporter).
But you don't need to have performed at the Grammy's or served in office to make Martha's Vineyard your romantic getaway. At The Hob Knob Luxury Boutique Hotel & Spa, you and your partner can make use of the hotel's rejuvenation spa, enjoy a special lobster dinner for two, or explore the waterfront art galleries, all on an average budget.
Hob Knob even has a special Babymoon Package for those couples seeking a getaway before their new bundle of joy arrives; fit with afternoon tea service and a pre-natal couple's massage, Hob Knob is the perfect place to clock in some relaxing quality time together before baby's arrival.
Escape to the desert at Miraval Resort, Arizona
Tucked just north of Tucson, the Miraval Arizona resort is waiting to take you and your partner on a wellness journey like no other. This digital device-free environment boasts the most breathtaking views of the Santa Catalina Mountains and the surrounding natural desert landscape, encouraging introspection and a one-on-one connection.
Sporting a team of wellness professionals, Miraval Arizona offers an impressive roster of mindfulness activities, outdoor adventures, and culinary workshops that are sure to strengthen your and your partner's bond. From beekeeping classes to spiritual drumming to "Cosmos & Cocoa" under the starry desert sky with astrologer Ravi, this romantic getaway will have you and your partner experiencing more than one "first" together.
The guest rooms and villas also reflect Miraval's mindfulness mission, consisting of a cluster of casita-style buildings designed with the natural environment in mind. Visitors will also find that each room has its own Himalayan singing bowls, meditation pillows, specialty snacks, beverages, and even what the Miraval team calls a cellphone "sleeping bag" – a subtle reminder to leave the outside world behind.
Road-tripping with Vintage Surfari Wagons
Choose a bus, pick a time, and make a memory — this is the motto of Vintage Surfari Wagon based in Los Angeles, California. A company like no other, Vintage Surfari Wagon specializes in vintage VW camper rentals for couples and families to cruise up and down the California coast. A little off the beaten path, this vacation idea is perfect for couples who are true travel junkies looking for a choose-your-own-adventure kind of getaway.
Depending on your vibe, you and your partner can choose from Volkswagen camper vans from every decade, starting from the 1970s up until the 2000s. Promising "the most unique vacation of your lifetime," the team at Vintage Surfari Wagon boasts 17 years of experience in facilitating epic California road trips and is committed to reconnecting their customers with the great outdoors or introducing them to the new experience of driving the iconic California coast.
Trail & Kale has even listed the Vintage Surfari Wagon as one of the "best" van rental experiences in the entire U.S. So whether you're setting out on a pre-planned tour of Highway 1 or jetting off to a spur-of-the-moment desert drive, road-tripping in one of these beautiful vintage VW vans is sure to light a new spark in your relationship.
Catching waves at Hotel Bardo in Tulum, Mexico
Not one for a cozy cabin stay? Check your passport expiration date because this jewel of the Mexican east coast may be the spot for you. Not only does Tulum offer amazing views of the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, but the city is also home to some of the most well-preserved Mayan ruins Mexico has to offer.
Hidden away deep in the Tulum jungle, rooms at Hotel Bardo "steal the show," according to Condé Nast Traveller. This 5-star adults-only hotel is perfect for a couple seeking to embark on a romantic beach vacation. During the day, you can relax on the breathtaking white sand beaches, explore the cenotes (underground caverns fit with swimming ponds), or take in the Mayan archaeological sites situated along the rocky crags of the Riviera Maya.
However, the adventures won't end when the sun goes down, as Hotel Bardo has been said to offer some of the best cocktails in Tulum. Enjoy a romantic dinner at the onsite restaurant or go dancing at The Kinky Room Bar, also housed on location. Regardless of how you structure your itinerary, a vacation in Tulum may guarantee to bring new flavor to your relationship.
Wine tasting at the Finger Lakes, New York
Skaneateles, Keuka, Cayuga, and Seneca – these are the names of just a few of the region's freshwater lakes. According to Native American legend, these glacial lakes' beauty is evidence of the Great Spirit leaving his handprint as a blessing on the area (via U.S. News).
Not only does its abundance of freshwater bodies of water make the Finger Lakes the ideal getaway for those couples who love boating, fishing, or waterfall chasing, but this 9,000-square-mile patch of upstate New York is also the perfect place for wine lovers. Hop on board the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, the largest in the area, with 27 member wineries. You'll taste exceptional cool climate wines, bested only by the scenic tasting rooms from which you can take in the beautiful New England views.
For a top-tier Finger Lake experience, we recommend visiting in the fall months to see the breathtaking autumn colors. As for accommodation, the Finger Lakes area offers several romantic cottages such as The Inns of Aurora, Belhurst Castle and Winery, and Geneva on the Lake. Trust us when we say you won't want to miss a cozy autumn night with your partner curled up by the fireplace at any of these picturesque spots.
Ghost hunting in Savannah, Georgia
Go south and experience a trip back in time like no other with a romantic getaway to Savannah, Georgia. With mysterious Spanish moss, regal southern accents, and graveyards on every corner, Savannah has often been described as the eccentric alternative to Charleston, South Carolina.
For history lovers, Savannah is home to the oldest black church in North America, First African Baptist Church. While the city's storied past has led to a bevy of historical sites and museums, it has also granted the city a spooky aura. Ghost-hunting is a leading industry in Savannah, with U.S. News calling the Georgia town "one of America's most haunted cities." For the thrill-seeking couple, a trip to Savannah offers the unique opportunity to cuddle on an Old Towne Trolley tour through a haunted cemetery or to let loose together on a Creepy Crawl Haunted Pub Tour.
As for accommodation, the Eliza Thompson House located in the heart of Savannah's historic district, has been rated by travel writer Lesli Peterson as one of Georgia's top destinations for a "just-because-I-love-you" escape. Originally built as a private home in 1847, the antique bed and breakfast offers gorgeous views of moss-draped trees, a romantic private garden, and a complementary wine reception included for all guests. Tales of ghostly sightings at the historic estate are also the cherry on top of the cake for any couple looking to have some spooky fun on their romantic getaway.
Explore mountain country in Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Hikes and horseback riding are the way to go in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The cowboy state might not be your first thought when you can envision a romantic vacation for two. Still, for couples looking for something a bit more rugged than your traditional tropical getaway, you can't go wrong with a mountainous getaway in the beautiful Jackson Hole valley.
While skiing and snowboarding are popular attractions in the winter months, summer in Wyoming also offers couples the opportunity to take in the natural wonders of the Grand Teton National Park or to rock out to some folk, country, bluegrass, and jazz music at the famous Jackson Hole Live concert series. Guided horseback tours over the countless scenic trails of the area are also a favorite among vacationers looking to take in a sunset in the most romantic way possible.
Listed as one of the most romantic destinations to honeymoon by Harper's Bazaar travel writer Tom Marchant, Jackson Hole is also far from lacking in romantic resorts and hotels. According to Marchant, the luxury hotel Amangani "embodies tranquil, refined luxury and embodies the versatility of the terrain with a breathtaking outdoor heated infinity pool, views for days, and is primed for adventure with heli-skiing, dog-sledding, white water rafting, and flyfishing." To top it all off, each suite is fit with a dreamy king-size platform bed and fireplace.