Romantic getaways

Our members use us to book their romantic getaways because:

• We can take on a lot of the extra legwork to make everything go to plan
• We can often add a little extra ‘wow' to proceedings by arranging things that others don't have access to
• We can always recommend something original or an original twist on a classic idea
• Our members are all busy people; sometimes they need a little help making things happen

Opinion as to what constitutes ‘romantic' varies from person to person – snuggling in an igloo in the Alps, baking on a beach in the Maldives or waltzing at a formal ball in Vienna. All of these are romantic breaks for someone at sometime. But getting cranky because you don't have time to arrange the trip, arriving after all the restaurants have closed and then finding your bedroom is sandwiched between a main road and car park is not on anyone's list.

We organise everything from weekends in the Lake District to honeymoons in New York. Some people even call us when they want a ‘getaway' that doesn't involve going anywhere at all. One of our beauty experts Kate House organised a night at home for one couple: ‘They had both been working really hard and felt that the most romantic thing they could do was enjoy their home. We organised a spring clean so they could come back to a pristine house, then arranged dinner and a masseuse. They felt that the experience was more romantic than rushing off somewhere for the night.'

Whatever your idea of romance (tandem skydive anyone?) just give us a call. Here are some of our members' favourite romantic destinations:

UK

From historic country house hotels with Michelin-starred restaurants to urban retreats with spas and pampering facilities, there are plenty of romantic boltholes in the UK. Travel specialist Rob Arrow arranges getaways all over the British Isles and has insider tips on the best places to stay, whether the occasion calls for a historic hotel in Scotland or a luxury Lake District retreat.

Rob says: ‘The ravishing Prestonfield near Edinburgh is a gorgeous 17th-century house with deliciously opulent furnishings, while Fairyhill in the Gower near Swansea is a perfectly peaceful getaway that's close to some of the UK's most beautiful beaches. The new Stargazer suite at the Linthwaite House Hotel in the Lake District has a sliding glass roof, double bath and double walk-in shower – ideal for couples who want a weekend of indulgence.'

Europe

‘Paris can't help being romantic, but my current favourite is Italy,' says Katy Edwards, one of our Europe experts. ‘Casa Angelina on the Amalfi Coast is a fab boutique hotel in the less well-known resort of Praiano. Most hotels in this area are quite traditional, so Casa Angelina's modern elegance helps it to stand out. It has four self-contained apartments next to the waterfront that are ideal for those seeking seclusion but want full, five-star hotel facilities to hand.'

We also book members into boutique hotels in the Mediterranean, ice palaces in Norway and villas that combine rustic charm with the most modern amenities. Call us for some more suggestions, or tell us what you want and we'll arrange it.

Further afield

The US is a perennial favourite and North America specialist Zia Bapuji recommends escaping to a luxury hideaway in the wilderness of the States. She says: ‘There are some great Relais & Chateaux resorts, such as The Point, a lakeside cabin resort in the Adirondack Mountains, surrounded by forests. The scenery is beautiful at any time of the year but in autumn the trees are a fiery display of red, gold and copper. There may be a bite of cold in the air but you'll be warm inside your luxury cabin – or the gourmet restaurant.'

For members who prefer the city, there are few skylines more romantic than New York's, and The Rainbow Grill and the River Cafe both offer striking views of Manhattan (particularly at night). Grimaldi's Pizzeria under Brooklyn Bridge is a much more low-key, but no-less romantic, option. Its authentic NY charm more than compensates for its lack of city view.

If you want sun and seclusion, then travel specialist Elspeth Huntley recommends Dhoni Mighili, a high-class resort on a private island in the Ari Atoll of the Maldives. We can book members into their own private island home, complete with a courtyard and an open-air waterfall shower. Guests also receive their own Maldivian sail boat, with crew, so you can sail the azure waters of the lagoon while sunbathing and sipping on Krug. A personal butler and chef are on call 24 hours a day, and guests are free to decide where, and when, they dine: enjoy breakfast on the lagoon, lunch in the courtyard and dinner on the beach (romantic sunset included).

Insider tips:

• How to get there is as important as where you go. Few things are as romantic as the act of travelling. Whether ‘Brief Encounter' or ‘Titanic' is your thing, boats and trains score high for romance, and a lower carbon footprint means you can love the planet too. Daniel Salmon, one of our specialists for Africa and the Indian Ocean, says the Rovos Rails service is ‘a classic experience in beautifully restored wood-panelled trains that run between Cape Town, Pretoria, Victoria Falls and Dar es Salaam pulled by diesel, electric or steam engines'.
• Go off-season. Venice is magical and mysterious in winter, ski resorts are spectacular in summer. Beat the crowds and get a fresh view of familiar places.
• Don't be afraid of being obvious. Paris may seem like an easy choice but there are good reasons why it's associated with romance. Let us help you sidestep the clichés. Did you know that room 603 at The Five Hotel has a swinging bed?
• Honeymoons are big travel projects, and we can have the team working on itineraries as part of organising the wedding.
• Marriage proposals, honeymoons, anniversaries and Valentine's Day are the main times for romantic getaways. Our retail team can also help with presents, if they're required.
• Think of everything. If you can't, we can.