Luxury doesn’t always mean chandeliers or butlers. It means space, quiet, and the feeling of being completely seen. These romantic getaways brought all of that and more. Whether tucked into a countryside inn or soaking in a spa suite overlooking the water, we found ourselves slowing down and leaning in. There was a moment when I was curled up in a deep armchair with soft music playing when I thought, “This is what luxury really feels like: time with you, uninterrupted.”
Best Luxury Romantic Getaways
The Willard InterContinental DC: Timeless Grandeur Steps from History
“I opened the doors and felt like I’d stepped into a national memory.” The moment I entered the lobby, high ceilings glittered with chandeliers, marble columns rose beside plush seating, and the gentle hum felt both grand and intimate. Every detail whispered of decades of history walking these halls.
This hotel didn’t merely house guests—it hosted presidents, legislators, writers, and visionaries. Built in the early 1800s and reborn in Beaux-Arts elegance by the turn of the century, The Willard felt like the place where ideas began and traditions held firm. I stood near the reception and imagined the hush of dignitaries and dreamers who passed through—some finalizing speeches, others shaping headlines.
What I Loved Most: Afternoon tea in Peacock Alley, with its harp music and porcelain teacups. The setting felt ceremonial, timeless—the kind of moment that invites silence and gratitude.
My highlights? I lingered in the Round Robin Bar’s wood-paneled calm, its circular counter polished by a century of elbows. I nibbled a macaroon from the pastry cart—light, crisp, powdered just so—and looked out toward Pennsylvania Avenue as if expecting history to happen again.
Plan your stay:
- Walk Time from the White House: ~5 minutes via Pennsylvania Avenue
- Vibe: Historic, stately, quietly theatrical
- Highlights: Afternoon tea in Peacock Alley, Round Robin Bar, themed presidential suites, proximity to the National Mall
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall for walking tours and cherry blossoms
- Cost: Room rates ~$350–600/night; valet parking ~$60/day; tea service additional
- Hours & Amenities: 24/7 lobby access; on-site dining and bar; fitness center; full-service spa; concierge available daily
Waterfront elegance at Woodmark Hotel & Still Spa
Overlooking Lake Washington, the Woodmark Hotel & Still Spa felt like an invitation to exhale. The air smelled of cedar and open water, and the whole place carried this gentle hush that made the weekend feel suspended in time. One afternoon, wrapped in a spa robe on the terrace, I had a quiet thought: “This is luxury that asks nothing of us—just to be here, together.”
What I Loved Most: The Still Spa's couple’s massage followed by champagne in the relaxation lounge with lake views stretching endlessly ahead.
My highlights? Dinner at Carillon Kitchen. I had the grilled salmon over wild rice with citrus beurre blanc, paired with a crisp local Chardonnay. We lingered long after the plates were cleared, watching the lights dance on the water.
Woodmark Hotel & Still Spa At a Glance
- Location: Kirkland, Washington
- Vibe: Lakeside, modern, restful
- Highlights: Full-service spa, waterfront views, in-room soaking tubs
- Best Time to Visit: Spring through early fall
- Cost: High-end
- Hours: Spa open 9am–7pm daily
- Address: 1200 Carillon Point, Kirkland, WA
Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, Oahu
Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort felt like aloha in hotel form — warm, genuine, and just steps from the surf. From the lei greeting to the live music at sunset, every detail felt connected to Hawaii in a way that was both humble and heartfelt. I remember thinking, “This place doesn’t just show you Waikiki — it welcomes you into it.”
What I Loved Most: Sitting beneath the thatched roof of the Voyager 47 Club Lounge, sipping pineapple juice as the morning sun lit up the waves.
My highlights? Dinner at Kani Ka Pila Grille — I had the misoyaki butterfish with bok choy and rice, followed by haupia cake for dessert. The live slack-key guitar and open-air setting made the meal feel like a celebration.
Travel Tips:
- Location: Heart of Waikiki Beach
- Vibe: Friendly, local, relaxed luxury
- Highlights: Oceanfront dining, cultural programming, live music
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall for pleasant weather and fewer crowds
- Cost: $$–$$$
- Hours: Dining until 9pm; beach access all day
- Address: 2169 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI
Timeless sophistication at Dukes Hotel
Set in the heart of London’s Mayfair, Dukes Hotel felt like stepping into a slower era—one with whispered conversation, tailored service, and quiet refinement. Our suite was warm with velvet and gold, and the calm inside made the busy world outside feel far away. One evening, after a drink in the iconic bar, I remember thinking, “This isn’t just luxury—it’s grace.”
What I Loved Most: Ordering room service breakfast and enjoying it by the window, watching the soft London light spill into the room.
My highlights? A pre-dinner martini in the legendary Dukes Bar—elegantly stirred, never shaken—and followed by dinner at GBR, where I had the beef Wellington with red wine jus. The whole evening felt like a scene from a film.
Dukes Hotel At a Glance
- Location: London, England
- Vibe: Classic, refined, discreet
- Highlights: Personal service, marble baths, legendary bar
- Best Time to Visit: Year-round
- Cost: Luxury tier
- Hours: Dukes Bar open 3pm–11pm
- Address: 35 St. James’s Place, London SW1A 1NY, UK
Station House Inn South Lake Tahoe
“This is the kind of place where everything slows, even time,” I thought as we kicked off our shoes and sank into the butter-soft bed, windows open to the pine-scented breeze. Station House Inn South Lake Tahoe felt like a throwback in the best way—mid-century touches, a firepit courtyard with string lights, and a record player in the room that crackled just enough to make the music feel warmer. It was just a few minutes’ walk from the lake, but once we checked in, we didn’t really want to leave.
What I Loved Most: Sipping hot chocolate by the outdoor fire as the evening air cooled around us, the sky deep blue above the pines, and laughter rising softly from another couple playing cornhole nearby.
My highlights? We shared a casual dinner at the inn’s seasonal patio restaurant: brisket grilled cheese with tangy pickles, crispy hand-cut fries, and a wedge salad that crackled with cold. The sandwich was smoky and rich, the bread toasted golden, and the cheese just stretchy enough to be satisfying. Everything smelled of firewood, pine, and melted butter. Afterward, we walked to the edge of the beach where our son skipped stones and we stood hand in hand, quiet and full.
Plan your romantic or family stay:
- Location: South Lake Tahoe, California
- Vibe: Retro-modern, laid-back, lake-adjacent
- Best Time to Visit: Summer for beach days and bikes; winter for cozy après-ski vibes
- Cost: ~$150–$300/night depending on season
- Extras: Free beach access, fire pits, record players in rooms, walkable to dining and marina
Country elegance at Goodstone Inn and Restaurant
The Virginia countryside rolled out like a painting, and Goodstone Inn tucked us gently into it. The stone cottages, the crackle of a wood-burning fire, the scent of herbs growing just outside the kitchen—all of it made for a kind of luxurious simplicity. One evening, wrapped in a throw on the garden patio, I thought, “This is where stillness lives.”
What I Loved Most: Walking through the gardens hand in hand just before dusk, listening to frogs and watching fireflies start to spark.
My highlights? A farm-to-table dinner at The Conservatory. I had the rack of lamb with rosemary jus and roasted root vegetables, followed by a vanilla bean crème brûlée. It was soulful, seasonal, and deeply memorable.
Goodstone Inn At a Glance
- Location: Middleburg, Virginia
- Vibe: Countryside, romantic, refined
- Highlights: Cottages, gourmet dining, estate trails
- Best Time to Visit: Fall or spring
- Cost: High-end
- Hours: Check-in 3pm, dinner service 5–9pm
- Address: 36205 Snake Hill Rd, Middleburg, VA
Storybook serenity at Twin Farms
Everything about Twin Farms in Vermont felt rare—like a secret kept just for us. From the private cottages to the art-lined walls and thoughtful service, nothing was overlooked. On a morning walk through the foggy meadow, I had a quiet realization: “This is what it feels like to be completely cared for.”
What I Loved Most: The wood-burning fireplace in our cottage, and the turndown service that left behind local chocolates and a hand-written note.
My highlights? Dinner in the main house: five courses that included pan-seared halibut with chanterelle mushrooms and a delicate lemon verbena custard. No menus—just trust. And everything was perfect.
Twin Farms At a Glance
- Location: Barnard, Vermont
- Vibe: Secluded, artistic, indulgent
- Highlights: All-inclusive dining, private cottages, curated experiences
- Best Time to Visit: Fall foliage or snowy winter
- Cost: Luxury tier
- Hours: All-inclusive, by reservation only
- Address: 452 Royalton Turnpike, Barnard, VT
Charming and classic at The Washington House Inn
In the heart of Cedarburg, The Washington House Inn wrapped us in warm brick, creaky wood floors, and a soft kind of nostalgia. We slept with the windows open, letting the crisp Wisconsin air drift through lace curtains. One morning, curled up in a plush armchair, I thought, “Luxury can be quiet—and deeply comforting.”
What I Loved Most: The complimentary wine and cheese hour by the fireplace and a long soak in the clawfoot tub afterward.
My highlights? Breakfast in the sunny dining room: a warm egg bake with spinach and feta, homemade cinnamon rolls, and strong coffee. It felt like someone had thought of everything we might want before we even asked.
The Washington House Inn At a Glance
- Location: Cedarburg, Wisconsin
- Vibe: Historic, charming, cozy
- Highlights: Spa tubs, wine & cheese hour, walkable downtown
- Best Time to Visit: Fall for foliage or winter for a fireside retreat
- Cost: Mid-range to high
- Hours: Check-in 3pm, breakfast 7–9:30am
- Address: W62N573 Washington Ave, Cedarburg, WI
Conclusion
Every detail at these places felt intentional—plush linens, warm lighting, wine poured just right. But what stayed with me most were the quiet exchanges: a glance over dessert, a walk in the woods, the shared silence of a private spa room. We didn’t need grand gestures—we needed space to reconnect. And these luxury retreats gave us exactly that. We returned home full of warmth, still wrapped in the softness of where we’d been.
Jump to a Spot...
- • The Willard InterContinental DC: Timeless Grandeur Steps from History
- • Waterfront elegance at Woodmark Hotel & Still Spa
- • Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, Oahu
- • Timeless sophistication at Dukes Hotel
- • Station House Inn South Lake Tahoe
- • Country elegance at Goodstone Inn and Restaurant
- • Storybook serenity at Twin Farms
- • Charming and classic at The Washington House Inn