Five Romantic Summer Escapes

Miami’s hottest new hotel is not in South Beach this season, but some 90 blocks north in Bal Harbour, best known for its shopping mecca, Bal Harbour Shops. The new St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, which opened just last month, fits in perfectly with the surroundings. With sleek interiors—all blond woods and cool colors—by edgy architecture firm Yabu Pushelberg, the glamorous new property has 243 rooms and suites, all with large balconies and romantic ocean views. Indeed, there’s almost no reason to leave the cushy accommodations, which include a private butler—except for the fact that most guests will want to try the hotel’s sleek J&G Grill, created by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, not to mention the 14,000-square-foot Remède Spa, the two swimming pools, and the magnificent 1,000-foot stretch of white sand beach.Doubles start at $850.

One of the least-known islands in the Caribbean, Dominica is delightfully unspoiled and wonderfully wild, with pristine rainforests, jungle rivers, and misty black sand beaches. Until recently, the island had little in the way of comfortable accommodations, but that changed in November 2010 with the openings of the Rosalie Bay Resort on the island’s eastern shores and the Secret Bay compound in the north. For romance, it doesn’t get much better than the latter, with clifftop villas on stilts that perch like treehouses above the sea. Here, couples can be totally alone, with the option of fixing their own meals, or calling in an on-site cook for as many or as few dishes as they wish. There’s excellent snorkeling, kayaking, biking—plus a sprawling isle to explore beyond the property, ideally with a professional guide.

Arguably no city in North America is as romantic as Old Québec in winter: snowy streets, eighteenth-century stone buildings, wood-beamed bars and cafés, and roaring fires. And arguably no hotel in the city can match the charm of the Auberge Sainte-Antoine, which has recently been refurbished in honor of its 20th year as a hotel. Set alongside the St. Lawrence River in the heart of Québec’s historic district, the Auberge has 95 guest rooms that range in decor from tasteful contemporary to cozy colonial, all wonderful to hole up in after a brisk winter walk or an afternoon of dog-sledding or snowmobiling on nearby Île d’Orléans. The hotel’s stone-walled Panache restaurant has won many awards and is a lovely spot for a candlelit dinner. Pretend you’re in France, but, then, you practically are.
From $189 double.

It’s not easy to get to—a flight to Honolulu, a connection to Maui, and then a 50-mile drive to the village of Hana on the island’s east coast. But to stay at the Travaasa Hana, it’s well worth going the extra 50 miles, along what is one of the world’s most beautiful byways. Originally opened in 1947, the former Hotel Hana-Maui has seen various owners and incarnations in its long history. A year ago, the property was acquired by the dynamic Travaasa Destinations hotel group, dedicated to immersing guests in the unique locales and cultures of each of its properties. Accordingly, in addition to sprucing up Hana’s 70 cottages and bungalows, Travaasa has introduced a number of site-specific cultural programs and ancient Hawaiian healing rituals to let guests experience the hotel and its glorious setting in an intimate way. But for amorous travelers, the natural beauty of the setting and the secluded, rustic-chic cottages, many outfitted with private lanais, hot tubs, and glorious views are reasons enough to appreciate this magical spot. $450, double, per person, including all meals.