Put some romance back into your travels with these six destinations, from the Maldives to Ireland

Do your holidays lack romance? 

Would you like a getaway with the wow factor?  

Here expert Sarah Siese recommends six destinations you’ll love. 

Amanpuri, Phuket 

The Amanpuri in Phuket, which translates as ‘peaceful place’. It is situated on Phuket’s west coast 

Best For: Heavenly seclusion. Meaning ‘peaceful place’, Amanpuri feels more like a private village, where the only interruptions come from exotic birdlife and nocturnal bullfrogs.

Fall in love with: The peace, the space and privacy at Aman’s flagship property, known as the mothership by ‘Aman-junkies’, situated on Phuket’s west coast on a private headland overlooking the Andaman Sea. When quixotic hotelier Adrian Zecher fell in love with Phuket 31 years ago, it was barely on the tourist map. Three decades later, and still a word-of-mouth phenomena, the 43 villas and 40 pavilions exude all the romantic architectural grace of Siam’s 17th Century capital, Ayutthaya. Feast on epicurean breakfasts, including kombucha and energising smoothies; treat yourself to Thai tea and cake; and candlelit dinner in one of five open-air pavilions specialising in Thai, Japanese and European food.

Room for romance: The peninsula is fringed with feathery casuarina trees and banana palms, and villas 25 and 26 have direct access to the beach.  Many continue to cherish the 1980s villas but the millennial villas are hard to top for their handsome opulence with impressive walls of hanging foliage and black-tiled swimming pools that melt into the tropical-jungle canopy.

Romantic Moment: The couple’s signature massage and the complimentary meditation sessions high on the hillside in an open-sided teakwood sala. You must also take a private boat trip to Phang Nga Bay; take your darling for a sunset hack along the adjacent beach; or simply kayak around the hidden coves of Surin or Bangtoo Bay to the sounds of crickets and the distant chug of long-tail boats.

The amazing scenery of Phang Nga Bay in Phuket, where you can take a private boat trip 

Heavenly hosts: Each dreamy villa has two permanent staff who know the ropes, along with a flock of gracious staff and superb head chef Kannika Jitsangworn, who’ll happily give you a cooking lesson.

Keepsake: In-house Aman Spa products, a jar of infused bath salts and the nightly pillow gifts are all keepers.

Book me in: Between December and March to break the long UK winter, from £641 room-only per night. Visit amanresorts.com.

Adare Manor, Ireland

Adare Manor in Ireland, pictured, has lashings of gargoyles and neo-Gothic heraldry

Best for: A whirlwind weekend.

Fall in love with: The dreamy views of a ruined 15th Century Franciscan friary from Adare Manor – a great Hogwarts of a hotel, with lashings of gargoyles and neo-Gothic heraldry proudly proclaiming the Dunraven family connections under the family motto ‘I wish to see what lies beyond’. 

It’s a rare ‘calendar house’ adorned with 365 leaded windows, 52 ornate chimneys, seven stone pillars, and four towers to mark the annual tally of days, weeks and seasons of the year. It’s also foodie heaven. Swoon over the magnificent breakfast in the Long Gallery, pop into Adare for a pub lunch, then draw romantic inspiration from the chivalric past by the flicker of candlelight in the Oak Room.

Room for romance: All 14 rooms in the original manor house are decorated with bay windows overlooking the lawns and the River Maigue.

Many of the rooms at Adare Manor look out on to the beautiful River Maigue, pictured 

Romantic Moment: Pedal off on Pashley bicycles around the 840-acre estate – you’ll hardly see another soul. Meet the resident birds of prey during a private falconry display, or take a quiet moment fly fishing. For a spontaneous romantic moment, climb Pugin’s Staircase to the secret turret, or take a dreamy walk into the Enchanted Forest and follow the Poet’s Walk where ‘trees dream their long dreams and leaves whisper their secrets’.

Heavenly hosts: Natural Irish charm is mixed with polished American efficiency, so nothing is too much trouble. Today’s proprietor is racehorse owner and enthusiast John McManus, who has poured his own heart and soul into the 104-bedroom property.

Keepsakes: Famous Irish lace, made in Limerick, or some Guinness.

Book me in: It’s going to rain, so go in spring to put the bounce back into your step. From £319 per night. Visit adaremanor.com. 

Joali, Maldives 

Joali, pictured, is in the heart of the Raa Atoll and guests arrive at the tiny private island by an exciting 45-minute seaplane

Best for: Seduction – a flop-and-flirt fantasy island.

Fall in love with: Sugar-white beaches, tropical flowers and swaying palms, all surrounded by the shimmering blue waters of the Indian Ocean. It just begs you to kick back and wiggle your toes in the sand. Joali is in the heart of the Raa Atoll and the thrill of arriving at the tiny private island by an exciting 45-minute seaplane hop from Male is unadulterated seduction. Take breakfast in your villa, lunch barefoot on the beach and dine under the stars in Mediterranean-themed Bellinis, or over-water Japanese restaurant Saoke, whose exquisite traditional sushi, sashimi and black sesame ice cream is once tasted, never forgotten.

Room for romance: Almost a thousand master craftsmen have transformed exotic Dharavandhoo into a queen of resorts. All villas have an infinity pool and original artworks. Bathrooms are a complete indulgence, with a large indoor tub big enough for two and outdoor rain shower for a sensual strip and drip dry.

Romantic moment: Smooch around all day in a hammock or cool off with the fish. For a treasure-box moment, go diving at the manta ray hang out, or take a day trip on a traditional dhoni and sail off into the Maldivian sunset.

Heavenly hosts: Every villa has the service of a jadugar (Urdu for butler) who will arrange anything you want, from candlelit dining under the stars to diving trips.

Book me in:

Put some romance back into your travels with these six destinations, from the Maldives to Ireland