With Valentine’s Day just around the corner – you may want to consider surprising your loved one with a unique stay and experience that is irresistibly Instagrammable. Here are the top 5 must-visit hotels for your romantic rendezvous.
1) The Ice Hotel, Sweden
A hotel with ever-changing art made out of ice and snow – the Icehotel is created in a new guise every winter, entirely made out of natural ice from the Torne River, one of Sweden’s national rivers and last untouched waters. Construction takes over 12 weeks from October-January and then everything melts back to the river in April. A perfect Valentine’s getaway, this hotel’s unique art suites designed by artists from around the world, not to mention the mind-blowing features like the iconic chandeliers, which each hold 1,000 ice crystals sculpted and mounted by hand – is the perfect setting if you’re in the mood for love. And just in case your planning on proposing – every year the Icehotel incorporates a beautiful ice chapel into its design so you can make it official. www.icehotel.com
2) The Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp, Thailand
Spend a mesmerising night observing Thailand’s majestic elephants in their natural habitat from the comfort of your very own, luxurious and transparent Jungle Bubble at this Anantara resort. Enjoy uninterrupted views of the gentle giants, as well as the stunning starlit sky above wholly surrounded by nature. Lovers also have access to a dinner basket, a fully stocked mini-bar, 24-hour in-room dining service and tea and coffee making facilities. www.anantara.com
3) The Muraka, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Ocean lovers will be blown away by this two-level hotel room, which offers lodging 16 feet below sea level. Guests arrive via seaplane or travel from the main resort by the hotel’s private speedboat, which you can use for the duration of your stay. Above water, guests can enjoy living and dining areas fitting of one of the world’s most exclusive residences. However, the real beauty of this property is when you head down its spiral staircase or elevator to your private underwater aquarium and architectural masterpiece. Featuring a 180-degree curved acrylic dome, the master bedroom is one of those rooms you will not want to leave. www.conradmaldives.com
4) Three Camel Lodge, Mongolia.
This hotel offers a slice of the nomadic lifestyle with an elevated take on the traditional ger – a handmade latticed wood construction covered with layers of felt and canvas. The simple elegance of the gers blends with the Gobi’s breathtaking landscape, each has a southward-facing entrance. Enjoy the calming unobstructed views of the desert and the Gobi-Altai Mountains from the privacy of your deluxe ger and enjoy spectacular stargazing at night with your loved one from the privacy of your bed. Heated by a wood stove and furnished with hand-painted wood-framed king or double beds, each ger also features a private well-equipped bathroom. www.threecamellodge.com
5) The W Miami, USA
If you’re looking for a hotel stay that features a luxurious spa – the 146-room W Miami might be for you and your loved one. Offering fabulous views over the city and Biscayne Bay, the hotel features beautiful artworks throughout, rotating DJs and a large spa that is absolutely stunning. Guests at the W Miami have access to the full-service spa which features a gorgeous, white marble hydrotherapy circuit (it was also featured in a CeeLo Green music video), and a labyrinth of wispy, white-curtained treatment rooms off both sides. Male and female locker rooms are bright, each with a steam room, sauna, and rain showers. A must-see for intrepid spa lovers. www.marriott.com
The first Australian English speaking News Anchor in the Middle East. She is also the Author of Faces of the Middle East and Founder of US-based 501c3 charity – The House of Rest which helps to ease the suffering of victims of war. For more from our Contributing Editor, you can follow her on Instagram, here.
