5 Of Europe's Most Romantic Hotels To Book This February
Insights from Citalia’s Celebration Vacation Report show just how important travel has become in marking life’s biggest moments.
Image Lake Como, Photo by Lewis J Goetz on Unsplash
Over half of travellers (54%) say a celebration feels more memorable when marked by a getaway, while 41% believe shared trips create meaningful experiences they’ll carry with them long after returning home. A further 32% say celebrating with a holiday deepens their connection with the people they’re travelling with.
With this in mind, Valentine’s Day is no longer just about flowers and chocolates. As couples increasingly prioritise experience-led travel, romantic hotels are becoming destinations in their own right, offering moments that stay with you long after checkout.
This shift is also reflected in online search behaviour, with searches for “romantic holidays” up by over 5,000% in the last month, while #romantichotel has amassed almost 4,000 videos on TikTok, highlighting a growing appetite for romance-led escapes ahead of Valentine’s Day. With this in mind, Heather Green, Head of Product at Citalia, has shared her list of the most romantic hotels to escape to this Valentine’s Day, whether you’re planning a grand gesture or a quiet, indulgent retreat for two.
Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria – Sorrento
High above the Bay of Naples, the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria sits within a five-acre private estate, spanning three historic buildings with sweeping clifftop views towards Mount Vesuvius. Couples can soak up the scenery from sea view suites with private balconies or during sunset aperitivo on the panoramic terrace.
It’s little surprise that research by Citalia reveals the Amalfi Coast as the top destination of choice for celebrations, with 51% of travellers saying they’d choose to mark a special occasion here.
Heather Green, Head of Product at Citalia, adds: “Sorrento has long been a place of romance, it famously inspired the love song ‘Torna a Surriento’, and that emotional pull is still felt today. At the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, couples can unwind in the boutique La Serra spa set within a 19th century glasshouse, take the private cliffside lift to the marina for boat trips along the coast, and enjoy the intimacy of a family-run hotel surrounded by centuries-old citrus gardens.”
Villa d’Este – Lake Como
Once an aristocratic lakeside residence, the Villa d’Este was built in 1568 and later became the home of Caroline, Princess of Wales. Today, it stands as one of Lake Como’s most iconic addresses, and a symbol of Italian romance at its most refined.
Its romantic reputation is long established. Villa d’Este famously hosted the wedding of Emily Blunt, and searches for “best places to stay in Lake Como” have increased by over 5,000% in the last month, as couples seek out destinations that promise both beauty and meaning.
Heather notes: “Villa d’Este is a place where romance and heritage come together effortlessly. From strolling through its lakeside gardens to swimming in the hotel’s iconic floating pool on Lake Como, or dining beneath frescoed ceilings overlooking the water, every moment feels elegant and timeless.”
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Paradise Cove Boutique Hotel – Mauritius
For couples craving barefoot luxury, the Paradise Cove Boutique Hotel offers a secluded, adults-only escape set along a quiet private cove on Mauritius’ northern coast. Framed by palm trees and turquoise waters, the boutique hotel is tucked away on a quiet cove, offering privacy, calm and uninterrupted ocean views.
“Paradise Cove is ideal for couples who want to completely switch off as days here unfold at an unhurried pace. Couples can enjoy sunset dinners by the water, relax in open air cabanas or kayak across the lagoon before retreating to thatched roof suites,” Heather explains.
The setting reflects why Mauritius continues to dominate romantic getaways, with average monthly searches for “Mauritius” reaching 201,000, as travellers look for destinations that promise both escapism and tranquillity.
Palazzo Avino – Ravello
The Palazzo Avino feels like a private sanctuary suspended between sea and sky. Set within a restored 12th century palazzo, the hotel is instantly recognisable by its soft pastel pink façade, elegant terraces and infinity edge views stretching across the coastline below.
“Candlelit dinners at its Michelin starred restaurant, where just caught seafood, handmade pasta and seasonal Amalfi Coast produce take centre stage makes Palazzo Avino feels effortlessly romantic. Couples can savour long lunches, enjoy sunset aperitivo with sweeping sea views and retreat to beautifully-designed rooms that offer complete privacy.”
That growing appetite for Ravello is also reflected in search behaviour, with “Ravello hotels” emerging as a trending search term, and searches for “Palazzo Avino Ravello” increasing by 550% in the last three months, as couples seek elevated escapes.
Anassa – Cyprus
Set along Cyprus’ unspoilt northwest coastline, the Anassa is a serene Mediterranean retreat where natural beauty and refined luxury come together. Designed like a traditional Cypriot village, the resort features whitewashed buildings, stone pathways, olive groves and terraced gardens.
Anassa’s romantic appeal is deeply rooted in its setting. Cyprus is known as the mythological birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, who is said to have risen from the sea near Paphos, lending the island a powerful and enduring connection to romance. Its status as a romantic hideaway was spotlighted in 2023, when Paul Hollywood chose Anassa as the setting for his wedding.
“Anassa is wonderfully romantic in a relaxed, understated way and inside the resort, romance is found in the details,” Heather says. “Surrounded by nature, with incredible sea views and a focus on wellness, couples can unwind at the award winning Thalassa Spa or spend long evenings watching the sun dip into the sea on the private beach.”
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