Jun 11, 2020
INDONESIA
Kayumanis Ubud Private Villa & Spa
The spa at Kayumanis Ubud, Bali. Courtesy of Kayumanis Ubud.
A Balinese hideaway
The fragrant scent of frangipanis and cinnamon trees sets the scene at this intimate escape in Ubud. Each of its 23 villas is designed around a theme, be it Balinese, Javanese, Ethnic or Modern, and offers total privacy, as well as its own pool and garden bath. Couples are the focus here and intimate experiences, such as private candle-lit dinners, couples’ massages and eight-hour day-spa packages turn even the smallest moments into rose-tinted memories. Efforts are taken to ensure this leafy stay retains its serene ambience, with a no-children-under-12 policy helping maintain the peace. Doubles from Rp2,700,000. — J.H.
Deserted-island fantasies
Positioned on a naked stretch of beach on the far-flung island of Belitung, Eco Beach Tent provides all the ingredients necessary for a totally distraction-free escape. With just a small cluster of bungalows, this resort is a return to Eden for nature-loving couples, with sustainable activities the main focus: island-hopping, swimming, snorkeling, touring heritage sites and of course gazing lengthily into impossibly starry skies. Doubles from Rp3,200,000. — B.V.V.O.
Sea-gazing beds on the lagoon deck, Lelewatu Sumba. Courtesy of Lelewatu Sumba.
Unspoiled island adventures
Pointy-hatted Sumbanese- style villas overlooking rugged, empty coastline, a spa, two restaurants, private pools, a lagoon—there’s not much else to Lelewatu Sumba, but that just makes it easier to focus on your paramour. The whole point of coming here is to escape the everyday, facilitated by spacious, private villas with butler service and an abundance of unspoiled Sumba terrain to explore. For the active couple there’s trekking, cycling and dips in waterfalls, while for those less inclined towards exertion, there’s cliff-top dining, indulgent treatments at Maraga Spa and lazy days on the island’s white-sand beaches. Doubles from Rp4,650,000. — B.V.V.O.
SINGAPORE
The Premier Room at The Barracks Hotel Sentosa. Courtesy of The Barracks Hotel Sentosa.
Heritage style on Sentosa
A former British-artillery outpost that’s just a 15-minute drive from the Central Business District via the Sentosa causeway, The Barracks Hotel offers a tranquil escape for couples. Rooms bring a sleek update on the elegance of colonial times, with dark woods, woven leathers and vintage trunks; try to snag one that opens onto the 30-meter outdoor lap pool. The Living Room is a refined space in which to partake of decadent breakfasts, afternoon teas and cocktails. An on-demand equerry service, which facilitates ground transfers, the booking of attractions, and activity recommendations, makes it easy to plan out your stay for maximum quality couple’s time. Doubles from S$670. — S.V.
MALDIVES
Sunset at The Nautilus Maldives. Courtesy of The Nautilus Maldives.
A luxe-Boho escape
Tucked away on the tiny private island of Thiladhoo in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, The Nautilus offers romance-seekers a world of unbridled escapism. With only 26 houses, the resort fosters a level of exclusivity and privacy that’s hard to achieve on bigger islands. Houses are spacious— from 282 square meters up to 922 square meters in The Nautilus Mansion—and come with their own pool and dedicated butler. Dining is unscripted, meaning couples can come and go as they please and order off-menu— the spa operates by a similar philosophy. From here, it’s an easy speedboat ride to Hanifaru Bay to swim with manta rays, or else cruise to a deserted island on the resort’s custom-built yacht for a gourmet picnic for two. Doubles from USD$2,200. — K.H.
SRI LANKA
Inside a Cocoon tent, Wild Coast Tented Lodge, Sri Lanka. Courtesy of Wild Coast Tented Lodge.
A nature-lovers’ paradise
Located in native scrub on the shores of Yala in southeastern Sri Lanka, this Relais & Chateaux property puts guests on the raw edge of leopard territory. Lavish Cocoon tents are forged from natural materials and blend in with the scenery, while interiors bring to life a nostalgic safari aesthetic.
Courtesy of Wild Coast Tented Lodge.
For fun, there are guided bush walks and game drives through Yala National Park, and for romance there are afternoon teas in the jungle and sultry sundowners overlooking the Indian Ocean. Doubles from Rs138,000. — B.V.V.O.
INDIA
The pool at Amanbagh. Courtesy of Amanbagh.
A pink, garden palace
The Maharaja of Alwar once used this picturesque estate as a launch-point for royal tiger hunting, but now its tidy lawns and palm groves inspire much more tenderhearted activities. A palatial pink retreat, the new Aman’s Mughal-inspired cupolas, pillars and terraces create quite another time and place—not to mention its opulent suites and pool pavilions with their lofty ceilings and bathtubs of green Udaipur marble. For couple’s adventures off property, the haunted village of Ajabgarh is within camel-riding distance, while wild animal sightings can still be had a 45-minute drive away at Sariska Tiger Reserve. Doubles from Rs42,850. — B.V.V.O.
