Sand, sun or spa; for families, couples or friends? Whether you’re looking for the ideal villas to home your brood, or something completely unique beneath the glow of the northern lights, we have the right property for you.
From the inspiring islet village of Sveti Stefan, to transparent glass igloos beneath the glowing sky of Finland, Europe has a lengthy list of captivating resorts in stunning locations. But if you’re looking for something specific, somewhere you can escape the rush and sink into your own private hideaway then you’re in luck. We’ve saved you the trouble of searching and put together some of our personal favourites for all occasions.
Asimina Suites: Adult Only Luxury
Set on the sands of Kato Paphos in Cyprus, Asimina Suites is an all-inclusive, adult-only haven for couples seeking privacy in a secluded retreat. The hotel’s unique blend of boutique luxury and Cypriot flair leads to a distinctively laid-back vibe, helped by a blanket of manicured gardens, swaying palm trees and two gleaming swimming pools.
The private beach is only a few steps away, a veil of golden sand dotted with cabanas and sun loungers, where it’s not uncommon to set up shop, flop, drop and stop here for the majority of the day. If you’re not here, then you’re bound to be at the private open air massage area at the Elixir Spa, slipping beneath the soothing waves of specialised body treatments, or soaking the tension away in a hydrotherapy bath. For something a little more adventurous, golf enthusiasts will find four courses within a 30 minute drive from the hotel.
End your days with a romantic meal on the pier, or poolside at Estia Restaurant beneath the twinkling stars. The cuisine at Asimina Suites is a real highlight, bursting with variety from a menu primarily consisting of Mediterranean delights. If you’re a bit of a hopeless romantic, the hotel staff can organise for you both to have a meal alone on the pier in complete seclusion.
Domes of Elounda: Decadent Villas
Domes of Elounda is more akin to a small village than a hotel. Huge villas with dome shaped roofs enclose a patchwork of manicured gardens and pathways, which weave in and out of the Mediterranean style residences. Due to the presence of five swimming pools, two of which are saltwater, the resort never feels over-crowded and both families and couples will find Elounda’s facilities ideally located.
Every suite, villa and residence has its own Jacuzzi and many others feature a private swimming pool. Each suite has managed to capture the breezy and light ambiance of the coastal town, bedecked with sofa beds and stylish interiors. The highest levels of accommodation are huge. The Ultraluxe Villa 3 Bedroom is 450sqm across three floors and features a private octagon shaped bathroom. The villa is part of Domes of Elounda’s oh-so tempting Haute living section, an exclusive level of club service which offers additional facilities such as a dedicated villa manager, mobile phones, an in-villa open bar and pre-booked sun loungers.
Aman Sveti Stefan: Romantic Islet
It’s hard to believe that the benevolent stone structures at Aman Sveti Stefan were once simple fisherman’s cottages. It took four years of methodical restoration work to revive the 15th century buildings and imbue them with Aman’s unique fashion of world class service and signature minimalistic design.
Run a search for Montenegro and the odds are strong that this little islet will crop up more than just a few times. The island is synonymous with Montenegro and it’s effortlessly graceful, underpinned with a romantic vibe thanks to its breath-taking sea views and three pink pebble beaches. Elegant and understated cottages and suites retain their historical air and introduce smooth stonework, traditional Serbian furniture and vast, cosy beds. This streamlined interior design is very much a key feature of Aman properties and this is a continuing theme across the island. Even the open-air piazza, the nerve centre of the village, is breezy and convivial – seamlessly integrating various dining venues into its makeup.
Activities are primarily based around water excursions, on romantic boat rides surging through the waves to secluded bays, or kayaking on Lake Skadar. Other adventures will lead you to historical Budva’s winding alleys or the UNESCO Heritage protected town of Kotor.
Castello di Casole: Room for all the Family
To say that Castello Di Casole is a large resort would be an understatement. The castle, which is surrounded by 4,200 acres of private land on a prominent hilltop, is more like a grand estate, with vineyards, orchards, olive trees and countryside looking in from afar. Castello di Casole blends old-world Tuscan charm with a more modern boutique feel, resulting in a cross breed of regal sensibilities and luxury facilities.
Elegant townhouses, suites and restored villas show a versatility to the room types that proves ideal for families and couples alike. No suite or room is the same and each has its own character that stems from its architecture and design. The Farmhouse, Three Bedroom Villa, Two Bedroom Villa and the Bargagli Suites are all perfect for families, with an abundance of space and separate rooms to offer additional privacy. The 4 Bedroom Farmhouse is a particular favourite of ours for its liberating spacious design and large swimming pool.
Experience the soothing therapies of Essere Spa, while your children get their hands mucky searching for treasure or making their own Tuscany style pizza pie. Children can also venture out to a nearby chocolate factory and try chocolates of all variation and tastes at the fragrance facility, but be warned, they may not want to leave once they have been.
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort: Comfort for Northern Lights
Right on the edge of the Finnish wilderness, Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is very much off the beaten path and something undoubtedly different. This is home to the famous glass igloos that fully reveal the twinkling stars in the pitch black night sky, with their reclining cinema-style loungers for the best views of the northern lights. The igloos can be booked as a couple, as a small family, or even as a group of friends and are available to book from around the 20th of August until the end of April when the northern lights season is in full swing.
Kakslauttanen has also introduced a new level of luxury accommodation which is a homely log cabin book ended by a glass igloo so you don’t need to leave the spacious, warm comforts of your own home to see the stars and northern lights in their full glory. We highly recommend you book in advance though, as they are sure to fill up quick!
Blanketed in a veil of snow, slashed by filtered sunlight through the slanting Arctic trees, the immediate impression is one of peace and quiet. The landscape is peppered with log cabins made from dead standing pine, wood that is kept whole so it looks more like a tree than a plank of timber. Push a little further away from the resort however and you will find the ski slopes and reindeer farms. Bear Grylls imitators can test their mettle in a real survival training situation, the curious can drift out on snow safaris or mountain biking, while the sedentary can simply relax in the world’s largest smoke sauna. Families will also find a whole heap of activities to keep them busy, but we just know your little ones would love to visit Santa in his magical log cabin.
