Short stories
Don't want to spend hours or even days of your precious honeymoon travelling? We hear you! Check out these incredible short-haul destinations
Domaine Des Etangs, Massignac, South West France
Escape to rural France for a minimoon in a French castle, complete with an on-site art gallery, Michelin-starred restaurant, a floating lakeside tennis court and vintage cars to explore the 2,500-acre private estate. At the heart of the property lies a fully renovated 11th-century chateau, which boasts incredible interior design and numerous pieces of contemporary art from Matisse to Picasso. Foodies will love the bespoke dining options, from woodland picnics to dinner in the wine cellar. Visit www.domainedesetangs.com
Escape to rural France for a minimoon in a French castle, complete with an on-site art gallery, Michelin-starred restaurant, a floating lakeside tennis court and vintage cars to explore the 2,500-acre private estate. At the heart of the property lies a fully renovated 11th-century chateau, which boasts incredible interior design and numerous pieces of contemporary art from Matisse to Picasso. Foodies will love the bespoke dining options, from woodland picnics to dinner in the wine cellar. Visit www.domainedesetangs.com
Monastero Santa Rosa, Amalfi Coast, Italy
This spectacular former monastery has been transformed into 20 sea-view rooms and suites, which are suspended over a cliff edge. Hidden away on Italy's iconic Amalfi Coast, the hotel is home to the finest spa in the region and a Michelin-starred restaurant. Honeymooners can while away the hours between the incredible heated infinity pool, the stunning landscaped gardens and glorious historic spaces. Visit www.monasterosantarosa.com
This spectacular former monastery has been transformed into 20 sea-view rooms and suites, which are suspended over a cliff edge. Hidden away on Italy's iconic Amalfi Coast, the hotel is home to the finest spa in the region and a Michelin-starred restaurant. Honeymooners can while away the hours between the incredible heated infinity pool, the stunning landscaped gardens and glorious historic spaces. Visit www.monasterosantarosa.com
Kalesma, Ornos Bay, Mykonos
Set to elevate the island to new heights, Kalesma is a new luxury hotel opening in 2020. Kalesma means inviting in Greek, a name that is perfectly suited to the boutique property's ethos. The whitewashed collection of houses has been designed to resemble a charming local village, tumbling down a slope to Ornos Bay and the beach. Newlyweds will enjoy spectacular sea views, a private pool and the services of the hotel's private experience managers to help them discover the island's hidden gems. Visit www.kalesmamykonos.com
Set to elevate the island to new heights, Kalesma is a new luxury hotel opening in 2020. Kalesma means inviting in Greek, a name that is perfectly suited to the boutique property's ethos. The whitewashed collection of houses has been designed to resemble a charming local village, tumbling down a slope to Ornos Bay and the beach. Newlyweds will enjoy spectacular sea views, a private pool and the services of the hotel's private experience managers to help them discover the island's hidden gems. Visit www.kalesmamykonos.com
Sant Francesc, Palma, Mallorca
Situated in the heart of the historic city, Sant Francesc offers the perfect base for an exceptional city break. The five-star boutique hotel has been lovingly transformed from a Neoclassical Mallorcan mansion and houses 42 elegant rooms and suites, three restaurants and bars and a fitness and wellbeing centre. Minimooners can discover the romantic cobbled streets of Palma, before relaxing – cocktail-in-hand – on the panoramic rooftop terrace with its glistening pool. Visit www.hotelsantfrancesc.com
Situated in the heart of the historic city, Sant Francesc offers the perfect base for an exceptional city break. The five-star boutique hotel has been lovingly transformed from a Neoclassical Mallorcan mansion and houses 42 elegant rooms and suites, three restaurants and bars and a fitness and wellbeing centre. Minimooners can discover the romantic cobbled streets of Palma, before relaxing – cocktail-in-hand – on the panoramic rooftop terrace with its glistening pool. Visit www.hotelsantfrancesc.com
Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa, France
One of the world's great wine regions took on a new dimension with the launch of Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa in 2018. Set among the vineyards, the boutique hotel is the destination's first contemporary-designed luxury hotel, which embraces the lush bounty of the wineries and surrounding UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inspired by nature and the cultural heritage of the region, the design favours natural materials and a Champagne theme runs throughout, all creating a feast for the senses. Visit www.royalchampagne.com
One of the world's great wine regions took on a new dimension with the launch of Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa in 2018. Set among the vineyards, the boutique hotel is the destination's first contemporary-designed luxury hotel, which embraces the lush bounty of the wineries and surrounding UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inspired by nature and the cultural heritage of the region, the design favours natural materials and a Champagne theme runs throughout, all creating a feast for the senses. Visit www.royalchampagne.com
Finca Cortesin, Andalusia, Spain
This is one of the finest romantic boltholes in Europe. Spanning 532 acres, it comprises an award-winning all-suite hotel, contemporary villas, a championship golf course, outstanding spa and sports facilities, exclusive shopping area and beach club. Located in one of the most tranquil and sought-after enclaves of the Andalusian coast, it's ideal for a couple's holiday. We love that most of the items found in the suite can be purchased as a memento. Visit www.fincacortesin.com
This is one of the finest romantic boltholes in Europe. Spanning 532 acres, it comprises an award-winning all-suite hotel, contemporary villas, a championship golf course, outstanding spa and sports facilities, exclusive shopping area and beach club. Located in one of the most tranquil and sought-after enclaves of the Andalusian coast, it's ideal for a couple's holiday. We love that most of the items found in the suite can be purchased as a memento. Visit www.fincacortesin.com
Six Senses, Duoro Valley, Portugal
Newlyweds staying here will find delicious local cuisine, high-spec interiors and an outstanding spa in the heart of Portugal's wine region. For the ultimate in romance, you can book the Vineyard Garden Suite, the highlight of which is an expansive terrace with a hot tub, day bed and dining area with spectacular views. You can even curate your own mini bar stock ahead of arrival and taste delights from the state-of-the-art wine fridge. Visit www.sixsenses.com
Newlyweds staying here will find delicious local cuisine, high-spec interiors and an outstanding spa in the heart of Portugal's wine region. For the ultimate in romance, you can book the Vineyard Garden Suite, the highlight of which is an expansive terrace with a hot tub, day bed and dining area with spectacular views. You can even curate your own mini bar stock ahead of arrival and taste delights from the state-of-the-art wine fridge. Visit www.sixsenses.com
Almyra, Cyprus
A symbol of cool, contemporary Cyprus, Almyra offers a laid-back and elegant take on Mediterranean luxury after its multi-million-euro refurbishment. Occupying eight acres of landscaped gardens on Paphos' seafront, couples can book one of the signature seafront villas to hear the gentle lapping of the waves outside. For those who can drag themselves away from their room, there's the tempting adults-only Almyraspa pool. Visit www.almyra.com
A symbol of cool, contemporary Cyprus, Almyra offers a laid-back and elegant take on Mediterranean luxury after its multi-million-euro refurbishment. Occupying eight acres of landscaped gardens on Paphos' seafront, couples can book one of the signature seafront villas to hear the gentle lapping of the waves outside. For those who can drag themselves away from their room, there's the tempting adults-only Almyraspa pool. Visit www.almyra.com
Suvretta House, St. Moritz, Switzerland
Emerging from the trees of the Upper Engandine Mountains as if from the pages of a fairytale, the impressive turrets and Belle Époque exterior of Suvretta House stand out against the rugged landscape. Known as the Grand Dame of the Mountains, it gives couples the chance to snuggle up in the snow on a romantic alpine break in one of Switzerland's finest hotels. Why not indulge in its wonderful activities from ice-skating under the stars to a champagne carriage ride into the mountains. Visit www.suvrettahouse.ch
Emerging from the trees of the Upper Engandine Mountains as if from the pages of a fairytale, the impressive turrets and Belle Époque exterior of Suvretta House stand out against the rugged landscape. Known as the Grand Dame of the Mountains, it gives couples the chance to snuggle up in the snow on a romantic alpine break in one of Switzerland's finest hotels. Why not indulge in its wonderful activities from ice-skating under the stars to a champagne carriage ride into the mountains. Visit www.suvrettahouse.ch
Gleneagles, Scotland
Want something a little more action-packed? The Gleneagles Hotel is the perfect spot to enjoy a range of country pursuits in this glorious playground. Think horse riding, falconry, off-road driving, clay-pigeon shooting and couple's golf. Its new adventure hub, Trail Yard, is ideally placed for outdoor adventures and for getting equipment and advice. Later, you can cosy up by the hotel's roaring log fire before an evening of glamour and fine dining. Visit www.gleneagles.com
Want something a little more action-packed? The Gleneagles Hotel is the perfect spot to enjoy a range of country pursuits in this glorious playground. Think horse riding, falconry, off-road driving, clay-pigeon shooting and couple's golf. Its new adventure hub, Trail Yard, is ideally placed for outdoor adventures and for getting equipment and advice. Later, you can cosy up by the hotel's roaring log fire before an evening of glamour and fine dining. Visit www.gleneagles.com
