1. Cayo Espanto (Belize, Central America)

Style Private-island beach houses
Setting Caribbean coast of Ambergris Caye

True romance The island’s so small it’s virtually all beach, surrounded by clear, languid waters and fringed with lush foliage. Cayo Espanto has only six villas, so it’s perfect for canoodling couples and get-away-from-it-all escapism. But if that’s still not secluded enough, book the stilted Casa Ventana, located at the end of a private jetty jutting out from the island and surrounded by water.

Worth getting out of bed for Midnight swims, snorkelling at dawn, and doing next to nothing on the beach all afternoon. Hop over to neighbouring Ambergris Caye if you fancy a (relatively) lively night out, or scuba dive the spectacular Blue Hole.
The bottom line $995–$2,249 a villa a night, including all meals, snacks and drinks.

2. Chateau de Bagnols (Beaujolais, France)

Style Five-star castle
Setting Fairy-tale gardens

True romance Previously a chapel, Room 8 has 18th-century frescoes and a gilded four-poster bed; you will enjoy behaving like Madame de Pompadour in Room 6’s primrose-yellow damask canopy bed.

Worth getting out of bed for Arrange a wine-tasting session in the Chateau’s splendid Cuvage, then spend the rest of the afternoon wandering the castle’s cherry orchards and yew-tree avenues.
The bottom line €445–€915 a night; Lady Hamlyn Apartment, €2,500. Breakfast, from €32.

3. Amankora (Kingdom of Bhutan)

Style Himalayan pilgrimage
Setting Cloud-capped mountains

True romance The landlocked Kingdom of Bhutan is barely touched by tourism – it’s one of the planet’s least visited, most exclusive travel destinations, with spectacular, spirit-soothing mountain landscapes wreathed in mist.

Worth getting out of bed for From Amankora Thimpu, it’s a short journey to Bhutan’s capital. If sightseeing isn’t your thing, there are spa rituals in spades on offer at each of the lodges, as well as yoga and meditation.
The bottom line From $1,050 a night, including all meals and drinks.

4. Residenza Napoleone III (Rome, Italy)

Style Super-luxe palazzo
Setting Fashionable Via Condotti

True romance Pay homage to the original romantics at the Keats-Shelley House, a tiny, enchanting museum on the Spanish Steps.

Worth getting out of bed for Go for a walk – romantic Rome is the world’s greatest outdoor museum, where every Baroque building, classical column and rococo statue is a top-notch exhibit. Stroll along to the Trevi Fountain and throw in three coins to guarantee many happy returns.
The bottom line €730–€1,400 a night.

5. Bon Ton Restaurant & Resort (Langkawi, Malaysia)

Style Authentic Malayan rustic
Setting Langkawi lagoon village

True romance Sit on the deck of Chin Chin lounge bar, set in an atmospheric old Chinese shop house, and sip Short Island Iced Teas while you watch a rust-coloured sun sink over the lagoon and past the horizon.

Worth getting out of bed for Wriggle your toes into the 2km-long crescent of pale sand at Pantai Cenang beach, a five-minute stroll away (although there’s a huge lounger-flanked pool to flop by at Bon Ton if walking’s a bit of a strain). Splash out and charter Kanangra, Bon Ton’s beautiful 60-foot vintage motor cruiser, for a private trip around Langkawi’s 100-odd islets.
The bottom line $75–$180 a night, depending on size of house.

6. Sri Panwa (Phuket, Thailand)

Style Tropical, tranquil villas with a view
Setting Forest coasts of Phuket

True romance Sri Panwa’s Pool Villas have more private facilities than you can shake a Heidi Klein bikini at: a sun deck, infinity pool, alfresco terrazzo tub for two, kitchenette and home-cinema system mean that – if you only have eyes for your lover – you never have to see another soul.

Worth getting out of bed for Charter a vessel from Sri Panwa’s private boat fleet for a day of waterskiing, sailing or cruising the Andaman Sea, or, if that sounds like a bit of an effort, slope off to the Sai spa for some well-earned post-wedding pampering.
The bottom line In low season, from $435; in high season, from $580, room only.

7. Esencia (Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico)

Style Less-is-more luxe
Setting Tropical Caribbean seaside

True romance Have a couples’ treatment in the Aroma Spa, or, if you’re feeling at one with the universe, celebrate life with a Full Moon Prehispanic Ritual. This ancestral ceremony takes place on the beach and involves a temazcal, playing the shells, and ‘showering in the sea’.

Worth getting out of bed for Budding Cousteaus will want to explore the underwater world (Esencia has its own scuba-diving instructors). Inland, there are incredible Mayan temples to tempt you away from the pristine white beach.
The bottom line $525–$2,800 a night.

8. The Millhouse (County Meath, Ireland)

Style Romantic Georgian manor
Setting Banks of the Boyne

True romance The Snowdrift suite has an off-white four-poster with billowing white drapes and dreamy views across lush turf beribboned with the silvery waters of the river Boyne.

Worth getting out of bed for Get your sweetheart’s heart rate soaring with a hot-air balloon flight above the ruins of Trim Castle – contact Irish Balloon Flights.
The bottom line €200–€240 a night, including breakfast, VAT and service.

9. Cotton House (Mustique , Caribbean)

Style Coral-stone colonial
Setting The champagne set’s private island

True romance Fine French cuisine, private beaches, manicured grounds, teak sunloungers, perfect weather… are you nearly there yet?

Worth getting out of bed for Ask Cotton House to organise a luxury picnic: they’ll get a speedboat to zip you out to the remote Tobago Cays, then serve you caviar and chilled Krug under a palm tree for two. Collecting shells and pretending to be Ursula Andress optional.
The bottom line $520–$3,680 room only.

10. Constance Le Prince Maurice (Mauritius, Indian ocean)

Style The spice of life
Setting Tradition with a five-star sheen

True romance Dine on fresh-from-the-sea fish at Le Barachois. If you feel as though you’re floating, it’s not just because you’re on honeymoon: the restaurant sits on pontoons and bobs like a lily over the lagoon.

Worth getting out of bed for Snorkel or dive on the lagoon’s coral reef, teeming with Technicolor marine life. Most watersports are free: try windsufing, kayaking or sailing from the beach.
The bottom line Junior Suites: €436–€1,306. Senior Suites: €930–€2,910. Princely Suite: €9,000–€24,000.