Love is in the air: 5 of the most romantic hotels in the world

Banyan Tree Samui, Thailand

Nestled in a series of cascading terraces on a private hill cove on the south-eastern coast of Koh Samui, couples staying at the luxury beach resort of Banyan Tree Samui this Valentine’s Day are invited to give back to the planet by immersing themselves in special spiritual rituals, whilst supporting the local community. Couples are invited to join in an alms-giving tradition followed by the ‘Su Khwan’ ceremony (or ‘calling of the soul’). This gives couples the opportunity to receive spiritual wishes of good luck and fortune as a monk ties a white thread around their wrist.

Sir Richard Branson's Makepeace Island, Australia

For starters, it's heart-shaped! For seconds, the Australian home of Sir Richard Branson is a sanctuary of romantic seclusion upstream from Noosa on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Accommodating up to 22 guests across three lavish two-bedroom villas, Makepeace offers a unique fusion of luxury, nature and authentic Balinese design, creating an idyllic place to escape and unwind. The resort features an impressive swimming pool, restaurants overlooking the canals surrounding the island, and tennis courts. Guests can enjoy food and wine tastings, as well as a sunset cruise.

Hotel Wailea, Maui, Hawaii

Hawaii's only Relais & Châteaux property, this romantic sanctuary is set on of Zen-inspired landscaped grounds comprised of tropical gardens, cascading waterfalls and winding pathways, and comes with views of three islands. Designed specifically for couples seeking relaxation away from the beachfront crowds, its 72 rooms are huge, with deep soaking tubs made for two, open-air showers, and private lanais. Guests get to enjoy award-winning food and wine, picnic baskets can be ordered for lunch on Wailea Beach and massages (for two) are performed in a streamside gazebo.

Ladera Resort, St. Lucia

Situated on St Lucia's only UNESCO Heritage site, Ladera is designed to make the most of its pride of place – each of its 32 suites have just three walls to allow guests breathtaking views of the Caribbean island's famous Piton mountains, while their orientation ensures absolute privacy. Private plunge pools overlook the tropical rainforest, and the property has on on-staff "romance concierge" to schedule aphrodisiac cocktail-concocting classes and "massage your mate" spa treatments.

Rosewood Mayakoba, Riviera Maya, Mexico

Each of this resort's 130 stand-alone suites include just about every fancy amenity you could wish for: a rooftop sundeck, boat dock, private plunge pool, personal butler, so no doubt Princess Beatrice, her boyfriend Dave Clark and Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis had a wonderful time when they stayed here for a friend's wedding last year. They also got to enjoy beach or lagoon views, and maybe even a massage for him and her at the island-set spa...