Top 10 Most Romantic Hotels

The One & Only Ocean Club



Where: Paradise Island, the Bahamas

For who: The self-indulgent; beach bunnies

Why it’s romantic: You’ll find warm breezes, sand and sea, plus luxury spa treatments for two here. A couples package currently offered includes accommodation, breakfast, a 110-minute massage treatment, plus a nighttime “bathing ritual” in your room during which masseurs scrub your feet and draw a bath for two.



Clayoquot Wilderness Resorts and Spa



Where: Vancouver Island, British Columbia

For who: Nature lovers

Why it’s romantic: This spot is all about luxury in the wild woods. Helicopter into the pristine Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve; enjoy hiking, kayaking and horseback riding or spot whales and bears with a naturalist guide; then relax in front of a towering stone fireplace or in one of the white canvas guest tents appointed with antique dressers, queen-sized beds and down duvets.



The Plaza Athenée



Where: Paris

For who: Foodies, shoppers

Why it’s romantic: This is classic Paris at its most glitzy. Venture here and see and be seen on Avenue Montaigne, the last word in luxury shopping with Chanel, Christian Dior and Gucci among the many boutiques. When you get tired of high fashion and spotting the celebrities who frequent the area (Katie Holmes was recently spied at Armani and Sex in the City filmed at the hotel) stroll hand-in-hand across the Seine. Starred chef Alain Ducasse oversees the hotel’s five restaurants.



Scottsdale Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch



Where: The Sonoran Desert (near Scottsdale, Ariz.)

For who: Golfers, tennis players, stargazers

Why it’s romantic: Private lakeside casitas overlooking the Sonora mountains have rooftop decks for prime stargazing. The spa is offering a couples’ Valentine’s special that includes two-and-a-half hours of foot and body massages and facials. The more active can enjoy top-notch golf and tennis facilities.


Little Palm Island Resort and Spa



Where: The Florida Keys

For who: Sun and sea worshippers; privacy-seekers

Why it’s romantic: It’s a private island. Suites have outdoor showers and king-size beds. The turndown service that comes with the Romance Package includes candles throughout the suite, Taittinger champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries and a hot bath with rose petals and body oils.



Amanjiwo



Where: Central Java, Indonesia

For who: Adventurous culture and history buffs

Why it’s romantic: The resort overlooks Borobudur, the ninth-century Buddhist sanctuary. Rice paddies and distant volcanoes complete the landscape. Couples looking for something special should book the Dalem Jiwo suite, which has a private 15-meter infinity pool and a personal butler on call around the clock.



Hotel Savoy



Where: Florence, Italy

For who: Art lovers, café loungers

Why it’s romantic: Stay here and you’ll step out your door into the heart of Renaissance Italy. The concierges recommend a horse and carriage ride around the old city; many an alleyway turns up fantastic Tuscan cuisine. A Valentine’s day special includes a four-course dinner in the hotel’s L’Incontro restaurant overlooking the Piazza della Repubblica, and a champagne breakfast in your room.


The London NYC



Where: New York City

For who: theater-goers; urbanites

Why it’s romantic: You’ll find bright lights, big city and cutting-edge interior design here. Walk to Broadway, the Museum of Modern Art, Central Park. A Valentine’s Day package includes a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Rosé; dinner is by Scottish-born Michelin chef Gordon Ramsay. Concierge service from Quintessentially satisfies whimsical requests for last-minute theater tickets, elusive restaurant reservations and charter jets.


Hotel Astoria



Where: St. Petersburg, Russia

For who: Art and literature fans

Why it’s romantic: Snow falling on history. Take a troika ride through the parks of the czar’s palaces, stroll to the Hermitage Museum or walk in the footsteps of Pushkin and Dostoevsky. A three-night Valentine’s package includes breakfast, entrance to the Hermitage, a city tour and a massage. Vodka additional.


The Blantyre



Where: Lenox, Massachusetts

For who: Traditionalists

Why it’s romantic: It’s a castle, replete with turrets and gargoyles, set on a sprawling estate in the Berkshires. Rooms are unique--try the Maplehurst, located in the estate’s old carriage house and featuring a bathtub and four-poster king-sized bed. Gentlemen, jackets and ties are required for dinner, which will be superb French cuisine.


By Elisabeth Eaves

Unusual Restaurants In The World

Fat Duck

Bray, England

www.fatduck.co.uk



The current tasting menu at Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck includes nitro-green tea and lime mousse (shown here) as well as snail porridge, salmon poached with licorice and mango and Douglas fir puree. Blumenthal’s latest book, In Search of Perfection, inspired a television series of the same name currently airing on Britain’s BBC 2.



Ninja

New York

www.ninjanewyork.com



While patrons work their way through the tasting menu at this Japanese restaurant, servers dressed as ninjas perform magic alongside their tables. Expect to spend quite a bit on the sushi--but realize you’re really paying for the entertainment.


Dans Le Noir (In the Dark)

Paris

London

Moscow

www.danslenoir.com/



Dans Le Noir founders Edouard de Broglie and Etienne Boisrond believe that the act of consuming food becomes more satisfying when you're relying on senses other than sight, and they hired a primarily blind and visually-impaired staff to prove their point. Does the food at Dans Le Noir really taste all the better for it? Book a table at one of their three locations--Paris, London or Moscow--to find out.



WD-50

New York

www.wd-50.com



Chef Wylie Dufresne cut his teeth at Jean Georges as sous chef and then at Prime in The Bellagio, Las Vegas, as chef de cuisine before opening WD-50 in New York City’s Lower East Side. His dishes, such as butternut squash sorbet with coffee soil and basil (shown here), are adventurous. And at $105, the nine-course tasting menu is one of the most reasonably priced in the city.



El Bulli

Costa Brava, Spain

www.elbulli.com



El Bulli's head chef Ferran Adrià Acosta is a scientist with the passion of an artisan. That's why Adrià closes for six months every year to dream up all sorts of new and nearly unbelievable dishes (such as the artful beet-based sorbet shown here) in his "El Taller" laboratory. El Bulli’s dynamic menu earned it the title of 2006’s Number One Restaurant in the World, according to Restaurant magazine.



Ice Hotel Restaurant
Sverige, Sweden

www.icehotel.com



The main restaurant of the famed Ice Hotel chain is, oddly enough, not made of ice. But they do serve meals on plates made from the ice of the Torne River, which borders Sweden and Finland. Elk and reindeer appear frequently on the restaurant’s winter menu.




Linger Lodge

Bradenton, Fla.

www.lingerlodgeresort.com/restaurant.htm



Chunk of Skunk? Road Toad Al A Mode? Yes, these are some of the offerings on the road grill menu at the Linger Lodge Restaurant. If you’d rather refrain from snacking on snake or sparrow, there’s a traditional menu with classic southern favorites such as Good Ol' Fashioned Catfish and Old-Florida-Style Fried Chicken.




Dinner In The Sky

Brussels, Belgium

www.dinnerinthesky.com



Call it a floating restaurant if you will--patrons who dine at Dinner in the Sky are suspended by a crane in midair while feasting on the executive chef’s specialized gourmet menu. Based in Brussels, Dinner in the Sky now brings its table to cities throughout Europe.




Annalakshmi

India

Malaysia

Singapore

Perth, Australia

www.annalakshmi.com.au



The typical Indian fare at this restaurant isn’t shocking, but your bill may come as a bit of a surprise. The Annalakshmi mission is "eat as you like and pay as you feel," which means there are no set menu prices. One dollar or $100--it’s your choice. You might be inclined to leave a hefty tip for the staff, however--they’re employed on a volunteer basis only.




Moto

Chicago

www.motorestaurant.com



From edible menus (above right) to patent-pending edible advertisements (the details of which are being kept under wraps), chef Homaro Cantu is taking the science of cooking to another level at culinary laboratory Moto. The “nachos and cheese” dish (left) is actually more sweet than savory: the “tortilla chips” are a mix of Mexican sweet corn and flan, the “ground beef” is a grainy Mexican chocolate and the “Monterey jack” is grated Mexican mango spiked with liquid nitrogen that allows it to melt when sprinkled on your plate.



By Lauren Sherman

What $1 Milion can buy in Homes Area

Atlanta
$1.05 million



A million dollars will get you far in Atlanta. This two-story brick manse has six bedrooms, six bathrooms, three fireplaces and a gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances. The interior boasts 10-foot ceilings, and the master bathroom includes both a garden tub and whirlpool. Outside, the property rests on a third of an acre and has a three-car garage and a backyard deck.

For more information, contact Jenny Pruitt and Associates.


Buenos Aires, Argentina
$1.1 million



This 7,500-square-foot home on just over one-half acre features four bedrooms, including a master suite with a dressing room and a bathroom with a whirlpool tub. The garden boasts a large veranda, in-ground pool and covered barbeque area.

For more information, please contact Reynolds Propiedades Argentina Real Estate.


Chicago
$1.095 million



Located in the historic Lakewood/Balmoral neighborhood of Chicago, this recently renovated townhome includes four bedrooms and three bathrooms. The large downstairs family room opens to a cedar deck and backyard with a gas barbeque hookup and a two-car garage. The kitchen has professional appliances and the entire first floor has been outfitted with radiant heat to offset those cold Windy City winters.

For more information, contact Scott Rife at Rubloff.



San Jose de Pinilla, Costa Rica
$1 million



This Spanish Colonial-inspired home sits on a half-acre within the Reserva de Golf beach community in the Guanacaste region of the country. It has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a solarium and spacious kitchen as well as maid’s and guest rooms and an outdoor pool.

For more information, contact Nicholas P. Viale at Century 21 Coastal Estates.



Johannesburg, South Africa
$1 million



This contemporary masterpiece boasts four bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms, as well as a massive chef’s kitchen and expansive, covered patio for outdoor entertaining. Health nuts will find much to keep them occupied in the gym room while the busy executive can hunker down in the home office.

For more information, please contact Jayke Meneses at Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty.



London
$1 milion



The dollar may be weak compared with the pound, but with a million of them, you can buy a two-bedroom, one-bathroom, second-floor apartment in this stately Victorian building in Belsize Village, a neighborhood filled with restaurants and shops just northwest of downtown London.

For more information, contact Pip Quinton at Knight Frank.



Los Angeles
$1.07 million



Built in 1891, this Queen Anne Victorian is a California historical cultural landmark dubbed the Ernest Wood House. Three stories, with wood-carved stairway railings, the 2,880-square-foot home has five bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, hardwood floors, a formal dining room and five fireplaces. Outside, a covered wrap-around porch looks out on the landscaped yards and gardens of this 13,000-square-foot lot, which includes a backyard gazebo.

For more information contact Sharon Dwyer at Sotheby’s International Realty, Sunset Strip Brokerage.



New York
$1.05 million



Though only 794 square feet, this midtown apartment has sweeping views of downtown Manhattan, the Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty through its floor-to-ceiling windows. The one-bedroom, one-bathroom space is in the Orion building, which has a health club, 60-foot lap pool, Jacuzzis, saunas, a screening room, onsite concierge service and free breakfast for residents.

For more information, contact Jason Kay at Corcoran.



Paris
$1 million



Located in the 20th arrondissement of Nation, this three-level townhouse on a quiet lane features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, living and dining rooms and a study, which faces a 260-square-foot private garden. There is also a wine cellar for oenophiles to store their Loire Valley bottles.

For more information, contact www.rentcom.info.



Rome
$1 million




Boasting beamed wooden ceilings, a living room, two bedrooms and two bathrooms, this restored apartment is on the third floor of the medieval building, pictured, in Via San Cosimato, which is close to the Piazza San Maria in Trastevere.

For more information, contact Studio Fori Real Estate.


Sydney
$1.15 million



Designed to take advantage of its position on Sydney Harbor, this three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment has expansive views from its north-facing balcony. Set in the Jacksons Landing waterfront, the apartment has a gourmet kitchen with marble floors and stainless steel appliances, two parking spaces, walk-in closets in all bedrooms and access to tennis courts, a pool, a gym and nearby harborside parks.

For more information contact Wayne Walter at McGrath Estate Agents.



Tel Aviv, Israel
$1.2 million



Not only does this immaculately kept penthouse offer stunning sea views and a spacious outdoor deck, but living areas are suitable for entertaining and five bedrooms.

For more information, please contact Ilana Biton at Anglo-Saxon Real Estate.


Tokyo
$1.1 million



This 1,700-square-foot, four-bedroom home is located in the Megoro-Ku section of the city, which offers fine dining and shopping, as well as quiet residential areas. It has parking for two cars and a traditional Tatami, or meditation, room.

For more information, contact Plaza Homes, Ltd.

Toronto
$1.2 million



A two-bedroom, three-bathroom condo is one of 45 custom-designed apartment in this elegant building that offers residents an indoor pool and fitness center, formal gardens, a billiards room and a library that can be used for entertaining.

For more information, contact Harvey Kalles Real Estate.


By Kerry A. Dolan
Expensive Stuff

Hottest Star Hideaways

Anguilla



The Scene: Best known as the island where Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt took their "break-up vacation," Anguilla's top-notch resorts and 33 pristine beaches attract both celebrities and well-heeled businessmen in droves, especially over the December holidays. Local hangouts include Johnno's Beach Stop, with daily live music, and Uncle Ernie's barbecue joint at Shoal Bay, where fresh fish is barbecued right at the beach.

Hot Hotels: Cap Juluca, The St. Regis, Altamer, and Cerulean, a private villa for rent

Spotted: Robert DeNiro, Denzel Washington, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Donatella Versace, Kevin Kline, Janet Jackson, Liam Neeson



Aspen, Colo.



The Scene: Come winter, celebrities and politicos are as plentiful as snowflakes in Aspen, where the first-class slopes and shopping are outdone only by après ski at The Little Nell, Hotel Jerome's J-Bar or dinner at Provençale hot-spot Cache Cache.

Hot Hotels: Hotel Jerome, The Little Nell, The Sky Hotel, The St. Regis

Spotted: Mischa Barton, Jack Nicholson, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Clinton, Mariah Carey, Elle McPherson, Beyoncé, Will Smith, Rosie O'Donnell, Christie Brinkley, Al and Tipper Gore, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas


Bora Bora



The Scene: This French Polynesian island is popular with celebrities because of its remote location (nearby Tahiti is more easily accessible, and therefore less celebrity-friendly). Bloody Marys, a local restaurant where the fresh fish of the day are displayed on ice and guests take their pick, is popular with local islanders as well as visiting celebs. Charlize Theron, Sharon Stone and others have stayed at Le Méridien Bora Bora, where glass-bottomed floors provide views of exotic fish.

Hot Hotels: Le Méridien, The St. Regis

Spotted: Eva Longoria and Tony Parker, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, Vin Diesel, Chelsea Clinton



The Cayman Islands



The Scene: The Cayman, as they are sometimes called, made a splash last December with the opening of a brand-new Ritz-Carlton. Orlando Bloom is rumored to be looking to buy property here, and celebrities such as Sheryl Crow come to scuba dive (Divetech is a popular place for lessons). Deckers, a Caribbean restaurant with a British double-decker bus stationed outside, is the place to go for a casual dinner.

Hot Hotels: Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman, The Ritz-Carlton

Spotted: Katie Couric, Tiger Woods, Chloe Sevigny, Adrian Grenier




Fiji



The Scene: Though a Dec. 5 military coup has made this 300-island archipelago temporarily unsafe for travel, its wealth of natural beauty and top-tier luxury resorts have kept it a celebrity hotspot for years. Britney Spears and Kevin Federline celebrated their honeymoon at Turtle Island, a 14-villa beachfront resort where room rates start at $1,975 per night, as did Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey.

Hot Hotels: Shangri-La, Turtle Island, The Wakaya Club

Spotted: Tom Cruise



Jackson Hole, Wyo.



The Scene: Locals call it the anti-Aspen, but Jackson Hole's superb skiing and rugged mountain atmosphere draws just as A-list a mix of bankers, politicians and Hollywood stars as its Colorado neighbor. Private homes (Sandra Bullock and Harrison Ford are reported to have residences here) are the top hot-spots, but Spring Creek Ranch, located at the end of a winding road, provides the privacy that vacationing stars like Uma Thurman and Jim Carrey crave.

Hot Hotels: Amangani, The Four Seasons, Spring Creek Ranch

Spotted: Matthew McConaughey, Christie Brinkley, Ron Howard, Christina Ricci



Jamaica



The Scene: Ian Fleming wrote almost 15 of his James Bond books while living in Jamaica, and Errol Flynn set up house here in the 1940s. It’s no wonder: The island's endless beaches and top-tier golf courses help keep the celebrities coming, and today, they are a daily part of life for local islanders.

Hot Hotels: Golden Eye, Half Moon, The Ritz-Carlton, Round Hill Hotel and Villas, Royal Plantation

Spotted: Carmen Electra, Jamie Lynn Sigler, Mandy Moore, Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor, Michael Bolton, Patrick Ewing, Liev Schreiber, Lauren Hill, Gladys Night, Patti Labelle, Ralph Lauren



Miami



The Scene: There's no bad time to visit Miami, but New Year's is the best time to see some uncensored celebrity behavior. Last year, Lindsay Lohan was admitted to a Miami hospital after celebrating New Year's at nightclub Prive, and this year, Jessica Alba and Hilary and Haylie Duff will reportedly host a New Year's party at the Setai on South Beach. Nightclubs such as Mansion, Prive, Crobar and Glass, restaurants such as The Forge, and high-end hotels are the best places to rub shoulders with the glitterati.

Hot Hotels: The Delano, The Setai, The Shore Club, Villazzo Villas (luxurious private villa-hotels available for rent throughout the city)

Spotted: Derek Jeter, Jamie Foxx, Anna Kournikova, Paris Hilton, Alanis Morrisette, Jamie Lewis, Lenny Kravitz, Jay-Z


St. Barthélemy



The Scene: An exclusive retreat with a European feel, St. Barthélemy's yacht-clogged harbors and white-sand beaches are swarming with the rich, famous and beautiful. Private yachts or resort spas, such as the Molton Brown spa at Hotel St. Barth, Isle de France or the destination spa at Hôtel Ghuanahani, are your best bets for spotting stars.

Hot Hotels: Eden Rock Hotel, Hôtel Ghuanahani & Spa, Hotel St. Barth, Isle de France,

Spotted: P. Diddy, Russell Simmons, Kirsten Dunst, Hugh Jackman, Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan, Claudia Schiffer, Gisele Bundchen



St. Moritz, Switzerland



The Scene: European royals and Hollywood starlets flock to this resort in the Swiss Alps, whose population expands from 5,000 to 100,000 for the winter season. Badrutt's King's Club is the best place to seek out celebs without their winter gear on.

Hot Hotels: Badrutt's Palace, Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains, Kulm Hotel (owned by the family of Stavros Niarchos, Paris Hilton's ex-boyfriend)

Spotted: Prince Charles, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Hugh Grant, Elizabeth Hurley, George Clooney, Ivana Trump


By Sophia Banay

Best Hotel Bars in USA

No 1. The Ritz-Carlton, Boston: The Bar



Average Cost Of Martini: $13
House Champagne: Mumm Cuvee Napa Sparkling Wine, $10 per glass; Signature Champagne: The Ritz Brut Champagne, $14 per glass
Head Bartender: Bruce Kennedy
Hours Of Operation: Monday - Saturday, 11:30 A.M. - 1 A.M.; Sunday, 12 P.M. - 12 A.M.; bar menu served from 11:30 A.M. - 11:30 P.M.
Clientele: Students (usually with their parents); residents of Beacon Hill and the Back Bay on a regular basis; tourists, shoppers and hotel guests.



No 2. The Peninsula, Chicago: The Bar



Average Cost Of Martini: $13
House Champagne: Champagne Deutz, $18 per glass
Head Bartender: NA; Bar Manager: James Pierce
Hours Of Operation: Monday - Thursday, 3 P.M. - 1 A.M.; Friday, 3 P.M. - 2 A.M.; Saturday, 12 P.M. - 2 A.M.; Sunday, 12 P.M. - 1 A.M.
Clientele: Hip locals, businesspeople and hotel guests, mainly in their late 20s.



No 3. Four Seasons Hotel: Houston, Lobby Lounge



Average Cost Of Martini: $9
House Champagne: Gloria Ferrer (sparkling wine), $10 per glass, $44 per bottle; Louis Roederer (true Champagne), $16 per glass, $72 per bottle
Head Bartender: Benito Garcia
Hours Of Operation: Monday - Thursday, 4 P.M. - 12 A.M.; Friday, 4 P.M. - 1 A.M.; Saturday, 5 P.M - 1 A.M.; closed Sunday
Clientele: Business professionals and well-heeled members of the theater/opera set, as well as sports fans on game nights.




No 4. The Peninsula, Beverly Hills: The Club Bar



Average Cost Of Martini: $11
House Champagne: Veuve Clicquot
Head Bartender: Shannon Ronalds
Hours Of Operation: 12 P.M. - 1 A.M. daily
Clientele: Entertainment moguls, finance execs and local residents mingle starting at 5 P.M. for happy hour. The late-night bar crowd comes around 10:30 P.M.




No 5. Four Seasons Hotel: Miami, 14-Thirty-Five




Average Cost Of Martini: $12
House Champagne: Louis Roederer Brut Premier. Reims NV
Head Bartender: N/A Bar Manager: Gary Timmons
Hours Of Operation: 4 P.M. - 11 P.M. Sunday - Thursday; 4 P.M. - 12 A.M. Friday - Saturday
Clientele: Hotel guests (business and leisure travelers) as well as a younger crowd who comes after working out at The Sports Club/LA Miami, which is located in the same building.


No 6.The Carlyle: New York, Bemelmans Bar



Average Cost Of Martini: $13
House Champagne: Taittinger
Head Bartender: Audrey Saunders
Hours Of Operation: Monday - Saturday, 12 P.M. - 2 A.M.; Sunday, 12 P.M. - 12 A.M.
Clientele: Very eclectic and mixed--some young, some older, some celebrities, some locals--attracted by the piano music and Ludwig Bemelmans' whimsical murals

No 7. Intercontinental Mark Hopkins:San Francisco, Top of the Mark



Average Cost Of Martini: $10
House Champagne: Domaine Chandon
Head Bartender: David Major
Hours Of Operation: weekdays, 5 P.M - 12 A.M.; weekends, 4 P.M. - 1 A.M.
Clientele: Diverse crowd, mix of tourists and professionals. Primarily people in their late 20s to late 60s. Best views in town. Martinis are pretty darn good, too.


No 8. Fairmont Olympic Hotel:Seattle, The Terrace



Average Cost Of Martini: $10.50
House Champagne: Moët Chandon
Head Bartender: Michael Vezzoni
Hours Of Operation: Sunday - Thursday, 11 A.M. - 12 A.M.; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 A.M. - 1 A.M.
Clientele: Mixture of travelers/tourists and local business people. Age varies, but odds are you'll be able to tell the Microsoft employees from those who work for Boeing.


No 9.The Windsor Arms Hotel:Toronto, Club 22



Average Cost Of Martini: $7.55
House Champagne: Veuve Clicquot
Head Bartender: James Skwarek
Hours Of Operation: 12 P.M. - 2 A.M. daily
Clientele: Very eclectic mix, lots of celebs and rock stars. Some businesspeople, locals and couples. A very cool, hip place, with attractive young people and thirtysomethings.


No 10. The Hay-Adams:Washington, D.C. Off the Record Bar



Average Cost Of Martini: $11
House Champagne: Piper Sonoma
Head Bartender: John Boswell
Hours Of Operation: Sunday - Friday, 11 A.M. - 12 A.M.; Saturday, 11 A.M. - 12:30 A.M.
Clientele: a lot of White House staffers and White House press corps; primarily people in their 30s and 40s.