Most Romantic Getaways

Maui, Hawaii – the essence of romance, right? But it’s really a restaurant I’m focusing on. The Swan Court at the Hyatt Regency on Kaanapali Beach. Doesn’t that just sound romantic? My husband and I ate here when we were youngsters and it was so special and romantic, we never forgot it. The restaurant was a big splurge then, and there was no way we could have actually stayed at the hotel. Though we dreamed…Then, lucky us, we have lots of frequent flier miles. So last summer we returned to Maui for a family vacation, stayed at the Hyatt and, with more than a little trepidation, returned to the restaurant. Sometimes things don’t seem as special the second time around. But the Swan Court more than fulfilled our expectations. It was even lovelier than what you see in the picture.


As for the Hyatt itself, the lobby is rated #2 on all of Maui and it deserves the rating. (I think the Four Seasons is #1.) It’s a huge tropical space open to the outdoors. Quite unique. The hotel rooms are standard and the Kaanapali Beach itself mediocre (sad to say with a name like that), but the Hyatt is at the end of a string of hotels lining the beach with lots of restaurants and shops so there is plenty to do. At night, the whole stretch is supremely romantic with the ocean on one side, and twinkling lights and happy vacationers cuddling on the other.


Another favorite romantic getaway is the Hunstrete House near Bath, England.
A true country manor turned hotel, it is a quintessentially British country house type experience. The rooms are huge and furnished with beautiful antiques, the grounds spectacular, and the food wonderful. I almost felt like someone might curtsey to me! It’s very quiet, secluded and, well, romantic!


Finally, one of the most romantic experiences I ever had with my husband was dining at a mom and pop restaurant by the ocean on the way to the Florida Keys. It was called MacDonalds, which I only remember because it’s a family name of mine. We stopped when the endless drive to the Keys finally defeated us. We were starving. They brought us out to a deck right on the water, which swayed and murmured all around us, black as the night. The stars shone overhead. Candles flickered in the breeze. They served us plastic baskets of pink shrimp (which my husband determined were steamed in beer). We peeled the shrimp ourselves. Not a fancy place according to most definitions. But we both remember it as one of the most romantic experiences of our lives together. A perfect, starry night on the water with good food.


Which proves that serendipity, and the person you’re with, rather than money, is the key to the most romantic events!


What is your most romantic getaway? I’m always looking for good ideas!


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12 comments:

Nicole North said...

Those sound like awesome places for romance, Carly. Since I was a kid, I wanted to visit Hawaii so I must someday. England too is on my list of must-see places. My favorite romantic spot would have to be a beach, almost any beach so long as it's beautiful, warm and you're with the right person. :)

Crista said...

One of my favorite romantic getaways I've had with my husband was Lopez Farm Cottages in the San Juan Islands. We went in October when the place wasn't crowded and had the jacuzzi all to ourselves. The best part -- the whole location is designed with couples in mind; no one under 14 allowed.

Carly Carson said...

Nicole,

Most people are very fond of beach spots. I love the beach more at night, or early morning, because the sun is not my friend.

Crista,

We've never tried one of those couples only spots but I would love to. Is this San Juan Islands near Oregon or WA (East Coast girl here)?

Carly

Anne Rainey said...

Ooooh, I'd love to get away. Just the hubby and I. *sigh* Heaven.

Carol Ericson said...

Carly, we love Maui as a family getaway. And what a coincidence - we always stay next to the Hyatt at the Sheraton. It's the last hotel on that stretch and built onto Black Rock. I have to disagree with you about Kaanapali Beach though. The snorkeling next to Black Rock is fantastic! On our most recent trip to Maui last Oct., we saw a giant sea turtle when we were snorkeling there and followed him for a bit. Since my husband and I have always had the boys with us in Maui, I can't speak for its romanticism (although any tropical beach setting is great for romance). We have been to Kaui - just the two of us - and that's definitely romantic!

Carly Carson said...

Anne,

Dh and I rarely travel alone so I know what you mean.

Carol,

We've stayed at the Princeville Resort on Kaui which is very nice but somehow not as romantic to me as everyone else seems to think. But it's a beautiful island.

Carly

Terry Spear said...

US Virgin Islands are really nice too. And even S Padre Island is fun for a close getaway. We loved Hawaii also. The island of Kaui was nice because it wasn't half as crowded as the one the Hale Koa is on. But any beach is fun.

Although we had some romantic trips to ski resorts too...wood burning in the fireplace, snuggling in a jacuzzi with the snow all around. Yep. Winter fun is romantic too.

Shannon said...

I have to agree, Maui is it for me. I have been very, very lucky to have traveled all over the world, but there is something about Hawaii that gets under your skin.
When my husband and I go to Maui, the first restaurant that we stop at is Kimo's on Front street in Lahaina. It's not a fancy place, we usually get hamburgers, but being out on the deck with the salt spray and the sunset just starts our vacations off right.
Another restaurant that we like there is Alexander's Fish and Chips, also in Lahaina. It's kinda hidden, away from the touristy areas. You order through a window, they call your number and then you take your paper bowls and platic forks to communal benches and sit with all the workers and locals. I have had the most wonderful connections with people there. You really get what they mean by "the spirit of Aloha."

Carol Ericson said...

Carly, next time you go to Kaui, stay further north than Princeville - Hanalei Bay is beautiful. My sister lived on Kaui for ten years and I went there often. Not for hubby's eyes - met a hot guy there on one visit (when I was single of course) and he had a little place in Hanalei with a shower - outside! THAT was romantic.

Carly Carson said...

Terry,

That's right about the skiing. Very romantic and you get to feel virtuous after all that exercise!

Shannon,

Kimo's reminds me of the Cheeseburger Factory, in Lahaina, right on the water. Lots of funky atmosphere, though it's a chain. I love to dine on the water anywhere.

Carol,

I'm pretty sure dh and I hiked into Hanalei Bay through the rainforest. But if I have the name right, (this was 20 years ago), there was nothing there but the beach and the water. You could only get there by hiking or boating and since I was pregnant, the boats wouldn't take me. It was a long day hike. A beautiful beach. I guess it's developed now.

Carly

Martha Eskuchen said...

Hi Carly. Maui would be wonderful! My DH and I were in San Cabos Lucas in early February at the Pueblo Bonito Resort. VERY beautiful and the weather was great! Four separate pools plus the beach to walk along. Couldn't swim at that beach though...had to go to another resort if you wanted beach swimming.
And for DH and I any cruise is a chance for a romantic getaway!

Carly Carson said...

Matha,

Now that you mention cruises, I'm surprised no one else has. They can be incredibly romantic.

I've heard San Cabos Lucas is wonderful but I'm a little nervous about Mexico right now. Hmmm, you were just there. I guess you didn't have any problems.

Thanks for stopping by.

Carly