Luxury Gay Couples Retreats

January is often the worst month of the year. The festive season is over, you’ve over-indulged and another year has flown by. Ouch. The desire for sunnier climes is more pronounced than usual.

Portugal is a great choice for a couples vacation in January. The weather is temperate but not scorching. The faded glamour of Lisbon is instantly charming, the food scene is excellent and your money goes much further here than London or Paris. Combining Lisbon with a trip to Sintra and Porto is the best way to optimise your experience of Portugal.

A couples vacation to Key West is always a good bet in February. It’s quieter so the streets won’t be flooded – shrieking kids can really put a dampener on a romantic trip. Key West is, needless to stay, one of the best destinations in America for gay travellers.

You can stay in a charming boutique hotel, unwind on the beaches and enjoy the cultural atmosphere that inspired the likes of Ernest Hemmingway and Tennessee Williams. Sunset Keys Cottages is one of the best luxury properties for a romantic trip. It’s located on a private island just a mile from the coast of Key West.

If you’re looking to seriously impress your significant other, Lake Garda and Lake Como is the way to go. You’ll be visiting – arguably! – the most romantic parts of Italy. The Lombardy region is surrounded by great natural beauty. It’s also home to some of Europe’s most charming luxury hotels. On this itinerary, you’ll experience two of the very best: Grand Hotel Tremezzo and Villa Cortine.

Japan’s cherry blossoms are in full bloom in spring. Take a boat tour through Kyoto and see a stunning sea of pink-purple blossoms. The cherry blossoms tend to bloom by the end of March. April will be the optimal time to see them in all their glory. Your partner is guaranteed to be impressed.

You could combine Kyoto with the bright lights and vast skyscrapers of Tokyo. Japan is packed with culture and it boasts a fascinating and highly unique history. Until WW2, Japan was never conquered. It’s culture evolved throughout the centuries, rarely influenced by outside forces.

Croatia is an increasingly popular destination and it’s ideal for a couples vacation. Much of Game of Thrones was filmed in Dubrovnik, so it may look a little uncanny when you arrive. It can also be very crowded. Going to Croatia in May is a great choice for a romantic trip. It’s less busy and the weather will be excellent. You can wander the narrow streets of Dubrovnik, enjoy its charming beach and maybe indulge in a spot of Croatian island hopping. It’s also a great choice for foodies.

French Polynesia is one of the most romantic places in the world. It’s an authentic, unspoiled tropical paradise. You’ll find the softest sands and the bluest waters on the planet. It’s also very gay-friendly. French Polynesia is home to The Brando, one of the finest luxury hotels. Staying in an overwater bungalow in this part of the world is one of the major bucket list experiences. It’s also impossibly romantic.

If you’d like a sunny, all-inclusive getaway, Cancun is a great choice. The weather will be excellent in July. The Hotel Zone is, sure enough, where all the hotels are. There are countless hotels to choose from in Cancun. You can eat, drink, swim and unwind on the beach – sometimes that’s all you really need. For a culture fix, head to Chichen Itza and prepare to be dazzled by the ruins of the Mayan civilisation that dominated what is now Mexico before the arrival of the conquistadors.

The French Riviera is synonymous with glamour. It’s comprised of Monte Carlo, Cannes, Monaco and Nice – the word “bouji” comes to mind. The French Riviera has long been a stomping ground for the European elite. Driving from Nice to Monte Carlo, you’ll find many charming medieval villages and marinas. Many grand yachts bobbing in the harbours. The French Riviera is, needless to say, a fabulous choice for a romantic break with your significant other.

During September, the Fiesta de la Mercè will be underway in Barcelona. There’ll be parties and parades all over the city. Barcelona is always a great choice for a luxury romantic getaway. Our favourite hotel in town is Soho House Barcelona. It’s part of the famous Soho House brand and it’s as stylish as you’d expect it to be. You’ll be greeted with excellent views from the hotel’s rooftop bar.

Rome is very hot in the summer months and often very busy. Sightseeing is less satisfying in the sweltering heat. Take a couples vacation to the Eternal City in October. The weather is at its best and it’s less busy. It may even be quiet enough to snap a selfie by the Trevi Fountain. Rome has long been a draw for lovers. If you happen to be history lovers as well as bedfellows, you can’t beat this city. It was, of course, the capital of the greatest western empire in antiquity and it has the ruins to prove it.

Malta is increasingly popular as a romantic destination. It’s also been hailed as the most gay-friendly country in Europe, according to the Rainbow Index. Malta is temperate in November – you can expect eight hours of sunshine a day in November. Valletta is one of the world’s tiniest capital cities. It’s very charming and it took the form of King’s Landing in Game Of Thrones.

Put your lighters in the air everybody say “yeeeeea”. New York is indeed a place of movie scenes. It’s especially evocative in December as the festive season kicks off. How many Christmas movies are set in New York? Lots! Experience an all-American Christmasy vibe with your partner – that’ll add a real sense atmosphere. You can take a ride in a horse-driven carriage through Central Park like Carrie and Mr Big. Dreamy.