We’ve all heard the age-old saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but according to a survey from the U.S. Travel Association, that belief may not hold up so well when it comes to vacationing. While the number of couples who take separate vacations has increased over the past decade, so has the percentage of couples who report better communication with their partner, a more intimate sex life, renewed feelings of romance and a greater overall satisfaction in their relationships following their couples-only vacation. In the bedroom, 40-percent of survey respondents agreed that their sex life is permanently better following their getaway.
If you’re like the majority of travelers, a beachfront retreat is likely to be at the top of your summer travel list—and with good reason. What could be sexier than shedding some layers on the sand and watching your partner dripping wet from the waves? And you can’t forget about the potential for the always-electrifying vacation sex. If your relationship could stand a little more passion, excitement and intimacy, perhaps it’s time you booked your summer getaway at one of these 10 ultra-romantic luxury beach resorts that are sure to heat up your summer sex life.
10. Fregate Island Private, Seychelles
Roughly 71-percent of couples surveyed by the U.S. Travel Association agree that “talking and reconnecting is an important reason to spend time along together while on vacation” and you’d be hard-pressed to disagree that one of the best beach resorts in the world to do so is Fregate Island Private, tucked away in the Republic of Seychelles. This hidden gem is undoubtedly one of the world’s most romantic and breathtaking private islands, home to nearly 2,000 free-roaming Giant Aldabra Tortoises, over 100 species of tropical birds and seven beaches. Perhaps the best part is that the entire island can be yours to rent exclusively. If you’ve ever fanaticized about being king and queen of your own private paradise, Fregate Island Private can make it happen by bringing your every desire to reality. Step away from the stresses of your everyday routine, lower your inhibitions and re-couple on island time where you’ll have plenty of opportunity for intimate conversations, among other activities, on the beach.
9. Danai Beach Resort & Villa, Nikiti, Halkidiki, Greece
Danai Beach Resort & Villa currently provides four erotic offers to heat up your summer sex life depending on the stage in your relationship. There are two honeymoon options available—one for three nights and a second luxury choice for seven nights—as well as its wedding anniversary package and its ‘Do Not Disturb package’. Among the resort’s more popular packages is its Do Not Disturb promotion, which includes a five-day-four-night stay, complimentary champagne and strawberries, a personal massage for him and her, access to the Wellness & Spa steam baths and sauna, exclusive sunset cocktails on the beach, private dinner, a boat cruise for two in the gulf of Toroneos, a personal tent on the beach and one after-sun spa treatment in the resort’s Wellness & Spa. Experience Greece in the day and each other in the evening; just don’t forget to hang your do not disturb sign on your door.
8. Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Brazil is another country known for its sexual freedom and has quickly become a passion hot spot for tourists. Couples looking to get it on in the sexy city of Rio de Janeiro should book their vacation at Belmond Copacabana Palace, the South America’s premier luxury hotel overlooking the Copacabana Beach. For your special occasion, the hotel’s Come & Celebrate package provides everything you need to set the mood and relax. Spend the night in Belmond Copacabana Palace’s luxury accommodations, like its Penthouse Suite, which features butler service, a king-sized bed, private terrace with swimming pool, wet bar and late check-out until 8 p.m. Daily Brazilian breakfast for two in your room or the hotel’s restaurant, sparkling wine, truffles and flowers are also provided. And what could be more romantic than unwinding beside your significant other at the Copacabana Palace Spa where you’ll be pampered by organic products and even a customized massage and ritual flower bath.
7. Trisara, Phuket, Thailand
If you and your partner are like the more than 75-percent of U.S. Travel Association survey respondents who say that sharing new experiences and being adventurous together is enough to warrant a couples vacation, you must book a getaway to Phuket, Thailand’s Trisara resort. Adventure awaits you around every corner of this opulent resort, from the striking depths of Phuket’s most magnificent dive spots during your private snorkeling/scuba diving excursion, to the soaring heights over Phang Nga Bay during your 30-minute personal helicopter flight. Experience Trisara’s award-winning hospitality with a personal poolside barbecue, prepared exclusively for you on the privacy of your pool deck, followed by an erotic six-hand Royal Trisara massage in a private spa treatment suite that accommodates two. Reserve one of the resort’s most requested rooms—an Ocean Front Pool Villa—for the ultimate in extravagance, seclusion and allure. Breathe in the panoramic views of the sea from the privacy of your oversized king bed or step outside to your private teak dining and sunning deck with 32-foot sequestered infinity pool and outdoor private shower.
6. Jade Mountain, St. Lucia
The U.S. Travel Association found that respondents of its survey believe that “taking trips together is far more important to improving the romance and spark in their relationship than giving small gifts like flowers or chocolates. The same holds for giving large gifts like jewelry.” So if you think presenting your lover with an expensive or elaborate gift will win her heart, think again. If you want to give her a gift that she’ll remember for years to come, whisk her away to St. Lucia’s Jade Mountain. This tropical resort was rated the number-one honeymoon resort in the Caribbean by Brides Magazine and has repeatedly topped the list for sexy hotels and top honeymoon destinations by travel and wedding magazines. You’ll experience intimate and relaxing nights in a room/suite of your choice, gourmet dining, welcome cocktails and in-room fridge drink packages. Turn up the heat with some friendly competition by challenging your partner to a game of tennis or fire up your libido with couple-friendly activities like snorkeling, kayaking, windsurfing or biking. Play is one of the most well-known ways to boost testosterone and getting sweaty and sandy will subconsciously attract your partner to you by intensifying hormone levels and igniting sexual desire.
5. The Four Seasons Maui at Wailea, Maui, Hawaii
Whether you’re still in the honeymoon stage or you’re a celebrating a double-digit milestone, the U.S. Travel Association found that travel is beneficial to both new and long-term relationship. While new couples look at travel as “an opportunity to share new experiences and adventures with one another,” long-term couples see vacations and trips as a key factor in maintaining a healthy relationship.” No matter your couple style—adventurous, indulgent, romantic or savvy—The Four Seasons Maui at Wailea has the perfect getaway. If you want to create the most romantic vacation of your relationship, the Romantic and Indulgent Experiences are both fantastic packages that cater to couples with luxurious treatments, world-class amenities and enchanting explorations. Choose the Indulgent Experience and you’ll never forget your time together, creating custom-blended fragrances to wear, the unmatched spa treatments, your private helicopter tour of Maui or the first-rate gourmet dining experience overlooking the beach.
4. Huvafen Fushi, Maldives
Huvafen Fushi in the Maldives comes in at the number-three spot of the world’s 10 best romantic luxury beach resorts with its sensual and sizzling honeymoon indulgence trip. This resort has everything you need to spice up your summer sex life. Upon arrival, you’ll receive your chilled bottle of champagne to sip while you take in the majesty of the Maldives from your beach bungalow with private plunge pool that overlooks a nearby lagoon. Spend the day relaxing together before indulging in the incredible underwater couples fluidity massage at the resort’s LIME Spa and an island destination dinner for two. Other highlights of Huvafen Fushi’s honeymoon indulgence promotion include a private sunset cruise on the Dream Dhoni Maldivian sailboat and complimentary daily breakfast.
3. Casa Velas, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Where better to rekindle your romance than south of the border at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico’s Casa Velas, an indulgent, all-inclusive boutique resort for adults, which offers one of the most luxurious honeymoon packages in the word. Here, every detail of your retreat is designed to maximize your romantic escape, from the free chocolate-covered strawberries and bottle of sparkling wine that await you at your suite, to the complimentary 50-minute couple’s massage. Each suite booked in conjunction with the hotel’s honeymoon package also includes rose petals and candles to help set the mood, sunset dining at Casa Velas’ gourmet restaurants, fresh flowers, premium national and international liquor brands, an ensured upgrade to the hotel’s Grand Class Plus Suite and two Rhythm Of The Night tours.
2. Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, Little Torch Key, Florida
If you’re desperate to reconnect on a more personal level, the Little Palm Island Resort & Spa in Little Torch Key, Florida has several Romantic packages and options to choose from, all of which show promise when it comes to revving up you and your partner’s sex drive. For a private and sensual getaway, consider the resort’s Another Perfect Night package that includes luxuries like ambient candles, erotic body oils, scented rose petals and complimentary fresh strawberries with whipped cream. For an even more seductive stay, impress your partner by booking the Richly Romantic option. If you crave something more, Little Palm Island Resort & Spa offers five other Romantic Turndown packages ranging in price from $390-1,200.
1. Jumby Bay, Antigua
Roughly 58-percent of married couples believe that connecting sexually is an important reason enough to book a vacation together. If you consider yourself among this statistic, you will love the number-one pick for the world’s most romantic luxury beach resorts to spark your libido: Jumby Bay (Rosewood) in Antigua. This West Indies five-star, all-inclusive private resort delivers big when it comes to privacy, romance and tropical island appeal. Sneak away from the rest of the world and focus on just the two of you with a reservation at Jumby Bay’s ultra-private spacious pool suite, which features an unbeatable view of the sea, a personal pool and 1,346-square-feet of indoor space. With luxurious amenities like these, you may not want to leave your room, but if you do, there’s tons of couples’ activities ranging from adventurous to zen to choose from. Jumby Bay (Rosewood) is a four-time Condé Nast Traveler gold list recipient for Readers’ picks of the world’s best hotels and a Top 15 Caribbean hotel.