Most Romantic Hotels in the Mediterranean

Restia Suites is an adult-only five-pearl property with an emphasis on relaxation and luxury. The location on the sandy beach of crystal clear Almyros Bay is a bit removed from the village of Acharavi, but that means no noise -- and there's a free shuttle bringing guests into town throughout the day. That said, most guests don't leave the property until it's time to check out. All of the rooms are luxe suites that look and feel like a private sanctuary, with some having their own pools. Sun loungers are available by the communal swimming pool and on the beach. Wi-Fi and breakfast are free, and there's a poolside bar and restaurant for casual fare. Pietra serves gourmet Greek and international dishes. The on-site spa gets high marks for treatments and has a sauna and steam room.

The Belmond Hotel Caruso is one of the top luxury hotels not only on the Amalfi Coast, but in all of Italy. Situated in an 11th-century palace and surrounded by fragrant terraced gardens, it is perched above the Tyrrhenian Sea at Ravello's highest point and offers beautiful views of the sea and village. The 50 rooms and suites have gorgeous tiled floors and marble bathrooms, and many offer terraces or balconies overlooking the water. Amenities include a truly jaw-dropping infinity pool, a small spa and gym, a piano bar, and a fine-dining Italian restaurant serving a free buffet breakfast. Many guests find the hotel well worth its considerable price tag, as it is often fully occupied.

The 45-room La Mer Deluxe Hotel, Spa Resort & Conference Center is a luxurious adult-only property right by Kamari Beach. Rooms are attractively furnished -- yet small -- with patios or balconies facing the pool. Some have round beds and hot tubs for couples seeking to amp up the romantic atmosphere. The spacious hotel has three outdoor pools, rooftop cabana beds, and a poolside bar and restaurant, and a game room. As the name implies, there’s a conference room and luxurious spa with an indoor pool and gym. This is a solid luxury beach hotel, but guests beware: It's close to the airport, and airplanes often fly overhead. 

Casa Angelina is an adult-only luxury boutique on Praiano's rocky cliffside along the Amalfi Coast. White-on-white interiors are complemented by warm wood accents and colorful modern art. The hotel's 39 rooms and suites have beautiful sea views, and variable comforts like minibars, Bang & Olufsen TVs, L'Occitane toiletries, and Nespresso machines. The restaurant serves local, seasonal fare, and the hotel also has a rustic cigar bar, bright cocktail lounge, and modern wellness center. The pool is lovely, if a bit small, and the beach area -- which has no sand -- is accessed by elevator and 200 steps.

The Canaves Oia Hotel is one of the most upscale and exclusive properties on Santorini Island -- with a price tag to match. The finish is immaculate and luxurious throughout, and the layout takes full advantage of the breathtaking sea-view panoramas. The suites are spacious with impeccable interiors and amenities, and the pool is also large by island standards. 

The 126-room Royal Hotel Sanremo is a luxury hotel overlooking the Mediterranean Sea that dates back to 1872. The style is classically elegant with lavishly furnished rooms and plenty of old-world charm. A short walk from the town center, this property has gorgeous sea views, a big outdoor saltwater pool, and modern spa with sauna and hot tub. The hotel lacks a private beach and some rooms are in need of renovation, but there is a lovely restaurant and bar with live piano music on-site. 

Myconian Villa Collection is a luxury property on a quiet strip of Elia Beach (it can get crowded, but it's not the party scene found on the sand in Mykonos Town) with modern villas and loads of lavish features. Highlights include an infinity saltwater pool, private beach on the Aegean, and an on-site spa with saltwater therapy treatments. Stays can be upgraded with luxury yacht rentals or private chefs. There's a free shuttle to town and a breakfast buffet included in the cost of the room. 

The 37-room luxury Fontsanta Hotel, Thermal Spa & Wellness is an adult-only destination spa built around healing thermal springs in use since the Roman era. Located in the countryside surrounded by nature preserves, the historic Fontsanta is elegant and high-end. Guest rooms are light, clean, and modern, with private balconies or terraces, and posh bathrooms. Peaceful and full of character, the Fontsanta caters mainly to couples, who may not feel the need to leave the hotel during their stay.

The historic Chateau de la Chevre d’Or is a five-pearl property located within a medieval village overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Lovely gardens and terraces provide beautiful scenery, while a pool, four restaurants (one of which has two Michelin stars), and treatments like massages make for a romantic atmosphere. The restaurants can be quite pricey, however, and the many stairs on the property are too much for some. The 39 guest rooms are large and elegant, with flat-screen TVs, espresso-makers, free Wi-Fi, and minibars. Some suites have terraces with lovely views of the sea, while others have hot tubs, private pools, and separate living rooms. 

The 99-room Melia Genova is an upmarket hotel filled with fine Italian marble, smart Art Deco touches, and modern pieces by renowned Italian artists. The hotel has an imposing facade and interiors are understatedly luxurious, though the spa is a little small for an upscale property. Set in a quieter neighborhood away from "Old Town" Genova, the hotel is still within walking distance of many major attractions. Rooms are fresh and bright with marble bathrooms.

This part of Santorini is renowned for its specular vistas, and the 14-room Andronis Boutique Hotel takes full advantage of its privileged position -- there are few places in the hotel without gorgeous sea views. Cave-like rooms are luxurious and really quite special, as are bathrooms and private balconies. The pool isn't huge, but is lined with sunbeds overlooking the all-important panorama. All in all, it's luxury accommodation at a luxury price.

The 51-room luxury boutique Hospes Maricel is the kind of place where one might expect to find a modern doppelgänger of Cary Grant lounging by the pool. It is timeless and timely; marvelously classic in parts, and strikingly contemporary in others. Views of the sapphire ocean waters are ubiquitous, as are views of the mountains and gardens. The variety of rooms offered -- from opulent classics to more minimalist, eco-friendly rooms with stone walls -- is impressive. Service is reportedly not always up to five-pearl standard, however, and there have been issues with a limited hot water supply. 

The Myconian Utopia Resort is a five-pearl retreat that merges elegant, modern design with excellent dining and beautiful hilltop views of the Aegean. The 50 airy rooms are fine examples of contemporary design and craftsmanship, with options for outdoor hot tubs or private pools. Well-heeled travelers can arrive by boat or at the hotel's helipad to indulge in the resort's luxurious spa and scenic outdoor pool, or frolic along the reserved stretch of Elia Beach below. Amenities at the Myconian Imperial Hotel & Thalasso Spa Centre (as well as three other nearby sister properties) are available to guests, though some may find the uphill location slightly inconvenient, not to mention far from everything else on the island.

One of the priciest hotels in Positano, this luxury boutique is also perhaps the most beautiful and it lives up to its upscale reputation with pristine grounds, thoughtful free extras (like snacks and boat trips), and a renowned restaurant. Rooms feature antique furniture and modern appliances, but some are small and/or noisy. That said, it's an excellent choice for those who can afford it and seek a central location, gorgeous spa, and spectacular views from all around.

While most of the Amalfi hotels can claim excellent sea views, the 66-room Santa Caterina Hotel has five-star features, harmonious antique style, and fragrant gardens. Guests can take advantage of the wellness center, pool, and gym. Dining options range from the elegant Restaurant Santa Caterina to the more casual Al Mare eatery, along with an expansive wine cellar

The 149-room Palace is a stylish luxury hotel in the center of Sliema, with a stunning infinity pool on the roof, the highest point in the city. But the Palace offers more than beautiful views, with a variety of fun restaurants and a singular design aesthetic that makes the common spaces feel hip and luxurious. Rooms range from economical to extravagant, and there are six individually themed Designer Suites. All rooms are clean, spacious, and elegant, with modern bathrooms. However, some have lackluster views, and the hotel is not directly on the beach, which may be a deal-breaker for some guests. 

Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort is a secluded and design-forward luxury property with many of the same features (chic outdoor swimming pool, beach facilities, spa, restaurants) as its competitors in this price range. The suites have private swimming pools, two bedrooms, and telescopes for star gazing. Other guest rooms have minimal decor and outdoor balconies, though these are less than private. The small beach here is lovely, with loungers reserved for hotel guests only, but it's a bit pebbly.

A member of the Relais & Chateaux luxury fellowship and possibly the most expensive hotel in Positano, Il San Pietro has enormous rooms with spacious terraces overlooking the sea, an elevator with access to a private cove beach, an on-site luxury spa, and a Michelin-starred restaurant. The downside is that it is not within easy walking distance to town, but a free shuttle can take you there 24/7.

The 22-room luxury J.K. Place Capri is an exclusive boutique hotel that exudes elegance without being ostentatious. Built in a restored late-19th-century villa located on the main road to Anacapri, J.K. Place is perched high on a cliff with gorgeous sea views visible in various spots including the ultra glamorous pool, which also offers food and drink service and poolside spa treatments. The hotel mirrors the sun and sea outside, with crisp whites, sea blue accents, and lots of outdoor space for quiet relaxation. Guest rooms are large and lush, with beautiful views and marble bathrooms, and most have terraces or balconies. 

The five-pearl Hotel Negresco oozes charm and personality, with a beachfront location, decadent decor, and a spectacular art collection. Right on the famed Promenade des Anglais, it’s a great base for exploring Nice’s Old Town. The 177 rooms are spacious and individually decorated to give each a distinct personality. But some rooms (especially their bathrooms) are dated, and the 1913 hotel can show its age at times as some guests complain of broken showers and spotty air-conditioning. 

Dating back to 1820, the historic Bellevue Syrene is a romantic, luxury hotel perched on a cliff in Sorrento. The hotel has two restaurants and 50 beautiful rooms, which are either sleek and modern or baroque and elaborate in design with balconies overlooking the Gulf of Naples. Guests looking for a decadent experience won’t be disappointed. There are a lot of perks offered by the hotel including free snacks and cocktails throughout the day, a seasonal private sunbathing deck on the sea, and breakfast served on an ocean-view terrace.

The five-pearl Hotel Royal-Riviera is set in a spectacular private beachfront location on Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, between Nice and Monte Carlo. Rooms are chic and spacious, with a slight 1950s vibe, and are equipped with flat-screen TVs, terraces, and minibars, but no coffee- and tea-making facilities. Guests have access to a private beach, plus there's a lovely outdoor pool, a small spa with a gym, as well as two restaurants and bars. The property is close to several restaurants and within walking distance of bus stops and a train station, which gives access to Nice in about an hour (or it's a 25-minute drive). 

Located atop a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean, the 121-room Jumeirah Port Soller is one of the most luxurious hotels in Majorca. Though it is family-friendly, the property also offers plenty of adult-only amenities and areas. Rooms are sophisticated and airy, with a soft earth-tone palette and large bathrooms with soaking tubs. The fitness center, the views, and the pools are all top-notch, but the highlight at the Jumeirah is the spa, complete with a large outdoor pool with underwater jetted loungers and mountain views.