When you hear the words “romantic hotel suite”, your mind probably conjures up images of heart-shaped jacuzzi tubs, gaudy red rose petal trails, and nightly rates that cost more than a used car. But today’s savvy lovebirds know that true romance doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank or sacrificing style for schmaltz. A new wave of hotels is redefining the amorous getaway experience with decadently designed yet surprisingly affordable suites that are seducing even the most discerning couples.
From chic urban oases to secluded beachside love nests, these sultry sanctuaries are offering lavish, custom-designed suites chock full of luxurious appointments and impeccable attention to detail. Yet thanks to innovative hospitality concepts and competitive markets, you can score these swanky digs for a relative steal if you know where to look. So whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just craving an intimate escape, allow us to play suite-talking tour guide to some of the sexiest and budget-friendly romantic retreats around.
Heart of the City Stunners You don’t have to blow your life’s savings for a night of decadence at a renowned hotel like The Bowery Hotel in NYC. This trendy Manhattanite hotspot offers impeccably designed suites overflowing with old-world charm and modern luxury appointments like cast iron reserved tubs, curated minibars and sumptuous leather detailing – all for a mere $500-600/night. Score one of their terrace suites and you’ll also enjoy quintessential New York views without the markup of sky-high room rates.
Or for the perfect Windy City rendezvous, The Robey Hotel in Chicago’s hip Bucktown neighborhood has a cache of jaw-dropping “Panoramic Suites” like theBroadway Suite that were designed with intimacy in mind. Floor-to-ceiling windows, freestanding soaking tubs and private terraces set a sultry scene, while low lighting, herringbone oak floors and jewel-toned accents keep things both cozy and undeniably cool. At nightly rates from $290-400, these love dens won’t break your romantic weekend fund.
Coastal Couple’s Retreats
Perhaps your idea of passion is a bit more…tropical. Enter El Ganzo in San Jose del Cabo, where their three Rooftop Terraces suites are redefining the erotic escapist fantasy. Perched scenically on the uppermost floors, these avant garde aeries come complete with private plunge pools, swim-up bars, indoor/outdoor lounge spaces and sweeping vistas of the Sea of Cortez. Yet the real jaw-dropper is the all-glass shower and soaking tub situation deliciously positioned for those epic ocean and sunset views. Indulge in all of this intimately luxurious splendor for as little as $650/night.
Over on Hawaii’s Big Island, The Kalani Retreat offers its guests a series of utterly unique “Aloha” geodesic domes hand-crafted with a mid-century modern Hawaiian aesthetic and an eco-friendly twist. These breezy open-air domes boasting vaulted skylights, natural hardwood interiors and private lanais were designed to embrace Pahoa’s lush surroundings while providing an off-grid romantic refuge. With rates starting at just $190/night, they prove that getting back to nature can also mean getting back to nurturing your love connection without spending a fortune.
Cool Urban Lofts If you prefer your romantic romp with more of an edgy, urban vibe, look no further than El Cosmico’s assortment of utterly craveable and eccentric suites and bungalows tucked away in the Marfa, Texas high desert. This quirky boutique hotel offers an eclectic mix of lodging options including a 1957 Pawn wagon trailer and the famous Cemproo dome suite, a blissful orb nestled into the craggy landscape.
But for an unexpected lovers’ hideaway, book El Cosmico’s “Lonestar Suite”, an expansive open concept apartment with 16-foot ceilings crafted from 100-year old brick and wood that once housed part of a community center on the property. Today, it features modern custom furnishings basked in natural light alongside modern amenities like a clawfoot bathtub and private outdoor courtyard – all starting at just $285/night.
For a similar bohemian yet luxe vibe up in the Pacific Northwest, the Lora Loft Suites at the Phoenix Hotel in Portland are your lovebird lair away from home. These sprawling 500 sq ft open concept retreats flawlessly pair the building’s historic 1960’s bones with lavish modern furnishings and amenities like rain showers and freestanding soaking tubs. Then there’s the gas fireplaces, sleek kitchenettes and stunning city views – all available for a passionate yet palatable (for Portland, anyway) rate starting around $400/night.
Whether your tastes run more metropolitan or idyllically remote, hedonistically lush or charmingly minimalist, your romantic suite dreams no longer need carry an exorbitant price tag. All it takes is discerning eye, a spirit of spontaneous adventure, and a desire to let yourselves be seduced not just by your surroundings – but by the sultry thrill of discovering an amorous value too good to ignore.