Destinations USA Florida 16 Best Romantic Getaways in Florida — From a Private Island to Historic Hotels These romantic getaways in Florida have something for every couple. By Skye Sherman Skye Sherman Skye Sherman is a freelance travel writer based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Aside from traveling, she's also a pilot, scuba diver, bookworm, and fourth-generation Floridian. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today, Palm Beach Illustrated, Atlas Obscura, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 3, 2024 Close Photo: Courtesy of Little Palm Island Resort & Spa When it's high time for a relaxing retreat with your one and only, few domestic destinations can beat the romantic getaways in Florida, whether you’re looking for a small-town escape, city adventure, or relaxing beach weekend. The options for the perfect couples vacation in the Sunshine State are plenty: You can hide away on a private island, head to a resort with lots of activities and opportunities to reconnect, unwind together with couples massages, or unplug entirely over a candlelit dinner for two. From Palm Beach and Boca Raton to Amelia Island and St. Augustine, these are the best romantic getaways in Florida with a variety of vibes to choose from so you and your other half can have the best time away together. Little Palm Island, Little Torch Key Courtesy of Little Palm Island Resort & Spa Although the Florida Keys are better known for turning up the fun than relaxing into romance, the four-acre, adults-only Little Palm Island — the only private island resort in the U.S. and a Travel + Leisure World's Best Award winner — is a notable exception. Here, you can live out your stranded-on-a-deserted-island-together fantasies — that is, if the island were to come equipped with luxurious amenities, fine dining, a palm tree-lined pool, and a full staff ready to cater to your every whim. When it comes to romantic getaways in Florida, you could hardly find better than the tropical splendor of Little Palm Island. Make sure to book treatments together in the Balinese-style indoor/outdoor spa, laze in a hammock in the shade, soak in your suite's outdoor copper tub with an ocean view, and do dinner on the sand — or order in for a cozy night to yourselves. You can also request romantic arrival amenities and turndown service to surprise your special someone. 12 Best Resorts in Florida Brazilian Court Hotel, Palm Beach Courtesy of the Brazilian Court Hotel Head to the heart of Palm Beach for a stay at the elegant Brazilian Court Hotel. Located on a quiet residential street a couple of blocks from the glitz of Worth Avenue, the 1920s-era property feels a bit like a secluded enclave in the midst of the world's wealthiest. While away the hours by the outdoor pool or at the Brazilian Court beach club, explore any of the private courtyards, and savor the culinary artistry on offer at Café Boulud during your romantic stay. The Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens, St. Augustine St. Augustine is one of the most romantic cities in Florida, especially around the holidays when the town is dressed up in three million glittering lights for Nights of Lights. Located on famous Cordova Street but a few minutes by foot from all the hubbub, The Collector Inn is a stunning retreat with elements of history, intrigue, whimsy, and romance. The cozy property contains 30 individually appointed rooms with hardwood floors and fireplaces spread across nine buildings dating back to the 18th century. The Breakers, Palm Beach Courtesy of The Breakers Palm Beach It just doesn't get more romantic than The Breakers, arguably the top resort in Florida and one of the best in the world. From the world-class eateries to the golf course, spa, oceanfront fitness club, and various pools, you'll never want to leave. Stay in the 21-room Flagler Club, an ultra-exclusive hotel-within-a-hotel (complete with its own staff, private lounge, rooftop terrace, and chauffeured house car) for the crème de la crème of fine hotel stays. The Ritz Carlton, Amelia Island Located on a secluded barrier island in northern Florida, The Ritz Carlton, Amelia Island is a gorgeous property lined with beachfront dunes, dotted with 18 holes of championship golf, and sporting indoor and outdoor pools with direct beach access and private cabanas. Go there for a coastal retreat, hammock massages, and the chance to bond over activities like kayaking the Intracoastal Waterway. World's Best Awards 2024: Our Readers' Favorite Islands Isla Bella Beach Resort & Spa, Marathon Courtesy of Isla Bella Beach Resort, Knights Key Located partway down the Florida Keys archipelago, Isla Bella Beach Resort is one of the most modern luxury resorts in the Keys, perfect for a getaway for two. Make sure to catch the sunset (the resort is situated on 24 oceanfront acres) and sign up for any of the tons of activities on offer, from bocce to beach yoga to stargazing to snorkeling. South Seas Island Resort, Captiva Quiet, picturesque, and intentionally intimate, Florida's Captiva Island is one of the state's most romantic beach destinations. Stay at the 330-acre South Seas Island Resort for plentiful amenities, restaurants, and activities. It's popular among families, but parents can enjoy some alone time here, too. Nearby Sanibel Island is another favorite with lovers, and both are among the world's best spots for shelling. The Don CeSar, St. Pete Beach Courtesy of The Don Cesar Sweethearts are never out of place at The Don CeSar, the iconic pink resort nicknamed "Florida's Pink Palace." Here, you'll be a five-minute drive from adorable St. Pete's Beach, with shopping, dining, and awe-inspiring sunsets. The beachfront resort's 277 rooms and suites are decorated with breezy textiles reminiscent of the region's art deco era. Cheeca Lodge & Spa, Islamorada If you desire an unplugged vacation, you might find it hard to accomplish at the endlessly Instagram-able Cheeca Lodge, where couples can get lost in the 27 acres of tropical foliage, bask in the sun on the massive palm-lined private beach (beaches are a rarity in the Keys), cast a line off the 525-foot fishing pier, or schedule a spa day to rediscover their bliss. Guests can stay in one of the private casitas or a luxury oceanfront suite. This 125-mile Florida Island Chain Has Gorgeous Beaches, Fresh Seafood, and Stunning Hotels Casa Monica Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, St. Augustine Stay at Casa Monica Resort & Spa during a visit to picturesque St. Augustine. Founded in 1565, America's oldest city is a romantic seaside escape with the historic charm of a European destination. And located in the heart of its historic district is Casa Monica, sporting touches of Moroccan style and a romantic restaurant. Acqualina Resort & Residences on The Beach, Sunny Isles Beach Benjamin Edelstein/Courtesy of Acqualina Hotel and Resort So you want a stylish getaway to Miami but crave privacy, too? Instead of immersing directly in the buzz of South Beach, head 12 miles north and stay on the quieter Sunny Isles Beach. At the luxurious Acqualina Resort, you can book a couples treatment in the Royal Spa Suite, plan a surprise toes-in-the-sand dining experience, or eat at a Romeo and Juliet-style balcony at on-site Il Mulino. Book a classic suite for views of the water from every room (and even the bathtub). Island Inn, Sanibel Find it hard to relax at a resort where you feel obligated to dress to impress? The non-fussy Island Inn — where laid-back living on the sands of Sanibel follows no clock — might be just your speed. Sanibel Island is a favorite among shellers, making it a great spot for those long, romantic walks on the beach everyone always goes on about. (There's even a shell cleaning station when you return with your treasures so you can keep tangible tokens of these special memories.) The Boca Raton, Boca Raton Courtesy of The Boca Raton The Boca Raton is actually five distinct hotels that make up one sprawling resort. On the property, there are more than a dozen restaurants spanning everything from a golf course-adjacent burger joint to an upscale Italian eatery, a 50,000-square-foot spa, spacious pools, and things to do on the beach and at the lake. A fleet of boats connects the inland and beach sides of the resort. It's the perfect place for two to sneak away for a weekend to themselves. The Henderson Park Inn, Destin A secluded escape awaits at The Henderson Park Inn, which resembles a grand seaside manor on the unspoiled Emerald Coast. The property is adults-only and built in the style of a classic East Coast inn. Up the ante with the Romance Package, which includes accommodations in a suite and a sweep-you-off-your-feet welcome complete with a rose petal display on the bed. Bungalows, Key Largo Courtesy of Bungalows Key Largo If you want a Caribbean-like escape without leaving the country, Bungalows Key Largo is for you. This all-inclusive waterfront hotel in the Florida Keys has an over-21 policy, so you’re sure to get some quiet time if that’s a key ingredient to your perfect romantic vacation. Each room features its own outdoor rain shower and soaking tub, and there are five dining venues to choose from: If you want a sunset view with sand between your toes, head to Sea Señor, and follow dinner up in the open-air lounge overlooking the ocean at The Hemingway Bar, whose menu has a bevy of imaginative cocktails. During the day, lounge at one of the two pools, including one in the greenery-filled Zen Garden Spa. The Escalante, Naples Just a short walk to the beach, this 11-room boutique hotel offers a secluded oasis getaway in Naples — a Florida city some rankings consider the best place to live in the country. The restaurant, Veranda E, has its own organic garden, and the romance of the outside setting is accentuated by a rustic, vine-adorned pergola.