IN's guide to luxurious romantic getaways

By Drew Limsky

Paris

Romantic bona fides: You need to ask? The Tuilleries, the Seine, the cute alleyways of Saint Germaine -- take Chet Baker's advice and whisper, "Let's get lost," into the ear of the one you love. If the weather's overcast, as it often is in winter, just buy a baguette and wander arm-in-arm along a cobblestone street to live your own moody, existential novel.

Hotel hideaways: The rooms at the sparking, newly renovated Hotel Meurice have direct Eiffel Tower views, and that's just the beginning. The public spaces are some of the most gorgeous of all the city's hotel "palaces," and the Meurice, which dates from the 1830s, even welcomes non-guests to linger in the bustling lounge. The Crillon, with its unbeatable location on the place de la Concorde, is true Paris, with its shutter-flanked windows, antique-filled guest rooms and decadent buffet breakfasts (sample the city's best hot chocolate). The upper floors are the most recently redone.

Intimate dining: Yannick Alleno, the new chef at le Meurice, is causing a buzz, so enjoy his cuisine in a magnificent room accented with luscious draperies and trompe l'oeil murals. Les Deux Magots is a perfect place to cuddle over a coffee or light meal.

Nevis

Romantic bona fides: Many Caribbean islands are fairly flat, but Nevis has peaks that inspired Columbus (reminded of snow-capped Pyrenees, the explorer named the island Nevis, Spanish  for "snows"). The island's relative remoteness and lack of mega-resorts make for an intimate week away. Eco-tourists can hike the island's rainforest.

Hotel hideaway: One of the top golf resorts in the Caribbean, the 196-room Four Seasons Nevis, boasting a much-photographed palm-lined pool, is set on sandy Pinney's Beach. The Hamilton and Nelson suites have the best views, and teak-furnished balconies. Those going to the Caribbean with a group or family will want to book one of the eight Balinese-style homes at Villa Paradiso. The three-and four-bedroom villas have outdoor thatched-roof dining, rainfall showers, and waterfall pools. In-room massage and chef service are available.

Intimate dining: A favorite of Oprah Winfrey's, June Mestier's elegant hot spot Miss June features an eclectic mix of island, New Orleans and Indian cuisine. The Four Seasons Dining Room offers gorgeous sea views and a regional menu with Asian and French influences.

Carmel, California

Romantic bona fides: This corner of paradise is made for lazy afternoons. The breathtaking vistas along 17-Mile Drive are reason enough to make the trip out, but don't pass up a stroll on the beach at Carmel-by-the-Sea, an adorable town filled with high-end shops, bakeries and restaurants. The perfume of rich soil and fragrant flowers makes the perpetually sunny Carmel Valley as desirable a place to stay as the coast.

Hotel hideaways: The renowned Bernardus Lodge, a Tuscan-style hotel and spa in the Valley, has one of the most attentive staffs in the state and beds so comfortable, you'll remember them for years. Check-in is handled not at a counter or desk, but on a cushy sofa with a glass of local wine in hand.

Intimate dining: Casanova is a little slice of Tuscany right in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Popular dishes include the pasta with a roasted tomato coulis and goat cheese pesto sauce, wilted spinach leaves and pine nuts. Pricier is the justifiably revered Marinus -- it's worth a splurge for one of the best meals of your life.

Jackson Hole

Romantic bona fides: Be Heath and Jake in this nature-lover's paradise. Skiers will want to take advantage of the last season of the aerial tram in Teton Village Mountain Resort, plus there are sleigh rides through the elk preserve and endless shopping opportunities in the town of Jackson. Indoors, the Four Seasons offers couples treatments in its renowned spa.

Hotel hideaways: Be sure to ask for a room with a double soaking tub at Teton Mountain Lodge, which has great access to the slopes. A few minutes from town on a 1,000-acre wildlife habitat you'll find Spring Creek Ranch. The best located resort in Jackson Hole, it features rustic rooms and expansive cabins that offer the area's best views of the dramatically craggy-topped Tetons.

Intimate dining: The Granary offers wholesome, expertly prepared steaks and burgers, while the crack staff at the tiny Rusty Parrot Lodge serves a dinner to impress foodies.

Lausanne, Switzerland

Romantic bona-fides: The view of shimmering Lake Geneva, with the snow-capped in the Alps in the distance, has to move anybody. Folks in need of edible and drinkable aphrodisiacs will want to visit Durig Chocolatier, right in Lausanne, and the 600-year-old vineyard at Domaine du Daley in Lutry.

Hotel hideaways: Beau-Rivage Palace more than lives up to its royal name, as it abounds in antique tapestries, marble staircases, and opulent sitting areas. The generously appointed rooms have butter-soft linens, free-standing tubs and incomparable lake views (ask for corner room 460). The new spa, with its hamans, indoor rain paths and glass-enclosed infinity pool, is the talk of Switzerland.

Intimate dining: For a casual bite with a lake view and delectable perch and fries, it's Café de la Poste in nearby Lutry. For dressed up, the Beau-Rivage's Le Rotonde leaves all else in the dust.

South Florida

Romantic bona-fides: Walk hand-in-hand with your honey in the gay enclaves of Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Maybe you'll inspire others to stop their cruising and do the same.

Hotel hideaways: The year-old Atlantic in Fort Lauderdale more than lives up to its billing as a Starwood Luxury Collection hotel, with its sleek Italian furnishings, top spa and oceanfront location. Room 609 is startling. And the Ritz-Carlton continues to wow South Beach with its sexy poolside cabana dens -- just pull the Roman shades for privacy. Club-level rooms have access to five opulent food presentations, each one better than the last.

Intimate dining: The biggest dining buzz is coming from Miami Beach's o-R-o, just opened by man-about-town (and former maitre d' of the Ritz-Carlton South Beach) George Slover. Trina in the Atlantic serves up a Moroccan-inspired menu in a chic, intimate setting. The Chilean sea bass is brilliant.

Anguilla

Romantic bona fides: Okay, so Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston couldn't salvage their marriage here, but resistance to overdevelopment means much more privacy than other islands, even during winter's high season. Reputedly discovered by Columbus (Anguilla means "eel" in Italian), the island is ringed with some of the best beaches in the Caribbean (including Meads Bay and Shoal Bay), as well as the friendliest locals.

Hotel hideaway: St. Regis Temenos Villas is a movie-star-worthy trio of vast villas fronting pristine Long Bay. Each has its own infinity pool and butler service is available. The beautifully manicured Cuisinart has Moorish-style accommodations set on a gently curving beach, a fine spa, and a main house inspired by the whitewashed Greek island of Santorini.

Intimate dining: Listen to the waves roll in at laid-back Oliver's. Huggable hostess Miss B will set you up with a superb dinner of spiky lobster and other Caribbean specialties.