The 8 most beautiful "adults only" hotels in Europe

Vacation without kids and cones

From Lake Garda to Greece and from a hideaway on the dyke to a house in the Dolomites: We took a look at Europe's best "adults only" hotels and present eight favorites in four countries.

1st The Lodge Mallorca, Balearic Islands

Ready for the island on the island? Then how about a 157-hectare retreat between the mountains and some of Mallorca's best beaches? The unique location within a private nature reserve guarantees absolute tranquillity and yet is central enough to easily reach all the island's highlights. Provided you want to, because you don't actually want to leave The Lodge Mallorca once you've checked in. The 24 Mediterranean-style suites are too beautiful, the creations that 2* chef Ramón Freixa conjures up in his "fire kitchen" are too delicious and the spa treatments offered in the wellness suite are too tempting. Those who prefer to get active can book a yoga class, explore the running and hiking trails directly on the grounds or take a leisurely stroll through the huge lavender fields on the doorstep. Or, to quote the hotel website: "This is a place where you can enjoy your own adventure at your own pace." The only thing left to add is that enjoyment at The Lodge Mallorca is also child-free. www.thelodgemallorca.com

2nd Royal River Luxury Hotel, Tenerife

Just let yourself drift: This is no problem at the Royal River Luxury Hotel, which opened in 2020, as two so-called "swimming rivers" meander through the tropical gardens of the 5* hotel. During the day, they promise cooling off with a view over Costa Adeje in the south of Tenerife. In the evening, they encourage romantic baths in the moonlight. Sounds like paradise, but it can be made even more so - for example with a Morjana spa massage in the Serenity Spa or on an excursion on the hotel yacht, which is known locally as "The Royal Boat". The 50 villas, with direct lagoon or river access and African-Asian interiors, are also fit for royalty. A butler service makes the stay perfect. The adults-only Royal River Luxury Hotel also connects continents in terms of cuisine: In addition to the first-class Asian restaurant Kokoro, the Flamingo French Bistro is also a heavenly place to feast. And if you want to take the "heavenly" literally, you can even climb to the roof of the Royal River Luxury Hotel to dine in The Top brasserie directly under the starry sky - and a giant giraffe with a crystal chandelier in its mouth. www.royalriver.es





3rd Quellenhof See Lodge, South Tyrol

Mountain vibes or Maldives flair? At the Quellenhof See Lodge, guests don't have to choose. Located not far from Merano/Meran, South Tyrol's smallest 5* hotel offers both. For example, some of the 26 accommodation units have been designed in the style of the overwater villas typical of the Indian Ocean. Up to 95 m2 in size, they have direct access to the turquoise-blue natural pool, private wellness areas and secluded sun terraces. In addition to the exclusive Balance Spa with sauna world, indoor pool and its own cosmetics line, the luxury retreat also boasts two exclusive restaurants. Particularly impressive: the "underwater restaurant" with coral reefs and impressive sea creatures on huge multi-colored displays as eye-catchers as well as freshly caught fish as a highlight on the menu. Want even more variety? Guests at the Quellenhof See Lodge can also use all the facilities at the adjacent Quellenhof Luxury Resort Passeier - even if it says "Children welcome" instead of "Adults only". www.quellenhof-seelodge.it





4th Cape of Senses, Lake Garda

Gazing at the blue of Lake Garda from the infinity pool, listening to the wind in the olive trees, sniffing the bittersweet scent of lemon blossom in the hotel garden or feeling the dewy grass under your feet during morning yoga: the Cape of Senses, which opened last summer, lives up to its name as a hideaway for the senses. This is partly due to its spectacular location on a sunny plateau high above the eastern shore of Lago di Garda. On the other hand, it is also due to the many sensual moments and offers that the adults-only hideaway has to offer. The majority of spa treatments can be booked alone or as a couple and can even be enjoyed in your own suite. The excursion program is just as individual and tailored to couples+. It ranges from sunset cruises on the lake to picnics in the vineyard and tours with the E-Vespa. Molto italiano is also the order of the day in the hotel's own ristorante and in the osteria with its large panoramic terrace. And if you want to be close to seventh heaven even at night, book one of the Sky Suites with an open-air four-poster bed. www.capeofsenses.com





5th Vocabolo Moscatelli, Umbria

"Once upon a time..." Fairy tales start like this - and sometimes dreamlike success stories, such as that of Frederik Kubierschky and his partner Catharina Lütjens, a power couple with a wealth of experience in the top Swiss hotel industry and an urgent desire for their own boutique residence in the south. An investor turned out to be a godsend when he casually told Lütjens about a property he had just purchased in sunny Umbria. Several hectares in size and equipped with a main house, barn, church and park, the listed monastery complex from the 12th century quickly proved to be the perfect location and a paradisiacal oasis of peace with just 24 "adults only" in 12 individually designed rooms and suites. What does a day behind the old monastery walls look like? Sleeping late, having breakfast whenever you want, splashing around in the forest-green travertine pool, admiring the works of art scattered throughout the estate or getting creative at a pottery course in the chapel - and enjoying the fantastic, plant-based cuisine in the restaurant in the evening. It really does sound like a fairy tale, doesn't it? www.vocabolomoscatelli.com,www.designhotels.com





6th Santo Collection, Santorini

The two adults-only boutique hotels of the Santo Collection on the Cyclades island are just as small and refined as the island itself. Located in the center of Oia, the Santo Pure scores with panoramic suites, all of which have pools or Jacuzzis. There are also two 200 m2 villas, which are also equipped with private saunas. Those who do not wish to dine in the first-class Alios Ilios restaurant can enjoy private dining on their own terrace in the evening or a "floating breakfast" in the morning, which is served on a floating tray by their own pool. The hotel's Anassa Spa was named the best resort spa in Greece for the sixth time in a row in 2023. Less than 200 meters from Santo Pure, Santo Mine will open this year with spectacular Cave Suites and a sunset restaurant with spectacular views. Pure or Mine - whichever you choose, the innovative experience offers, which range from wine tasting to an 11 km wellness hike with yoga, meditation and a swim break on a dream beach, can be booked at both hotels. www.santocollection.gr





7th Lesante Blu, Zakynthos

If you believe the millennia-old legends, it was Artemis and Apollo who once discovered Zakynthos and chose it as their favorite place. Why did they prefer the island in the Ionian Sea to the seat of the gods high up on Mount Olympus? Anyone who has been there knows why: green forests, steep coastlines, small villages straight out of a picture book and some of the most beautiful beaches and bays in Greece give the island a charm that even the gods can't resist. Want more heaven on earth? Then we recommend Lesante Blu, located on the east coast, with its up to 160 m2 suites with terraces overlooking the sea and private pools, its hotel-owned yacht for romantic trips to blue caves and remote bays along the coast, its five first-class restaurants, its glamorous champagne bar and its heavenly spa with "his and her" treatments in exclusive VIP rooms. And another tip: under the motto "Romance at its best", the adults-only luxury resort offers special packages for honeymooners and other couples. Singles without children are recommended to enjoy the DJ nights at the beach or pool. www.lesanteblu.gr





8th Weissenhaus Private Nature Luxury Resort, Baltic Sea

As the majority of guests were adults seeking relaxation anyway, the congenial directors Natalie and Frank Nagel decided at the end of 2023 to continue their Weissenhaus Private Nature Luxury Resort as an adults-only establishment in the new year. Located just an hour from Hamburg, guests stay in individually designed rooms and suites spread across eleven buildings and 75 hectares of park-like grounds with wide avenues, lush meadows and an old castle pond. In addition, there are hideaways in individually designed houses and villas - from romantic dyke cottages to thatched-roof dairies - which offer plenty of space for peace and retreat. Healthy and holistic enjoyment is also possible in the impressive castle spa with various saunas, pools and the "brine forest room" as well as on a walk along the 2 km long natural beach. Gourmets, on the other hand, are offered the French 2* restaurant Courtier as well as the Asiabar, which is reserved for hotel guests only, and the boathouse with its Mediterranean flair and Italian cuisine, which is situated on the waterfront and offers great views. www.weissenhaus.de