Romantic weekend getaways: the best hotels

Escape the stresses of urban life, and head to the mountains to the Mercure Peyragudes Loudenvielle. Nestled along a river in the Pyrenees next to the Génos-Loudenvielle Lake, this four-star hotel is a modern alpine holiday experience, far from the outdated rustic aesthetic. Set in the heart of a wooded park, the rooms – most of which have a balcony – offer a view over the abundant natural surroundings. You will have access to the Nuxe Spa, with a heated swimming pool and two treatment rooms. To work up an appetite, head to the hotel’s restaurant and sample its generous cuisine. For those looking to hike or ski, the region is full of activities that will create long-lasting, shared memories.

Find inner peace in the heart of nature just outside Paris. This is the promise of the Domaine des Vanneaux – MGallery. Just 40 minutes from the French capital, you can take a breath of fresh air in a minimalist setting connected to the natural world. The rooms are designed by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, and each has a terrace overlooking a green patio, the Isle Adam golf course, or the forest. The spa has a treatment cabin for two people, and offers massages inspired by Indonesian and Japanese traditions. Everything you need for an intimate break and a moment of calm for two.

At SO/SPA & Health Club 5*, the off-season extends to the very edge of fall. Head to the Costa del Sol in Spain to totally disconnect in a soothing setting in a blend of pueblos blancos and Scandinavian hygge. Enjoy the typically nonchalant Iberian outlook and spend your time outdoors, from breakfast to pool sessions and yoga classes on the terrace overlooking the coast. This oasis of calm is also home to a luxury, designer spa offering panoramic views, even from its sauna. This hotel is ideal for a long romantic weekend getaway.

The Molitor Paris by MGallery is a hotel as unique as it is unusual, with its outdoor corridors overlooking its iconic central pool. This layout creates the impression of traveling in an ocean liner and immerses you in the Roaring Twenties. The hotel provides a wellness offer focused on water and sports and boasts Europe's largest hotel spa. In addition to 6 treatment programs designed with renowned athletes, the Spa by Clarins has developed the "Beyond Water" face and body treatment protocol. In addition, you can enjoy two pools heated year-round, the services of a fitness coach, and access to cryotherapy and osteopathy sessions.

For an intimate stay between Bastille and the Marais, head down to the Paris Bastille Boutet - MGallery with its restored art deco façade. Its spa houses a Codage institute - a French company that formulates customized treatment programs - and features a treatment cabin, a swimming pool, a sauna, a hammam, and a fitness area. In a nod to the past lives of the hotel, which once housed a chocolate factory for several decades, the spa features a cocoa treatment accompanied by a chocolate snack at the bar to be shared with friends. Finally, the panoramic view of the roofs of Paris from the suites on the top floor will give you a touching memory of your Parisian stay.

The Isle of Beauty plays its most impressive card at the Sofitel Ajaccio Thalassa Sea & Spa, awakening all the senses in the midst of the omnipresent sea. Designed in the style of a rock surrounded by water, this establishment is ideal for those in search of pure delight. The wellness services are offered indoors or, in an even more tempting twist, outside overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Euphoric body treatments and restorative face rituals are combined with treatment programs by Gemology, an organic brand whose expertise is rooted in marine sciences. All the energy needed to explore the countless landscapes around this heavenly setting is yours for the taking.

There are few places as evocative and romantic as Trouville in Normandy. Its endless beaches and its rustic, bourgeois Norman architecture enhance the cinematic charm of the neighboring town of Deauville. On this seafront brimming with vitality, the Cures Marines Trouville welcome you into a rejuvenating setting in which your relaxation plays the leading role. To take the time your body needs, make your way to the marine spa run by the Paoma institute. Here you will experience the effectiveness of botanical treatments and the excellence of French-Swiss laboratories. You can also take a deep breath of fresh air on the beach where the establishment is located.