This month, Global Traveler marks its 11th anniversary. The traditional symbol for this milestone is steel — a fitting emblem of strength, durability and permanence. That symbolism resonates with our relationship to readers and the magazine: a strong bond that has grown steadier over time, much like a publication that has become a leading voice in luxury business travel.
That prompted a reflection on the intersection of business travel and romance. At first glance they may seem contradictory: business travel is about schedules and meetings, while romance is about leisure and intimate moments. Yet travel can be deeply romantic when shared with a partner. While a spouse or partner cannot realistically join every trip, there are many opportunities to combine work and romance for special occasions — anniversaries, birthdays or milestone celebrations — and hotels and airlines often design amenities specifically for couples.
For travelers who want to impress before landing, consider booking The Residence on Etihad Airways’ Airbus A380 — a private three-room suite on the upper deck that includes a living room, a double bedroom, an en suite shower, a personal butler, concierge service and an in-flight chef. Though premium priced, it offers an unparalleled experience akin to private charter travel. Another inflight option is connecting first-class seats with a removable divider that convert into a double-bed suite, a feature offered by several international carriers.
For budget-conscious couples who still want to cuddle in the air, options like China Airlines’ Family Couch and Air New Zealand’s Skycouch convert a row of economy seats into a sofa bed using a specially designed footrest. These configurations make long-haul flights more comfortable and intimate for two people traveling together.
The Castle Hotel, Dalian, China, offers deluxe ocean-view rooms © The Castle
Hotel
Hotels are especially adept at creating romantic experiences. At The Castle Hotel in Dalian, the “Romance of The Castle” package includes a deluxe ocean-view room, in-room breakfast and a two-hour Dongbei-style spa treatment for two. Guests can follow that with a signature cocktail in the lobby lounge and a special dinner in the Royal Cellar featuring oysters, foie gras and thoughtful main-course pairings.
Other properties welcome couples with champagne, fresh flowers and breakfast in bed. The Prince de Galles in Paris and the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit in Bangkok, for example, greet guests with bubbly and blooms and offer full breakfast service delivered to the room each morning.
Many Park Hyatt hotels present a Romance at the Park package, typically including a luxury room, breakfast for two and property-specific amenities. Park Hyatt Dubai might add a bottle of wine and a spa credit, while Park Hyatt Zürich may provide a welcome gift basket filled with rose petals, flowers and strawberries to maintain a classic romantic tone.
In New York, The Plaza’s Fitzgerald Suite evokes a literary-era romance, and couples can pair the suite with spa treatments such as a candlelit barrel bath followed by dual massages. Similarly, St. Regis properties often offer arrival Champagne, breakfast-in-bed served by a butler and fresh-cut flowers during the stay at participating hotels including St. Regis Abu Dhabi, St. Regis Washington, D.C., and St. Regis San Francisco.
Some hotels deliver chocolate-covered strawberries or truffles to guests. © Wollertz | Dreamstime.com
InterContinental hotels feature romantic packages as well. InterContinental San Francisco’s “San Francisco is for Lovers” includes long-stem strawberries, chilled bubbly and a butler-drawn rose-petal bath. At InterContinental Toronto Centre, guests may receive a basket of luxury bath products upon arrival, followed by breakfast in bed each morning and nightly chocolate treats. Similar romantic touches are available at InterContinental properties in several North American cities.
The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester offers creative seasonal experiences for couples, such as bicycle rentals, snacks, breakfast for two and a local trails guide for outdoor-loving pairs. For those planning proposals, The Ritz-Carlton’s Perfect Proposal package elevates the evening with a suite stay, private dinner prepared by an executive chef, couples’ spa treatments and private transportation to a local jeweler for an exclusive ring-shopping appointment — a truly memorable sequence for a major life moment.
Who wouldn’t love a little blue box from Tiffany? © Pedro2009 | Dreamstime.com
Many luxury properties will tailor experiences to create unique personal memories. Chefs and concierge teams can assemble multi-course meals inspired by a couple’s travel history, reserve private dining rooms with sweeping views, or coordinate private floral and décor arrangements to transform a suite. Fairmont’s Gold level, for example, allows guests to work with an on-site manager to craft bespoke romantic itineraries and dining reservations.
Food-focused couples can seek out Michelin-quality dining during a stay. At ANA InterContinental Tokyo, dining at Pierre Gagnaire Tokyo — whether in a private room or at a table with the city skyline as a backdrop — can be paired with personalized floral touches and other thoughtful arrangements.
Iconic hotels like The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria New York are steeped in romantic history and offer dedicated suite specialists to help guests select the perfect setting. Staff can fulfill elaborate requests, from lush floral installations to custom chocolate sculptures, creating an over-the-top romantic atmosphere when desired.
No romantic getaway is complete without thoughtful gifts. A luxury purchase — a signature fragrance, a designer handbag, elegant jewels or fine crystal — can be the perfect memento. Duty-free shopping at leading international airports offers a wide selection of high-end brands for last-minute treats, from Chanel and Dior to Cartier and Hermès. Popular airports for luxury duty-free shopping include Changi, Dubai International, Hong Kong International, Incheon, London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle. These indulgences may not be deductible business expenses, but the memories they help create are priceless.