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Beautiful Boudoirs
A room ready for seduction needs to do more than get the basics right, it needs to pull out all the stops! And this year’s ‘Sexiest Bedroom’ was awarded to architectural wonder, Keemala, Phuket… which just happens to be right on our doorstep, girls. Other front runners include rustic-luxe Nihiwatu in Indonesia, plush La Residence in South Africa and sultry Monteverdi in Italy. Fancy a steamy getaway? Read on for all deets and check out these winning hotel (and runners up!) from this year’s coveted Mr & Mrs Smith Hotel Awards…
KEEMALA, Phuket, Thailand
Romance comes in many guises – and there are no hard and fast rules for creating the perfect boudoir. But some things we can all agree on, it has to delight, excite, and of course, surprise – much like the bird’s-nest bedrooms at Keemala! Loosely based on ancient tribe dwellings, each of these lofty pool villas is a cocoon of woven wood, with a glass wall overlooking lush rainforest, rugged mountains and the glittering Andaman Sea. Forget romancing the stone; romance the four-poster bed, the al fresco bath tub, or the private lap pool. Feathers optional.
Smith Extra: A 90-minute Harmonising Massage for two in the spa.
THE NOMAD HOTEL, New York, US
You wouldn’t think that a former National Cash Register Company could be sexy, but Nomad has proven us wrong! Especially if you bed down in an Atelier room, which snoops on Broadway or 28th Street definitely encourages a little fun in the shape of their a claw-foot bath tub in the bedroom (and oversized shower in the ensuite!). The king-size bed has an embossed leather headboard (groovy, baby!) and soft Sferra linens. There’s also mahogany desk, should you feel a sudden need to sit down and err… brainstorm.
Smith Extra: Bottle of house wine upon arrival.
NIHIWATU, Sumba, Indonesia
Talk about cliffhangers: the Marrangga Villa’s sleeping options include a private balé perched on a cliffside platform, with spectacular sea views and mosquito-net draping that manages to be both practical and seductive (anyone feeling romantically uninspired in such scenery should check their pulse!). There’s also a palatial four-poster in the villa’s main bedroom, plus a pretty pretty private garden with an outdoor shower and bath tub, plus your own plunge pool. Dive in!
Smith Extra: A bottle of wine on arrival. SilverSmith and GoldSmith members receive a free room upgrade subject to availability; GoldSmith members also receive a 60-minute massage for each guest.
AREIAS DO SEIXO, Torres Vedras, Portugal
The name says it all – it’s practically impossible to not get romantic in Areias do Seixo’s Love Room! Possibly the loveliest of all, Nha Cretcheu has an elevated four-poster bed with a frame hewn from wooden boughs, plus a fireplace by the bed with a stash of logs, so you can stoke the flames (flammable nightwear: not advisable). Items to strip off for include the Jacuzzi bath tub, outdoor shower and garden-spying behemoth of a bath tub.
Smith Extra: For stays of up to two nights, a glass of wine and snacks; for stays of three nights or more, a romantic bath ritual for rooms, a basket of goodies from the garden for villas. GoldSmiths also get a room upgrade (subject to availability) and take-home gift.
MONTEVERDI, Tuscany, Italy
Seductive interiors don’t have to be ruby-red and hung with glittery metaphorical nipple tassels. Sometimes they’re bride-white and full of natural charm: exposed beams, valley views and rustic simplicity by the village-load, for example. Val D’Orcia’s (not so!) secret weapon is the circular black bath tub in the room. The tub is perched helpfully by the king-size bed, so you can cavort from bed to bubbles.
Smith Extra: Welcome reception including a glass of prosecco and selection of local cheeses and meats.
LA RESIDENCE, Franschhoek, South Africa
The Maharani Suite nods to India’s charms from its Winelands setting: spice-rack hues of red and yellow get things off to a warm start and the theme continues with Indian artworks and antiques. Should you wish to move around in bed, the padded headboard, featuring vintage linen, guarantees comfort (whatever position you’re in). The suite spies on the pond and mountains from its two balconies; the vast bathroom has a freestanding bath tub and mountain views.
Smith Extra: A Franschhoek Valley wine tasting in the La Residence’s private cellar.
JARDINS SECRETS, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Secret by name, secret by nature: this hideaway has a walled garden where songbirds sing (they don’t do requests though). Spy on them – and each other – from one of the Junior Suites, which have high ceilings, large windows, a living space with antique-style sofas, a romantic room with a canopied bed, and a lavish bathroom with a bathtub and separate shower.
Smith Extra: One bottle of wine and a gourmet tapas plate a stay.
EL FENN, Marrakech, Morocco
If our hand was forced to pick the most romantic room in the most romantic hotel in Marrakech, we’d opt for El Fenn’s Room 19: a first-floor suite with a private terrace surveying the Medina and a glass-bottomed plunge pool surveying the suite below. Haggle for each other’s affections in the roll-top bath, or stake out the inviting living area. Hand-stitched camel leather floors are an additional tactile touch. If sensually lit courtyards with marble fountains and rose-petal-filled basins don’t make your heart skip, nothing will!
Smith Extra: A bottle of wine; members staying three nights or more will receive a traditional hammam for two.
UXUA CASA HOTEL & SPA, Bahia, Brazil
The Brazilians could ace romance in their sleep, especially if said sleep takes place in Casa de Arvore, a honeymoon suite built from recycled wood and positioned vertiginously high in the treetops. Instead of a room, you have a whole Bahian house to play with – one with three levels, a thatched roof, a large covered verandah with a hammock and bar area, a double shower in the bathroom, and spa tub on the outdoor deck. There’s even a swing underneath the casa!
Smith Extra: A bottle of champagne in your room on arrival. Members staying five nights or more will receive a special Smith cocktail each, and a free candlelit meal for two on the Quadrado.
COQUI COQUI COBA RESIDENCE & SPA, Yucatan, Mexico
What does passion smell like? Ask Coqui Coqui Coba, which has its own artisan perfumery and the most fragrant rooms we’ve encountered, thanks to artfully placed perfume diffusers and signature lotions and potions! Room One woos eyes and our nostrils, thanks to its huge bed dressed in satin-soft linens, sunken bathtub for two (we tested it) and lake-spying balcony (the sunset views are incredible). Want privacy? There’s only one other room on the top floor…
Smith Extra: One $70 spa credit per stay.
Mr & Mrs Smith gets you the best rates, guaranteed, as well as a little something extra on arrival at every hotel. To book, call the Smith24 team toll-free on 800 905 326, or visit www.mrandmrssmith.com.
