Whether you’re looking for an adult-only hotel or resort in Europe for a romantic honeymooner’s retreat, a peaceful child-free escape or a lively spot to enjoy cocktails around the pool with a group of friends, we’ve selected some of the best adults-only hotels in Italy, Greece, Spain and Croatia to get you inspired.
ADULT-ONLY HOTELS IN GREECE
With its heart-stoppingly beautiful sunsets, picture-postcard whitewashed villages and tumble of clifftop houses dangling over the sparkling Aegean Sea, Santorini provides the perfect backdrop for a romantic break, and it’s easy to see why the island is such a hit with honeymooners. At the end of a twisty-turny road just outside the village of Imerovigli, deliciously minimalist Grace Santorini boasts one of the best locations on the island, and with just 21 rooms, you’re unlikely to bump into many other guests.
Walking distance from Oia and its famed sunsets, adults-only luxury hotel Mystique is carved into the cliff faces and offers guests ringside views of the majestic caldera from the gorgeous infinity pool.
Understated, family-run Perivolas is the grande dame of Santorini, and synonymous with seclusion, this adults-only hotel in Greece is hard to beat, with views to make you swoon.
Over on Kos, bohemian adults-only hotel Oku Kos defies the island’s party reputation and provides a peaceful sanctuary on the go-slow north side of the island. With its own stretch of secluded beach, there’s an emphasis on wellbeing and farm-to-table dining inspired by local Mediterranean flavours. A handful of swim-up suites mean the water is never far away, while the hotel’s three villas with private pools are ideal for groups looking to book an adults-only getaway.
ADULT-ONLY HOTELS IN ITALY
Italy is one of Europe’s most romantic destinations, with its fair share of luxury adults-only hotels to match. Down on the utterly beguiling Amalfi Coast, where pretty pastel-coloured houses slope down the hillside and the scent of jasmine hangs in the air, Monastero Santa Rosa is one of the best adult-only hotels in Italy. Perfectly positioned between coastal hotspots Positano and Amalfi, the restored 17th century monastery’s location high up on the cliffs is a blessing, and far enough removed from the day-trippers swarming the beaches down by the shore. Michelin-starred chef Christoph Bob heads up the hotel kitchen, and there’s a superb spa, while the views from the infinity pool – seemingly hovering over the edge of the Tyrrhenian Sea – are downright hallucinatory.
Marooned in the Mediterranean Sea between Sicily and Tunisia, the wild volcanic island of Pantelleria feels a world away from Italy’s better-trammelled holiday destinations. Magical Sikelia could be plucked straight from the pages of a glossy design magazine, and this chic adults-only retreat has just 20 whitewashed stone suites, each with its own private terrace with views over the serene courtyard pool or the distant North African coastline. There are no beaches on the island, but Pantelleria is famed for its natural spas, and it’s well worth visiting the nearby volcanic lake to slap its mineral-rich mud – renowned for its health-giving properties – all over your skin.
ADULT-ONLY HOTELS IN SPAIN
Cleverly designed around the remains of a 19th century former military fortress, Mallorca’s Cap Rocat is like something out of a film set – and is consistently touted as one of the best adult-only hotels in Spain. This Balearic hideaway feels like staying in a piece of the island’s history, with access via a drawbridge and crenelated sandstone towers blending into the rock face. Guests can enjoy two swimming pools, plus a small private beach and a knockout spa, while the serpentine trails behind the hotel are primed for mountain biking and trekking. Romantic dinners take place at candlelit restaurants La Fortaleza, which serves up delicious tasting menus overlooking the shimmering bay.
Squirrelled away behind the pine forest fringing sheltered Cala Gracio Bay, buzzy Oku Ibiza has easy access to a handful of the prettiest beaches on the White Isle – yet the party hub of San Antonio sits just a 20-minute walk away. While children are technically allowed, the main pool (which can boast to be the largest on the island) is adults-only, so there’s no risk of being disturbed by splashing youngsters, while daily yoga classes, cocktail-fuelled Sunday brunches plus daily sunset DJ sessions attract a sophisticated grown-up crowd. Groups can book into the hotel’s four-bedroom villa, which comes with its own pool and private chef on request.
ADULT-ONLY HOTELS IN CROATIA
The Croatian island of Brač is perhaps best-known as the home of one of the most beautiful beaches in the Adriatic, Zlatni Rat – but it’s the sleepy north-western side of the island that harbours one of the best adult-only hotels in Croatia. Set on the edge of the laidback fishing village of Sutivan, Hotel Lemongarden’s beautifully restored stone buildings date back over 300 years, and were once the homes of local noble families. Today, the hotel’s spectacular gardens are the real star, and just the place to unwind with a book and a glass of local Croatian wine under the shade of a lemon tree. There’s a private pebbly beach a short cycle ride away (bikes are available to rent free of charge), plus a private yacht on call for chartered trips to seek out hidden coves and secret swimming spots.
