Whether you have kids or not, sometimes we all need a peaceful respite from that youthful energy. Nothing takes you out of vacation mode faster than a cannonball infusing your cocktail with chlorine while you're deep in a poolside page-turner.
An easy fix? An adults-only accommodation, ideal for couples looking to spend quality time together in a peaceful, luxurious setting.
As a child-free woman, I know the appeal of an adults-only stay firsthand. (In fact, I even opened an adults-only Airbnb in the Faroe Islands.) But they're an equal draw for parents who are craving a little peace and quiet with their partner.
If you’re looking for a child-free getaway, here are some of the best adults-only properties around the world.
In this article
Anantara Veli Maldives Resort in the Maldives
Few places in the world are more couple-coded than the Maldives.
I’ve been to almost 50 resorts in this tropical Indian Ocean country, and Anantara Veli is arguably its most luxurious adults-only private island. Made for honeymoons and special anniversaries, its 63 overwater, beach, and lagoon villas have private pools and soaking tubs for two.
It’s hard to leave the villas here, but the Couple Journey spa menu is worth it. Options include a Couple’s Massage with island-made coconut oil and an Ayurvedic couples massage to detoxify the body.
And as the sun sets, Anantara’s Designer Dining creates special dinner setups, like a lobster feast at a private dining table dug into the sand or a boat ride to a deserted island for a barefoot picnic.
Twin Farms in Vermont
Deep in the backcountry of Vermont, Twin Farms sits on 300 acres of pristine New England farmland.
As a born-and-raised New Englander, it’s hard to think of a more special stay than this all-inclusive, adults-only country estate.
Split into 28 standalone cottages and suites, each has a distinct theme, from modern, Scandi-style treehouses with a retro gas stove to a cottage housing millions of dollars worth of famous artwork. It’s a pick-your-own-adventure kind of stay here, with outdoor activities like skiing, archery, cycling, hiking, tennis, ice skating, sledding, and more.
Book a session at Twin Farm’s private onsen, filled with 104°F salt water, perfect when the temperatures dip below freezing.
Green O in Montana
A resort inside of a resort, Green O’s 12 designer-centric hauses sit inside the 37,000-acre forest at family-friendly Paws Up Montana. But this part of the ultra-luxe retreat has a strict 21-and-over policy.
Green O has four different types of standalone setups here, ranging from the circular Round Haus to the popular Tree Haus.
During my stay here, I was in the Green Haus, a stylish space with a gas stove, private hot tub, and an all-tile bathroom. And while solitude, privacy, and nature are key reasons to book, it’s a foodie’s dream. Couples sit down to a multi-course, Montana-inspired menu created daily by James Beard-nominated chefs.
Forestis in Italy
If you haven’t heard of The Dolomites, that’s about to change. One of Italy’s trending destinations, this northeastern region has stunning, rugged landscapes and a UNESCO World Heritage mountain range.
And no one has a better view over these striking alpine peaks than Forestis.
Surrounded by treetops and mountain views, rooms here have calming interiors with neutral tones, timbers, clean lines, and natural linens. Designed for peace and quiet, couples come here to reconnect through an Italian cooking class, trail hikes, guided meditations, and sound bowl experiences.
There’s never a bad time to visit this serene escape, but shoulder seasons of spring and fall add extra calm to this high-altitude hideaway.
Sterrekopje Farm in South Africa
It’s all about wellness at this maximalist, adults-only wellness sanctuary outside of Cape Town. This designer hotel sits on a centuries-old farm in South Africa’s Franschhoek wine country.
Couples feel their jaws unclench and their shoulders lower as soon as they arrive at Sterrekopje Farm. Its 11 rooms and suites have a unique, magazine-worthy design, with wooden beams, bright, patterned curtains, flower-themed furniture, and African art.
But its bathrooms are the pièce de résistance. They range from clawfoot tubs in a private outdoor garden to copper soaking tubs in front of wood fireplaces. But it's all about well-being here, from its farm-grown produce to a sublime bathhouse with various treatments and an apothecary, with teas and oils hand-made on-site.
The Shortcut
Adults-only stays are trending, whether you're child-free by choice or just child-free for a weekend.
Wellness is the draw at a few of these: Sterrekopje's bathhouse runs on farm-grown ingredients, and Forestis pairs mountain views with guided meditation and sound bowl sessions.
Twin Farms and Green O lean into activity and food, from a 104°F private onsen to a nightly menu built by James Beard-nominated chefs.
Anantara Veli takes "special occasion" seriously: think a lobster dinner dug into the sand or a boat ride to a deserted island for a barefoot picnic.
Katie Lockhart was hosted by Anantara Veli Maldives Resort, Twin Farms, and Green O. Some expenses were covered. All opinions and recommendations in this article are her own.
