Domestic Bliss
U.S. Escape #1
Phoenix, Arizona
Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa; Photograph by Catherine Karnow/CORBIS
This city’s near-perfect weather and abundance of golf courses have long attracted the links-loving set; now its spas and revamped luxury resorts are calling to lovebirds, too. The grandest lodgings around can be found at the refreshed 80-year-old ARIZONA BILTMORE RESORT & SPA (doubles from $229, 602-955-6600, arizonabiltmore.com). Frank Lloyd Wright lent his vision to the 740-room property, which has eight pools, tennis courts galore, and an adjacent country club. Reserve a suite at its boutique hotel-within-a-hotel, the Ocatilla, and relax with an outdoor couples’ massage. Equally all-inclusive and nearly brand-new, the INTERCONTINENTAL MONTELUCIA RESORT & SPA is a mini village at the foot of Camelback Mountain (doubles from $295, 480-627-3200, icmontelucia.com). The Andalusian Luxury Suite comes with a private pool and patio, and is close to the Joya Spa. Duos who like a streamlined look should book the Hi-Lob private home at the MODERN SANCTUARY ON CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN, which has floor-to-ceiling windows with Paradise Valley views (doubles from $295, 480-948-2100, sanctuaryoncamelback.com).
U.S. Escape #2
Portland, Oregon
Ace Hotel
This young, vibrant town is packed with galleries, cinemas, boutiques, and independent everything—coffee shops, breweries, hotels, you name it. These all make Portland an ideal escape for newlyweds obsessed with food and culture. The city’s latest upscale hotel, THE NINES, is a 331-room study in green hospitality (doubles from $189, 503-222-9996, thenines.com). The LEED-certified spot’s colorful suites and new rooftop bar, Departures, provide a luxe backdrop to a low-key honeymoon. Funky and ultrahip, the nearby ACE HOTEL embodies Portland’s irreverent attitude (doubles from $120, 503-228-2277, acehotel.com/portland). Artsy couples should check into one of the superior rooms, which look like urban studio lofts. If you’re more old-school, steer toward the HOTEL DELUXE, a 131-room homage to art deco and old Hollywood glamour (doubles from $139, 503-219-2094, hoteldeluxeportland.com).