5 February, 2013 - TripAdvisor^®, the world’s largest travel site*, announces the winners of its 2013 Travellers’ Choice Awards for the Most Romantic Hotels, honouring the most romantic hotels in the UK, Europe and the world.

Unlike any other hotel honours, TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards are based on millions of valuable reviews and opinions from travellers around the world. “With the most romantic time of the year fast approaching, these awards recognise the hotels that couples rate highest in the romance stakes. It’s great to see two British hotels in the world top 10 rivaling the likes of famously romantic destinations such as Italy and the Maldives,” commented Emma Shaw TripAdvisor spokesperson. 

Maldives Darling? No, Cumbria Please

While a romantic break often conjures up thoughts of white sand and turquoise waters, the results of this year’s Travellers’ Choice Awards for the Most Romantic Hotels reveal that there’s no need to venture off to a far flung destination – the UK, and in particular Cumbria, is home to two of the most romantic hotels in the world’s top five.

The Cranleigh Boutique in Bowness-on-Windermere has been crowned the UK’s most romantic hotel. But, not just rating high for romance in the UK, the Cumbria hotel has also wowed couples to be ranked third most romantic hotel in the world. 

Located just a minute’s walk from the shores of Lake Windermere couples can enjoy a Ben de Lisi glass jacuzzi bath, mood lighting and an outdoor hot tub, Stephen and Louise Hargreaves, owners of Cranleigh Boutique in Bowness-on-Windermere said, “We’re delighted to be able to put Cumbria on the map for romance in this year’s Travellers’ Choice Awards for the Most Romantic Hotels. Aside from the romantic setting that the Lake District offers already, we always make it our mission to bring the romance inside as well, and it’s great that it hasn’t gone unnoticed by the couples who have stayed with us.”

And, just down the road, the Cedar Manor Hotel and Restaurant in Windermere takes the title of second most romantic hotel in the UK and fourth in the world. Built in 1854 as a private country house retreat, private and secluded with views of the stunning Lake District mountainside, this hotel makes for the ideal hideaway for couples wishing to relax and spend some quality time together. 

Forget St Valentine, St Ives spells romance

The 14^th February celebrates the Roman saint, Valentine and a different kind of saint is now being celebrated for its romantic credentials. St Ives in Cornwall is home to Boskerris Hotel which is the third most romantic hotel in the UK and sixth in Europe.Couples can enjoy a romantic meal on the decked terrace whilst admiring the views across St Ives Bay or share a sunken bath for two in their room 

Lovers’ sanctuary in Santorini

For couples looking to escape the UK, the Anastasis Apartments in Santorini, Greece has been crowned the most romantic hotel in the world. Perched on top of the cliffs of the Caldera, the hotel boasts an infinity swimming pool overlooking the ocean and an outdoor Jacuzzi, providing the perfect romantic setting. La Minerva in Capri, Italy takes the runner up spot.

For the complete list of winners from the 2013 Travellers’ Choice Awards for the Most Romantic Hotels, more reviews and candid traveller photos, go to www.tripadvisor.co.uk/TravellersChoice-Romance (please note this link will be live with 2013 results on Tuesday 5^th February).

To see the best hotels for luxury, bargain, and more, as honored in TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for Hotels in January, go tohttp://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/TravellersChoice.

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For more information please contact Hayley Coleman: 077 398 27951 / hcoleman@tripadvisor.com  

2013 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Romance Awards Highlights:

UK’s most romantic hotels

1. Cranleigh Boutique – Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria, England

2. Cedar Manor Hotel and Restaurant – Windermere, Cumbria, England

3. Boskerris Hotel – St Ives, Cornwall, England

4. Trelaske Hotel & Restaurant – Looe, Cornwall, England

5. The Old Rectory Hotel – Martinhoe, Devon, England

6. Shelley's – Lynmouth, Devon, England

7. Green Bough Hotel – Chester, Cheshire, England

8. Knockendarroch House Hotel – Pitlochry, Scotland

9. The Scarlet Hotel – Mawgan Porth, Cornwall, England

10. The Crown & Castle – Orford, Suffolk, England

Most romantic hotels in the world

1. Anastasis Apartments – Imerovigli, Greece

2. La Minerva – Capri, Italy

3. Cranleigh Boutique – Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria, England

4. Cedar Manor Hotel and Restaurant – Windermere, Cumbria, England

5. Baros Maldives – North Male Atoll, Maldives

6. Casa del Mar, Langkawi – Pantai Cenang, Malaysia

7. Bardessono – Yountville, California, United States

8. Al Maha Desert Resort – Dubai, United Arab Emirates

9. Layana Resort and Spa – Ko Lanta, Thailand

10. Veligandu Island Resort – North Ari Atoll, Maldives

Most romantic hotels in Europe

1. Anastasis Apartments – Imerovigli, Greece

2. La Minerva – Capri, Italy

3. Cranleigh Boutique – Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria, England

4. Cedar Manor Hotel and Restaurant – Windermere, Cumbria, England

5. Alchymist Residence Nosticova – Prague, Czech Republic

6. Boskerris Hotel – St Ives, Cornwall, England

7. Lindos Blu – Lindos, Greece

8. The Cliff Bay (Porto Bay) – Funchal, Portugal

9. Trelaske Hotel & Restaurant – Looe, Cornwall, England

10. Herrnschlosschen – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Notes to Editors

Awards selection:

The Travellers' Choice Awards for the Most Romantic Hotels are based on the millions of hotel reviews and opinions from travellers on TripAdvisor gathered over a 12-month period since the 2012 awards, with emphasis on insights from those who have marked, on the review form, that they stayed at the hotel as a ‘Couple’.