The lodge: Lumière Telluride, Telluride, Colorado

Perfect for you and: Your hard-to-please mate

Isolation index: 6 out of 10. It's impossible to get a feel for the location of Telluride (view slideshow) from a flat map. It can't show you the town's dramatic placement in a deep box canyon, nor convey the immensity of the surrounding San Juan Mountains—both are reasons why the old mining town still seems cut off from the outside world. Montrose Airport, where most visitors arrive, is only 60 miles north, but in winter the drive can feel like a feat.

Cold comfort: Lumière will pick you up at the airport in a limo or hybrid SUV, easing that arrival. And you'll soon see how Telluride (unlike tony Aspen and Vail) retains much of its quirky frontier quality. There are plenty of eccentrics ambling along the main drag and swilling beer at the 117-year-old New Sheridan Hotel. Less authentic, but a helluva lot more luxurious, is Lumière, which opened in December 2008 and is located slope-side at 9,550 feet (a 13-minute gondola ride from town). The property's mission is to provide the utmost in pampering. Just imagine: After arranging ski rentals in the comfort of your suite, staffers actually put your boots on your feet and lead you to your skis.

The aphrodisiac: The 30 penthouse-like rooms, from studios to four-bedrooms, most with full kitchens, lounge areas, and balconies. If these spaces are not big and homey enough to satisfy your significant other, there's also a 7,500-square-foot home with five bedrooms, an outdoor patio with hot tub, private elevator, and pool table.

Lumière Telluride
Tel: 866 530 9466
Doubles from $469, including breakfast in bed

NEXT: Latin love >