I would have said "I saw them from a distance."
If you use the verbs "like" or "want" in a negative sentence, the meaning is clear:
If you "would not like" to see them, it means you would dislike seeing them,
and if you "would not want" to see them, it means you would wish not to see them.
But "love" is a stronger verb, so when you negate it, it is not clear whether
(a) you would like something (but not love it), or
(b) you would hate it.