With so much time and energy invested into making sure the actual wedding day goes without a hitch, the honeymoon is sometimes given the secondary treatment or overlooked altogether. The places listed here are far from the same unimaginative sights many couples have relegated their romantic rendezvous to. In fact, these exciting destinations range from exotic European cities to sunny tropical escapes, and our sentimental editors agree that they’re 10 of the top honeymoon spots in the world.
Wickaninnish Inn Tofino, Vancouver Island
The eco-friendly Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Wickaninnish Inn Tofino sits on a remote stretch of Vancouver Island and offers the ultimate romantic getaway. Imagine cozying up by the fireplace (every room has one) with a bottle of champagne while you and your new spouse watch the Pacific waves crash below. And if you want to get a closer look, take a stroll along Chesterman Beach.
Book Wickaninnish Inn’s “All You Need is Love” package and the two of you will be treated to a four-course dinner at The Pointe Restaurant, an evening turndown complete with white orchids and chocolate truffles, and keepsake champagne flutes. After a relaxing treatment at the Four-Star Ancient Cedars Spa, check out the newly added Henry Nolla Gallery at Driftwood Café.
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
No matter which room you book at the Five-Star Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, you’ll have a view of the Pacific. Unwind by the adults-only Palm Grove Pool, where you can treat yourselves to a couple of grown-up Hawaiian shave ice cocktails in flavors like pineapple margarita and raspberry basil. Be sure to snag a table for two at the resort’s new ‘ULU Ocean Grill & Sushi Lounge for a beachfront dinner.
Whether you’re an active couple or prefer to lounge poolside, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai’s picturesque locale will inspire your upcoming Hawaiian honeymoon. After all, this is where you can challenge each other to a round of golf on the Jack Nicklaus signature course, snorkel in the 1.8-million-gallon saltwater pond or book a side-by-side massage at the Four-Star spa.
Auberge du Soleil, Rutherford, Calif.
Set in California’s scenic Napa Valley, Four-Star Auberge du Soleil exudes romance and exclusivity. The 33-acre resort overlooks the Mayacamas Mountains and is surrounded by an olive grove, creating just the right amount of privacy for a relaxing honeymoon getaway.
Enjoy dinner at Auberge du Soleil’s Four-Star restaurant that sports views of picturesque Napa Valley, or book the Melisse Suite at the Four-Star spa for a romantic (and soothing) retreat. The concierge can also arrange nearby activities such as winery visits and hot air balloon rides.
The Inn at Little Washington, Washington, Va.
Tucked away at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains just 70 miles from Washington, D.C., the Five-Star Inn at Little Washington is ideal for newlyweds looking for a low-key yet luxe honeymoon (Hollywood A-list couple Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively honeymooned here last fall). Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, the inn provides a stunning backdrop all year-round—think blooming wildflowers in the spring, lush gardens in the summer, vibrant fall foliage and snow-dusted mountains come winter.
For the best views, book the Gamekeeper’s Cottage, which features a beautiful patio overlooking the “field of dreams” (where much of the inn’s restaurant’s ingredients are grown) and a stone fireplace perfect for a romantic nightcap. When you book a room at The Inn at Little Washington, you and your sweetheart are guaranteed a table at its Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant.
Amanzo’e, Porto Heli, Greece
Head to the Aman Spa at Amanzo’e for a couple’s treatment or unwind with a relaxing meal at the resort’s poolside restaurant. Nearby attractions and activities include archaeological sites, the islands of Spetses and Hydra, and helicopter tours of the area.
Guest rooms at Amanzo’e are sleek and sophisticated with marble walls around the beds and private pools for the ultimate in relaxation. Arranged at various spots on the lush hillside, all rooms feature stunning views of the shimmering Aegean Sea or the Peloponnese countryside.
Meadowood Napa Valley, St. Helena, Calif.
Oenophile or not, it’s hard to beat Napa Valley in the romance department. Four-Star Meadowood Napa Valley may be set on 250 rolling acres, but it feels intimate. When you two aren’t curled up by your room’s fireplace with an amazing bottle of wine, take advantage of the top-notch Meadowood service and embark on an adventure, such as ballooning above the California vineyards.
Four-Star The Restaurant at Meadowood is widely considered the most important restaurant in Napa Valley at the moment, so you simply can’t miss a meal here during your honeymoon. Grab pre-dinner cocktails in the recently expanded bar, then settle in for 10 courses expertly prepared by executive chef Christopher Kostow.
Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Hotel, St. Lucia
After a $100 million revamp, Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort on St. Lucia debuted a handful of new facilities and amenities, including luxury villas and several restaurants and bars. The beachfront resort offers a slew of activities for honeymooners, including kayaking, windsurfing, sailing and scuba diving at its own PADI dive center. If you’d rather retreat to the beach, you can order cocktails and food by planting a red flag in the sand.
The Rainforest Spa at Sugar Beach is a must for newlyweds with its unique location in the treetops, and signature treatments such as bamboo massages and salt scrubs—you can even get poolside massages to make the most of your time in the Caribbean sun. After exerting lots of energy scuba diving or hiking, indulge in a rum-based libation at the Cane Bar, which features a special “rummelier.”
Four Seasons Resort Seychelles
Four Seasons Resort Seychelles‘ hillside locale means you and your new spouse will enjoy prime views of the Indian Ocean and white sand beaches. The resort’s 67 villas are luxurious and secluded with infinity-edge plunge pools and Creole-style décor. When you two aren’t soaking up the sun, you can unwind in the 600-square-foot library that houses books about Seychelles and Creole culture.
Book a side-by-side couples treatment at Four Seasons Resort Seychelles’ hilltop spa—which incorporates chakra healing practices—or head out for the day on a catamaran. But simply lounging by the pool or on the white sand beach is never a bad option.
J.K. Place Capri, Italy
The idyllic Italian island of Capri is where you’ll find this exquisitely charming hotel. J.K. Place Capri‘s elegant nautical theme is appropriate for its waterfront setting overlooking the Marina Grande port.
The only bad thing about honeymooning at J.K. Capri is you may have a hard time leaving your guest room. The villas here feature romantic canopy beds and views of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris
The undeniably glamorous Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris near Paris‘ Champs-Élysées features guest rooms filled with mirrored furniture and walk-in closets, and an in-house movie theater hits the spot for a fun night with your significant other.
Book a relaxing couple’s treatment such as the melting honey hot stones massage at Le Royal Monceau’s Clarins spa, or enlist the service of the art concierge to describe the private collection throughout this Parisian hotel.
Photos Courtesy of Four Seasons, Meadowood Napa Valley and The Inn at Little Washington
