The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, Photo Credit: The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company LLC
It’s almost Valentine’s Day, the perfect time to renew your vows. Without a crowd of friends and relatives to please, you can truly make the day all about your love by booking a sweet stay at a romantic location. From soaking up the sun on the beach to taking in a spectacular mountaintop view, these five destinations are the ideal spots to redo your “I Do.”
Grand Cayman Island
Maybe you didn’t get to have that destination wedding you wanted, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make up for it when you renew your vows. Grand Cayman Island is a terrific destination to relive that special day, and you get to spend most of it lazing on the beach.
A good place to stay is Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, an elegant resort built to make dreams come true.
Book a couples’ scuba session or take a trip to Stingray City, a shallow area in the middle of the sea where you can play and pose with the amazing creatures in a safe environment. And who knows? A photo taken with the local fish could turn out better than some of the shots you snapped with family members at your wedding.
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Photo Credit: FRHI
Alberta, Canada
Shout your love from the mountaintop by hitching a ride through Banff National Park on the Banff Gondola. This tram goes up to Sulphur Mountain and affords some of the best views of beautiful Alberta, making it an ideal backdrop for your second wedding.
After your renewal, mark the occasion with a Nova Scotia lobster roll, Okanagan peach cobbler and a glass of champagne in the Sky Bistro, a newly renovated restaurant complete with an observation deck on top of the mountain.
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is a gorgeous, castle-like property surrounded by the Canadian Rockies. But for those wanting to stay in downtown Banff, try the recently opened Moose Hotel & Suites, a 174-room escape with a spa, two rooftop hot pools and an abundance of woodsy charm
As an added bonus for an Alberta getaway, this year kicks off Canada’s 150th anniversary, so you can toast to the country and your partnership in tandem.
Las Vegas
Admit it. Haven’t you always kind of wanted to run away and get married in Las Vegas? And to think, when you complete the ceremony with the Elvis impersonator in the tiny chapel, you can celebrate like real kings at a place like The Laurel Collection by Caesars Palace, a Four-Star boutique hotel inside the Roman-themed mega casino. Spend the day wandering the complex, playing the slots, relaxing in the spa and taking in a Celine Dion concert.
If you want to book a more secluded stay, Four-Star Vdara Hotel & Spa is an upscale, smoke-free, non-gaming boutique property with an intimate ambience. The hotel has one of the best breakfasts in town. Between meals, you can lounge at the pool and order fresh juices with or without booze. As a bonus, you can also book a space for your pet just in case you need a canine witness at your ceremony.
Royal Hideaway Playacar, Photo Credit: Barcelo Hotels & Resorts
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Leave the kids at home and head to Royal Hideaway Playacar, an adults-only resort in the beautiful Riviera Maya. The all-inclusive property underwent a complete renovation in 2016, and now you can bask in refreshed luxury. Renew your vows while taking in views of the sparkling blue water, and then sit down for an epic dinner at the chef’s Table at Las Ventanas.
After you have rekindled the love flame, bask by one of the six pools, relax in the full-service spa or traipse around the beach.
Cong, Ireland
If you could get married in a castle, wouldn’t you? Now is your chance to redo that special ceremony in one of the most unique properties in Ireland. Ashford Castle is a medieval structure surrounded by 350 acres of emerald-hued hills, charming pathways, fairytale forests and the glittering blue-gray lakefront of Lough Corrib. The raw beauty of the land and grandness of the historical castle will pale only in comparison to your sweetheart’s face as you once again profess love to each other.
The property offers a romance package that includes a two-night stay, a rose petal turndown service and a five-course, candlelight dinner at the onsite fine-dining restaurant. Spend your days there learning about falconry, exploring the vast grounds, visiting the nearby village, taking in a movie in the castle’s private cinema or getting a couples’ massage.
