TOP
10 BEST HONEYMOON SPOTS
Intimate.
Lively. Sexy. Secluded. All of these are important qualities
to look for in a honeymoon destination, and each of our picks
incorporates at least one—and sometimes all—of
them. From sumptuous tented romance in India to cozy lodge
loving in Canada, we’ve found places to suit every amorous
mood. If marriage is the ultimate celebration of love, the
honeymoon is its ultimate expression. Every couple is unique,
so explore our singular selections and plan a honeymoon that’s
as distinctive as you are.
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UNITED
STATES
Connecticut
Thomas Henkelmann Homestead Inn
www.homesteadinn.com
Most
mountain resorts embrace a casual, laid-back, slope-friendly
lifestyle. But it’s an old-fashioned formality that gives
this property its charm—colonial-style décor in the bedrooms,
and jackets required in the Dining Room, where an orchestra
serenades diners. After two years of construction by 250 master
craftsmen, this hotel opened in 1902, and today it’s
a National Historic Landmark. It’s a part of The Mount
Washington Resort at Bretton Woods, and right outside the door
are hundreds of acres of ski terrain. You’ll find 101
trails and glades (including plenty of black diamond glades),
White Mountain National Park for cross-country skiing, high-speed
quad lifts and a gorgeous landscape for night skiing.
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CANADA
British Columbia
King Pacific Lodge
www.kingpacificlodge.com
Not
every couple wants to fly off to a tropical island after saying, “I
do.” For some, isolation, fresh mountain air, wilderness
vistas and fly-fishing—yes, fly-fishing—are the
ultimate aphrodisiacs. If cuddling in front of a fireplace
is your idea of romance, then King Pacific Lodge is the honeymoon for you. This floating wilderness retreat is moored in Barnard
Harbour on Princess Royal Island, and with just seventeen rooms,
it ensures you won’t be sharing the great outdoors with
the masses. The Romance Suite features a handmade king-size
driftwood bed, but we suggest the corner Waterfall Suite, with
ocean and waterfall views, living room with open fireplace,
two decks and a dining room for in-room tête-à-têtes. If you
want, you can even say your vows here, at the edge of Great
Bear Rain Forest or on top of a glacier.
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CARIBBEAN
Turks & Caicos
The Palms
www.thepalmstc.com
Elegant,
exclusive luxury hotels can be found throughout the Caribbean—one
of the world’s ultimate honeymoon destinations—so
why recommend The Palms over its counterparts? The answer is
ambience. Consider staying at this property a lesson on how
to treat one another well. Very well. The attitude here will
set the tone for your union … a lifetime of attending
to the desires of one another’s bodies, minds and spirits.
Housed in low-rise coral stone buildings, the bedrooms feature
mahogany four-poster beds and ocean-view travertine terraces.
And the Penthouse Suite comes with an outdoor garden shower
and chauffeur service. Get intimate on one of the private pool
decks around the serpentine infinity pool, and toast to the
future as you dine on an over water banquette.
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FRENCH
POLYNESIA
Taha’a
Island
Le Taha'a Private Island & Spa
www.letahaa.com
Ah,
tradition. There’s a reason sun-kissed honeymoons never
go out of style. They’re the perfect antidote to the
stress of planning the big day. And let’s face it, they’re
just plain sexy. Our favorite in this category is Le
Taha’a Private Island & Spa, a small coral islet
between Taha’a and Bora Bora. It can only be reached
by private boat or helicopter, and every one of its beach and
over water bungalows measures in at 1,400 square-feet. You
want one of the over water variety. Connected by walkways,
these sanctuaries open right onto the sea. Although you’re
far from civilization, the resort is civilized, with a decadent
spa and three excellent restaurants helmed by Veronique Melloul.
Of course, we’re not suggesting that you need to be on
your best behavior. This is your honeymoon, after all.
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INDIA
Rajasthan
Aman-i-Khás
www.amanresorts.com
A
canvas tent in the middle of nowhere. If this sounds too much
like roughing it, think again. Never before has the combination
of cement and steel frames been so elegant … or romantic.
Not that this should come as a surprise, given that Aman-i-Khás
belongs to the oh so divine Amanresorts collection. Couples
seeking a one of a kind way to kick off their new life together
will do well to take over one of the ten tents here, with their
stylish minimalist furniture and dreamy day beds draped in
canopies. There’s a spa tent and a dining tent, although
meals often conclude around an outdoor campfire. If your loved
one is a bit of a wildcat, you’ll feel particularly at
home, since this wilderness camp sits on the outskirts of Ranthambhore
National Park, a tiger reserve. Among the ways here to commemorate
your love: traditional henna body art.
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ITALY
Lake Garda
Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli
www.villafeltrinelli.com
If
you and your sweetie are envisioning your dream home, why not
dream big? A former manor house built in 1892, the ornate,
lakefront Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli will certainly give
you something to aspire to. A superb restoration by haute hotelier
Bob Burns ranges from the gorgeous carved wood ceilings to
the garden with its olive groves and tiers of lemon trees.
Hanging out at the pool, you’ll feel like landed gentry
rather than a hotel guest. D.H. Lawrence finished “Sons
and Lovers” at Lake Garda, so you can rest assured the
setting is suitably sexy for a honeymoon. And if you’re
planning a spring wedding, we can’t imagine a more enchanted
April.
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THE
NETHERLANDS
Amsterdam
The Dylan
www.dylanamsterdam.com
Is
a sense of playfulness one of the bonds that holds you together?
If so, you’ll find kindred spirits in the creators of
The Dylan. You absolutely must book the peppermint candy-striped
Klassbols Room, a post-modern boudoir that feels like a cross
between a sleek hip hotel and a brothel. That’s not to
say this hotel doesn’t have class. It’s as elegant
as they come, and to add to the sophistication, it is situated
on the scenic, 17th-century Keizersgracht canal. When it comes
to facilities, there’s not much more than the restaurant,
serving a fusion of Italian and Thai cuisine. But who needs
tennis courts with Amsterdam at the doorstep? With its cozy
jazz clubs, sexy Red Light District and North Sea beach towns
just an hour away, it is a perfect place for lovers.
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MEXICO
Baja
Esperanza
www.esperanzaresort.com
When
it comes to honeymoon destinations, few sizzle like those south
of the border. For those who want sophistication with their
spice, Esperanza is the ideal choice. Decorated with original
art and handcrafted furniture, all of the luxury suites and
private villas have terraces that open onto expansive views
of Baja’s Sea of Cortez. The spa has yummy indoor steam
caves and waterfalls, and the three-level, al fresco restaurant
is carved into the bluffs, cascading down to two private coves.
You can ask for a picnic basket for a secluded tryst. Or if
you’re feeling frisky, check out the tequila menu. There
are over 100 choices. Why not take a few back to your room
and give body shots a try?
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MOROCCO
Marrakech
Dar Rhizlane
www.dar-rhizlane.com
Is
yours the kind of love that deserves the royal treatment? The
privately owned Dar Rhizlane bills itself as a guest palace,
a claim we find somewhat bold. But in fact it lives up to the
assertion, although on a level far more intimate than Buckingham
and the Taj Mahal. Set in the tranquil, residential Hivernage
neighborhood, this hotel feels like a cross between a palace
and a manor house. Although you’re just steps from the
lively Medina, you can easily hide away amid the orange trees,
rose bushes, jasmine and palms. This oasis is no mirage, as
you’ll discover sitting in the restaurant gazing through
French windows into the garden. Steal a kiss beneath a wisteria-draped
arch, or sip evening cocktails in the glow of the candlelit
pool.
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AFRICA
Tanzania
Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
www.ccafrica.com
If
your love makes you feel like you’re on top of the world,
you’ll feel right at home at Lake Manyara Tree Lodge.
Nestled in a mahogany forest in Lake Manyara National Park,
the ten stilted treehouse suites have lovely private viewing
decks for looking down on creation … if you know the
song, sing along. The suites are crafted from local timber
and palm fronds, and are furnished in classy, earthy tones.
When you’re not breakfasting on the lakeshore, splashing
in the pool or sampling Pan-African cuisine in the outdoor
forest dining area, you can heed the call of the wild … wildlife,
that is. Among the creatures you might see on game drives:
nomadic flamingos and herds of elephants. |
