7 Honeymoon destinations you haven’t thought of

As exciting, romantic and fun as honeymoons are, organising your own is a daunting task. From our research and our own travel experiences, here’s a shortlist of honeymoon destinations we’d recommend that you might not have thought of.

Honeymoon destinations you haven't thought of - Mr & Mrs Romance

With so many decisions to make, plus the added pressure of making sure you’re setting yourselves up for the most memorable holiday of your lives, your honeymoon destination really has to live up to your expectations.

The idea of a honeymoon is for you both to start wedded bliss in privacy, luxury and happiness. It’s time for the two of you to connect after what’s often quite a stressful time of the wedding.

Honeymooning in a place and in a way no one else has before makes it even more memorable. And that’s important for your first happily married holiday together.

Thanks to our friends in the travel industry, we’ve put together a quick list of ideas for honeymoons that tick all of these boxes. Read on for romance, privacy, luxury and that little extra element that will make yours the most memorable honeymoon.

7 Honeymoon destinations you haven’t thought of

1. Turtle Island, Fiji

This privately-owned 500-acre island in the Yasawa Archipelago of north-western Fiji, has been in the Evanson family since 1972. And if the any of its 10 secluded beaches look familiar, perhaps that’s because you saw them in the Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins romance The Blue Lagoon, which was filmed here.

Honeymoon destinations - Turtle Island Fiji

Honeymoon destinations - Turtle Island Fiji

The hotel itself is small and intimate. There are only 14 bure-style villas available and each one is a waterfront property. You can walk from your bure straight into the warm ocean. And the reef is so close, you can just walk to it from the shore, snorkel in hand.

Focus here is to provide you with “a holiday experience that embraces authenticity, exclusivity, barefoot luxury, cultural immersion, sustainability and conservation.”

Turtle Island, Fiji

Honeymoon destinations - Turtle Island Fiji

2. Morocco your way

Many of us dream of visiting Morocco. Narrow bustling alleys of Marrakesh and the souks of Fes, the craggy wilderness of the Atlas Mountains, and the vast sand seas and romance of the Sahara Desert.

It sounds wonderful, but how do you find all this stuff when you get there? You need local knowledge you can trust.

Honeymoon destinations - Morocco By Prior Arrangement

Honeymoon destinations - Morocco By Prior Arrangement

By Prior Arrangement – a travel company started by Morocco-phile Carol Prior over 30 years ago – is how you travel through this fascinating North African country. Carol first journeyed to Morocco in 1971, fell in love with the place immediately and never left.

With Carol’s passion for Morocco, By Prior Arrangement provides luxury experiences, tours and itineraries built on what you want to see and do. And for accommodation, By Prior Arrangement has access to the most elegant, private and romantic riads. Lavish rooms around bright courtyards leading to a tiny door back out into the chaos of the city.

“Specialising in handcrafted historical, cultural itineraries which encompass food, gardens, interiors, architecture and adventure, Morocco by Prior Arrangement, has access to local experts, locations, and experiences.”

Morocco – By Prior Arrangement

Honeymoon destinations - Morocco By Prior Arrangement

3. Samsara Ubud, Bali

Far from the madding crowds of Kuta, the Samsara is a sanctuary of peace, romance and absolute comfort. Nestled into the hills of the uplands of Ubud among the jungle and rice paddies, this romantic retreat is made for honeymoons.

Honeymoon destinations - Samsara Ubud

Honeymoon destinations - Samsara Ubud

Each of the 17 exclusive villas has its own heated pool and garden courtyard, four-poster bed and deep-soak bath tub. The hotel cascades down the contours of the landscape, ending at the stunning D-shaped infinity pool by the bar. Views out from this last lap of luxury sends your view out into the green canopy.

The time you spend at Samsara Ubud is entirely yours. Whether you’re dining at the sweeping balcony restaurant or from a ‘floating breakfast’ in your own pool. Whether you’re enjoying a treatment in the luxuriant spa or stretching out in your own giant armchair beanbag to enjoy a movie at the hotel’s moonlight cinema. It’s all yours.

Owner Bayu Sarwono says it best when he asks the question: “Are you ready to wander?”

Samsara Ubud, Bali

Honeymoon destinations - Samsara Ubud

4. Paris like you mean it

A honeymoon in Paris might seem obvious, but if you want romance, you go to the source. It is the City of Love after all. And if you’re worried about playing into a cliché, these hotels rewrite the rules.

B Signature Hotels has five incredible properties in iconic locations, each giving its own luxurious, romantic take on Paris. 19th Century palaces on the Champs-Elysées, boutiques in the fine elegance of Saint-Germain on the Left Bank and the rich flamboyance of haute couture on the Avenue de l’Opéra.

Honeymoon destinations - Paris with B Signature

Every one of these properties gives you a different taste of Paris with all the luxuries and romance you’d expect in this beautiful city.

B Signature Hotels

5. Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como, Italy

From its stately position on the western shores of Lake Como overlooking Bellagio from across the water and the great alpine mountain ranges beyond, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo is quite spectacular.

Bucket list hotel pools - Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Italy

Grand Hotel Tremezzo Review - Where to stay Lake Como -

It is in every sense grand, with superb service, luxuriant rooms, wonderful dining options and a pool that floats on the lake. For a true feeling of the romance of Lake Como, the Tremezzo is the ultimate choice for your honeymoon.

Here’s our full review of the Tremezzo and also our library on Lake Como, one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever been to.

Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Italy

Grand Hotel Tremezzo Review - Where to stay Lake Como -

6. The Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui, Thailand

For luxury on the beach, your honeymoon can’t get much better than at the Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui. This suite- and pool villa-only hotel offers stunning views out over the Gulf of Thailand.

Honeymoon destinations - Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui

Honeymoon destinations - Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui

Only opened in 2018, the Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui is the perfect blend of a modern luxury hotel and traditional Thai hospitality. Situated on its own private bay and with four restaurants and two bars to accommodate your every need, this hotel makes for the ultimate honeymoon.

Keep reading to see how to get the most out of this trip of a lifetime to the Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui.

Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui, Thailand

Honeymoon destinations - Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui

7. Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas, Australia

Set amidst the tropical gardens of Far North Queensland, the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas is a luxurious haven of romance and peace. 20, 000m² of private saltwater lagoon pools, which even give some rooms swim-up access, surround the resort. And the rooms themselves are bright, airy and beautifully laid out.

Honeymoon destinations - Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas

From here, you’re not far from the UNESCO listed Daintree Rainforest National Park, where cassowaries, emus, bandicoots and all manner of wildlife roam.

A honeymoon where the rainforest dramatically meets the reef would be truly memorable. We should know: it’s where we came for our honeymoon!

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas, Australia

Honeymoon destinations - Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas

Bonus tip: how to supercharge your honeymoon

Marriott Bonvoy is a travel membership programme that applies to all Marriott Group hotels, including the Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui and the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas. It’s free to join this programme and the rewards you can reap are impressive.

The special Marriott Bonvoy members’ rates on accommodation will definitely help the wedding budget. But other bonuses like exclusive access to spas and dining experiences like private dinners with world-class chefs will also be available to you.

Did you know you can have your entire wedding with Marriott?

From your buck’s and hen’s parties to the ceremony, reception and – of course – the honeymoon. It’s perfect if you’re looking for a destination wedding venue.

Honeymoon destinations - Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas

It’s a good idea to keep an eye out for the packages you can get when you book your wedding a Marriott property. There are some great deals that come up all the time.

There are offers like room upgrades, complimentary bubbly and 25% off food and drinks throughout your honeymoon too.

Not a bad way to celebrate your wedding, is it?

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