Our travel editor reveals her all-time favorite honeymoon ideas, with her top choices in hotels, beaches, restaurants, and spas.
By: Jenna MahoneyHonestly, this article was one of the hardest for me to write in the dozen years that I’ve been a travel editor. It was a difficult task to pick absolute favorites from my travels across the world. So, here’s a list of some of my most memorable experiences in the past decade. Bonus: I’ve added some of my fave travel tips. Bon Voyage!
Top Hotels
These spots have some similarities: the service is impeccable, the views are jaw-dropping and they all feel off the grid. Amanyara, on Turks & Caicos, offers serene accommodations scattered among tropical foliage, giving you the distinct feeling of being the only VIP guest. Don’t miss: Watching the sunset at the main pool (room rates start at $1,300 a night and include airport transfers and some activities; amanyara.com).
Photo Credit: Aman Resorts
Of all the places across the globe that offer butler service One & Only Palmilla is a standout. My personal attendant sensed exactly when he was needed and when I wanted to be left alone. Palmilla also has one of the only swimmable beaches in Cabo. The floating beds at One & Only Palmilla are secluded and ultra romantic (room rates start at $585 a night; oneandonlyresorts.com).
Photo Credit: One&Only Resorts
Yes, andBeyond Xaranna in Botswana is extremely remote, but what makes this place so special is the artful blend of the rustic, classic African-bush tents with fantastic modern amenities. I die for outdoor showers, so having one that opens onto the lush Okavango Delta is simply awesome (room rates start at $650 per person, per night, all-inclusive; andbeyond.com).
Spectacular Spas
My husband is eh about spa-ing, so when he deems a place OMG-worthy, we’ve got a winner. Our most memorable pampering experience was the four-hour couples extravaganza at the the Mandarin Oriental, New York. Set in a spa suite with a steam room, fireplace, bath-built-for-two and a traditional Thai bed, it features a two-hour massage, a meal and loads of time for lounging.
Photo Credit: Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
I’m not one for Asian-inspired spas located anywhere but Asia, but the bungalow retreat at the One & Only Ocean Club in the Bahamas works so well. Each treatment area has a private plunge pool and super-skilled therapists. The spa at Thailand’s Four Seasons Koh Samui is also a collection of individual houses. A wooden path snakes through a jungly landscape to each treatment space, which boasts a plunge pool and great views.
Photo Credit: One&Only Resorts
