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The world's best honeymoon destinations
From hot springs in Grenada to Samba dancing in Brazil, we've rounded up the most incredible romantic retreats for a perfect post-nuptial stay
Newlyweds-to-be, make sure you bookmark this article. However you approach your honeymoon – as a time for adventure, an opportunity to relax as a couple or as an extravagant, once-in-a-lifetime indulgence – it will undoubtedly be one of your most memorable trips.
If you've gone to the effort to plan your dream wedding (looking for inspiration? Try our list of the best venues in the UK and the most beautiful suits for modern brides) it only makes sense to make sure your honeymoon is just as fabulous.
From bathing in Grenada’s hot springs to Samba dancing in Brazil, or snorkelling off the coast of Borneo and playing pétanque at a French farmhouse, we've searched the globe for the most desirable destinations and idyllic itineraries. Read on for our curation of the best post-nuptial paradises, in which to start the next chapter together…
Hotel das Cataratas, Brazil
Sitting on the border of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, Hotel das Cataratas, a Belmond hotel, offers the chance to fully unwind. Less than two hours by plane from Rio, this pink palace overlooks Iguazu Falls, the largest waterfall system in the world, comprising 275 different cascades. The surrounding national park shuts to visitors before sunset; as this is the only Brazilian hotel within its peaceful parameters, golden-hour views are reserved for Belmond guests. The spacious bedrooms feature mahogany furniture, floral Portuguese tiles and pillowcases embroidered with each guest’s initials to take home, and many have glorious vistas of the surrounding sub-tropical landscape. Explore the river and its waterfalls by boat or with a guide on foot, then enjoy lazy afternoons beside the pool, where lizards bask, hummingbirds flit and capuchin monkeys perch in the surrounding trees.
Six Senses Douro Valley, Portugal
A haven for oenophiles, Six Senses’ Portuguese outpost is housed in a terracotta-hued 19th-century manor surrounded by sprawling vines that lead down to the Douro River. The area is one of the world’s oldest producers of wine, and the hotel’s offering reflects this: guided tastings take place every evening and in the library is a wine-dispensing machine that enables guests to sample the varieties at any hour. Indulgence is balanced by a holistic approach to wellbeing – take part in Pilates on the pavilion at sunrise, try an Ayuverdic treatment at the spa and sign up for a tailored sleep programme. The spacious bedrooms aid the latter, decorated with earthy shades and soft organic textiles. The location is blissfully remote – ideal for days spent with a book beside the pool – but active types can enjoy stand-up paddle-boarding on the Douro, creating beauty scrubs in the Alchemy Bar and pickling vegetables from the kitchen-garden. Delicious home-grown ingredients take centre stage at the Vale de Abraao restaurant, where dishes of duck confit rice, mushrooms with sweet potato purée and corn ice-cream are a must-try – particularly when paired with the sommelier’s suggested pour.
Silversands, Grenada
The Spice Island, so-called for its abundance of nutmeg-trees, is a place for adventure as well as tranquillity. Bathe in hot springs and swim with sea turtles, before retreating to Silversands at the northern end of the two-mile Grand Anse Beach. The hotel has 43 expansive suites and eight villas, and the longest pool in the Caribbean, as well as a pristine spa where treatments include reflexology and hot-bamboo massages. Dine at either of the two restaurants: Asiatique offers delicate pan-Asian dishes that incorporate homegrown seasonings, while the outdoor Grenadian Grill serves line-caught fish with salsa, plantain and coconut rice, against a backdrop of sorbet-hued sunsets.
Fairmont Royal Pavilion, Barbados
Widely considered the best-positioned luxury hotel in Barbados, Fairmont Royal Pavilion is set directly on a half-mile stretch of west-coast beach in Alleyne’s Bay. A palm-flanked driveway leads to the pink Pavilion, which houses 72 sea-facing bedrooms, some with private terraces – the ideal location for a sundowner. Enjoy reviving dips in the warm sea, excursions around the bay by kayak and long lunches of spiced flying fish accompanied by a sweet rum punch.
One & Only, Mexico
A quieter side of Mexico, away from well-trodden Tulum, is Riviera Nayarit on the country’s Pacific coastline. Here, flanked by rainforest and pristine beaches, you’ll find One & Only Mandarina, with its secluded treehouses and residences. Recently, the hotel unveiled hilltop villas that sleep up to 24 guests, with vaulted ceilings, walls of windows framing the spectacular scenery, ocean-facing hot tubs and private cinemas.
Lux Grand Baie, Mauritius
At the centre of one of the island’s most lively seaside towns is the modernist resort Lux Grand Baie. Designed by the local architect Jean François-Adam, with interiors by Kelly Hoppen, its polished concrete, blonde-wood floors and industrial steel accents were inspired by the shape of old Mauritian sailboats. The main pool (one of three), with its swim-up bar and over-water DJ set, attracts a fun crowd – as does the rooftop bar Bisou, whose cabanas offer astonishing sunset views, to be enjoyed with a chilled negroni and plantain chips in hand.
Capelongue, France
Capelongue, a newly refurbished hotel in the heart of Provence, has beautifully landscaped gardens, abundant with lavender, roses and fig-trees, where you can curl up on a lounger with a good book, take a dip in one of two pools and try your hand at a game of pétanque. The tasteful suites come with ceramic-tiled bathrooms, objets d’art and giant rattan lampshades. Try the superb food on site at the Michelin-starred La Bastide (the Luberon beef tartare with coriander and Camargue oyster is exceptional), or indulge in a wood-fired feast at La Bergerie, before a nightcap of thyme liqueur at the bar.
Wickaninnish Inn, Canada
Characterised by jagged cliffs and towering forests, Tofino is the Wickaninnish Inn’s dramatically romantic setting on Vancouver Island, off the west coast of Canada. Near to the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, it is awe-inspiringly beautiful year-round, with ample bear-spotting and whale-watching opportunities. Inside, the natural world is reflected in the design, with touches of driftwood and cedar, as well as large windows showcasing panoramas of the surrounding wilderness. Bedrooms are cosseting and feature spacious bathtubs, fireplaces and hot-chocolate stations. Little wonder Uma Thurman, Alanis Morrisette and Justin Trudeau are all fans.
Hotel Supetar, Croatia
In the coastal town of Cavtat is the century-old three-storey villa housing Hotel Supetar. On the edge of the blue Adriatic and built above the ancient settlement of Epidaurum, it is primely positioned for both restful beach days and afternoons exploring the old Baroque churches and surrounding Illyrian ruins – not to mention being a short drive from the historic Dubrovnik. Its 16 pretty, uniquely decorated bedrooms and soon-to-open five-bedroom residence provide the ideal hideaway with a loved one – made all the more indulgent by their recent renovation.
Atlantica Grand Mediterraneo, Greece
With its hidden coves and dramatic clifftops, Corfu provides a picture-perfect backdrop for romantic pursuits. Legend has it that couples who swim in the Canal d’Amour to the northwest of the island seal their love for ever – and those looking to formally tie the knot can do so with ease, using Tui’s wedding-planning concierge. Whether you’d like to hold your nuptials at a hotel – such as in the serene secret garden of the Atlantica Grand Mediterraneo – or on a cypress-tree-lined hilltop at sunset, your day, or week, will be one to remember.
Uga Bay, Sri Lanka
The best time to visit Uga Bay in the village of Passikudah is during the summer months when the ocean is crystal clear, so you can see its reefs, which house more than 700 species of fish, in all their glory. The waters are still and warm, ideal for kayaking trips and leisurely swims, while the powder-soft sands provide the perfect spot on which to recline with a good book – with refreshments of crisp calamari, wraps and fresh salads courtesy of the beach bar. Each of the 44 airy rooms face out over the bay, shaded by palm-trees, so you can drift off for a blissful night’s sleep to the sound of gently lapping waves.
Copacabana Palace, Brazil
As the undisputed grand dame of Rio de Janeiro, Copacabana Palace has hosted the breadth of high society throughout its 100 years, from Ella Fitzgerald to Princess Diana. Its white-stone walls pulsate with energy during Carnival in February, when live samba music drifts across the open-air restaurant Pérgula as guests sway, sipping potent caipirinhas and indulging in a brunch of black beans and tapioca, cheese-filled pasteis and fried plantain.
During the day, couples should avoid the queues and see the sights of Rio on a private helicopter tour of the city. A short cable-car ride takes you to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, where you can board your craft to explore the sandy expanses of Copacabana and Ipanema beaches from above, and enjoy unmatched views of Christ the Redeemer. In the evenings, indulge in Michelin-starred fare at the hotel’s candle-lit Italian outpost Cipriani, before heading out to join 90,000 others for a night watching the parades at the Sambadrome.
La Mamounia, Morocco
A stone’s throw from Marrakesh’s medina, yet an oasis of luxurious peace, La Mamounia deserves the iconic reputation that comes with more than 100 years of hospitality. The romantic bedrooms are done out in Moroccan style with mosaic tiling, latticework and king-size beds. Service is impeccable – there’s said to be an average of four employees per room – and the facilities include its famously lush gardens and orchards, several alluring bars and gourmet restaurants, a huge spa, a palm-fringed swimming pool and a private cinema.
Castara Retreats, Tobago
Tucked away on the fringes of a quiet fishing village, Castara Retreats is a secluded slice of Caribbean heaven. A champion of sustainability for more than 20 years, this collection of 15 luxury eco lodges – built within the treetops overlooking Castara Bay on Tobago’s north coast – exists in harmony with nature. There are plenty of options for exploring the biodiversity on its doorstep, including dives with local marine biologists and guided tours of the lush rainforest around the resort. Spend your days swimming in the secret waterfall nearby, taking morning yoga classes with unfettered views of the ocean and joining the village barbecues on the beach.
Viceroy Riviera Maya, Mexico
Enclosed between leafy jungle and a white-sand beach, the Viceroy Riviera Maya is a serene hideaway in which to unwind. The 41 villas are dotted about within the greenery for unparalleled privacy, and come with four-poster beds, plunge pools and outdoor rain showers stocked with Natura Bissé products. Enjoy breakfast served on your private patio, spotting passing iguanas and spider monkeys; but come dinnertime, be sure to visit the candle-lit alfresco restaurant La Marea for locally sourced Mexican fare, such as chayote squash and cheese tart with poblano chilli soup or bluefin tuna al pastor with pineapple puree and ponzu.
Château Troplong Mondot, France
Upon a hilltop – the highest point in the area, with exceptional views towards the fortified town of St Emilion – stands Château Troplong Mondot, a 19th-century winery. The estate has a Premier Grand Cru Classé ranking, and the food served in the Michelin-starred Les Belles Perdrix is exquisite. Eschew the beautiful rooms with all the mod cons for a stay in the bijoux Maison des Vignes, a thoroughly charming worker’s cottage in the midst of the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon vines; in the evenings, sit outside with a bottle of Mondot, gazing at the stars. There’s nothing more romantic than appreciating the simple pleasures here: bathing in the warm glow of a sunset, playing pétanque with a loved one or overlooking a 360-degree panorama of vineyard rows while picnicking on canelés and ripe Périgord strawberries.
