The countdown to June wedding season has begun, which also means that it’s time to think about one of my favorite topics—honeymoons. As someone who used to work atBride’s magazine, I’ve been on more honeymoons than I care to admit (even though I’ve only been married once).
So what’s my advice? Splurge on a fabulous hotel. It can make or break a trip. Read on for my picks of the most romantic places around the globe, the kinds of places where you don’t really need to leave the property (but if you do, there’s plenty to see nearby).
The Rockhouse - Negril, Jamaica
I got married at the Rockhouse and, to me, this charming hotel on the cliffs of Negril is perfect in every way. It’s the kind of place where the bartenders really do remember your name. There’s a gardener who sings to the plants. The spa with its island-themed treatments is heaven on earth. The sunsets … oh, those sunsets. And the price can’t be beat: rooms start at just $150 a night in the low season, and even in high season you can get a seaside villa from $315.
(Courtesy: Rockhouse)
Explora Rapa Nui - Easter Island
When I was a kid, I studied remote Easter Island and its mysterious giant-head statues, properly known as moais. It was one of those places you never thought you’d actually see in a lifetime. Lucky for me, the Explora opened, and in turn opened up Easter Island to a new kind of traveler. People like myself, who love a little adventure during the day and a cosseting hotel with amazing food and a well-made pisco sour.
(Courtesy: Explora Rapa Nui)
North Island - Seychelles
I had the privilege of getting sent on assignment to the Seychelles—a string of islands off the east coast of Africa—right after North Island was built. Rooms here cost upwards of $3,000 a night ($3,000!), thankfully, somebody else was footing the bill. Fast forward, and what Prince and Princess were honeymooning there? It’s no wonder Wills and Kate chose this heavenly resort run by the Wilderness Safaris group. It combines style and substance: the property doubles as a scientific research lab.
(Courtesy: North Island)
Lake Placid Lodge - Lake Placid, New York
A few years ago, during a January deep freeze, my husband and I decided to escape town, but whereas most people would want a beach, we decided to embrace the cold. Our only requirement: a wood-burning fireplace in the room, which is more difficult to find than you might imagine. The Lake Placid Lodge in the Adirondacks has cottages by the water and wood-burning fireplaces in most of its rooms. It’s amazing in summer, too, with lakeside bonfires and a farm-to-table restaurant.
(Courtesy: Lake Placid Lodge)
Sofitel Legend Metropole - Hanoi, Vietnam
Staying at the Metropole in the seductive city of Hanoi is like walking into a chapter on Vietnam’s past, mostly good. The hotel recently uncovered and excavated a Vietnam War-era bunker under the poolside bar. In the renovated but still wonderfully creaky old wing, there are suites dedicated to famous authors who once stayed here: Graham Greene, Charlie Chaplin.
(Courtesy: Sofitel Legend Metropole)
Covent Garden Hotel - London
Firmdale Hotels is known for quirky-yet-sophisticated boutique hotels around London, and the lovely Covent Garden—in the neighborhood by the same name—introduced me to the group. This is England, so there is a drawing room with afternoon tea, of course, and a smart restaurant that caters to stylish Brits. Every room is decorated with a chic mannequin covered in unorthodox materials, like men’s suit fabric. And then there’s London, right beyond your door.
(Courtesy: Covent Garden Hotel)
Amansara - Siem Reap, Cambodia
When my husband and I went to the Amansara the year before we got married, we worried that we had trumped any future honeymooon potential, the hotel was that dazzling. A white-gloved driver in a vintage 1960s Mercedes picked us up at the airport—and that’s just the start to the pampering at this transporting property. Set right beyond the entrance to Angkor Wat, the hotel guarantees an unparalleled visit to these majestic ruins, with private guides and incredible access. Then again, honeymooners might never want to emerge from their sprawling room with a private plunge pool.
(Courtesy: Amansara)
Four Seasons - Florence
With its frescoed-covered walls and ceilings, the Four Seasonsis like a living museum and almost makes a visit to the Uffizi unnecessary. This 15th century palazzo was once home to royalty, and you still feel very regal indeed when you walk down these cloistered halls. The property is surrounded by sprawling yet manicured gardens, a little oasis in the center of Florence.
(Courtesy: Four Seasons Florence)
One & Only Palmilla - Los Cabos, Mexico
I have had the great pleasure of going back to Palmilla time and again—before it became a One & Only and since. It’s all about the mix: warm staff, including butlers servicing every room; artisanal design details, like hand-woven headboards; and a dramatic seaside setting in Los Cabos, on the Baja Peninsula. Jennifer Aniston is a regular, and I get it. When she finally decides to take the plunge, you can bet Palmilla will be one of her top choices.
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