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Looking for an exotic honeymoon destination which you can brag about when you return home? Take a leaf out of the books of these A-listers.
1. Las Ventanas Al Paraiso, Mexico
Celebrity Honeymooners: Kate Beckinsale and Len Wiseman, 2004
Where better to celebrate your honeymoon than a hotel that has a dedicated Department of Romance? Yep, you read right. At the Las Ventanas Al Paraiso, there’s a dedicated team to ensure couples have a magical time, whether they’re getting engaged, married, and celebrating their honeymoon or an anniversary.
Beyond just an enjoyable stay, the resort prides itself on creating a heartfelt production for you and your beloved – from penning love letters to arranging for the perfect music, books, and scented candles to set the mood. They even work closely with local vendors who provide a wide array of services, from romantic rides in an old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage ride to even romantic messages written across the sky. No request is too big or ludicrous for the Department of Romance.
Even the hotel’s settings are made for romance. Located between the historic town of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, this luxurious resort combines a starkly beautiful desert landscape with one of the richest marine environments, courtesy of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. Take your pick from any of their 83 plush suites and villas, each one luxuriously outfitted with exquisite Mediterranean-Mexican furnishings. For an extraordinary dining experience, be sure to explore the “Men in White” programme, where husbands turn into Masterchefs for the evening. Under the guidance of a Las Ventanas’ chef, gentlemen will whip up a gourmet meal for two, which the couple can enjoy in the beautiful and aromatic Herb Garden.
The nearby town is also a must-visit. With 350 days of sunshine each year, Los Cabos offers you an amazing mix of sports, culture, and posh nosh. Art lovers will have a field day exploring San Jose del Cabo’s famed Art District, with its many quirky galleries. For a taste of life like the locals, be sure to stop by the Cabo San Lucas Organic Farmers Market, which is only open on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings.
www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/las-ventanas-los-cabos
2. Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa, Tahiti
Celebrity Honeymooners: Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher, 2010
The island of Le Taha’a is quite possibly the pearl of Tahiti, with its lush mountains and valleys, turquoise lagoons, and virgin “motu” (islets). In fact, Tahitian pearls – which are known for their exquisite quality – are produced in Taha’a. Several pearl farms have found their shelter in the island’s unsullied waters. Located on the secluded Motu Tautau, Le Taha’a Island Resort and Spa is the perfect sanctuary to unwind with your beloved after months of wedding planning frenzy.
If both of you are gourmands, you’ll take delight in the resort’s several well-appointed restaurants. Le Plage, which is open only for lunch, is planted right on the beach. Here, you can tuck into the chef’s specialties, which include crisp, fresh salads, grilled fish and meats, and the absolute must-try – Tahitian poisson cru. This is a tantalising, nuanced dish of raw tuna marinated with vegetables, lime juice, and freshly-squeezed coconut milk. For dinner, why not venture out to one of the resort’s “motu”? Accessible only by outrigger canoe, you’ll be given a warm welcome by a traditional Polynesian dance troupe. From there, enjoy a romantic dinner under a starlit sky while being charmed by the music of ancient Tahiti.
To get the full benefit of the Tahiti experience, take to the skies with the resort’s helicopter services. A helicopter tour is one of the best ways to admire the islands’ varied palette of colours, from intense sapphire to dazzling white. If both of you prefer something closer to the waters, book a private catamaran cruise and retrace the sailing routes of early Polynesian navigators. Even better, dive into the crystal-clear waters and enjoy breathtaking views of the varied marine life underwater.
3. Singita Grumeti Lodge, Tanzania
Celebrity Honeymooners: Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake, 2012
There’s something incredibly romantic about wide, rural expanses. With precious few people around for miles on end, you and your love can bask in each other’s company. Set on the open plains of Tanzania on the western corridor of Serengeti is Singita Grumeti, which comprises four permanent properties and one mobile camp.
For those looking to reconnect with nature and each other, opt for the Singita Sabora Tented Camp, which is situated within the untouched wilderness of the Grumeti Reserves. The minute you arrive at this intimate 1920s-style explorer’s camp, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back in time to an Indiana Jones or David Livingstone-like adventure.
There are plenty of wildlife activities to engage in; from walking safaris to daytime game drives and spotlit night drives with professional guides. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the Big Five – the lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros. If you prefer exploring on four legs, that’s also possible. The Equestrian Centre, situated at the nearby Singita Sasakwa Lodge, has 18 world-class horses for daily rides on the plains.
Back at your camp, unwind over a glass of wine and delicious African cuisine. Tantalise your tastebuds with Swahili spices, local honeys, and nyama choma, a type of barbecued meat. After filling your bellies, get cosy in the quixotic but luxurious claw-footed bathtubs, perfect for relaxing in under soft candlelight.
4. Le Sirenuse, Amalfi Coast, Italy
Celebrity Honeymooners: Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth, 2011
The Amalfi Coast is a stretch of coastline on the southern coast of the Sorrentine Peninsula in the province of Salerno in southern Italy. Its main city Positano is, as American writer John Steinbeck wrote in an article for Harper’s Bazaar in 1953, “a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there, and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone.” Its breathtaking scenery and mild Mediterranean climes has made it a popular site for lovers, both in real and reel life.
Le Sirenuse, where Witherspoon and Toth stayed in, is a small but luxurious family-run hotel that’s consistently listed as one of the best hotels in Europe. All 58 rooms are different from one another, but each beautifully decorated with antique and contemporary furniture from both Europe and the East, with the bathrooms made with marble and handmade tiles.
While you may be tempted to hole up in your room with your amore, do venture out to explore the surrounding cities such as Pompei, Paestum, and Ravello. With its proliferation of ancient Roman ruins, Pompei is arguably the most famous of the three, but Paestum and Ravello has its fair share of marvels too. For example, the first temple of Hera can still be found in Paestum, as well as many painted tombs dating back to the fifth century BC.
In Ravello, be awed by the grand Villa Rufulo, a 13th century villa built on a ledge, which inspired the set design for Richard Wagner’s opera, Parsifal. After a day of drinking in beautiful and historical sights, return to the opulent comforts of Le Sirenuse. At dinnertime, the hotel’s restaurant, La Sponda is lit by four hundred candles; creating a divinely romantic atmosphere.
5. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Hawaii, USA
Celebrity Honeymooners: Megan Fox and Brian Austin, 2010
While there are plenty of beautiful hotels in Hawaii, you definitely want to stay at only the best while on your honeymoon. Well, you can’t go wrong with the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. The US News & World Report has once again named this multi-award winning resort one of the “10 Best Hotels in the United States”, and it’s easy to see why.
Set along the magnificent Kona-Kohala coast of Hawaii and built into its natural surroundings, the resort is a stunning work of destination art in itself. Powdery white beaches and azure waters are juxtaposed against an awe-inspiring backdrop of ancient black lava rock, courtesy of the Hualalai volcano. Take your pick from any of the two-storey bungalows that sprawl across the beachfront and golf course, or opt for the lavish Hawaii Loa Villa. This sumptuous living space is built right on the oceanfront itself, where you can cuddle up to your beloved and watch the sun set over the Pacific, or even catch a glimpse of year-round dolphins.
Honeymooners are especially pampered at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, with side-by-side spa rituals in a couple’s hale; chartered sunset Champagne cruises; romantic dinners on the beach or even indulgent breakfasts in bed. The resort promises you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to dining options, with everything from Italian-Californian cuisine to Asian-inspired seafood. Working with over 160 local farms, about 75 percent of the food you get at the resort is sourced from Hawaii, the Big Island itself.
