Can’t stop dreaming about your honeymoon? Let’s discover the destinations, trends and incredible hotels that need to be on your bucket list.
1. Private Villas and Secluded Resorts
Even after lockdown ends, social distancing will continue to play a role in the choices we make and especially in how and where we travel. In 2021, you’re likely to see a rise in honeymooning couples choosing private villas with their own pools and tucked away resorts, like safari camps, instead of a busy hotel.
Wide-open spaces in Africa are in demand and luxury lodges with outdoor sunken pools on the deck are one of the most requested honeymoon choices for the year ahead.
Luxury resorts with private villas offer the best of both worlds – you get the huge choice of facilities like bars and restaurants that a resort offers while having your own privacy and a pool.
The Maldives and its secluded island retreats are more appealing than ever in the current climate. Water-villas and beach villas just paces from the Indian ocean and white sand are in high demand, particularly with private pools as couples seek luxury in their own surroundings. The Maldives & Seychelles offer Honeymooners social distancing, hygiene and cleanliness whilst not losing any of their relaxed, luxurious honeymoon vibes.
Opulent eco-lodges in countries like Bali and Costa Rica offer the chance to get away from it all and surround yourself with nature.
Where to Experience It:
Maldives
A unique Island Experience awaits on Maafushivaru, a gem offering small island charm with contemporary architecture and bespoke finishing touches.
There are two wide beaches, a house reef for snorkelling, an infinity pool and an uninhabited sister island which you can hop on a boat over to for romantic candlelight dining experience.
Seychelles
Denis Private Island
A tiny speck in the Indian Ocean ringed by flawless white sand, just 375 acres and none of it off-limits to see and explore.
This is as close to living on our own desert island as most of us will get. Surrounded by nature and the shining depths of the Indian Ocean, time passes as it should, exploring barefoot and scanning the water for a passing turtle.
2. Luxury Upgrades
Couples who may have rescheduled their honeymoon until later this year or until 2022 may consider using the extra time to save money towards adding Luxury Upgrades to their honeymoon. Think about where’s going to be the area for you that makes the most sense to spend the extra bit of cash. If you’re doing a long-haul flight you may give yourself the legroom of a business class flight can make all the difference. If you’re massive foodies, see if there’s a Michelin-starred restaurant near your destination and make a special night of it. If you can take a few extra days of holiday, consider adding in a few days of adventure on a luxury stopover or twin-centre honeymoon.
Where to Experience It:
Dine Amidst the Treetops
Without exception, sampling mouth-watering cuisine in a beautiful setting has always been the perfect recipe for romance. Thailand’s Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort & Spa combines the two in a novel way in its world-famous Tree Tops restaurant, where couples can sample an exquisite
menu whilst marvelling at the unique arboreal surroundings.
Masai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya
Enjoy an altogether different sort of safari with a hot air balloon ride in Masai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya It’s not every day you can combine the thrill of spotting rare and exotic wildlife, such as elephants, zebras and gazelles, with a hot air balloon ride, which is why this is such a memorable experience. Bring your binoculars and drink in the incredible views as you drift silently over the African plains, with the sun sleepily emerging from the horizon.
3. Eco Chic Honeymoon
Honeymooners will get a very warm welcome in Sri Lanka as the destination pulls out all the stops to wow couples with a blend of culture, adventure, activities and luxury beach and spa. This eco chic destination offers safari experiences, tea plantations and jungle walks, a destination frequently combined with the Maldives.
You can get serious luxury for less than you might expect in Sri Lanka, especially at small, boutique resorts.
Where to Experience It:
Sri Lanka
Jetwing Hotels have intimate, boutique spots across Sri Lanka that showcase the best of every region and lead the way in sustainability. The barefoot luxury Kottukal beach house eco-chic retreat Jetwing surf is found on the South East coast in a world-class surfing area with a fun, laid-back beach scene.
Or explore the relatively undiscovered North of Sri Lanka from Jetwing Jaffna which is an amazing base for visiting the wildlife-rich national parks and untouched islands.
4. Bedrooms with the Wow Factor
It’s not enough just to go to an incredible destination. Couples want their accommodation to be just as amazing as the surroundings. For some, this will mean a classic, romantic five-star hotel with every detail thought of, but for others, they want to push the boat out with unique accommodation and room experiences that they’ll never forget.
Where to Experience It:
South Africa
Have you ever wanted to stay in a treehouse? Lion Sands Game Reserve in South Africa is one of the best places to spot the Big Five with gorgeous lodges and three luxury treehouses – Chalkley, Kingston and Tinyeleti. These remote treehouses offer panoramic views of the bush and you can sleep under the stars in a four-poster bed in complete privacy – with just the noises of the wildlife to help you drift off to sleep.
Cambodia
Shinta Mani Wild is an uber-luxurious tented retreat in the heart of one of the most wildlife-rich national parks in Cambodia. Each of their 15 Khmer tents is set along a winding riverbank, with breathtaking views and gorgeous outdoor baths. The ultimate bedrooms are the ones set at the base of the waterfall, which you can watch right from your room (or bath). It’s the ultimate in luxury, while the resort also leads the way in conversation efforts in the area.
5. Short-Haul Honeymoons
Minimoons aren’t a new concept, but they’ll cement themselves as part of the “new normal” in 2020 and 2021. Following Government advice and safe “corridors” of travel opening, couples may consider luxury European minimoons and keep their big adventures for another time. Where are the top destinations for this? Italy and Greece.
Where to Experience It:
Greece
The top honeymoon island in Greece is Santorini with its chic resorts, rooftop champagne bars and sunsets to die for.
Italy
An Italian honeymoon gem is Ischia is the largest and arguably most beautiful island in the Bay of Naples, dotted with picturesque spa towns surrounded by lush greenery. looking for somewhere extra special, consider the Mezzatorre Resort & Spa a beautiful, 5* hotel with antique, nautical-inspired decor
and direct beach access. Chic and secluded.
Croatia
Croatia, which has plenty of postcard-pretty boutique hotels as well as coastline to die for.
“The unspoilt island of Lošinj has something new in the Boutique Alhambra which is in one of the most secluded coves on the island, with a Michelin starred restaurant, and a fabulous spa for couples treatments.”
Emer Mc Dermott, Gold Travel Counsellor is an awarding winning creator of unique perfectly tailored honeymoon experiences.
If you are planning your honeymoon, click here to contact Emer.
