From a Napa winery to the Maldives: 9 new hotels perfect for a honeymoon
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You don't need to be engaged to know that the best part of getting married is the honeymoon. OK, sure, there's the whole part where you pledge your life and love to someone you care deeply about while surrounded by your friends and family. But we all know the real fun starts when the newly married couple is pulling rice out of their hair on the way to the airport for the honeymoon.
Like weddings, there are many, many different types of honeymoons. Luckily, we basically have the whole world to choose from in terms of destinations, save the locales that still have COVID-19 restrictions in place.
For a lot of folks, a honeymoon means sun, sand and days on the beach where counting glasses of bubbles is the only way to keep track of time. For others, the best way to kick off a lifetime together is by getting lost in the culture of a European city like Paris or hitting the slopes at a ski resort with plenty of fresh powder. Then there are those who choose to go on a safari, head to a cabin near a national park or even celebrate their love surrounded by Mickey Mouse and his pals at Walt Disney World.
Whatever type of trip you're planning or dreaming about, there are always new hotels opening up that are perfect for a honeymoon. Fortunately for you, we've found a handful of new properties that are perfect to escape to after saying "I do."
Hilton Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort — Cancun, Mexico
All-inclusive resorts are taking on a new significance during these complex travel times, and major hotel brands like Hilton are doubling down on the format by promising a more luxurious experience with better amenities and food. The new Hilton Cancun is one that we're thrilled to see leading the way on that front.
For a honeymoon where all you have to do is show up and relax, a stay here will check all the boxes. Standard rooms start at 430 square feet — bigger than my Brooklyn apartment — and only get larger. To dial up the romance, opt for a swim-up suite with a sunset view so you can toast your nuptials in the water. When you and your partner crave a cocktail or bite to eat, you'll have a dozen different restaurants and bars to choose from.
How to book: Cash rates start at $459 per night. An award night in a standard room will set you back 95,000 Hilton Honors points, while the swim-up suites require at least 200,000 Hilton Honors points. With the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, you could score an award night here thanks to the card's bonus offer of 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first three months of card membership
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands — Male, Maldives
Could there be a better place to spend the first few days of married life than the Maldives?
At The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, your fairytale wedding extends into a fairytale vacation with overwater bungalows starting at a whopping 1,600 square feet and an island butler to help facilitate your every need. I could go on and on about how beautiful the resort is, how stunning the water is and how great the food looks, but you're better off checking out our full review of the property that gets every detail right.
How to book: A trip to the Maldives is generally not cheap — and this Ritz-Carlton is no exception. While cash rates at this Category 8 Marriott property easily exceed $1,500 a night, you can find a really good deal when cashing in Marriott Bonvoy points. With room redemption rates hovering between 70,000 and 100,000 points per night, you can find significant savings on off-peak nights when you use points instead of cash.
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley — Calistoga, California
I think wine makes everything better, including honeymoons, so Napa seems like an ideal place to unwind after tying the knot. At the new Four Seasons outpost in Napa Valley, luxury and wine go hand in hand thanks, in part, to the resort sitting on the grounds of a working winery. A honeymoon here can include grape-to-glass experiences where you both get in on the action of actually making wine before tasting and learning about what's produced on the property. You can even hit up the spa for a "seed-to-skin" treatment that uses grape seeds and olive oils from the resort.
How to book: Rates at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley, which is not affiliated with a loyalty program, start at $1,200 per night.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth — St. Barts
Sticking with the tropical theme, another incredible new beach resort can be found on a dreamy stretch of St. Barts. At the Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth, expect no less than best. During a stay here, you and your beau will enjoy everything from pristine beaches with lounge chairs to self-guided hikes and a spa with treatments that will leave you as radiant as the destination itself. Especially noteworthy for honeymooners is the property's selection of suites. You can choose a suite with a private pool — like the Beach Pool Suite or the Ocean View Pool Suite — so you have a little more privacy and space to enjoy married life.
How to book: Unfortunately, the Rosewood brand does not have a loyalty program, so you'll need to pay out of pocket to stay at the Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth. Room rates start at $1,800 per night. Add it to the registry, perhaps?
The Standard Hua Hin — Hua Hin, Thailand
The Standard brand may not currently have a loyalty program, but it does keep drawing guests in for repeat stays with its cool hotels and resorts that are laid-back, chic and generally fun. For a hot take on a Thai honeymoon, why not spend a few days in Hua Hin, a resort town that's easily accessible from Bangkok?
At The Standard Hua Hin, which opened at the end of 2021, you can spend your honeymoon chilling by the pool with a cold drink, detoxing with a self-administered mud bath at the on-site mud lounge or switching between rich Italian pasta at Lido and classic Thai dishes at Praça.
How to book: Cash rates for The Standard Hua Hin can be found at around $130 a night for a standard room. To reserve a villa with a pool, expect to pay at least $465.
Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle — Versailles, France
For a culture-filled honeymoon fit for royalty, take a trip to France to stay in a hotel set within the gates of Versailles. At the Château de Versailles, you and your partner can not only stay in rooms so lavishly appointed that they'd make Marie Antoinette giddy, but you can also enjoy exclusive access to one of the most famous palaces in the world during after-hours tours.
Additionally, guests enjoy complimentary use of electric golf carts and boats to explore the area. If that's not enough, you'll also find amenities like a restaurant from Alain Ducasse, a 49-foot indoor swimming pool, daily afternoon tea service and a spa from Swiss beauty brand Valmont at this luxurious property.
How to book: A hotel that was basically made for royalty, the Château de Versailles also comes with a royal price tag, with rooms starting at $1,470 per night.
Andaz Bali — Bali, Indonesia
Take your honeymoon to a beachfront hotel inspired by a Balinese village and you certainly won't regret your decision. At the Andaz Bali, you can relax by three different swimming pools as you grapple with the hard decisions: what to eat for dinner.
At the property, you'll have your pick of Indonesian comfort food at Wok Wok, Mediterranean fare such as seafood paella at Blue Oven, fresh seafood by the beach at the Fisherman's Club and juicy steaks at Fire Fox. You and your sweetheart can also relax at the largest spa in the area, join a yoga class and take a day to explore the eclectic culture and activities in the surrounding community.
How to book: A Category 4 Hyatt hotel, the Andaz Bali's rooms cost between 12,000 and 18,000 World of Hyatt points. Cash rates can be found for as low as $164 per night.
Alaia Belize, Autograph Collection — Ambergris Caye, Belize
A new Marriott Bonvoy resort, the Alaia Belize is easily accessible from the U.S. and offers plenty for you and your partner to enjoy. Start the day with a swim in one of three pools, including a rooftop swimming pool with incredible views, before lounging in the sun by the ocean. Then, pamper yourselves at the full-service spa or venture out to explore Mayan ruins or snorkel the nearby Belize Barrier Reef, among other local activities. When your stomachs start to rumble or you're ready for a drink, make your way to one of the property's four bars or three restaurants. There's even a wine club on-site, should you crave a tasty glass of vino.
How to book: The Alaia Belize is a Category 6 Marriott resort, so you can expect award nights to set you back 40,000 to 60,000 Bonvoy points per night, depending on the dates you choose. Cash rates fluctuate between $350 and $400 per night.
Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya — Tulum, Mexico
Tulum may conjure up images of juice cleanses and yoga retreats before a honeymoon trip, but the brand-new Conrad resort is turning that perception of Tulum on its head. Home to 349 rooms and suites, each of which boasts a balcony and a plunge pool or an outdoor relaxation tub for two, this resort is a luxurious way to spend a few days in paradise after exchanging your vows.
With 11 bars and restaurants available on-site, there's no shortage of food to try. Plus, the spa offers gratitude ceremonies led by the resort's in-house shaman, so you and your significant other can start your marriage on the right foot.
How to book: Award nights at the Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya start at 90,000 Hilton Honors points per night. If you decide to pay with cash, you'll find rates starting at $540 per night.