Are you looking for the best honeymoon destination or honeymoon hotel? Of course, no one place is perfect for every couple, but there are many picturesque areas with five-star resorts that are known for their romantic, once-in-a-lifetime charm. Take, for example, a Mexican resort whose “Romance Department” will arrange sleeping under the stars or a pondside picnic for your partner on a rural Vermont farm. There are also places where romance seems to be built into the landscape, like the Amalfi Coast.
Whether you’re looking for a quick weekend getaway or a far-flung adventure, here are the best places to stay for your honeymoon.
Sossusvlei Desert, Namibia
It takes at least three flights to reach Sossusvlei, a remote area of the vast Namib Desert. But those willing to make the long journey will find a Mars-like landscape compared to Earth, the world’s second-darkest night sky, and adventures that will stay with you for a lifetime. Stay at AndBeyond Sossusvlei and spend the morning riding electric bikes along the hotel’s 31,419-acre private beach, or take a hot air balloon ride as the sun rises. Then, as the afternoon temperatures rise, cool off in the stone and glass studio’s infinity pool. When you’re ready for another adventure, ask a property ranger to take you inside the dunes for cocktail hour, or climb the dunes…and enjoy cocktail hour.
Saint Barthelemy Island
St. Barths is world-renowned for its upscale charm, and for good reason: this French Caribbean island is home to five-star resorts, designer shopping malls, Michelin-starred restaurants, and pristine sandy beaches. If you want to experience a social island like St. Barths, stay at Le Toiny and enjoy the low-key, romantic atmosphere. The entire property is surrounded by wild, rugged terrain – to reach the beach club, guests must climb into an open-air white safari jeep and navigate several steep mud turns before arriving at the resort, which is known for its lobster salad and local cuisine. A hidden destination of splendor and par excellence. The rooms are airy, refreshing, and undeniably luxurious – plus, each room has its own private plunge pool with ocean views. In addition, Cheval Blanc St. Barths, owned by luxury goods group LVMH, is also a good option for accommodation: surrounded by bougainvillea arches and green trees, it’s full of the energy of the French Riviera and tropical style.
Amalfi Coast
There’s no shortage of romantic places to stay in this dreamy La Dolce Vita destination on the Amalfi Coast. However, we’ll pick a few. Consider the Belmond Hotel Caruso. Nestled in the hills of Ravello, its relative distance from the busy town below allows for a more private experience. Stroll through the hotel’s lush gardens, shop in Ravello’s quaint town, take one of the hotel’s free boat tours and, best of all, eat some pasta. Askew also loves Le Sirenuse: Positano can certainly get crowded in high season, but you’ll feel as if you’re in your own little world at this fiery red hotel, with its mosaic ceilings, elegant rooms and rooftop views over the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Umbria, Italy
AskM editor Chloe Schama describes Castello di Recchio in the mountains of Umbria, Italy, saying: “At Recchio, old and new blend together, and here you can walk between solid stone walls. Feel the power of centuries and enjoy the best modern comforts. There’s a strong commitment to sustainability – most of the produce comes from the estate’s own gardens, vineyards and beehives – and to design: interiors are decorated with refined touches of stucco work, stone fireplaces, antique artifacts and trompe l’oeil ceilings. And the recently opened Borgo dei Conti Hotel takes you to a picturesque hilltop village with a spa – or rent a villa – visit Solomeo (home of Brunello Cucinelli) and the Deru Tower (famous for its artisanal ceramics).
costa rica
Eco-adventurers can find romantic solace at Nayara Tented Camp, a luxurious resort bordering Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano National Park. The tents are surrounded by guarumo trees, home to brightly colored toucans and howler monkeys. Each residence’s private plunge pool is filled with volcanic water. Take a yoga class in their open-air studio, then go hiking in the rainforest.
Mamangiri, Utah
Why we chose this area: Amanjiri. From the Kardashians to the Biebers, it’s every celebrity’s favorite couples’ stay—and this Michelin-starred hotel is secluded. This simple, modern resort is located in the heart of the Grand Staircase-Escalante, a protected area of more than 1 million acres and the last mapped area in the United States. The property includes 600 acres of valleys, mountains, mesas, rivers, and desert. Hiking in Amangiri is a must, but it can also be traversed via ferrata (or cable climbing route). After that, head to the nearby slot valleys, where you’ll be amazed at the spectacular sandstone formations. Stay in the main building or the luxury tented camp Camp Sarika.
Benguela Island, Mozambique
Benguela in Mozambique is a low-key island outside the Seychelles that’s home to two five-star resorts. The first is Kizawa, which embodies African modernist architecture and an adventurer’s sensibility. Upon arrival, guests are given the keys to Soft Mocha and have complete freedom to roam the property’s more than 700 acres (smart move: bring a resort map with you). The food is fresh, local, with a focus on seafood—many dishes are caught by the island’s local fishermen—and the service is impeccable. Even better: A portion of the proceeds from each stop are donated to the Bazaruto Scientific Research Center, Africa’s first permanent marine observatory. Then there’s Calm & Beyond, which is home to more than 150 species of birds. The beach stretches for miles with not another building in sight. (The beach itself has some of the best snorkeling in the world.) Despite its vast location and only 13 homes, the property has a wonderful sense of intimacy.
Lake Como, Italy
A quintessential Italian tourist destination with sapphire waters surrounded by the Alps, Lake Como has no shortage of great places to stay. There’s a luxurious hotel called Passalacqua, which was named the world’s best hotel in 2023. Meanwhile, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo is also worth a visit: its floating swimming pool, Belle Epoque interiors, Wes Anderson-esque facade and extensive gardens often attract honeymooners from all over the world. Enjoy an Aperol on the sunny terrace before taking a dip in the pool or lake.
Douro Valley, Portugal
Wine lovers will love Six Senses Douro Valley, a five-star sustainable resort nestled among Portugal’s vineyards. You can stroll through the gardens, which include a rare 19th-century forest garden filled with oaks, strawberry trees, pines, palms and pine trees, relax by the pool or enjoy one of the hotel’s gardens arranged for a picnic. But the best thing to do is take a boat trip on the Iberian Peninsula’s rivers and explore the region’s famous Douro quintas, or wine estates.
Maldives
The Maldives has an enviable reputation for romantic vacations and diverse marine life. While staying at Nyama Private Island, you can snorkel, dive, or swim in the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean. The resort offers a variety of dining experiences, from underwater restaurants to treetop restaurants to exotic rooftop bars. If you’re a couple with kids, the resort has the largest kids’ club in the Indian Ocean, and kids can even watch dolphins on the white-sand beach.
Marrakech, Morocco
The magic of Marrakech is unmistakable at Amanzena. Between the pavilions, swimming pools, private gardens, and stunning architecture, relaxing outdoors feels absolutely divine. The resort’s design is inspired by the pink-hued architecture of ancient Marrakech, with modern touches like clay tennis courts and a 27-hole desert-edge golf course where couples can explore the Agafay dunes. Take to the skies in a hot air balloon and enjoy the views by day, then ride a camel to a private spot for a delicious Berber meal under the stars. For bohemian accommodations with avant-garde design, consider El Fenn, which has long been a darling of the fashion and art worlds.
Big Sur, California
The coastline of Big Sur, California is one of the most cinematic coastlines in the world, with rocky cliffs stretching out into the Pacific Ocean. Stay at the Post Ranch Inn, recognized as one of the finest hotels in the United States. Or head to the Alila Ventana Big Sur in the Redwoods, which offers 20 acres of glamping and s’mores. Whichever you choose, be sure to stop at the Big Sur Bakery for breakfast.
