8 Honeymoon Ideas for Every Type of Couple
A trip to Paris with a room overlooking the Eiffel Tower, a suite in Hawaii with a hammock and views of the sunset—there are certain images that immediately spring to mind when the word honeymoon is mentioned. And while these both sound absolutely dreamy, most couples are looking for something a bit more personal.
Whether you’re a foodie, an animal lover, a spiritual seeker, or just want to be a beach bum, there’s a honeymoon destination for every kind of couple. Here are eight standout choices:
For a place where none of your friends have been:
Jet-set to Louangphrabang. This quaint city, which feels more like a small town in the northern mountain region of Laos, is a welcome refuge to the bustling and tourist-choked areas of Southeast Asia—even the night market here is quiet and peaceful. Situated at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, the heart of the city—Old Town—is best explored by bike and brimming with Buddhist temples and French colonial dwellings. The Satri House is an ideal home base with gauze-draped beds, two tranquil pools, and a top-notch spa. Free cruiser bikes are offered to explore the town so that lovebirds can hike Mount Phousi, sip cappuccinos and wine at the charming open-air French-style cafés, and visit Kuang Si Falls, with the most stunning turquoise-blue pools of water sure to blow up your Insta feed.
For foodies:
It’s no secret that New Orleans is a dream for food lovers, so jot down this list, make a handful of reservations, and indulge in serious Southern hospitality. But keep a few meals open for romantic courtyard pop-ins; the Crescent City is ideal for such a thing. A few suggestions: There’s breakfast to be had at Brennan’s Restaurant, and a 25-cent martini (along with a mighty fine lunch) at Commander’s Palace. There’s Restaurant August for a proper French dinner and Clancy’s, where well-heeled locals can be found eating fried oysters and Brie. Of course, you can’t go to New Orleans and not have beignets, which feel perfectly romantic, doused in powdered sugar, at Café du Monde. There’s the leafy courtyard to steal away the day or night in, such as Café Amelie or Bayona, followed by wine and cheese and sparkling patio lights at Bacchanal—with lovely live music. And there’s only one reason to visit Bourbon Street: Friday lunch at Galatoire’s. Line up early, don your best duds, and relive what feels like a wedding reception all over again. And just one thing to know: It’s perfectly legal to have open containers in NOLA, so pack a picnic and Champagne and cruise over to Audubon Park—po’boys go just fine with a sparkling rosé, and even more so when lounging under a live oak tree. And when the day is done, there’s no better place to rest your head than The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans. Spring for the Maison Orleans Club level, where one can pop in and out of the handsome salon for bites and bubbles, and a dedicated concierge staff will not only unpack your luggage, but also make reservations at the aforementioned restaurants.
For spiritual health nuts:
Long known as a destination for the spa set, the crimson red rocks of Sedona, Arizona, are where soul seekers have been flocking for decades. Mii amo, a boutique resort that’s comprised of just 16 blush-hued casitas, is nestled into Boynton Canyon and surrounded by the Coconino National Forest and Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness, making it an ideal setting for hiking the trails beneath soaring sandstone cliffs or through high-desert pinyon and juniper forests. As if getting married isn’t life-changing enough, Mii amo promises an inspired, transformative event with an all-inclusive 3-, 4-, or 7-day journey and experiences like rain dancing, energy clearing, and medicine-wheel meditation. But naturally, there are seriously indulgent spa treatments to be had here, too, such as deep-tissue massage, and a myriad of facials, scrubs, and wraps. Book the Spa Suite and experience them in front of the fireplace or on the private patio.
For beach bums:
The small island of Curaçao is ideal for those seeking sun, swim, sand, and scuba. With 38 beaches, this hidden gem is less crowded and has loads of local charm; plus, there’s said to be 55 different cultures represented on it. Here you’ll find all the trappings of the ideal beach retreat: blue-green swimming coves called bocas, super-sophisticated vibes at Jan Theil, the limestone-lined cliffs of Playa Kalki, and superb diving at Playa Porto Mari. Or you can charter a yacht to Little Curaçao and while away the day in the impossibly clear waters. While drying your bikini, steal away to Hofi Cas Cora, a darling boho beauty of a restaurant with an on-site farm. Then, book an Ocean Front Blues room at Avila Beach Hotel, one of the island’s chicest independently owned properties where couples can hole up in their own over-water room. The hotel is just a hop and skip from vibrant-hued colonial buildings dotting the streets downtown and boasts a private beach and on-site reef—not to mention that the food is fantastic to boot. Really, it’s no wonder that this is where the Dutch royals typically stay when they visit Curaçao.
For art aficionados:
Skip the sandy beaches and head to the trendiest part of the country south of the border: Mexico City. There’s a reason this cosmopolitan metropolis is on every globe-trotter’s bucket list. While the topic is hotly debated, the city is often said to boast more art museums than anywhere else in the world—more than 150—and to have more than 100 galleries. Museo Frida Kahlo (Casa Azul) celebrates an icon of Mexican Art and feminism, and offers a peek into the childhood home that she later shared with the great Diego Rivera and her haute couture collection. A few more ideas: The murals and Tiffany glass curtain at the Museo del Palacio de Bellas Artes; Museo Soumaya, a building that’s as impressive as the works inside, including those of Salvador Dali; and the Museo de Arte Moderno, home to one of the largest collections of 20th-century Mexican art. Post up at the La Valise Hotel, a four-suite urban refuge, where pretty, hip things mill about the 20th-century French-style building in leafy Colonia Roma, a neighborhood teeming with contemporary art galleries, independent boutiques, great restaurants, and trendy nightlife venues.
For a quaint New England retreat:
There’s nothing that more quintessentially captures New England charm than a honeymoon at Twin Farms in Barnard, Vermont. When Nobel prize–winning author Sinclair Lewis proposed to Dorothy Thompson, she agreed to marry him if he bought her a farm in Vermont with orchards and delicious air. Today, the postcard-perfect property is comprised of elegant cottages, and everything—from fine dining to the high-end wine list—is included so guests don’t have to lift a finger during their stay. Each of the rooms boast a fireplace (where a fire is waiting après-ski), reading nook, and sunken hot tub. Couples tuck into long meals from the incredible culinary program, partake in a cooking class led by the Relais & Châteaux property’s executive chef, hike, snowshoe, ski, play croquet, fly-fish, and indulge at the spa. And there’s the Furo: a Japanese-style soaking tub set at 104 degrees and nestled into the woods for a clothing-optional dip—simply place a towel on the outside door to indicate it’s occupied.
For animal lovers:
Overall, Thailand is a truly fantastic place to honeymoon—there are beaches, bustling cities, and jungles. At Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort, guests get (very) up close and personal with the rescued elephants. (The resort is part of The Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundationwhich “works with our partner hotels to give and promote ethical work for those elephants that are able, while providing a safe, healthy environment for those that are not.”) Situated on the verdant land of Chang Rai, the property is perched upon on a ridge that overlooks Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. The “three country view suites” allow you to take your morning coffee or evening wine on a balcony with pinch-me vistas of each country that often include spectacular wildlife. There’s an elephant picnic offered, where couples tuck into a personalized lunch for two surrounded by a group of snacking elephants. There’s elephant yoga: an hour-long practice with an elephant companion in a paddy sala. And even a VIP regal elephant arrival, where couples can travel by private car from the airport to the historic riverside town of Chiang Saen, then board a private long-tail boat and glide down the Mekong River to a welcoming committee of gentle giants.
The whole over-water bungalow thing:
The South Pacific, comprised of clusters of romantic resorts, peaceful villages, and miles of quiet pristine beaches seems to have been invented for a romantic rendezvous. Honeymooners can sojourn in some seriously dreamy digs—like an over-water bungalow—and the Maldives Huvafen Fushi boasts some of the finest. Here, tropically romantic bungalows—each with their own private plunge pool—are designed so that you never want to step foot off the property. The bespoke service caters to those seeking privacy by making it possible to dine just about anywhere, from a beach to a sailboat or under the stars.
