We’ve made searching for sun-soaked wedded bliss easy with our guide to the five hottest honeymoon destinations…
For those of you in the bleak midwinter whose thoughts may have turned to some honeymoon sun, our top five honeymoon hottest sites will certainly set a fire beneath you. Did you know that the word ‘honeymoon’ was first coined in 1546 to mean not a holiday a newlywed couple takes, but the first month after marriage when there is nothing but tenderness and pleasure…? Trying a little tenderness fast became the order of the day and from the Belle Epoque on, the ‘honeymoon’ (two, blissfully glorious words sandwiched together), became embedded in the souls and psyches of romantics as an actual holiday and trip of a lifetime (month-long optional). We positively revel in this newlywed wonder. And it deserves only the very best. Check out our top five honeymoon hottest sites…
1. Blue Bay Travel
As specialists in a wide range of products around the world, Blue Bay Travel believe it’s crucial to offer tailormade holiday packages to match your requirements for the biggest holiday of your life.
Blue Bay Travel have excellent personal travel advisors to make your choice of resort a perfect one. Their Caribbean Warehouse specialises in holidays to the Caribbean. Here you can try the lively, adventurous side of the Caribbean, or if you need to unwind, take the tranquil route and lounge by the side of your own private pool.
Why not try the Excellence Riviera Cancun and make the most of their free room upgrade at this 5* Mexican resort? Your room will have its own outdoor jacuzzi and two sunbeds with a swim-out pool. And when you’ve had enough of the all-Inclusive cocktails, make the most of the amazing Miile Spa.
Their Tropical Warehouse specialises in the beauty of the Indian Ocean. Journeying out to The Maldives or Mauritius will be the perfect way to relax with their endless beaches and crystal waters. Why not try the Kuramathi Island Resort? Amongst the Maldivian luxury you can experience some of the world’s most beautiful sights with excursions to local islands or dives amongst rich reefs and a wealth of wildlife.
Top tip: Check out the site’s This Week’s Hot 20 for inspiration and fabulous honeymoon deals.
2. Puente Romano Beach Resort, Marbella
Ah, the Southern Mediterranean coastline. Effortlessly chic and romantic, these guys know a thing or two about sensational style. And the Puente Romano Beach Resort leads the way with aplomb. Nestled within its own tranquil and subtropical gardens, the resort is the perfect launchpad for all manner of outdoor pursuits, from hiking the vertiginous slopes of La Concha to kayaking the sea caves at Nerja and surfing at La Tarifa. Think whitewashed European houses with shutters; cobbled-lined streets as far as the eye can see; unsurpassable food and wine, and midnight strolls down to the shore. Perfect if you’re searching for an authentic, village-style feel rather than a resort atmosphere, and for those who seek a little pampering. We’ve fallen hard for their Six Senses Spa experience that centres around the elements, water and steam, heat and ice, sea and earth. You had us at heat and ice… See more at puenteromano.com.
Top tip: Anyone for tennis? The resort’s tennis club is world renowned and was opened by Bjorn Borg himself in 1979.
3. El Lodge Hotel in Sierra Nevada, Spain
Snow bunnies… this one’s for you. Indulgence and luxury come hand in hand in this breathtaking ski resort, high up in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The second-highest mountain range in Western Europe, the Sierra Nevada is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and National Park, boasting exceptional biodiversity and natural beauty. This gem of a honeymoon destination is still little-known amongst UK travellers, and its relatively unexplored slopes (comprised of over 106km of white, powdery plains and 124 pistes), give you and your new husband a blank canvas, perfect for gallivanting. Catering for skiers of all levels and abilities (9 green pistes, 41 blue, 50 red and 7 black), coupled with a special snow park for tubing and sledging, this is a honeymoon must for couples looking for exercise and excitement before a romantic apres-piste gin and tonic on the resort’s glorious sun deck. Visit ellodge.com.
Top tip: The deluxe room, with its wood-panelled log-retreat feel, also features an open-air jacuzzi on the terrace with open views!
4. Port Ferdinand and Saint Peter’s Bay Luxury Resorts, Barbados
And why stop at just the honeymoon? Increasingly popular amongst honeymoon destinations is the option to get married in situ too! We can’t think of a more tempting prospect than this tropical setting, located on the northwest coast of Barbados. Combining the wedding and honeymoon in this idyllic setting marries together an unforgettable experience with the very latest in luxury accommodation. Saint Peter’s Bay consists of a unique collection of 57 luxury two- and three-bedroom beachfront homes ranging from 2,500 square feet to a five-bedroom penthouse of 6,300 square feet, all with breathtaking views of the sparkling turquoise sea, and with a private hot tub on each terrace. If sun, sea, sand and swimming is your thing, Saint Peter’s Bay is situated on a 500ft beach with crystal clear waters, including a stunning 160ft freeform pool. And if cocktails are your thing, you’re in luck too: the Gazebo Bar serves delicious cocktails with, of course, the famous Barbadian rum punch. Check out stpetersbaybarbados.com.
Top tip: The Simply Love Wedding Package will cater for a beach-location wedding ceremony plus a wedding planner available pre-travel as well on on-site.
5. Planet Holidays, Cyprus and Greece
Planet Holidays is our top pick for short-haul destination honeymoons for Cyprus and Greece. In fact, the popularity of Cyprus as a destination is largely down to Planet! Their fantastic packages are affordable and offer everything you’d ever want from a dreamy break on the Mediterranean. Considering getting married overseas? Then you’re in luck! Planet Weddings is the sister arm to Planet Holidays and offer incredible packages with everything you’ll need for the big day. They can help you choose the best venue for your needs, and then walk you through the wedding planning process, adding all the special touches you want. To find out more visit planet-holidays.co.uk or planetweddings.co.uk.
Top tip: Planet Holidays offer a wide range of luxury villas, hotels, self catering studios and apartments, spa hotels and more, so whatever you’re after, they’ve got it covered!
