Intimate.
Lively. Sexy. Secluded. All of these are important qualities
to look for in a honeymoon destination, and each of
our picks incorporates at least one—and sometimes
all—of them. From sumptuous tented romance in
India to cozy lodge loving in Canada, we’ve found
places to suit every amorous mood. If marriage is the
ultimate celebration of love, the honeymoon is its ultimate
expression. Every couple is unique, so explore our singular
selections and plan a honeymoon that’s as distinctive
as you are.
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UNITED
STATES
Connecticut
Thomas Henkelmann Homestead Inn
www.homesteadinn.com
Most
mountain resorts embrace a casual, laid-back, slope-friendly
lifestyle. But it’s an old-fashioned formality
that gives this property its charm—colonial-style
décor in the bedrooms, and jackets required in
the Dining Room, where an orchestra serenades diners.
After two years of construction by 250 master craftsmen,
this hotel opened in 1902, and today it’s a National
Historic Landmark. It’s a part of The Mount Washington
Resort at Bretton Woods, and right outside the door
are hundreds of acres of ski terrain. You’ll find
101 trails and glades (including plenty of black diamond
glades), White Mountain National Park for cross-country
skiing, high-speed quad lifts and a gorgeous landscape
for night skiing.
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CANADA
British Columbia
King Pacific Lodge
www.kingpacificlodge.com
Not
every couple wants to fly off to a tropical island after
saying, “I do.” For some, isolation, fresh
mountain air, wilderness vistas and fly-fishing—yes,
fly-fishing—are the ultimate aphrodisiacs. If
cuddling in front of a fireplace is your idea of romance,
then King Pacific Lodge is the honeymoon for you. This
floating wilderness retreat is moored in Barnard Harbour
on Princess Royal Island, and with just seventeen rooms,
it ensures you won’t be sharing the great outdoors
with the masses. The Romance Suite features a handmade
king-size driftwood bed, but we suggest the corner Waterfall
Suite, with ocean and waterfall views, living room with
open fireplace, two decks and a dining room for in-room
tête-à-têtes. If you want, you can
even say your vows here, at the edge of Great Bear Rain
Forest or on top of a glacier.
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CARIBBEAN
Turks &
Caicos
The Palms
www.thepalmstc.com
Elegant,
exclusive luxury hotels can be found throughout the
Caribbean—one of the world’s ultimate honeymoon
destinations—so why recommend The Palms over its
counterparts? The answer is ambience. Consider staying
at this property a lesson on how to treat one another
well. Very well. The attitude here will set the tone
for your union … a lifetime of attending to the
desires of one another’s bodies, minds and spirits.
Housed in low-rise coral stone buildings, the bedrooms
feature mahogany four-poster beds and ocean-view travertine
terraces. And the Penthouse Suite comes with an outdoor
garden shower and chauffeur service. Get intimate on
one of the private pool decks around the serpentine
infinity pool, and toast to the future as you dine on
an over water banquette.
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FRENCH
POLYNESIA
Taha’a
Island
Le Taha'a Private Island & Spa
www.letahaa.com
Ah,
tradition. There’s a reason sun-kissed honeymoons
never go out of style. They’re the perfect antidote
to the stress of planning the big day. And let’s
face it, they’re just plain sexy. Our favorite
in this category is Le
Taha’a Private Island & Spa, a small coral
islet between Taha’a and Bora Bora. It can only
be reached by private boat or helicopter, and every
one of its beach and over water bungalows measures in
at 1,400 square-feet. You want one of the over water
variety. Connected by walkways, these sanctuaries open
right onto the sea. Although you’re far from civilization,
the resort is civilized, with a decadent spa and three
excellent restaurants helmed by Veronique Melloul. Of
course, we’re not suggesting that you need to
be on your best behavior. This is your honeymoon, after
all.
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INDIA
Rajasthan
Aman-i-Khás
www.amanresorts.com
A
canvas tent in the middle of nowhere. If this sounds
too much like roughing it, think again. Never before
has the combination of cement and steel frames been
so elegant … or romantic. Not that this should
come as a surprise, given that Aman-i-Khás belongs
to the oh so divine Amanresorts collection. Couples
seeking a one of a kind way to kick off their new life
together will do well to take over one of the ten tents
here, with their stylish minimalist furniture and dreamy
day beds draped in canopies. There’s a spa tent
and a dining tent, although meals often conclude around
an outdoor campfire. If your loved one is a bit of a
wildcat, you’ll feel particularly at home, since
this wilderness camp sits on the outskirts of Ranthambhore
National Park, a tiger reserve. Among the ways here
to commemorate your love: traditional henna body art.
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ITALY
Lake Garda
Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli
www.villafeltrinelli.com
If
you and your sweetie are envisioning your dream home,
why not dream big? A former manor house built in 1892,
the ornate, lakefront Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli
will certainly give you something to aspire to. A superb
restoration by haute hotelier Bob Burns ranges from
the gorgeous carved wood ceilings to the garden with
its olive groves and tiers of lemon trees. Hanging out
at the pool, you’ll feel like landed gentry rather
than a hotel guest. D.H. Lawrence finished “Sons
and Lovers” at Lake Garda, so you can rest assured
the setting is suitably sexy for a honeymoon. And if
you’re planning a spring wedding, we can’t
imagine a more enchanted April.
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THE
NETHERLANDS
Amsterdam
The Dylan
www.dylanamsterdam.com
Is
a sense of playfulness one of the bonds that holds you
together? If so, you’ll find kindred spirits in
the creators of The Dylan. You absolutely must book
the peppermint candy-striped Klassbols Room, a post-modern
boudoir that feels like a cross between a sleek hip
hotel and a brothel. That’s not to say this hotel
doesn’t have class. It’s as elegant as they
come, and to add to the sophistication, it is situated
on the scenic, 17th-century Keizersgracht canal. When
it comes to facilities, there’s not much more
than the restaurant, which serves French cuisine. But who needs tennis courts with Amsterdam
at the doorstep? With its cozy jazz clubs, sexy Red
Light District and North Sea beach towns just an hour
away, it is a perfect place for lovers.
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MEXICO
Baja
Esperanza
www.esperanzaresort.com
When
it comes to honeymoon destinations, few sizzle like
those south of the border. For those who want sophistication
with their spice, Esperanza is the ideal choice. Decorated
with original art and handcrafted furniture, all of
the luxury suites and private villas have terraces that
open onto expansive views of Baja’s Sea of Cortez.
The spa has yummy indoor steam caves and waterfalls,
and the three-level, al fresco restaurant is carved
into the bluffs, cascading down to two private coves.
You can ask for a picnic basket for a secluded tryst.
Or if you’re feeling frisky, check out the tequila
menu. There are over 100 choices. Why not take a few
back to your room and give body shots a try?
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MOROCCO
Marrakech
Dar Rhizlane
www.dar-rhizlane.com
Is
yours the kind of love that deserves the royal treatment?
The privately owned Dar Rhizlane bills itself as a guest
palace, a claim we find somewhat bold. But in fact it
lives up to the assertion, although on a level far more
intimate than Buckingham and the Taj Mahal. Set in the
tranquil, residential Hivernage neighborhood, this hotel
feels like a cross between a palace and a manor house.
Although you’re just steps from the lively Medina,
you can easily hide away amid the orange trees, rose
bushes, jasmine and palms. This oasis is no mirage,
as you’ll discover sitting in the restaurant gazing
through French windows into the garden. Steal a kiss
beneath a wisteria-draped arch, or sip evening cocktails
in the glow of the candlelit pool.
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AFRICA
Tanzania
Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
www.ccafrica.com
If
your love makes you feel like you’re on top of
the world, you’ll feel right at home at Lake Manyara
Tree Lodge. Nestled in a mahogany forest in Lake Manyara
National Park, the ten stilted treehouse suites have
lovely private viewing decks for looking down on creation
… if you know the song, sing along. The suites
are crafted from local timber and palm fronds, and are
furnished in classy, earthy tones. When you’re
not breakfasting on the lakeshore, splashing in the
pool or sampling Pan-African cuisine in the outdoor
forest dining area, you can heed the call of the wild
… wildlife, that is. Among the creatures you might
see on game drives: nomadic flamingos and herds of elephants.
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