56 Wonderful Places to Honeymoon Right Now
Ask any couple in the throes of wedding planning and they will most likely tell you the thing they’re looking forward to the most (an eternity of marital bliss aside) is the honeymoon.
Offering some of the most unique tailor-made travel experiences around the world, London based luxury travel company Black Tomato is an expert when it comes to planning the perfect honeymoon. “Our first recommendation is to drop every preconceived notion of what a honeymoon should be,” Black Tomato co-founder Tom Marchant wrote in an email to T+L. “We recommend couples to think first and foremost about what they want to get out of this experience to really reflect and look at the emotional side of an experience before picking the destination.”
With so many bucket-list worthy places to choose from around the world, narrowing a list down is no easy task—but that’s exactly what we did here. From a luxury safari lodge to a bungalow on your own private Island in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, there’s something for everyone—and every kind of honeymoon.
Check out T+L’s complete guide to the honeymoon experience of a lifetime.
Michelle Gross is a Contributing Writer at Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @mtothegnyc
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Chiang Mai, Thailand
Thailand has long been a honeymoon destination thanks to the country’s beaches, food and friendly people. The Dhara Dhevi, in particularly picturesque Chiang Mai, is great for couples, who can opt to stay in one of the seven residences-style villas, most with private swimming pools and all made for romantic getaways. Romance can be found off-property, too, including dinner along the Ping River aboard Riverside Restaurant’s nightly cruise.
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Phang Nga, Thailand
Located between popular tourist spots Phuket and Krabi, The Six Senses Yao Noi consists of 56 stilted, thatch-roofed villas strung along the beach. Honeymooners looking for a little more privacy can opt for the Hideaway Villa, completely shrouded in jungle but with spectacular views overlooking the resort and Phang Nga Bay.
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Koh Kood, Thailand
Speaking of island getaways, Soneva Kiri Resort, on Koh Kood is only an hour’s flight from Bangkok and easily accessible by plane. Here, you can watch classic films under the stars at the resorts very own outdoor screening area. And for dinner, one of the most unique features of the resort is Treepod, a zip-line accessible table where you can take your meal high amongst the natural beauty of the surrounding rainforest.
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Luang Prabang, Laos
With an abundance of French colonial influence mixed with ancient temples and culinary experiences around every corner, Luang Prabang is a one of a kind city—but also manageable. You can see all of it in the span of a couple days. Stay at The Luang Say Residence, one of the more luxurious offerings in town. Also known as “La Belle Epoch,” each of the 32-suites features an open terrace to lounge on after a day of walking and exploring.
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Koh Rong Archipelago, Cambodia
For a different kind of Cambodia experience, head to the untouched Koh Rong Archipelago and the private island of Song Saa (“the sweethearts” in Khmer), the country’s first luxury private island resort. It’s set on a marine reserve, which keeps the islands’ reefs and marine life (including turtles, seahorses and exotic species of tropical fish) safe.
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Siem Reap, Cambodia
Built as a religious monument of the mighty Khmer Empire, a visit to Angkor Wat is an awe-inspiring experience—and something perfectly suited newlyweds. Stay at The Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa in the heart of Siem Reap near the old city market. With two on-site restaurants and a bar, it’s the ideal place to unwind after a full day of sightseeing. To unwind even further, get a couples massage at the spa.
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Yangon, Myanmar
For those looking for something with more urban action, Belmond Governor’s Residence in Yangon is a romantic, 1920s-era former residence located in the city’s Embassy Quarter.
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Ngapali Beach, Myanmar
Until recently, Myanmar was virtually closed off to most of the outside world. That’s all changed the past few years and Myanmar is now being rediscovered by a new generation of intrepid traveler. Located along the Indian Ocean on Ngapali beach, Amara Ocean Resort features 24 bungalows scattered throughout a wide palm grove. The on-site restaurant takes full advantage of its ocean setting with spectacular views—a great way to spend a romantic dinner.
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Udaipur, India
Rose petals and refreshments await as you step off the boat that brings you to the ethereal Taj Lake Palace. Built in 1746 for the Maharana Jagat Singh II, the experience of staying here is enhanced with butler service, opulent, over-sized rooms with lake views, a full-service spa, heated pool and sunset cruises and yoga.
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Fiji
Royal Davui Island Resort is the stuff honeymoon fantasies are made of. Accessible via helicopter or speedboat, this all-inclusive property offers 16 exquisitely appointed villas nestled around 10 acres of tropical landscaped gardens.
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Lankanfushi Island, The Maldives
Sometimes, all you need is your own private villa and hundreds of miles of crystal-clear ocean at your fingertips. Home to 45 over water villas, Gili Lankanfushi Maldives is the place for a far-flung getaway. There are a number of activities to choose from, including windsurfing and sunrise yoga. The Meera Spa offers a variety of massage treatments.
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Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
From the traditional Buddhist temples to the iconic green rice paddies, volcanic mountain ranges and idyllic beaches, Bali exudes so much romance and mystique, it’s no wonder the island has remained such a popular honeymoon destination for decades. Particularly romantic for couples is the Komaneka Resort, unique in that it’s a collection of boutique hotels set within the tropical rainforest of the Campuhan River valley in Ubud.
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Jimbaran Bay, Bali, Indonesia
Located on southern Bali’s Jimbaran Bay on the Bukit peninsula, another popular choice for honeymooners is Ayana Resort & Spa. With 78 spacious pool villas all overlooking the Indian Ocean, couples can enjoy brunch by their own private pool or indulge in a soul-balancing massage at the spa before taking a sunset walk on the resort’s white sand beach.
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Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Thatched-roof bungalows, incredible scuba diving and crystalline water for miles on end, Bora Bora is one of the hottest go-to spots for honeymooners. Perched on stilts above a turquoise lagoon, the Four Seasons Resort here caters to couples and offers services including breakfast in your bungalow (and delivered via canoe no less), sunset cruises and a Polynesian-style beach dinner.
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Cape Town, South Africa
Remote wilderness, majestic coastlines and luxurious resorts are all part of the South Africa experience—which makes it the perfect honeymoon escape. Straddling the shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean between Hout Bay and Cape Town, Tintswalo Atlantic is a five-star luxury boutique property with a heated pool and a Jacuzzi overlooking the ocean. The 11 suites also have those amazing ocean views, making them ideal for couples looking to escape it all after exploring Cape Town’s urban thrills.
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Maasai Mara, Kenya
If you’re looking to go a bit more off the beaten path and into the wild, Cottars 1920's Safari Camp in Kenya’s Maasai Mara game reserve is one of the most romantic safari camps in the world. Bordering the Serengeti and Loliondo reserves, the camp offers nine tents in total, including one specifically for honeymooners. Highlights include day and night game-drives to see lions, rhinos and elephants roaming in their natural habitat, guided bush walks, and a Maasai warrior training.
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Pamushana, Zimbabwe
Set on 130,000 acres of an ecological reserve in southeastern Zimbabwe, Singita’s Pamushana Lodge offers eight oversized suites and a five-bedroom villa, all with private plunge pools and panoramic views of the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve. The architecture and design of the lodge is inspired by the culture of the Great Zimbabwe, an Iron Age city. Singita offers a special honeymoon safari package that is customized for honeymooners looking for a little solitude. Included in the package are activities ranging from stargazing and mountain biking to guided bush walks, wine and whiskey tastings and visits to ancient rock art sites, archery, tennis, fishing and horseback riding.
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Zanzibar, Tanzania
In Zanzibar, a tropical island off the coast of East Africa, Xanadu Villas & Retreat pays homage to the Arabic and African origins of the island, offering a selection of six private villas. Each comes with a private butler and a plunge pool—not to mention the palm-fringed beach just steps away. Built from locally sourced materials and furnished with antiques found in and around Zanzibar, each villa and suite is designed with a sense of space and tranquility.
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Marrakesh, Morocco
If visiting ancient mosques, belly dancing and treasure hunting in the old city souks sounds like your idea of fun, a honeymoon in Morocco is right up your alley. Tucked away in the heart of the Medina (the old city), all of the 12 rooms at Riad Dar Anika have been meticulously crafted to reflect the Moroccan aesthetic. Complete with a swimming pool, on-site hammam and rooftop terrace with stunning views over the surrounding city and Atlas Mountains, this Riad is sure to provide a romantic experience you’ll never forget.
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Mahatalaky, Madagascar
This large island nation off the southeast coast of Africa is the perfect destination for anyone who wants to get up close and personal with wildlife—most of which you can’t see anyplace else (there are more than 50 species of lemurs alone). Near the southern tip of the island, Manafiafy Beach and Rainforest Lodge offers honeymooners a chance to explore the surrounding mangroves, lemur forests and the rugged southern coast. Here, you can overnight in a tent strung between the trees—personal chef included.
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Tsarabanjina, Madagascar
If you’ve ever dreamed of crystal clear water and powder soft stretches of beach (and really, who hasn’t?) all surrounded by thriving coral and marine life, then Constance Tsarabanjina Resort & Spa is the perfect spot. A tiny island just off the northwestern coast of Madagascar, this eco-friendly property’s charm lies in its simplicity, with just 25 private bungalow villas and little else.
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North Island, Seychelles
Located just off the coast of East Africa and largely uninhabited until the late 18th century, the Seychelles’ 116 islands are home to some of the most pristine natural landscapes in the world. North Island is an all-inclusive resort for honeymooners, with white sand beaches, lush forests, and waving palms trees. It’s also ideal for adventurous couples, since outdoor pursuits like kayaking, paddle boarding and kite surfing, are readily available. There are only 11 villas (all created from local materials), and honeymoons may want to opt for Villa 11, the unofficial honeymoon suite. It’s the ultimate in romantic seclusion, located at the far end of the resort’s main beach for extra privacy.
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Dimbula, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is quickly making its way onto the honeymoon roadmap due to its wealth of natural beauty without the crowds of other tropical destinations. In the hills of the Dimbula district in south central Sri Lanka, Ceylon Tea Trails is comprised of five restored colonial era tea bungalows that include period furnishings, butler service and gourmet dining options. Referred to as “The Golden Valley” due to its lush and aromatic tea bushes grown throughout the year, this is the perfect honeymoon for couples who enjoy biking, hiking or white-water rafting through this diverse tropical landscape.
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Dubai, UAE
Roughly forty minutes from Dubai in the heart of the Dubai Desert Reserve, Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort and Spa takes luxury and desert-chic to the next level. From dune-side dining, sunset camel treks and falconry displays, this resort is perfect for couples looking to indulge some middle of nowhere romance.
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Playa del Carmen, Mexico
On the shores of the Riviera Maya just outside of Playa del Carmen, Banyan Tree Mayakoba offers honeymooners spacious ocean front rooms just steps from white sand beaches and turquoise waters. This exclusive resort comes equipped with butler service, private outdoor pools and open layout that flows into a beautiful landscaped garden.
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Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, Belize
Less than a two-hour flight off the coast of Florida, honeymooners can enjoy the best Belize has to offer, from the Mayan ruins to the diverse marine life. Set amongst wild jungle in the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, the 20-room Blancaneaux Lodge is a luxury resort as remote as it is beautiful. Purchased by Francis Ford Coppola and initially used as a private family retreat, the hotel today is the perfect setting for a honeymoon, with its tumbling waterfalls and natural jungle canopies.
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Mendoza, Argentina
Perfectly situated amongst 55-acres of rolling vineyards, Cavas Wine Lodge is an 18-room boutique hotel located among some of the best-known wineries in the region. The property, which lies in the foothills of the magnificent Andes Mountain range, features a spa that specializes in treatments designed for couples as well as an excellent on-site restaurant.
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Cusco, Peru
Belmond Hotel Monasterio, a former monastery dating back to 1592, offers beautifully decorated rooms and suites, all surrounding a tranquil central courtyard. A unique feature for honeymooners looking to make their way up Machu Pichu is transportation aboard the luxurious Belmond Hiram Bingham train. Lunch and dinner are both included in this package as well as a guided tour of the ruins.
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Santa Catarina, Brazil
Located on a privately owned peninsula, Ponta dos Ganchos Exclusive Resort is surrounded by the stunning waters of southern Brazil’s Emerald Coast. A short hop, skip and jump from São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, this ultra-luxe seaside locale also happens to be a scuba-diver's dream. Honeymooners can choose from one of several bungalows as well as indulge in the honeymoon package, complete with helicopter transfer, massage and dinner.
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St. Lucia
On St. Lucia’s southwestern coastline, Jade Mountain Resort’s 24 rooms are designed to ensure exclusivity and ultimate privacy (they also come with infinity pools). Packages for honeymooners include the Tropical Tranquility and the Total Romance.
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Anguilla
Anguilla’s natural beauty is unsurpassed in the Caribbean, and that allure extends to the island’s resorts, as well. With eight villas scattered across a mile of white-sand beach, Cap Juluca is considered Anguilla’s crown jewel—especially when it comes to honeymoon hotels. Book a villa — each comes with its own private pool. The hotel’s two boats, Juluca Pride and Juluca Star, are also available for private charter trips to St. Maarten and St. Barth’s.
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Antigua
The secluded Hillside Pool Suites at Hermitage Bay are the ultimate romantic honeymoon escape. With private plunge pools, sun decks, and daybeds framed with sheer white curtains, couples can relax in privacy. On-site activities range from cooking classes and an accompanying farm tour, as well as scuba diving, sailing, tennis and helicopter tours.
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Vieques, Puerto Rico
A tiny island just off the coast of Puerto Rico, Vieques is the perfect place to get away from it all while still being able to enjoy the modern luxuries of home. Ride horses on the beach or watch the water come alive with a bioluminescence tour of the bay. A solid option for couples looking to completely detach, the W Retreat & Spa (closed through December 2018) offers honeymooners a “Sneak Away For a Romantic Rendezvous,” package, including a three course dinner for two, daily breakfast, half-off couple’s massage and a sunset champagne toast.