Top 10 honeymoon destinations for globe-trotting newlyweds

From a honeymoon in the Greek Cyclades to the most romantic enclaves in Costa Rica’s rampant rainforest, the best honeymoon destinations are those that promise romance, adventure — and luxury or boutique hotels with bags of style.

GREECE

Why go? It’s no secret that the country’s a romantic at heart — it’s practically the law to be paired up in Santorini — but now’s the time to avoid the most popular honeymoon destinations in Greece and combine marital bliss with some serious self love (in the wellness sense of the word, we mean…). Dinkier islands have acquired spotlight-luring boutique hotels that put mindfulness front and centre, so couples can have a holistic start to married life.

Stay We can’t help but crow about the Rooster, a rare bird on Antiparos — a Cycladic island whose natural beauty and seaside serenity are only recently getting the recognition they deserve. Owner Athanasia has been enamoured since her holidays there as a child; and realising the sense of inner peace she found there, she set about building a hotel to harness its powers.

In strutteth the Rooster, where each spacious suite and villa has a private pool, a terrace with a soul-lifting view and sheltered outdoor shower (hey, who doesn’t feel fancy-free after an alfresco scrub in the buff). Romance comes in the form of homemade picnics on the wild beach nearby or late-night cocktails in the hotel’s ‘secret garden’, but you may also discover that the couple who gong-bathes and engages in a Grecian fire ceremony together stays together.

On the mainland, you’ll find retrograde romance aplenty at One&Only Aesthesis on the Athenian Riviera. This stretch of coast was a see-and-be-seen spot in the Sixties, when socialites and film stars bronzed themselves at beach clubs and Modernist villas worthy of shipping magnates. One&Only Aesthesis taps into that look with its window-walled suites, mid-century interiors and sun-kissed beach club, where you sup on ceviche and sip on Turkish delight-infused martinis.

Smith tip An excellent honeymoon destination if you’re on a budget, Oku Kos may not be quite so hidden away, but the revitalising powers of its Hippocrates-inspired massages, Asian-inflected fish dishes and mezcal-muddled cocktails — in rooms with a sultry mod-rustic look — cannot be denied. The on-site concept store sells all the covetable accoutrements in your room with which to bulk up your trousseau. And, it’s serenely adults-only, too.

ITALY

Why go? Italy and honeymoons go together like Campari and a twist of orange — invigorating, intoxicating and downright delectable. From the shores of Lake Como to the dunes of Sardinia, the nation simply has a knack for stirring the soul. But for all its artful romance, it’s also the perfect place to practice dolce far niente, the art of doing nothing and relishing it.

Stay You can’t beat Lake Como stay Passalacqua for unbridled romance. It’s there in the frescoes, the ravishing suites, the soul-stirring lake views and the glorious gardens shaded by centuries-old cedars. In fact, there’s a real harmony to the beauty of this lady of the lake, perhaps because it was once the home of Italian composer Bellini, who penned operas Norma and La Sonnambula here.

Further south, a honeymoon in Puglia promises fulsome olive groves, ancient villages (many with the signature conical trulli buildings) and deliriously tasty food. In the ‘white city’ (although more of a small fairy-tale town these days) Ostuni, there’s labour of love Paragon 700 — the new tenant of 18th-century Palazzo Rosso. It’s a wildly romantic honeymoon destination now the frescoes have been sensitively touched up and colourised, antiques from all over the world (including South African bomas and Indian gazebos repurposed as bath tubs) have been shipped in, and Ostuni’s largest private garden has been pruned and primped.

Then, set course for Lecce, the ‘Florence of the south’, for a spell at La Fiermontina Palazzo Bozzi Corso, a magnificent 18th-century home that showcases the city’s more modern leanings with its impressive collection of big-deal designer furnishings and artwork. And, at the tip of the heel, Palazzo Daniele pulls off a similar trick, with its aged frescoed walls and artfully unfussy Ludovica and Roberto Palomba furnishings.

In Sardinia, ruggedly romantic stay Le Dune Piscinas is hunkered down amid golden sand dunes on the island’s wild west coast. The rooms commune with the landscape and the region’s mining history, played out in sandblasted Orosei marble floors, original wooden beams and wrought-iron bed frames. For all its salt-of-the-earth past, it’s now a creature of indulgence, with three restaurants, alfresco movie nights and opportunities to quad bike over the sands and visit wineries along the Costa Verde.

Smith tip We’re not ones to chase celebs, but Justin Timberlake made an inspired choice by having his Italian wedding at Borgo Egnazia. This stylish, sprawling stay has honeymoon-ready rooms in bridal whites.

THE BALEARIC ISLES

Why go? Perhaps you’re chasing some late-season sun, perhaps you want to combine culture, coast and some very fine cuisine, or perhaps you want to be swept off your feet by the historic romance of the Old Town and the sage- and saffron-hued vistas inland. Whatever the draw for you, a honeymoon in Mallorca will be an amor-filled tonic after the whirlwind of the wedding.

Stay If you choose to honeymoon in the Balearic Isles, prepare to divvy up your affections between your beloved and daydream beaches, ancient hamlets and cosmopolitan cities. To cover all bases, we recommend an island-hopping road trip from the city to the countryside. Sant Francesc Hotel Singular sits pretty in Palma’s Old Town and its effortlessly stylish rooms — some with beams and daintily painted ceilings, all with artworks by important Spanish painters and dapper designer furnishings — are all set-dressing for romance. Palma’s a popular honeymoon destination for its sand-dusted coast (the seafront’s all set for idle walks), top-drawer tapas bars and Gothic monuments, so explore by day, then return for ‘golden hour’ to sip sangria in the rooftop solarium as the sun sets.

Hop over to serene sister island Menorca for a taste of rural bliss at Vestige Son Vell. Arriving at this honey-hued manor feels like stumbling on an oasis: having cut across 150 acres of sun-bleached farmland, you pass into a lush walled garden with lush lawns, shady palms and flower-wreathed pergolas. Where better to sling back citrusy pomadas by the outdoor pool, savour Menorcan fare at super-seasonal restaurant Vermel or stage your search for the perfect beach?

Then it’s onward to somnolent Formentera, the most laid-back of the Balearics. If Formentera is a sun-bleached sanctuary, Teranka is its apostle of peace. Nestled in the scrubby dunes at Es Migjorn, this Zen-inducing stay has pine forest on one side and azure sea on the other. It has the air of a blissed-out beach club, with a programme of daily yoga and meditation to slacken things further. What’s no slouch is the food: there’s a Nobu on the roof and a knockout French restaurant downstairs, overseen by powerhouse chef Emmanuel Renaut.

Smith tip Even the best honeymoon destinations in the world can be improved on by booking a superlative suite. At Vestige Son Vell, it’s the romantic Garden Junior Suite, sensitively renovated with wood, natural fabrics and original sandstone — and an expansive private garden — they offer lovebirds a rather romantic nest.

VIETNAM

Why go? Because Vietnam is one of the best beach-honeymoon destinations we can think of, with extraordinary luxury hotels in the most paradisiacal parts. And Earth lovers can indulge in good conscience, as many hotels here are hot on eco-friendly practices.

Stay With acres of dense jungle to spread out over, turquoise bays with picturesque rock formations and stepped rice paddies, tropical honeymoon destinations like Vietnam have the edge when it comes to hotels that make you go weak at the knees. Zannier Bai San Ho in particular makes us come over all unnecessary, with its wanton natural beauty, come-hither private beach and come-to-bed, um, beds — many four-poster and facing the gloriously green surrounds or sparkling waters. It’s a bit of a social butterfly too, with three restaurants to skip between, two tennis courts, a spa and yoga studio, but each standalone villa — built to evoke the traditional local architecture — is tucked into a secluded spot.

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay edges its way into our affections for its sense of privacy (guests have to arrive by boat), butlers as standard and a green outlook (staff get involved in beach clean-ups, keep the coral reefs safe and plant plenty of new trees). The thatch roofed dwellings all have private pools and have a Robinson Crusoe gone rom-com feel — wooden bath tubs and veiled beds are privy to the best views in the house and each has a private pool and champagne in the minibar. Cheers to that.

Smith tip Frankly, we can’t think of anywhere more romantic than a ‘wine cave’ and it turns out Six Senses feels the same — private dinners of juicy lobsters and thick steaks, paired with some very fine pours, are held in their bottle-lined cavern.

INDONESIA

Why go? The world’s biggest island nation has 17,000 idyllic specks to choose from, so for beach-seekers Indonesian honeymoons are a no-brainer. But where to go? With your pick of paradise, there’s something to suit everyone. Try Bali for buzz, beachside hangouts and jungly seclusion; lesser-trodden Sumba for surfing and romantic seclusion; and crowd-free Moyo Island for luxury camping beside the Flores Sea.

Stay Bali may be Indonesia’s most popular honeymoon destination, but you needn’t follow the crowd. While you’re at it, break free from convention with a stay at Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape, where the suites have no walls or doors. The canopy-grazing stay is in Bali‘s highlands north of Ubud, surrounded by hills that are swathed in jungle or layered with terraced rice paddies. Throw in a ravishing treetop pool and a spa with valley-spanning views, and you’ll both be on cloud nine.

For something wilder — much wilder — head to undersung outpost Sumba, known as ‘the forgotten island’. It’s only an hour or so’s flight from Bali but worlds away in character, with virgin coastlines, lush hinterlands and swathes of grassland punctuated by hilltop villages. Many islanders practise Marapu, Sumba’s ancestral religion, and live in traditional villages where their thatch-roofed houses are surrounded by megalithic stone tombs. Play castaway at all-villa stay the Sanubari, where you can wade through the shallows on horseback, zip through corn fields and coconut groves on a motorbike and get to grips with the remarkably well-preserved local culture.

And where to next on your Indonesian honeymoon? Midway between the Malaysian mainland and Borneo, Bawah Reserve is another perfectly private escape in the Anambas archipelago, reachable by seaplane. There may not be any TVs here (to encourage you to engage with the natural world), but there are lagoons for snorkelling in, a baker’s dozen of beaches to sunbathe on, an open-air cinema for screenings and a wine cellar to poke around in.

Smith tip We have an idea for a honeymoon that’s a little extra. Push the — quite literal — boat out with Sequoia Yacht, a two-suite, just-for-you vessel, which sails three itineraries around the Coral Triangle: to the reefs of Raja Ampat, the dragon-roamed shores of Komodo and the storied spice isles of the Moluccas.

COSTA RICA

Why go? Why, for a taste of pura vida — the Ticos’ upbeat and easygoing attitude to life. Choose a honeymoon in Costa Rica and you could be off on Jumanji-esque adventures in cloud forests and biodiverse national parks, seeking out spider monkeys, sloths and other protected animals in the brilliantly green interior. And as beach honeymoon destinations go, Costa Rica has the goods, with strips of white and gold sand on both coasts, that beg you to come lay down a towel.

Stay Your honeymoon speed may be more cocktails and sunloungers than chasing surf breaks, but don’t discount beachy haven Santa Teresa for its board fanatics. Its white sands stretch out for miles, palms run rampant over the hillsides and a long-standing hippie community gives it plenty of pura vida energy. Even better, it’s still faint on honeymooners’ radars, with an unpaved road leading in and out of town. Check in to Nantipa and you’ll be within reach of national parks where exotic animals play, Unesco-protected beaches and dishy tropical islands. Plus, the resort’s homages to the ancient Chorotega tribe give it an authentic feel.

At Edenic off-grid stay Rio Perdido, the outdoors are your playground. This earth-kind retreat is hidden in a 1,500-acre reserve of dry forest deep in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Province. Its window-walled bungalows are so well disguised among the trees you’d hardly know it was there, save for the circular restaurant that peeks over the forest canopy. There’s a nigh-endless array of experiences to bring you closer to nature (and each other), including canyoning on the Río Blanco, mountain-biking, night walks, stargazing, bathing in medicinal springs and taking volcanic mud baths. 

Smith tip Of Nantipa’s modern and spacious bungalows, you’ll want to book one with a pool. Aside from the obvious advantages of splash-happy idling, you can ask staff to set up a floating dinner, where dishes arrive on a small raft to be enjoyed as you soak.

THE US

Why go? A honeymoon in the US is one for the wishlist, and newly launched hotels with historic clout and innate hipster cred are giving honeymooners some very attractive options for their post-wedding getaway.

Stay California Wine Country hotel the Madrona looks like it rose from the page of a Henry James novel — one where the central character has an exceptionally well-stocked cellar. Late 1800s charm abounds — take one look at the redbrick exterior with its steep gabled roof and you expect to see hansom cabs parked outside. The rooms — or salons as they’re known here — have been artfully modernised with Italian linens, indulgent bathrooms and luxuries like underfloor heating. And there’s an excellent restaurant, glorious grounds and a multitude of wineries within easy reach.

But, if your idea of a romantic honeymoon destination is a sprinkle — or indeed heaping — of Gatsby-esque glitter, the 100-year-old, 10-acre estate of party-hard cotton baron Edgar ‘Commodore’ Perry is one of the grandest houses in Austin (a 15-minute drive from downtown). Now a luxury hotel, the Commodore Perry Estate’s been dusted down and given a fittingly eccentric makeover by Ken Fulk (think clashing prints and furnishings that span decades) and now this Texan belle is ready to host again, serving Ranch Water cocktails round the retro-tastic round pool, proffering plates of Texas toast with caviar and keeping guests thoroughly entertained.

The programme of events runs from tented picnics on the lawn to fireside nights with s’mores and bourbon to palm readings, vintage record and reserves evenings, and blind tastings. To show just how committed the hotel is to the city’s wonderful weirdness, their three-day ‘Austin Love’ itinerary involves stops for jalapeño cheddar-sausage kolaches, a deep dive into a prominent figure of the Texas Women’s Movement, kayaking around Lady Bird Lake and custom Stetson fitting.

Smith tip Each room at the Commodore Perry Estate has dapper distinctions, but the cherry on top is the vast Mr and Mrs Perry Suite, which has his and hers bedrooms: one serenely coral hued, the other safari themed with leopard-print carpeting, hunting scenes on the walls and a horn chandelier. As the name suggests, it’s an auspicious space for honeymooners.

INDIAN OCEAN

Why go? When weighing up the best honeymoon destinations – the Indian Ocean can claim many of them: the Maldives, Mauritius, the Seychelles – say no more… Yes there’s a private island or achingly beautiful atoll to calm even the most temperamental twosomes. Expect faultless service, imaginative excursions and barefoot luxury.

Stay With 26 atolls to choose from, and private islands for every persuasion, a honeymoon in the Maldives often elicits another ‘I do’ from just-marrieds. And, there’s an overwater villa or beachside nest to suit everyone, from accessible-to-all Baros to out-of-this-world Soneva Jani, where opulent villas come with waterslides and retractable roofs so you can gaze up at the stars. Or lower your eyes at Six Senses Laamu, where you can spy on sealife from your glass-bottomed bath tub.

If you want a more youthful, irreverent feel, try the Standard, Maldives, where villas are kitted out with neon rubber rings and disco balls in each bathroom. There are activities galore, ranging from fishing to spa sleepovers, and beach bonfire parties and an onsite nightclub ensure a lively escape. Another hard-to-beat retreat is Gili Lankanfushi, which aims to leave only footprints behind by protecting the surrounding marine life and serving up laidback luxury in the form of open-sided villas and restaurants. For boulder-strewn drama, set your sights on a honeymoon in the Seychelles, where Six Senses Zil Pasyon sits on the private island of Félicité with a stand-out Six Senses spa.

Smith tip Honeymooning on a budget? A wallet-friendly alternative in the Indian Ocean is Mauritius – which also happens to be a great choice for watersports, especially windsurfing. We like Salt of Palmar for its unique tropical-island style — all graphic prints and bold hues — courtesy of artist Camille Walala.

MEXICO

Why go? At the cultural crossroads between North America and the Spanish-speaking south, there are barefoot beaches, tropical jungle and Mayan ruins, all excellent reasons to honeymoon in Mexico. And, the Mexicans have a passionate approach to life — be it in their love of vibrant colour, zest for dance (seriously, pick up some steps in advance) or full-throated fiestas — and you’ll likely follow suit.

Stay A honeymoon in Tulum is the obvious choice, and for good reason, with its not-a-speck-of-sand-out-of-place beaches and laid-back hotels such as La Valise. But if you crave a car-free, TV-less existence, choose Isla Holbox — an island off the Yucatán coast, where you can swim in bioluminescent bays, snorkel with whale sharks and kayak through mangroves. It’s a swooningly romantic honeymoon destination, with boho lodgings (thatch-roofed dwellings, in-room hammocks, oversized stone bath tubs) at Aldea Kuká, where you can expect spontaneous mezcal-sipping sessions, and its Day of the Dead bash has become something of local legend.

For more blow-the-budget options, head to Chablé Maroma in the Mérida jungle where you can dive into the hotel’s own cenote or work out any stresses in a temazcal (traditional sauna). Or pitch up at heavenly Hotel Esencia on the Riviera Maya, where you may witness baby turtles shuffling from their nest to the sea. For culture-seeking couples, we prescribe a honeymoon in San Miguel de Allende, a colonial city with charms aplenty to the north of the country. It’s renowned for its artistic community, and hotels prove equally creative.  Try the intensely romantic Casa No Name, former home of fashion photographer Deborah Turbeville, where flowering gardens and exotic touches (a Tibetan fountain, Indian archways) really up the amor.

Couples that really like to push the envelope will want to touch down at Terrestre in the Oaxacan jungle. Architect Alberto Kalach began designing the hotel by imagining what our architecture and life on earth might look like to aliens. The result is a sculptural marvel that merges pre-Hispanic and brutalist design elements to create something at once earthly and otherworldly. It’s minimalist to the last but there’s a lot to fall in love with: worshipping the from the privacy of your rooftop terrace, channeling ancient bathing rituals at the seven-chambered spa and dining at sunset at the open-air restaurant.

Smith tip Don’t overlook Mexico City: especially the La Roma neighbourhood, which has undergone an exciting transformation, with hotels such as Nima Local House Hotel.

ENGLAND

Why go? Recently, the UK minibreak has been booming and these doorstep rediscoveries have rekindled a desire for a honeymoon in the UK’s wide wild moors, dales and downs, fair Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, coasts of many colours and dynamic cities.

Stay Whether your idea of romance is petticoats, hand-holding and clipped accents (or four-poster rattling à la Bridgerton’s more blush-inducing scenes) or perhaps unbridled trysts by craggy coves, England has a stately home or coastal manse for playing it out. For the former camp, Thyme has all the halcyon rusticity its name conjures up; ceilings are criss-crossed with wood beams and strung with chandeliers, the walled garden is all set for simpering strolls, and its 17th-century cottages have aged very gracefully. The whole place smells heavenly too, from the spa bothy with its botanical steams and soaks to the Baa bar’s herbalicious cocktails, and requisite country pub the Swan will show you warm country hospitality and pour you some pints of ‘round ‘ere’ brews.

Or, further south – buffeted between Atlantic-blustered Trevose Head and sedate, well-heeled Padstow – the Pig at Harlyn Bay adds an alluring stormy edge to its signature cosiness with a sultry, swelling-wave and wine-dark palette and maritime antiques. And indulgences come readily, with a summertime terrace for fresh lobster and ice-cream sundaes (ideal for sharing); the famed 25-mile menu with vodka-soaked pork shoulder, fat crab cakes and 35-day-aged steaks; and the region’s best cideries, distillers and brewers supplying the bar. It’s altogether more seductive than Poldark when he sheds his shirt.

Smith tip London is perhaps one of the best destinations for a city honeymoon, especially for literary lovers who can’t help but be wooed by the Mayfair Townhouse, where decor not only nods to Oscar Wilde and PG Wodehouse, but a whole backstory has been dreamt up for fictional former residents, the Renard family.

If you’re at the brink-of-engagement stage of your relationship, check out our pick of the best places to propose