If you’ve grappled with seating charts and agonised over napkin shades, you deserve to enjoy the best part of wedding planning: the honeymoon. So, let’s move on to more important questions, such as overwater villa or jungle hideaway? Italian palazzo or Parisian manoir? Amalfi cliffhanger or Berber tent? Here, we’ve gathered a confetti of honeymoon suites around the world, from Lake Como to Colorado and beyond.
THE UDU RESIDENCE
Como Laucala Island, Fiji
On a rocky outcrop of Como Laucala Island sits the Udu Residence, which nods its recognition to other honeymoon abodes but knows deep down that its raised walkways, cavernous thatched living spaces, earthy wood-wicker-and-stone interiors and frankly outrageous wraparound views of the South Pacific mark it out as one of the most impressive post-marital pads on the planet.
THE BEACH POOL SUITE
Rosewood Le Guanahani, St Barths
You could imagine Rosewood Le Guanahani putting itself forward as a set for the next season of The White Lotus, though you and your beau are less likely to discover deviant staff or mafia conmen than you are impeccable service, expertly mixed cocktails and a whole host of activities across the 18 acres of this glamorous peninsula. The beach pool suite is spacious beyond belief, with its own specially designed bar, a covered private deck, garden, and interiors that scream Caribbean cool.
THE BELLINI SUITE
Passalacqua, Lake Como
If ornate is your honeymoon m.o., then the Bellini Suite at Passalacqua could be l’ultima. Not only are its double-vaulted ceilings, grand reception rooms and outrageous Murano chandeliers all the more impressive for the way they’re kept in check by gorgeous, every-creature-comfort interiors, but the villa’s sala della musica is said to have inspired former resident Bellini to write some of his most successful operas. That view of Lake Como is worthy of a standing ovation on its own.
THE ICONIC SUITE
Iconic Santorini, Greece
With its cobalt waters and dreamy whitewashed architecture, you might think Santorini couldn’t get any more romantic. However, you’ll want to hold that thought until you’ve seen the Iconic Suite. Carved into an ancient cave, this extravagant abode at Iconic Santorini has a private terrace with pergola-covered seating overlooking the Aegean, a rain shower and an indoor grotto pool (and yes, it has jets – did you even have to ask?).
THE TERRACE SUITE
The Twenty Two, London
The Twenty Two isn’t just any old number – it’s a Mayfair hotel and members’ hangout that’s ditched the stuffiness in favour of ravishing interiors, informal service, a basement nightclub with a mirrored ceiling and this, its terrace suite, wrapped tip to toe in red velvet (except for the black-and-white marble bathroom) and with a 50-foot-long private terrace overlooking the neighbourhood.
THE UPPER BRANCH TREE HOUSE
Hapuku Lodge, New Zealand
For the adventurous couple looking to get away from it all (if you’re honeymooning in New Zealand, chances are, that’s you), the charming Upper Branch Tree House at Hapuku Lodge is ideal. Perched 10 metres above a manuka grove, you’ll live out all those childhood fantasies of treehouse living, with a private forest-top deck, custom wooden bed and cosy fireplace. Plus, there’s a couples Jacuzzi, so you can live out all those adult fantasies, too.
A BERBER TENT
Kasbah Tamadot, Morocco
Rolling mountains? Check. Spa hammam treatments? Check. Winding gardens and pristine courtyard? Double check. Live like a king (and queen) in one of Kasbah Tamadot’s Berber Tents, nestled in Morocco’s picturesque Atlas Mountains. Spend the day dipping into your private plunge pool, feasting on North African cuisine or imbibing at the restaurant’s fireside bar.
THE WELL HOUSE CABIN
Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado
Maybe you and your consort want something a little more rustic (assuming ‘rustic’ means a bespoke climbing wall, locally sourced gourmet food and mountains as far as the eye can see). The luxe cabins of Colorado’s Dunton Hot Springs offer all that and more. Book the Well House Cabin – built around a private hot spring – to see what Western dreams are made of.
WATERFALL VIEW SUITE
Gaia Riverlodge, Belize
In Belize’s lush rainforest (don’t be surprised if you hear a jaguar or two), Gaia Riverlodge is the perfect marriage of luxury perks and adventurous location. After a day of biking, hiking and diving into swimming holes, a two-story Waterfall View Suite is the perfect retreat for couples who want to relax in a king-size bed and fall asleep to the sound of rushing water.
WATER VILLA WITH POOL
One&Only Reethi Rah, The Maldives
The thing about staying in one of Reethi Rah‘s dream overwater villas is this: it opens you up to a whole slew of previously unforeseen problems. Should you eat breakfast on the chaise lounge with ocean views or on the daybed with ocean views? Is it better to nap in the hammock or in those Egyptian cotton sheets? And how many white candles should you light around your private infinity pool at sunset? More Maldives, more problems.
THE ESPECIAL ESMERALDA BUNGALOW
Ponta Dos Ganchos, Brazil
It’s all about privacy at Ponta dos Ganchos, which sits on a secluded peninsula on the shores of Brazil‘s Emerald Coast. There are only 25 bungalows at the hotel and the Especial Esmeralda is the most exclusive of them all. The suite is a sprawling 298sq m, with a bathroom so large it has daybeds in, so you can take a rest between walking from the ocean-facing tub to the rainfall shower. There’s also a private pool, in-room sauna with sea views and a gym, if you must.
OCEAN HOUSE
Post Ranch Inn, California
As comedian Jessi Klein puts it, Post Ranch Inn is ‘a hotel set on the cliffs of Northern California that has won every Most Luxurious, Most Ridiculous, Most Over the Top award from Travel & Condé Whatever magazine so many times in a row that now they’re just showboating.’ Do the most for your honeymoon by staying in this legendary hotel’s Ocean House, built into Big Sur’s rocky coastline with Pacific views from the bedroom, bath and terrace.
THE SUITE IMPERIAL
La Réserve Hotel and Spa, Paris
If you were on a scavenger hunt for opulent decor elements, you could cross pretty much everything off the list in La Réserve‘s Suite Imperial: black lacquer, gold filigree, elaborate inlays, damascene silk brocade wall hangings, Carrara marble, herringbone-patterned parquet wooden flooring – this one hotel room in Paris has them all. It’s also got a fifth-floor private balcony with views of the Eiffel Tower and the Grand Palais.
Let your heart flutter around our luxury honeymoon hotels and villas…