Is there anything more exciting than jetting off, just the two of you? Never mind while still basking in the glow of being newlyweds to a destination that's been on your travel wishlist forever. The Honeymoon is the one time where you can totally blow the budget and long-haul flights are back with a bang (hurrah!). Here we've compiled the hottest honeymoon destinations and coolest resorts of 2022/23, so you can get planning and dreaming.
What's Trending?
Mexico and the Maldives are hugely popular for honeymoons this year and there's definitely a trend of either picking one luxury destination with a stopover en route, versus choosing multiple destinations with overwhelming covid travel paperwork and testing requirements. Jonathan Bridge of Trailfinders says with Mexico, they are either seeing honeymooners book into one resort for the duration or doing a USA stopover such as New York before flying to Cancun. "Tulum and Playa del Carmen are very popular resorts. Secrets Akumal a little further south, or Secrets Maroma Beach Cancun, are two resorts which are extremely popular with Irish clients."
Going east, the Maldives has really taken off in the last year two years. Mandy Walsh of Travel Counsellors says as it was open for business throughout the pandemic, saw a lot of it on our social media feeds, pushing it to the top of wishlists. "People have more money to splash on their honeymoon, so they're really treating themselves in terms of accommodation. I'm seeing a lot of the top-tier options like villas over water, booking up quickly, so if you have your heart set a particular resort or room type then don't delay."
Carribbean Cool
Barbados
The Carribbean is known for its fun island vibes and you won't find a warmer welcome than from the Bajan people. The Sandals resorts in Barbados are the best, and most fun, on the island, and you get a lot of bang for your buck as both adults-only, all-inclusive luxury resorts, Sandals Barbados and the more recently-built Sandals Royal Barbados, sit side by side with access to both. The Butler Elite level is really something else. Not only will you have a suite with a soaking tub on the balcony, but a team of three butlers will be on call during your stay to ensure your every desire is met, even nabbing you a prime spot in the morning by the Infinity Pool to soak up the rays and the tunes. If you do anything, pull yourself away to visit the lively fish fry at Oistins on Friday night for some of the best fish and rum punch you'll ever taste. If you fancy stopping over in New York or Florida it's a great option, or Aer Lingus has introduced a new route from Dublin to Bridgetown via Manchester which is very convenient.
Grenada
If you'd prefer something off the beaten Carribbean track try Grenada, known as the Spice Island. This is the southern-most island and retains a lot of its wild beauty, thanks to the hilly, lush spice plantations dotted throughout. With waterfalls and rainforests, it remains quite unspoilt. For true exclusivity, check out Silversands, the island's top luxury resort with just 43 suites. It not only boasts the longest pool in the Carribbean at 100 metres, but sits on Grand Anse Beach, a powder white strand that stretches over three kilometres.
Puerto Rico
If you want a few days of R&R in the sun, but not at a large resort, try the O:live Boutique Hotel in Puerto Rico. It's a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group and enjoys a prime location next to the natural reserve of the Condado Lagoon. A haven for tropical birds, fish and animals, it's ideal if you love to kayak or paddleboard to see local wildlife. The mediterranean-inspired hotel vibe is laid-back but has lots of shops and restaurants, nearby but try its new Dinner Under the Stars experience - a romantic dinner for two seated at a floating deck and surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the lagoon and magic of the city.
Nature Reserved
California
Getting back to nature has become a key travel trend, and Yosemite National Park might not be the first place that springs to mind as a honeymoon destination but the luxury Tenaya Lodge just two miles away, nestled in the Sierra National Forest should pique nature lovers' interests. Choose from a suite in the main lodge or a more private cabin, this is a cute option for those who love hiking, cycling and camping under Giant Sequoia trees. There's even a secluded waterfall behind the resort or book into the dreamy Ascent Spa for a massage.
Curaçao
The little Dutch-Caribbean island of Curaçao is becoming more popular each year as it's secret sandy beaches tucked into coves and coral reefs rich with life draw honeymooners who like a slower, more private pace. The newest resort on the island is Sandals Royal Curaçao, set on 44 acres of land within a private estate in a 3,000-acre protected nature reserve. For the ultimate luxury experience there are two new suite categories, the Awa Seaside Butler Bungalows and Kurason Island Poolside Butler Bungalows, which come with a convertible Mini Cooper for you to explore the island.
Island Life
Zanzibar
For a holiday of two parts - a safari followed by time relaxing on tropical white sand beaches, Zanzibar is becoming popular due to its location off the coast of Tanzania. The island has thick green forests, sapphire mangrove swamps and flat grasslands to explore, while Stone Town’s the old quarter of Zanzibar City, the island’s capital dates back to the first century. Over the years African, Arabian, Indian and European influences have blended to create a unique culture here, from big Catholic cathedrals and colonial-style houses, to authentic Hamamni Persian baths which is why the entire district has been made a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check out the excellent TUI BLUE Bahari Zanibar resort which sits in an idyllic, peaceful spot on the north east coast.
Santorini
You'd be hard-pressed to find a more beautifully romantic sunset spot in Greece than Santorini, with its whitewashed hotels and villas nestled into the cliffs that overlook the deep Caldera bay. If it's breathtaking views you seek, then choose the town of Oia, which is buzzing with plenty of boutique hotels that offer luxury and privacy, and some of the best open-air dining set ups you will ever experience. Canaves Oia Sunday Suites is a complex of eight luxury suites that make the most of the views, and feel secluded from the throngs of day trippers that come with the cruise ships during peak season.
Okinawa
Japan is on many travel bucketlists, but just because you want to soak up the crazy pace and rich culture of Tokyo or Kyoto doesn't mean you can't also bask on golden sandy beaches for a few days. The Okinawa prefecture which is made of up of many different islands within the Japanese archipelago is a beach paradise, and Miyako Island, boasts some of the best beaches in Japan. Snorkel amongst the coral reefs of the azure waters before wandering the streets of Naha, where Karate was born. The Halekulani Okinawa beach resort derives its name for the Hawaiian word meaning House Befitting Heavens, and it's sunset bar or natural hot springs are the perfect place to enjoy the sun setting over the East China Sea.
Adventure Time
South Africa
There is no shortage of safari options in South Africa, but travellers are more discerning about choosing ethical, sustainable resorts. The Lepogo Lodges are one of Africa’s few entirely not-for-profit high-end safari lodges, set within the Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, home of the ‘big five’. Noka Camp consists of five stilted villas, with glass-fronted design, perch atop a cliff overlooking the winding Palala River below and the endless bush beyond. Enjoy a romantic swim in your own private plunge pool or activities such as game-drives and water safaris, or relax with a yoga session or spa treatment. Heston Blumenthal-trained chef Thapelo Letsogo takes inspiration from the Asian cooking styles found along the Spice route of the African coast and uses locally-sourced and grown ingredients, alongside homemade honey, beer and gin, made onsite.
Want to know where's best to go when? Visit see our guide here or check out the most Instagrammable honeymoon destinations here.
