How to Plan The Ultimate Luxury Honeymoon
For couples who want to celebrate the start of a new life together in style while creating unforgettable memories, there is no better way than with a luxury honeymoon.
From high-end accommodations and unique excursions to highly-personalized service and intensive pampering, luxury honeymoons are unlike any other vacation you’ll ever have. Every aspect is designed to honor the once-in-a-lifetime celebration of bonding and commitment.
As such a special trip, a luxury honeymoon requires a higher level of attention to detail and a more significant investment than a standard vacation. This includes careful planning and consideration of a range of factors, including the type of trip, destination, accommodation, activities, timing, budget, and much more.
Here we explore the key elements of planning a luxury honeymoon and provide tips and advice for creating the ultimate dream honeymoon experience that exceeds both your expectations.
The Most Popular Types of Luxury Honeymoon
From skiing in the Alps or an African safari to staying in an overwater villa in the Maldives or taking part in a supercar rally across Europe, there’s no limit to the type of honeymoon you can have.
What’s most important is choosing something you can both enjoy and can connect over. For instance, if he loves diving and she loves the beach, then a yacht island-hopping vacation in Greece or a trip to The Maldives would provide something for you both.
Here are some of the most common and exciting types of luxury honeymoons:
Adventure Honeymoon: For couples who love the thrill of the outdoors, a great way to start their new life is with an epic adventure. Examples of adventure honeymoons include staying in an eco-lodge in the Costa Rican jungle, exploring the Milford Sound in New Zealand by kayak, a tailored luxury safari in Africa, hiking in the Andes, and snowmobiling on glaciers in Iceland.
Beach Honeymoon: A classic choice for honeymooners, a beach honeymoon is all about soaking up the sun, relaxing in secluded coves, and enjoying the ocean views. Some of the best destinations for a luxury beach honeymoon include the Maldives, Bora Bora, Santorini, St Barths, Amalfi Coast, and Turks & Caicos.
City Break Honeymoon: For couples who love culture, history, and nightlife, a city break honeymoon has it all. Some of the top destinations for city break honeymoons include Paris, known as the “City of Love”, Venice, Kyoto, and Buenos Aires, known as the “Paris of South America”.
Yacht / Cruise Honeymoon: A cruise honeymoon offers the chance to explore multiple destinations while enjoying all the amenities of a superyacht or luxury cruise ship. Favorite yachting destinations for luxury honeymoons include the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, Seychelles, and Croatia.
Mountain Honeymoon: For couples who love getting out in nature, a luxury mountain honeymoon can offer a serene escape combined with luxury facilities. Some of the most luxurious 5-star mountain escapes are found in Aspen, the Rocky Mountains, Zermatt in the Swiss Alps, Chamonix in France, and Queenstown in New Zealand.
Spa Honeymoon: A spa honeymoon is one of the most popular types of honeymoons as there’s no better time to get away from it all and de-stress than after a wedding. Popular luxury spa destinations for honeymoons include Bali, the Maldives, Santorini, Tuscany, Sedona, and Costa Rica.
Road Trip Honeymoon: A road trip honeymoon offers the freedom to explore destinations at your own pace and discover hidden gems along the way. Popular road trip honeymoons include the Pacific Coast Highway, the Amalfi Coast, and the Australian Outback.
Island Honeymoon: The island honeymoon is becoming more and more popular as couples look to disconnect and escape to an idyllic paradise. Some of the top destinations for a luxury island honeymoon include the British Virgin Islands, St Barths, Anguilla, Antigua, The Maldives, and the Greek Islands.
The Hottest Luxury Honeymoon Destinations
If there was ever a time to visit a bucket-list destination, live out a childhood fantasy, or explore that exotic place on the other side of the world, it’s a honeymoon.
Several places around the world have become known for being such destinations. They have unique flora and fauna that can’t be found anywhere else, rich cultures that have been cultivated over centuries or millennia, and an exceptional standard of accommodations and services.
Here are a few of these extra special destinations that have become favorites among honeymooners:
Maldives: The Maldives is an ideal honeymoon destination due to its unrivaled natural beauty, crystal-clear waters, pristine white-sand beaches, and abundant marine life. Offering luxurious overwater bungalows, world-class spa facilities, and unparalleled privacy, the Maldives provides the perfect setting for a romantic and unforgettable honeymoon experience.
Bora Bora, French Polynesia: With its stunning turquoise lagoon, lush volcanic peaks, and iconic overwater bungalows, Bora Bora offers an enchanting honeymoon experience. The island allows couples to indulge in spa treatments, intimate dinners on the beach, and water activities like snorkeling and diving in its vibrant coral reefs.
Santorini, Greece: Santorini is the epitome of a romantic honeymoon destination thanks to its iconic blue-domed churches, dramatic caldera cliffs, and mesmerizing sunsets. The island boasts luxurious boutique hotels, private villas, exceptional Mediterranean cuisine, and unique experiences such as wine tastings and sailing excursions.
Amalfi Coast, Italy: The Amalfi Coast is a luxurious and romantic honeymoon destination known for its stunning natural beauty, rich culture, and delicious cuisine. It offers a perfect combination of relaxation, indulgence, and cultural experiences for newlyweds seeking an unforgettable honeymoon.
St Barths: St. Barts in the Caribbean is a small island renowned for its unspoiled natural beauty, pristine beaches, and turquoise waters. The island has a laid-back and relaxed vibe that is perfect for honeymooners looking to unwind and disconnect in utmost style.
Turks & Caicos: Turks and Caicos is a stunning chain of islands in the Caribbean known for its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and unspoiled natural beauty. One of the unique features of Turks and Caicos is its incredible marine life, which includes a variety of tropical fish, sea turtles, and even humpback whales during the winter months.
The Most Important Things to Consider For A Luxury Honeymoon
Booking a luxury honeymoon requires careful planning and attention to detail. If just one aspect is not perfectly executed, it can mean disaster for the whole experience.
There are many factors to consider, particularly as no two trips or couples are the same. Here are some of the most important things to keep in mind when planning your luxury honeymoon:
Timing: Book your honeymoon well in advance to ensure availability and the best rates. Consider the weather and peak travel times when choosing your travel dates.
Budget: Set a realistic budget that takes into account all the expenses, including transportation, accommodation, meals, activities, and any surprise costs.
Destination: Research the best time to visit your chosen destination and consider any visa requirements, vaccinations, or travel advisories.
Activities: Book activities in advance and inform restaurants or spas that you’re on your honeymoon to ensure a special experience.
Travel Insurance: Purchase travel insurance to protect against unexpected cancellations, medical emergencies, or other unforeseen events.
How to Make Your Luxury Honeymoon Extra Special
Creating an extra special honeymoon is all about tailoring your trip to your preferences and interests. There’s nothing more luxurious than being woken up with your favorite breakfast or having an expert teach you more about your beloved hobby.
Here are some general tips for elevating your luxury honeymoon to the next level. To ensure your luxury honeymoon is extra special, we recommend working with a luxury honeymoon planner.
Surprise your partner: Arrange for surprise experiences, such as a private dinner on the beach, a romantic picnic in a secluded spot, or a couples spa treatment.
Personalize the itinerary: Plan activities and experiences that cater to both your interests, whether it's exploring local culture, indulging in gourmet dining, or embarking on adventure activities.
Upgrade the accommodations: Consider upgrading your accommodations to a suite or villa with added luxury amenities and personalized service.
Add unique touches: Incorporate unique and personalized touches, such as having the bed decorated with rose petals, arranging for a champagne and chocolate welcome gift, or having the room filled with scented candles.
Create lasting memories: Plan experiences that create lasting memories, such as a hot air balloon ride at sunrise, a private yacht excursion, or a helicopter tour of the area.
Unplug and disconnect: Make the honeymoon a true escape by unplugging from technology and disconnecting from the outside world to focus on each other.
Transportation: Arrange for private transportation, such as a luxury car or private jet, to get you to and from your destination and explore the area during your stay.
It’s a nightmare planning a luxury honeymoon and a wedding simultaneously. By incorporating these tips and working with a knowledgeable luxury honeymoon planner, you can ensure a truly extraordinary and unforgettable experience.
Ready to book your luxury honeymoon? Contact our luxury honeymoon planners to arrange everything from pre-trip itineraries and luxury transfers to exclusive accommodations and event bookings.