2024 Top Honeymoon Destinations of Your Dreams

You’re embarking on a new life together, congratulations! When taking your first trip together as newlyweds, there’s no need to ditch your usual vacation style for what you might consider a traditional honeymoon destination. Whether you want to visit a secluded island, the California coast, a rainforest, a bustling European city or the wilds of Africa, we’ve got something for you. Bon voyage! 

Hyatt Carmel Highlands

California Dreamin’ 

A fairytale village that overlooks the Big Sur Coast of the Pacific Ocean, Carmel-By-the-Sea is both sophisticated and approachable, with sweeping vistas, boutiques, galleries and fresh cuisine. Sustainability is part of everything they do here, and Carmel’s European-style layout has been lauded by numerous magazines—Travel & Leisure called it “The #3 Most Romantic City in the World.”

The Hyatt Carmel Highlands is a favorite destination for all things wedding, and you’ll be able to unwind with beauty right at your feet. Take a staircase down to Gibson Beach and seek out China Cove, known for its emerald-colored waves. Hit the links at Pebble Beach, considered one of the loveliest golf courses in the world. Head downtown to the many wine tastings and cellars or enjoy the view and a glass of wine from the hotel’s own Pacific’s Edge. hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/california/hyatt-carmel-highlands

A Journey to the Mountains

With terrain that inspired 19th century landscape painters, the Catskills indeed are worthy of a paintbrush with the rich hues of its forests. Wildlife is abundant, and the Hudson River School of Art Trail can be found here. 

Taking the doggies with you on your honeymoon? Pamper them at Scribner’s Catskill Lodge. Two dogs are welcomed via the Pupstater program and receive toys and treats to take home, plus bowls to use while at Scribner’s. This bespoke resort lets you escape to the great outdoors at The Rounds, 11 luxury cabins that include a circular opening for stargazing, outdoor soaking tubs and decks with 360-degree views. scribnerslodge.com

Costa Rica is one of our favorite honeymoon destinations. Learn about an eco-friendly stay that’s perfect for nature lovers. ©Hotel Belmar

The Beauty of Latin America

Belize is known for its biodiversity and is home to the world’s second-largest barrier reef. The Belize Barrier Reef extends for more than 180 miles, meeting the shoreline at Rocky Point. Nearly 450 mangrove cays and sandy islands are contained within the reef, including the Western Hemisphere’s only coral atolls. Several rare and endangered species can be found here, such as the American crocodile and the world’s largest population of West Indian manatees. The area teems with hundreds of species of plant and animal life.

A luxury resort on Ambergris Caye, Belize, Victoria House has curated a Reef Romance Package for honeymooners. It starts with cocktails upon arrival, a massage for two, daily breakfast, lunch and dinner for two, a private candlelight dinner, unlimited use of the resort’s kayaks and a two-stop snorkeling adventure. The property also has infinity edge pools and a private beach. victoria-house.com/rates-packages/packages/reef-romance

With white-sand beaches on the Caribbean and the Pacific, lush rainforests and jungle landscapes and its vibrant culture, Costa Rica has much to offer. Although small, it contains six percent of the earth’s biodiversity, and is protected by the National System of Conservation Areas, which accounts for 25 percent of its territory. With more than 400 species of birds, it’s a birder’s paradise.

Have an earth-friendly stay at the carbon-neutral Hotel Belmar, a 26-room boutique ecolodge in Costa Rica’s cloud cover. It’s located in Monteverde, a haven for nature lovers; the ecosystem is shrouded in a veil of mist, making it mystical and enchanted. Hotel Belmar’s name is synonymous with sustainability, diversity, inclusion and innovation. hotelbelmar.net

Victoria House Belize

The Island Life

Travelers who want to visit a dreamy island but don’t want to worry about passports or visas should travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands. The laid-back St. Thomas is known for its beaches, shopping and snorkeling, and is full of history—a 1679 watchtower named Blackbeard’s Castle, Fort Christian, the second-oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere, and the childhood home of Impressionist painter Camille Pissaro can be found here.

Get a taste of local culture while enjoying the comforts of home at the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas, set on 30 oceanfront acres. Enjoy views of neighboring islands from the adults-only free-form infinity edge pool and hide away in a secluded beachfront gazebo. Take a catamaran excursion on The Lady Lynsey II, which christened the hotel. Have dinner on the beach for two or take part in a 4-course dining experience celebrating the freshest catches, Sea to Sails, on Wednesday evenings. ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/sttrz-the-ritz-carlton-st-thomas

On June 4, Southwest Airlines begins direct service from Orlando to Providenciales (Provo, for short), Turks and Caicos, so now’s the perfect time to visit. This small tropical archipelago is a British territory where the U.S. dollar is used and English the official language. Its pristine beaches and maritime environment are the defining features of the country.

Provo is the most developed area of the country, and luxury hotels abound. We’re partial to The Shore Club, the first resort on Long Bay Beach, the most private section of Provo. It was chosen as one of the most Instagrammable hotels in the world in 2021 and 2022, so it will provide lots of fodder for your social media feeds. Discover breathtaking views from an opulent suite or villa, indulge in the spa or get a workout on the private tennis court. theshoreclubtc.com

Angama Mara tour from AfricanMecca Safaris

An African Adventure

The romance of the safari comes alive through AfricanMecca Safaris, a travel experience crafted by a team born and raised in Africa who introduce travelers to not only the beauty and wildlife of its lands, but its people. The Angama Mara tour takes visitors through the Masai Mara National Reserve, known for its abundance of wildlife and home to the migratory route for more than 1.5 million wildebeests and thousands of zebras, gazelles and elands. Prime viewing time for the migration is late July to early November, but viewing is incredible year-round.

Angama Mara means “suspended in the air,” and the luxury tents at this camp will sweep you off your feet. Perfect for honeymooners, they’re made of canvas, have wood parquet floors and a glass front wall facing the landscape, which animals can roam around freely. After dusk, a guard is available to escort you to your room. You can watch hot air balloons in flight from your deck, or better yet, add a ride to your package and witness the area’s beauty from another vantage point. africanmeccasafaris.com

Ananda in the Himalayas

Alluring Asia

Yoga’s origins in Northern India can be traced back more than 5,000 years. The entire town of Rishikesh is considered sacred, the destination of those on a pilgrimage to meditate, do yoga and learn about all aspects of Hinduism. It is located at the foothills of the Himalayas, along the banks of the Ganges River.

Ananda in the Himalayas overlooks Rishikesh and was once the Palace Estate of the Maharaja of Tehri-Garwgal. The 100-acre facility is a retreat for those who want to practice yoga, meditate and become more emotionally and spiritually aware. We chose this as a honeymoon spot as it is a journey of intention. It provides a natural setting through which you can discover a deeper connection with your partner, while harmonizing your mind, body and spirit. anandaspa.com

Saint James Paris

European Dreams

Rome’s nickname is The Eternal City, due to its history as a political powerhouse and as the seat of the Catholic Church. It sits in on the Tiber River in the central portion of Italy’s peninsula, 15 miles inland from the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its romantic appeal has been documented in many movies, from “La Dolce Vita” to “Eat, Pray, Love.”

Located in the center of the city near the Rome Termini Station, Bettoja Hotel Massimo d’Azeglio has been capturing this romance for a century and is still dressed in its original turn-of-the-century style. It was here Maurizio Bettoja, passionate about wines, good food and hotels, opened a restaurant just above his wine cellar which today puts on special candlelit dinners. The hotel has also hosted several historic figures such as the King of Serbia, WW1 air force hero Francesco Baracca, Benito Mussolini, Louis Armstrong and many others. romehoteldazeglio.it/en

Ah, the City of Lights. Full of history, fashion, epicurean delights, creativity-—but it’s best known nowadays for its romantic environs. A cruise down the Seine, a charming sidewalk café and a journey to perhaps the world’s most famous landmark, the Eiffel Tower, should be on every visitor’s list. 

For couples who want to make luxury their haven, there’s no better spot than the Saint James Paris. This exquisite hotel is in the exclusive 16th District in an architectural jewel that’s part chateau, part family estate. It has a true romantic history, built on the site of Paris’ first balloon landing field. Spa Guerlain offers second-to-none treatments from the iconic French brand. Bellefeuille Restaurant has two Michelin stars and embraces nature in its décor and its menu. Impeccable service is its standard. Access to the property is restricted to guests staying at the hotel and members of the Saint James Club (except the restaurant in the evening, for tables up to 6 only). saint-james-paris.com/en