Congrats, you’ve tied the knot! But just because the confetti and cake are gone doesn’t mean you have to settle down. Now the real fun starts: the honeymoon. What better way to celebrate this new chapter than with an epic, budget-blowing holiday for you and your boo — sans in-laws.
Sure, most people just pick a nice Caribbean island and post up on one of the beautiful sandy beaches for the duration of their honeymoon, but we're not most people. We're after an all-out, trip-of-a-lifetime that you can reminisce about for years to come. From the tip of the towering Bernese Alps in Switzerland to New Zealand’s Ahuriri Valley floor, the sky’s the limit when it comes to your honeymoon.
Of course, you don’t have to be newlyweds to enjoy these bucket-list-worthy trips. They’re just as epic with a BFF, and just as romantic, no matter what stage of your relationship you’re in. Whether you just put a ring on it, or are celebrating 10 years of marriage, any of these incredible honeymoon destinations will make for one unforgettable trip with your S.O.
Adventurous escapes
Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
Arusha, Tanzania
What could be more romantic than a once-in-a-lifetime, breathtaking encounter with Africa’s Big Five on the sweeping plains of the Serengeti? Your honeymoon hideaway is the Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti in Tanzania, an all-out, all-inclusive hotel set amongst the most well-known wildlife preserves in the world.
If lounging about is high on your list of honeymoon activities, why not enjoy your morning drink while you watch a family of elephants do the same? The hotel is perched atop a series of elevated platforms and walkways, and situated next to a watering hole. Take in the views from your private balcony or the crystalline infinity pool. There’s no wrong way to enjoy the incredible sights of the Serengeti here.
For a more high-octane honeymoon, where you actually leave the comfort of your plush accommodations, the Four Seasons hosts a number of safari adventures. Hot air balloon over the savannah at sunrise; go on a game drive to spy big cats, wildebeest and rhinos; or head out on foot for a walking tour through the bush with Maasai guides, the hotel’s resident naturalist and armed national park rangers (for safety).
At the end of the day, unwind with sunset guided meditation and yoga, or a couples massage at the full service spa. If you really want to blow the bank on this one, the hotel offers especially romantic couples experiences like a private pool-island dinner and a vow renewal ceremony. Swoon.
The Alpina Gstaad
Gstaad, Switzerland
Tucked away within the towering Bernese Alps, The Alpina Gstaad hotel offers a level of serenity and privacy that’s unmatched the world over. The boutique Alpine hotel resembles an elegant castle. Perched atop a quaint hill with panoramic views of its neighbouring rocky giants, it overlooks the small ski village of Gstaad in the valley below.
If you’re looking to hike, ski, explore glaciers and truly disconnect from any semblance of city life during your honeymoon, The Alpina Gstaad is the place for you. And its solitude means fewer tourists than most popular spots.
Within the hotel, expect a 5-star dose of Swiss hospitality. Home to four restaurants (including the one-Michelin-star Sommet), vibrant gardens in the summer, a permanent art collection, a cigar lounge and an innovative spa oasis, The Alpina Gstaad lets romance run wild. Return after a long day on the slopes and curl up with your boo, admiring your room’s cozy-chic decor and outstanding craftsmanship.
The Lindis
Ahuriri Valley, New Zealand
Take your love to the end of the earth — or at least what feels like it — at New Zealand’s most spectacular remote lodge. The Lindis rests peacefully on the tranquil-yet-rugged Ahuriri Valley floor, which was carved over millions of years by once extreme glacial waters. Taking inspiration from the valley’s contours and rolling hills, The Lindis looks like it’s in motion with its curved, wooden slatted roof. The warm tones and bluestone masonry throughout the property pay homage to the glistening streams and dramatic mountains you can almost reach out and touch through the spectacular floor-to-ceiling windows.
The lodge boasts five sprawling suites, along with dining areas, lounges and activity rooms. Beyond its doors, three mirrored pods reflect the terrain from outside and offer privacy and unparalleled views from the inside. Good luck leaving your private terrace’s outdoor tub.
Although, you definitely should for a taste of the lodge’s impeccable cuisine featuring locally sourced and foraged ingredients (and plenty of New Zealand wine). Take it outside for an epic alpine picnic. There are a number of mind-blowing experiences that range from guided horseback riding across gentle rivers and untouched meadows to heli-ski adventures in the Southern Alps.
Luxurious lodgings
Icehotel
Jukkasjärvi, Sweden
Who says honeymoons have to involve a beach? Every year, from December to April, an empty lot on the riverside in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden transforms into a real-life fairytale. The world’s first and largest ice hotel re-emerges from the frost, intricately designed and carved by international artists. Icehotel Winter features 15–20 standard rooms, all completely impermanent — come spring, the ice will melt and vanish. For a less ephemeral experience, Icehotel 365 is their indoor, year-round ice installation.
For a truly spectacular honeymoon, book one of the thematic art suites and sleep surrounded by unique art pieces, like frozen sharks emerging from the walls or frosty candy shops.
OK, we know what you’re thinking — a frigid ice hotel may not be conducive to some honeymoon ‘activities.’ Icehotel offers warm, rustic chalets where you can stay cozy for the bulk of your stay. When you’re not admiring the frozen art, more romantic experiences await, like dinner under the Northern Lights, snowmobile adventures, relaxing sauna sessions, horseback tours, dog sledding, and meet and greets with reindeer. A stay can be pricey, but it’s well worth it for the memories you’ll make.
Capella Ubud
Gianyar Regency, Bali
Deep in the heart of Bali’s abundant Keliki Valley, let your imagination (and your budget) run wild at Capella Ubud. Stay amidst unruly rainforest, winding rice paddy fields and the rippling Wos River. This luxurious tent retreat is inspired by the romance of 19th-century spice trade exploration but with wifi, air conditioning and heated private saltwater pools.
The 22 sprawling tents (and a two-bedroom lodge) float on sturdy beams amongst the trees and coexist seamlessly with nature. Each tent has its own unique design, and most have a suspension bridge leading to a large deck where you can while the day away sipping on the treasures from your in-tent refreshment trunk.
Leave the perimeter of your private sanctuary to explore the stunning property, its stellar amenities and curated experiences. Book a complimentary photoshoot, listen to fireside tales from a local storyteller, indulge in contemporary bites at their on-site restaurants. Then, fall asleep under the Ubud moon and do it all again.
Amangiri
Canyon Point, Utah, U.S.
Getting away from it all never looked better. Behold Amangiri, a secluded desert dream in Utah’s majestic Canyon Point. Spanning over 900 acres, the modernist five-star resort blends into untouched red rocks, where jagged mountain ridges and breathtaking canyons provide the backdrop for a one-of-a-kind honeymoon.
Choose a spacious suite with your own private lap pool and outdoor lounge with fireplace and desert views. Or, opt for the tented retreat of Camp Sarika amongst some of Mother Nature’s best work, a short hike or drive from the main resort.
If marriage wasn’t enough of a leap of faith, thrill-seekers can climb the Cave Peak Stairway, 120 steps towering 400 feet above the rugged terrain — one of Amangiri’s many expertly guided experiences that span the national parks of the vast Colorado Plateau. After the adrenaline rush, restore yourself with the healing traditions of the Navajo at the serene Aman Spa.
Relaxation Station
Blue Lagoon
Grindavik, Iceland
The average person probably won’t be able to go planet-hopping for a very, very long time — but luckily for any would-be space explorers, there are places on Earth that feel straight out of an alien world. Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is certainly one of those; the world-famous, bright blue body of geothermal, 38 C seawater is a peaceful oasis smack dab in the middle of a rippled, rocky lava field. It’s become a destination for wellness seekers, especially since numerous scientific studies have confirmed its healing properties.
Splash out on a full day at the Retreat Spa, where you’ll be treated to soothing Blue Lagoon skin care treatments, subterranean relaxation spaces, float therapy and world-class massages. Then, dine on gourmet meals surrounded by volcanic architecture in the Lava Restaurant, or at the stunning Michelin-Guide-recommended Moss Restaurant. End your day by returning to the Silica Hotel, checking into a room right on the edge of the lagoon and gazing into the blue waters with your partner as you drift off into a deep slumber.
Vista Palazzo Lago di Como
Lake Como, Italy
Nature, culture, shopping and century-old architecture — Lake Como is one of the world’s most bucket-list-worthy destinations for a reason. Time moves slower here. Everyone who visits takes a small piece of the lake with them and nestles the memory in the warmest crevice of their minds. It’s a majestic place for you and your beau to celebrate life together, and Vista Palazzo — an enchanting hotel whose name translates to “palace view” — lets you appreciate Lake Como to the fullest.
Located in Como’s city centre, the hotel is steps away from world-class shopping and dining. Boat and helicopter rides over the lake, offered by Vista Palazzo, are an incredibly romantic date idea — or, play footsies with your boo as you soak in the breathtaking view from the hotel’s Infinity Bar terrace. After a long day of lounging by the lake, return to your residentially-styled suite (complete with a walk-in closet) and pretend, just for the night, that this perfect slice of paradise will be your home forever.
Nanuku Resort
Viti Levu, Fiji
Set along a vast stretch of gentle white sand, Nanuku Beach Resort on Viti Levu, Fiji’s largest island, is the ultimate tranquil escape. From sunrise over the Beqa Lagoon to the moment you sink into your plush king sized bed, chill mode is activated.
Each guest can enjoy the privilege of a dedicated “villa mama” and “Nanuka buddy” to assist them during their stay.
Book signature experiences like romantic tree-top dining on a suspended platform in a 70-year-old Dilo Tree or a couples massage. Fiji is known for its remarkable healing traditions and the wellness options at Nanuku are next level: Treatments here incorporate ancient massage techniques and utilize native minerals for full-body rejuvenation.
For more above-and-beyond activities (that don’t require too much physical exertion), Nanuku has partnered with NASA to provide a high-powered telescope that guests can use to explore space from the peaceful shores of the South Pacific — one of the best stargazing destinations in the world.
