Summer weddings have a beautifully airy and elegant quality about them. More often than not, they evoke images of destination weddings and exotic island locations. Although the nuptials may actually end up taking place a little closer to home, you can still begin your life as a married couple in some of the most sought after honeymoon destinations.
Just like wedding attire, décor, and themes, honeymoon destinations tend to go in and out of favor with the general public. There’s always some new area of the globe that simply must be visited after saying I do. What are those destinations now? We’re glad you asked. Check out the seven hottest destinations for honeymooners this summer, and let them inspire you to get away from it all, however far away you end up getting.
1. Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel - Big Island, Hawaii
Photo Source: Prince Resorts Hawaii
This isn’t just an ideal destination for your honeymoon; you can be married here too! This particular hotel is a part of Big Island’s Mauna Kea resort and is located along the awe inspiring Kohala Coast.
Several indoor and outdoor venues here are reserved just for weddings, and whether or not you choose this as the location to say I do, you’re sure to be impressed by the panoramic views stretching all the way to Maui on the hotel’s 12 hole golf course. The region is also home to miraculous, natural underground springs and great food like local cuisine and Japanese.
Hapuna at Big Island is the top choice amongst men for state side honeymoons according to a survey taken by Conde Nast Traveler , and also offers a chance for new couples to save money by not requiring resort fees like many others.
2. Old Edwards Inn and Spa - Highlands, North Carolina
Photo Source: Old Edward’s Inn
Billed as a European style retreat in the Carolina Mountains, the Old Edwards Inn and Spa in North Carolina is the current favorite amongst women who have decided to keep their honeymoon here in the U S of A, according to Conde Nast Traveler. Adorable cottages just steps away from a heated pool infused with minerals, a fireplace that does double duty; heating and adding to the ambiance no matter what side of it you’re on, and of course, a whirlpool are all here for your enjoyment.
Newly married women loved this summer honeymoon destination so much that it was voted Bride Magazine’s Best Venue.
3. Hotel Antumalal, Pocon, Chile
Photo Source: Traveler Spaces
This is a honeymoon destination for the adventurous ones. What can you expect to do in Pocon? Scaling an active volcano, and seeing it erupt if you’re there at the right time of year, are both options. Villarrica is the name of that volcano by the way, and it is joined by another natural wonder that the two of you can enjoy; hot springs, or as the locals call them, termas geometricas.
Sit in the lap of luxury while never feeling too far away from the nature you’ve traveled so far to enjoy by staying at the Hotel Antumalal which has all rooms and suites wrapped in native Chilean wood panels. Individual fireplaces not only add to the aesthetic, but they also heat the rooms naturally, as fire tends to do, and when you’re ready to go back into the great outdoors, hike to the naturally camouflaged Andean lagoons near the border of Argentina. Who knows, maybe you’ll make it a multi destination trip and see what the other side of the border has to offer as well. For a relaxed beach experience after a hike filled with lush green sights, visit Tinquilco Lake.
4. Landolozi – South Africa
Photo Source: Conde Nast Traveler
The top exotic honeymoon location choice for women according to the previously mentioned CN Traveler survey, this resort and private game reserve are a true escape from stresses on the other side of the world. An obvious perk since no one needs or wants to be stressed after the wedding, though stress during seems almost mandatory.
With only 32 rooms on the property it’s almost like booking a private honeymoon location for yourself and the one that you love. Landolozi’s location in the massive Kruger National Park means that safari rides, or game drives, along with everything you’ll eat and drink here and tours of the local community are automatic additional options that won’t cost you a dime.
5. Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa – French Polynesia
Photo Source: The Lux Traveller
When it came to men being surveyed, nothing beat French Polynesia for a little post marital fun abroad. The Bora Bora Pearl Beach resort may be one of the only luxury hotel destinations to offer tattoos. To be more specific, they offer tatau, or the sacred tattooing art that has existed in the Polynesian Islands for longer than anyone can remember. Talk about a souvenir that you’ll keep forever!
More traditional resort offerings like bungalows, pools, and proximity to beaches where colossal manta rays and all sort of reef life can be found are also available.
6. The Royal Begonia – Sanya, Hainan Island
Photo Source: CRI.com
This breathtaking location in Southern China is an unexpected haven embellished with bright white beaches, and lush rainforests all around. The varieties of landscapes go on with high mountains emerging from the earth, and Chinese villages that keep things traditional nearby.
Also nearby, the Nanwan Monkey Island is home to state protected macaques, and offers visitors a chance to feel like they are walking amongst these animal in their own natural habitat, the macaques habitat that is! When it comes to cuisine, The Royal Begonia keeps things eclectic and top notch, specializing in cocktails of all sorts as well as foods from all over and local cuisine.
7. Post Ranch Inn - Big Sur, California
Photo Source: The New York Times
Honeymoon like a couple of celebrities, Drew Barrymore and her actor husband Will Kopelman to be a bit more specific, and bring your honeymoon to the west coast. Stay limber by starting your mornings with yoga, and enjoy discovery based leisure activities like star gazing via the Post Ranch telescope, whale watching, and hikes with an expert guide.
The people at Post Ranch know that their destination is a hot one, and offer special honeymoon packages for those looking to escape to the land of the redwoods post nuptials. The famous mountains and ocean view of Big Sur are certainly an added benefit!
