SIX HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS
That Should Have Your Attention
You're planning the most important trip of your life, and everywhere you look, you're seeing the same tired suggestions: Santorini (again!), the Maldives (overexposed much?), or Cancun (please no!). Honeymoons are not about ticking boxes on some Instagram-worthy bucket list. They're about finding places that make you and your partner stop and say "whoa....that is perfect for us."
I've spent years curating extra-special trips for couples who want something more than the all-inclusive big brand chain hotel, and right now, these six destinations are topping my list for a getaway with your loved one. Some are timeless classics that are always a good idea, others are lesser known and still quiet. All of them have one thing in common: hotels that are a reason to go all on their own.
THE CITY: Paris, France
The Couple: Urbanites and romantics who know that true love never goes out of style
Addressing the elephant in the room: yes, Paris is on this list, and no, I'm not apologizing for it. While everyone else is chasing the "next Paris," the real Paris has been going back to its roots with intimate boutique properties that make the grand palaces feel… obvious. And I love them.
Stay: Think Maison Proust in the 16th, where literary romance meets contemporary luxury in a townhouse that feels like your most cultured friend's private residence. Or Le Grand Mazarin in the Marais, where centuries-old architecture gets a sophisticated update that would make even the most jaded design lover swoon (must love maximalism). And then there's Saint James Paris, a château hiding in plain sight that offers the kind of old-world glamour that reminds you why Paris will always be Paris.
Sometimes the most revolutionary thing you can do is embrace the classics. Paris isn't trying to be the next anything. It just keeps being gloriously, unapologetically itself. Throw in some countryside or vineyard galavanting and or coastal therapy and you’ve got yourself a gorgeous lovers getaway.
Image by Maison Proust
THE BEACH: Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
The Couple: Sophisticated beach lovers who want pristine Pacific luxury without the crowds
While many are still fighting for the best boho beach spot in Tulum, other travelers have been quietly discovering Mexico's Pacific coastal jewel: the upper part of Riviera Nayarit. This stretch of coastline offers everything you love about Mexican beach culture––the warmth, the flavors, the soul, blue-green water, the jungle—but with untouched beauty..
Stay: Rosewood Mandarina perches dramatically on clifftops, over marshes with native crocodiles, and on beautiful stretch of beach of course. Suites and villas are bold architectural statements with elegant, Mexican-inspired interiors, suspended between jungle, marsh, and ocean, where infinity pools dissolve into horizon views and sunsets take your breath away each evening. Mountain suites are most ideal for romantics.
Image by Rosewood Mandarina
THE MOUNTAIN: Dolomites, Italy
The Couple: Minimalist Nature enthusiasts who want Alpine drama and a dollop of luxury
The Swiss Alps get all the press, but savvy couples are heading south to Italy's Dolomites, where jagged peaks create some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in Europe. The first time I rode by train through these mountains, I marked it as the moment I saw the most beautiful place on the planet. Granted, I still hadn't been to most of the planet, but I'd still say something similar today. And this approach to mountain luxury prioritizes wellness and connection with nature, which you know I'm all about.
Stay: Forestis…oooohh Forestis… literally suspends you at the treeline, creating the sensation of floating among the peaks. Their infinity pools seem to spill directly into the valley below, while their spa philosophy treats wellness as an art form. It's mountain luxury reimagined for people who want to feel restored, not just impressed. I just have to say, it's likely one of the most romantic hotels for solitude and rejuvenation you'll ever experience. Drooooool...
Images by Forestis
THE ADVENTURE: Antarctica via Argentina
The Couple: Adventurous souls looking for the trip of their lives
Some couples want beaches. Others want cities. But a select few want a destination and experience that they may never be able to top…expedition-level romance, where you'll kayak past icebergs, watch penguin colonies, and witness sunsets that redefine your understanding of beauty.
Cruise: National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions cares about the planet and will give you access to expertise you can't get anywhere else. We're talking veteran polar guides, NASA scientists, and National Geographic photographers who will turn your honeymoon into a masterclass in wonder. I was never interested in going or sending clients to Antarctica (it's a delicate balance to keep this place protected) until some of my dear colleagues and friends took this trip. When you're floating past whales in a Zodiac or hiking across pristine ice fields, you'll understand why some experiences are worth leaving civilization behind.
THE EXOTIC: Hoi An, Vietnam
The Couple: Culture-loving wellness seekers who want authentic luxury that honors local traditions
Vietnam has been having a moment for years, but most travelers still flock to the obvious spots. Hoi An offers something a little different—a UNESCO World Heritage ancient trading port where French colonial charm meets Vietnamese soul, all wrapped in a luxury wellness experience that feels genuinely transformative.
Stay: Namia River Retreat occupies its own private island on the Thu Bon River, where 60 villas with private pools create the perfect balance of privacy and connection. Special for so many reasons, including being recognized by Prix Versailles as one of the world's most beautiful hotels, but I love that every stay includes daily Vietnamese herbology treatments rooted in traditional Southern medicine. This is cultural immersion through wellness and luxury that happens to be incredibly beautiful. The Honeymoon Pool Villa is calling you on this one.
Image by Namia River Retreat
THE ROMANTIC: India's Royal Circuit
The Couple:Soulful romantics who want to live like maharajas
India's tourism scene extends far beyond the typical Delhi-Agra-Jaipur circuit (it’s great too, though), and there can be a more nuanced approach to palace luxury. Let's not simply go to check the Taj Mahal off your list (though you absolutely should)—let's submerge you in India's incredible diversity of palatial experiences.
Stay: Consider Ran Baas The Palace in Patiala, where a perfectly restored Sikh fort offers intimate royal luxury in Punjab. Another not-to-miss is Fort Barwara by Six Senses in Rajasthan, a 14th-century fortress that defines romantic restoration…it makes me tear up each time I see it. And yes, a stay at The Oberoi Amarvilas in Agra, where every room faces the Taj Mahal, is a must because some views are worth the pilgrimage.
Image by Six Senses Fort Barwara
THE WINTER: Wyoming, USA
The Couple: Lovers of Western Charm looking for a mix of outdoors and cozy nights
While Aspen gets the headlines, Wyoming offers something rare: luxury without the pretense. This is cowboy country elevated to world-class standards, where your biggest decision is whether to sit cuddled by the fire or go dog sledding.
Stay: Brush Creek Ranch redefines the all-inclusive experience with everything from world-class skiing to cozy fireside romance. You'll find yourself doing things that bring out your inner child, that restore you, that stir your soul in gorgeous Western landscapes.
Image by Brush Creek Ranch
Packing it Up
The truth about honeymoons is that the best ones aren't about following trends. They're about finding places that feed your souls while creating a deeper connection with one another. Whether that's in solitude (together), discovering the uniqueness of the world, or finding pure joy in adventure, these six destinations are examples of places that will jump-start your love journey with great stories to be told until you're old, gorgeous, and grey. ✨
If you’ve got a romantic couple’s trip on the brain, let’s level it up and find the just-right destination for the two of you.
Katy HOogerwerf
Katy Hoogerwerf is a US-born travel designer based in Europe with expertise in design, wellness, and culturally immersive experiences. A hotel enthusiast at heart, she specializes in discovering unique properties with compelling stories and curating journeys that prioritize meaningful connections.
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