Life & Style | Travel

Retreats for romance

Relaxing, rollercoaster ride or a jungle safari - what will your honeymoon be? Take a pick

  • By Meera Ashish, Special to Explore
  • Published: 00:00 October 24, 2009
  • Explore

  • Image Credit: Supplied
  • Serene views at Amanwella Resort in Sri Lanka
Image 1 of 3
123

Honeymoon. The word itself conjures up dreamy and exotic images of candles, moonlight, breathtaking views of the sea, something lush and exclusive and just the two of you. In today's world, when you may have been away with your partner before, this one can't be just another romantic getaway. You want your honeymoon to be unique, special, amazing and, of course, perfect.

With the number of options out there, you will need to research well and choose carefully. Do you want to explore, go sightseeing, add a bit of adventure, just relax or, maybe, combine all these? How long do you want to be away? How many destinations do you want to visit? And what's your budget? All these questions play a part in perfecting this one holiday — so make sure you get exactly what you want and the way you want it.

Here are some suggestions for different types of honeymoons, be it relaxation, hitting a city for shopping and sightseeing or going for a little adventure.

Bali: Say Bali and you think a lush, tropical paradise, romantic and blissful. Well, that's why it's great for honeymooners. With an abundance of spa resorts in the city and in Ubud, the cultural heart of Bali, you're spoilt for choice and pampered into a state of bliss. Stay at the Como Shambhala Estate (www.cse.como.bz), built in the jungle and above the Ayung River in Ubud. Admire the views of the valley and the hills as you sit in your own private pool, get pampered with treatments ranging from Naturopathy to Ayurveda and savour the cuisine. Do look at other hotels too — always worth understanding what will suit you better.

The Maldives: This is a heavenly honeymoon destination, with unspoilt white beaches, clear turquoise waters and stunning resorts. Just walk out of your villa barefoot to the edge of the small island. There are many resorts to choose from, so set your budget first and then look at options. If you want seclusion, Dhoni Mighili is on an almost uninhabited island. You'll have your own dhoni, or boat, in which you can even choose to sleep some nights, and your own cook — just ask and it's there. Alternatively, Huvafen Fushi (www.huvafenfushi.com) is contemporary and has incredible underwater spa treatment rooms. Don't leave without seeing the fascinating underwater world of the Maldives.

Sri Lanka: An island with stretches of lush tea plantations, rainforests, tropical beaches and amazing boutique hotels. The temples and shrines also add to the beauty of this country. Many honeymooners combine Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Stay at the Amanwella (www.amanresorts.com), part of the Aman resorts. Its name means "peaceful beach" and it is built amid a coconut grove and has a crescent-shaped beach, near the village of Tangalle in southern Sri Lanka. The suites are contemporary in design, making use of local material and styles, and you have sweeping views of the beach. Alternatively, head to the golden southern coast of Sri Lanka and stay at The Fortress (www.thefortress.lk), which has a modern design and uses innovative architecture.

New York: Be it spring, summer, autumn or winter, New York is always magical. A walk in Central Park in autumn can be beautiful while ice skating on Christmas is entrancing. And who can leave New York without some awesome shopping? Fifth Avenue is certainly worth the trip and while you're there, why not escape to a nearby spa and reappear for some more shopping feeling refreshed? The Remède Spa at the Regis Hotel is perfect. Make sure you see the New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue. In the evening, take the Circle Line Ferry or go for one of the musicals in Broadway and don't miss out on the breathtaking view from Empire State Building. Stay at the classy, lavish Mandarin Oriental (www.mandarinoriental.com/newyork) in the heart of the city. This hotel is home to some of the swankiest restaurants in town and a huge spa.

Morocco: From the Rocky Mountains and the Sahara to the bustling markets of Marrakech and the friendly people, this is a pulsating city with exotic beauty, secluded old palaces, mosques and traditional souqs. Meander through the labyrinth of alleyways absorbing the rich smells and sights, haggle your way through the souqs and savour the delicious Moroccan cuisine — fresh salad, couscous and tagines. Stay at Amanjena Resort (www.amanjena.com), meaning "peaceful paradise", which lies inside a private haven of palms and olive trees near Marrakech. It's one of the finest luxury resorts in Morocco, with 32 private pavilions made of exotic local materials and a fantastic spa with hamam and a whirlpool. If you want to stay right in the heart of Marrakech, Murano Resort (www.muranoresort.com) is a trendy option, with bright colours and a superb design.

Paris: What better place to spend your honeymoon than in the City of Love. Admire the stunning views from Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame, stroll through Luxembourg Gardens and through Champs Élysées and stop at one of the old cafés and watch the world go by. Stay at One by the Five (www.onebythefive.com), one of the most romantic places to be found in this city.

Kenya: This could make for a memorable honeymoon, especially with the option of going out for game drives and looking for the Big Five. Masai Mara is a great place to start but there is also the romantic lodge called Shompole (www.shompole.com), perched high on the Nguruman escarpment, just on the outskirts of the Mara. The large, open-air suites are hidden away somewhere in the hills, affording 360-degree views across the vast Kenyan landscape. The lodge is built in harmony with the peaceful natural surroundings, with extensive use of white quartz, thatch and fig wood.

Las Vegas: There's more to do in Las Vegas than you could ever imagine. Just walking down the Strip will dazzle your eyes. There are fantastic shows and musicals, and, of course, casinos but if you like rides, you'll be wowed by the collection of rides at the top of the Stratosphere Casino Hotel and Tower. Dangle over the edge of the building, take the X-Scream and head to the New York New York Hotel, where you can take a super-fast rollercoaster through all the classic buildings of New York. The Sahara Hotel also has its own rollercoaster and the Circus Circus Hotel has an indoor theme park called Adventuredome. Stay at Skylofts, a luxury boutique hotel on the top of MGM Grand. The bathrooms in the suites have steam rooms, immersion chambers and infinity edge spa tub.

Thailand: Chiang Mai in the north has a wonderful mix of adventure, culture and romance. You can go for guided treks to visit indigenous tribes or go for elephant rides, bamboo rafting and long walks in the beautiful green hills. There's also a lively and colourful night market selling everything from arts and crafts, paintings, lanterns to clothes. Stay at the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi (www.mandarinoriental.com/chiangmai), inside an ambience of luxury and serenity. The resort is spread over 60 acres of natural landscape, including paddy fields and exotic plantation. The spa at Mandarin is fabulous, with personalised treatments.

With all these options and more, it's often difficult to make a decision both of you are happy with. It's always best to consult a specialist travel agent and get a package, so that you're not dealing with the hotels and airlines yourself. Search for travel agents which specialise in the countries you want to visit, speak to a few and compare. Be as fussy as you want and as picky as you can be — travel agents are used to this and chances are that they will take more care if they know just how particular you are.

Meera Ashish is a UK based freelance writer

More from Travel

Bringing you the world at your doorstep

Explore
Popular in Travel
Life & Style editor's choice

Tale of two nations

Be a part of a memorable European romance on a mesmerising 10-day tour

Best of web video by GNTV
Popular in Pictures