A honeymoon is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The most luxurious honeymoon destinations should allow you to splurge as you transition to a new life. That said, the best honeymoon destination is different for everyone. Some lovebirds may splurge on an idyllic beach honeymoon, while others prefer a mountain adventure to reconnect with nature.
Table of Contents
What Is a Luxurious Honeymoon?
Luxury is the art of elegance and superb comfort. A luxurious honeymoon allows you to spend your hard-earned money in destinations that offer exceptional pleasure and enjoyment.
What Activities Can You Do on a Luxurious Honeymoon?
The activities you can enjoy on a luxury honeymoon are endless. You may choose to immerse in a new cultural experience, attend a wellness retreat, or learn a new fun skill. Alternatively, enjoy an adrenaline rush with your beloved in a unique adventure, such as scuba diving, cliff jumping, kayaking, or other water sports.
What Is the Average Price of a Luxurious Honeymoon?
A luxurious honeymoon could cost $7,500 in the Caribbean. You will spend $8,000 in Greece and $20,000 in some parts of Europe.
Where Are the Best Destinations For a Luxurious Honeymoon?
1. The Maldives
A luxurious honeymoon in the Maldives is a grand getaway on a pearl of an island. Picture a private overwater villa with gleaming white sand beaches and crystal clear waters.
The Maldives also has awe-inspiring marine life. It includes dolphins that love to play in the soft morning sun. At sunset, fruit bats will fly above your head as they head home to roost.
And in the balmy evenings, you can enjoy romantic and opulent candlelit dinners for two.
Other luxurious honeymoon activities in the Maldives include coral reefs and shore excursions. In addition, you can go on an island hopping tour.
The Maldives fun fact
The Maldives is the flattest country on earth. Unfortunately, it also is slowly sinking into the surrounding waters.
Types of accommodation
The most romantic accommodations in the Maldives are the private island resorts. Many are all-inclusive and envelop you in a relaxing mix of nature, luxury, outstanding architecture, and amazing Indian ocean views.
When to visit: Visit the Maldives Between April and November before the monsoon season strikes. March and April are quieter but more expensive due to the Easter holidays.
Weather: The Maldives straddles the equator and has a warm tropical climate. High-day temperatures lie between 77°F to 88°F. The wet season begins in mid-April and goes to early January. Thunderstorms occur throughout the wet season, but May to November is the windier part of the year.
Where to stay: The most luxurious honeymoon stays in the Maldives are private villas. For instance, the Kudadoo Maldives Private Island has spacious Japanese ryokans-inspired overwater bungalows and private plunge pools.
Suggested duration: You can explore most of what The Maldives offers in 4 or 5 days.
2. Tokyo, Japan
Japan is where the East’s classic philosophies blend with the West’s modern trends.
It is also among the most luxurious honeymoon spots for fine dining lovers. You can taste divine generational noodle culinary art in just about any location in Tokyo.
The must-see attractions include the Meiji Shrine, surrounded by a calming evergreen forest. In addition, the Shinjuku Gyoen national garden and Ueno Park are calming oases in the city. Alternatively, tour the Imperial Palace (Kōkyo) or Sensō-ji Temple.
Tokyo fun facts
Did you know that Tokyo is the most populous city in the world? It also boasts the highest number of Michelin stars in the world.
Types of accommodation
Tokyo has modern hotels, hostels, camping sites, and guest houses. Traditional Japanese lodging or ryokan rooms have futons, sliding doors, and tatami floors.
Ryokans offer luxurious honeymoon gastronomy and cultural experiences. They have relaxing hot springs and spa elements as well. Tokyo also has unique love hotels designed to meet all your inner fantasies.
When to visit: Spring or March to May is the cherry blossom season which is beautiful for a lovers’ vacation. The fall season, September to November, is also an excellent alternative; the fiery autumn foliage is to die for.
Weather: Tokyo has a temperate climate all year round. That said, the summer heat can go as high as 94°F. January is the coldest month, with temperatures falling to 41°F. Due to the typhoon season, September and October are the city’s wettest months.
Where to stay: To experience Tokyo’s gracious service, visit the ryokans or its decadent luxury hotels.
Suggested duration: Tokyo has a wide range of experiences. Consequently, you could spend a week in Tokyo and not tire of its experiences. A four-day itinerary, however, is adequate for an exploration of its highlights
3. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
A great migration safari in Tanzania is adventure and serenity amidst lavish pampering. The Serengeti National Park is the most iconic of national parks. It is the home of one of the spectacular 1.5 million wildebeest migration phenomena.
Other luxurious newlyweds activities in the wild include romantic bush picnics or hot air balloon rides for two and cozy bonfires.
Fun facts
Over one million large animal species are in the Serengeti National Park’s rich ecosystem.
Types of accommodation
Tanzania has a rich collection of luxurious safari lodges, tented camps, and roaming mobile camps.
When to visit: The best time to visit Tanzania’s wild and captivating parks is between July and October. The weather is dry, and the river crossing migration occurs in this dry season. The wildlife sightings are higher because the bush and grass are less dense.
Weather: Tanzania has an average daily temperature of 70° to 90°F. It is cooler at night, averaging 50° to 60°F. November to March are wet seasons, and you will experience afternoon showers.
Where to stay: The Serengeti has romantic five-star safari camps and lodges.
Suggested duration: Set aside four adventure days to satiate your luxury bush honeymoon experience.
4. Iceland
The land of fire and ice is not your ordinary luxurious honeymoon destination. It is a bucket list destination. This is because Iceland’s glacial and volcanic terrains have an otherworldly feel. You will not experience Iceland’s magic in any other honeymoon destination.
This bizarre terrain’s unique attractions include geysers exploding in the sub-zero air. Then, in winter, the Northern Lights begin their sky dance. There are also magical frozen waterfalls.
Winter is the best time to go Northern Light spotting. Then make a pit stop at the blue lagoon geothermal spring. It has relaxing milky-blue healing seawater.
Iceland fun facts
Close to half of Icelanders believe in the Huldufólk or elves.
Types of accommodation
Iceland has versatile accommodation options. You can, for instance, choose chic boutique hotels or glamp out in the midnight sun. Then, there are lonely cottages, cabins, and mountain huts. On top of that, there are luxury resorts, guesthouses, and hotels.
When to visit: Summer strikes between June and August. The midnight sun will warm the air, and most trails are open at this time. But if your focus is the aurora borealis, plan to visit in December.
Weather: Its oceanic climate has a 26.6°F to 37.4°F at the start of the year. The temperature will rise to 59°F in mid-year. Rain and storms are frequent occurrences.
Where to stay: Reykjavík on Iceland’s coast has romantic getaways, including oceanfront hotels. They offer three or five-course tasting menus for foodie honeymooners. Alternatively, stay in the south, away from the city lights. You will have spectacular views of the Northern Lights.
Suggested duration: A week’s stay is perfect for the Iceland luxurious honeymoon. However, some couples stay two or three weeks in this beautiful country.
5. Amalfi Coast, Italy
Italy’s Amalfi Coast combines ethereal charm and breathtaking coastline views. Besides its biscuit-hued sandy beaches, Amalfi has turquoise waters and majestic cliffs. It also has solitary coral coves and picture-perfect seaside towns.
Amalfi has a charming and slow-paced rhythm; it will soothe any post-wedding nerves you may have.
Additionally, Amalfi is a foodie’s haven; indulge in Amalfi’s fresh pasta and seafood recipes. Then, wind down your dining experience with a glass of limoncello liqueur.
Amalfi fun facts
Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg are among the celebrities who honeymooned in Amalfi.
Types of accommodation
Italy has perfect honeymoon accommodation options. There are dozens of historic and charming luxury hotels within walking distance of the center. On top of that, there are rural farmhouses and villas for rent.
When to visit: Visit the Amalfi coast in May or September. Exciting events like the Ravello Music Festival take place during this season. March and November are low-season months, ideal for couples looking for a less touristy feel.
Weather: Amalfi’s temperatures are 68°F to 77°F all year round. However, March to November is the winter season and you’ll see sets of dramatic waves crashing onto the coastline.
Where to stay: Amalfi’s best luxury honeymoon hotels have wide-open beachfront views and infinity pools that hang in mid-air. You will also enjoy a luxury spa treatment and delectable Mediterranean cuisine.
Suggested duration: Set aside five days to indulge in all the luxury the Amalfi coast offers.
6. Namib Desert, Namibia
Namibia’s most distinguishing feature is the Namib desert. The Namib is an ocean of sand that meets the Atlantic at the Skeleton coast. Therefore, Namibia’s northern coastline is unlike anything you have seen.
The Namib desert’s other sights include its rippling copper-colored dunes at Sossusvlei. On top of that, there are desert wildlife sightings and remote escapes in Kaokoland. The Namib desert also offers peaceful isolation and the clearest night skies, perfect for stargazing.
Fun fact
Namibia is an International Dark Sky Reserve.
Types of accommodation
Namibia has many private guest farms, B&Bs, resorts, and grand lodges.
When to visit: The best time to visit the Namib is the dry season for excellent game sightings. The dry season runs between June to October.
Weather: Namibia has an average temperature of 50 to 60 °F. April and May are the cooler months and may have afternoon thunderstorms.
Where to stay: There are a variety of desert lodges that offer unrivaled luxury honeymoon experiences in Namib. They feature spacious private rooms with infinity pools on the deck for afternoon relaxation.
Suggested duration: Namibia is a vast country; you will travel long distances between destinations. So, plan for a week of honeymoon luxury in national parks and the desert. That said, two weeks would be optimum to lessen the time spent in tour vans.
7. Patagonia, Chile
Do you live for the mountains? Kick off the first day of the rest of your life in Patagonia, Chile. This mountainous region lies on South America’s southernmost tip. The Andes Mountains mold its features to form glacial fjords and vast evergreen rainforests.
Some attractions include the Cerro Fitzroy in the Patagonian Ice Field. Here you can decompress in thrilling rock climbing challenges. Alternatively, hike the Laguna Torre and enjoy breathtaking views of the glacial fields.
Besides easy-to-access grand mountain views, Patagonia has luxurious honeymoon eco-hotels. They offer hot tubs for relaxation and splendid views of the mountains. Other activities to do in Patagonia include puma or penguin tracking and fly-fishing tours.
Patagonia fun facts
Patagonia has almost as many penguins as people.
Types of accommodation
Patagonia has luxury spa hotels and beautiful remote lakeside lodges. It also has luxury campsites and homestay accommodation options.
When to visit: The tourist season is from December to February. It is also the best hiking, penguin spotting, and whitewater rafting season. Keep in mind that Patagonia has four seasons, and they are opposite the U.S. (summer in January).
Weather: This mountain climate has average lows of 50°F and highs of 70°F. The temperatures, however, can drop to 40°F at night. April and May are Patagonia’s wet months and feature strong winds.
Where to stay: Torres del Paine is Chilean Patagonia’s most beautiful destination. Here you will find luxury honeymoon glamping accommodations and eco-domes in the park.
Suggested duration: Plan a week in Patagonia to enjoy its glorious mountainscapes.
How to Plan a Luxurious Honeymoon Itinerary
Plan It Yourself
Planning your own honeymoon itinerary can be fun. Decide on a location, and make sure your accommodations include anything you want or need. Do you want room service? Do you want to indulge in Michelin-star cuisine, the spa, or the gym? Ensure your location of choice ticks all the boxes.
Hire a Travel Agent
If you hire a travel agent, tell them what activities and accommodations you seek. The best travel agent will offer you a honeymoon package with all the trimmings. You may even enjoy first-class flights or free optional activities like local tours or snorkeling.
Pros and Cons of an All-Inclusive Honeymoon Resorts
All-inclusive honeymoon resorts are the epitome of luxury, but their experience is polarizing.
Pros
- You will save money on all-inclusive services.
- You will travel with peace of mind, sure that there are no surprise expenses.
- You can leave your credit card in your room, lay back, and enjoy a wallet-free experience.
- You will enjoy lots of complimentary activities.
- An inclusive honeymoon resort lowers booking hassles.
Cons
- All-inclusive packages will stifle the exploration of other local options.
- Their package could become tedious or repetitive.
- An inclusive option may offer limited privacy.
What to Pack For a Luxurious Honeymoon
First, make copies of your travel documents. Then place emergency contact information in your bag. It is best to alert the bank of your pending international travel and refill your prescriptions. Pack items like:
- Toiletries
- Essential clothing items
- Light clothing items for warm weather
- Layers for cold weather
- Formal clothing for at least one indulgent night out
Lastly, leave expensive tech, jewelry, or work at home to avoid losing or damaging your most treasured items.