|
Ten Heavenly Honeymoon Hideaways Escape to paradise at one of these idyllic retreats...
1. Huvafen Fushi, Maldives
Set within its own lagoon, Huvafen Fushi Maldives is a captivating island resort offering rantic seclusion in one of the 43 naturally modern bungalows.
Huvafen Fushi is a naturalist's wonderland where the stunning environment - above and below the waterline - is an attraction in itself.
The colours and textures of the sea provided the inspiration for the Aquum Spa, the world's first underwater spa, offering a combination of soothing architecture, cutting-edge spa technology and the very latest in water therapies. Stay in one of the stunning Pavillions, set 200 meters out over the Indian Ocean, they are the last word in pampered luxury. Your private fibre-optic lit infinity pool flows from the indoors out and blends naturally with the horizon. The master bedroom is open plan with an infinity edge Kohler bath that fills from the ceiling forming the centrepiece.
For further information visit www.huvafenfushi.com
2. Coolbawn Quay Lakeshore Spa, Ireland
Coolbawn Quay is proof that you don't need a long haul flight to experience an idyllic spa honeymoon. Nestled quietly on the eastern shores of Lough Derg, Coolbawn Quay Lakeshore Spa is a unique private village resort offering the perfect place to escape and unwind in luxur and tranquillity.
Accommodation takes the form of quietly luxurious suites and rooms scattered throughout cottages in the village, with impeccable hotel style service throughout. Relax in a beautiful Lakeshore Suite overlooking the marina; indulge in exquisite body and beauty treatments and enjoy delicious food in the candlelit restaurant overlooking Lough Derg.
For more information visit www.coolbawnquay.com
3. Le Meridien, Bora Bora
Lush tropical rainforests and its location at the edge of an azure lagoon make Bora Bora one of the most beautiful, romantic places in the world. Le Méridien Bora Bora's 99 tropically themed bungalows are either perched over the spectacular lagoon or nestled at the edge of ivory sands, shadowed by tall coconut trees. Over-water bungalows feature a glass-bottomed floor, providing stunning views of marine life beneath the surface.
Beach bungalows offer private beaches and hammocks. Le Tipanie restaurant features a different themed cuisine each night of the week. Swim with the turtles in the turquoise lagoon before heading to dinner to watch the sun set in all its glory over the water, with the silhouette of the imposing extinct volcano, Mt. Otemanu, towering in the background. Exhilarate your senses at the Kaïnalu Club, which offers traditional Polynesian outrigger canoes, jet skiing, sailing, feeding Blacktip Reef and Lemon Sharks and scuba diving.
For more information visit www.starwoodshotels.com/lemeridien
4. Oia, Santorini, Greece
Canaves Oia Hotel is a luxury resort located in the northwest tip of Santorini Island, in the extraordinary settlement of Oia (Ia). The resort enjoys a unique location, built into the side of a cliff, overlooking the mysterious Caldera. Formed from modernised 17th century canaves, carved into the rock, the hotel boasts a number of elegantly designed suites, decorated in the traditional island style with antique furniture and objet d' art. If you're not one for lounging  by the pool, the hotel possesses a luxurious 25.90-meter motor yacht for those who wish to enjoy a unique and exclusive honeymoon cruising around Santorini and the other Greek Islands. The luxury motor yacht can accommodate up to eight guests and comes complete with a crew to cater for your every need. Honeymooning here promises to be a one of a kind experience. For more information visit www.canaves.com
5. The Azur, Queensland, New Zealand
Azur, is a distinctively contemporary lodge located on a hilltop overlooking some of the most spectacular scenery in New Zealand. Set among native tress with stunning panoramic vistas of Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables, Cecil Peak and Queenstown, Azur is known for privacy, discretion and serenity.
Each of the nine villas has a private deck and lounge area, with gas fireplace. Azur bathrooms are modelled on those seen in some of the world's great hotels and include dual vanities, rain forest showerheads and spa tubs positioned in the window to be enjoyed either indoor or outdoor. Attention to detail is everywhere - Azur's super king beds are dressed with the finest 300 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets milled in Germany and pillows and duvets are filled with pure goose feather, promising an exceptional sleep experience. Come the evening The Lodge is the place to relax with guests in front of one of three fireplaces over a cocktail as the sun goes down - sheer bliss.
For more information visit www.azur.co.nz
6. Evason Hideaways & Six Senses Spa, Hua Hin, Thailand
The Evason Hua Hin and Spa is set amongst 20 acres of beautifully landscaped tropical gardens filled with lotus ponds and waterways, facing the Gulf of Siam. The 145 luxurious guestrooms are spread out within eight separate low-rise buildings in a tropical garden setting, complemented by 40 oversized stand-alone private pool villas. Rooms feature a fresh and unconventional design, with bright, open-style bathrooms, over-sized King beds and private balconies.
Evason standards ensure great attention to detail and a welcoming and friendly service. For a truly unique experience stay in one of the studios, all of which feature an oversized terrace complete with outdoor furniture, sheltered from the weather with a canopy and mosquito net, making it possible to sleep under the stars during balmy tropical nights. Or if you're more of a water babe choose a pool villa with its own private plunge pool and outdoor bathtub in a rustic garden setting surrounded by a lotus pond.
For more information visit www.sixsenses.com
7. Wildflower Hall, Himalayas, India
Situated at 8,350 feet in the magnificent Himalayas, Wildflower Hall is a fairytale luxury resort renowned for its breathtaking views and superb facilities. The former residence of Lord Kitchener, rebuilt to a new magnificence, the extravagant interior of Wildflower Hall recreates the grand style of the colonial era. Expect dark wood panelling, thick carpet, original artwork and artefacts, fireplaces, elegant furniture and crystal chandeliers.
The stunning décor extends to the 87 rooms and suites all of which are appointed with teak floors, hand-knotted rugs and hand crafted furnishings. Every room has a spacious marble bathroom with separate shower, walk-in closets and personalised butler service. Despite the high standards of the hotel, it's the stunning scenery which steals the show. You can't fail but be awestruck by the view.
Deep, beautiful valleys, snow-capped mountains and verdant landscapes of flowering plants and fragrant trees surround the property. This magnificent scenery can be enjoyed from all the rooms, restaurants, outdoor Jacuzzi and the heated swimming pool.
For more information visit www.oberoihotels.com
8. Rockhouse Hotel, Negril, Jamaica
Another member of the Design Hotel group, Rockhouse is a boutique hotel stretching across the cliffs of Pristine Cove in Negril. The resort, nestled amongst eight acres of tropical lush gardens, boasts a 60-foot cliff-top horizon pool and an award-winning restaurant set on a balcony  suspended directly over the water. Thatched roofed villas with private sun-bathing decks perch on the cliff's edge, and throughout the property, ladders and stairs carved into the rock lead down to easy water access for swimming and snorkelling on the reef. There's a newly constructed Spa, where the philosophy is a simple, holistic approach to well- being, health and happiness with Jamaican style.
The Rockhouse vibe is laid back; you'll find that bare feet are more common than dress shoes at the restaurant. As the restaurant's menu cover most appropriately warns - "Visiting Rockhouse for lunch can lead to staying for the sunset, ordering a cocktail, booking for dinner, checking in for a week, and coming back every year for the rest of your life... Don't say we didn't warn you!
For more information www.rockhousehotel.com
9. Azucar, Veracruz, Mexico
Along Mexico's Costa Esmeralda, near the small community of Monte Gordo, Veracruz, lies Azucar, an intimate white-walled minimalist retreat that appears in the stylish ‘Design Hotels' portfolio. Created in a "Tropical-Ranchero style", Azucar tips its hat to the local sugar industry but also pays tribute to the people of Veracruz - colourful, cheerful "Jarochos," devoutly traditional and passionate about their music, culture and history.
Twenty spacious bungalows, appropriately named after the numerous sugar mills in the area, are accented with splashes of colour and regional materials such as red cedar, palm thatch and stone. Casual and sensual, every accommodation boasts a private terrace with lounging area and hammock and is designed for complete intimacy. Chill out in one of the many communal areas that include the open-air library, the pool or beach palapas, the Xochicalli Spa or the meditation area. Dining here is also an exquisite experience, and the most demanding palettes will delight in the sumptuous seafood dishes skilfully prepared with regional techniques and local flavour.
For more information visit www.hotelazucar.com
10. Sivory Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
One of the ‘Small Luxury Hotels of the World' Sivory Punta Cana is the perfect place to enjoy the tropical paradise that is the Dominican Republic. Punta Cana, on the eastern-most tip of the Dominican Republic, has 40 miles of the softest, whitest sand lapped by the seductive colours of the Caribbean. Staking its claim on this little piece of heaven, Sivory is an oasis of exclusive pleasures where daily worries and stresses are banished to the horizon.
The private beach stretches as far as the eye can see; three restaurants give you the freedom to choose from different styles of gourmet cuisine; the select wine cellar stocks over 8,000 bottles of the finest vino and then there's The Aquarea Wellness & Spa, where magical therapies render you utterly free of stress.
This hidden pearl of the Caribbean is a heaven-sent sybarite's dream. WJ
For more information visit www.sivorypuntacana.com
|