The vows have been promised, the rings exchanged and now it’s time to take the trip of a lifetime together—as newlyweds. But where should you go and what should you do? Who better to turn to, than the world’s biggest jet setters? Celebs are always ahead of the curve as far as bucket list locales, 5-star resorts and swanky suites are concerned, so we did some digging into their VIP escapes to help you narrow down your list of honeymoon destination options.
In the mood to loll on a deserted beach, piña colada in hand? There are a plethora of must-visit islands where you can do just that. Is head-to-toe pampering more your thing? Then perhaps a spa trip is in order.
Whatever your honeymoon goals are as a couple, rest assured many swoon-worthy hotels are up for the challenge of catering to your every desire. This is why we’ve mapped out 11 that are leading the charge as far as romance is concerned, with the help of a few luxury-minded travel experts.
From timeless legends in medieval cities to IYKYK newcomers in faraway lands, here’s where celebrities love to honeymoon and you will too.
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What To Look for in a Honeymoon Hotel
When selecting a honeymoon hotel, you want it to feel extra special, says Hotels Above Par editor-in-chief Brandon Berkson.
“First, look for a room with a view,” he advises, noting there’s nothing like waking up to the ocean or a beautiful city skyline together. Next, check out the amenities. “A private pool or a luxe spa, for those moments you just want to unwind. Finally, ensure the dining options are top-notch as romantic dinners are a must.”
Berkson also suggests checking to see if the hotel offers special honeymoon packages with thoughtful extras like rose petals on the bed or couples massages.
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Popular Honeymoon Destinations for Celebrities
The globe’s most illustrious public figures are hooked on Italy’s picturesque Amalfi Coast as it offers the perfect blend of breathtaking backdrops and high-echelon establishments they crave, shares Berkson.
“With its jaw-dropping views—think dramatic cliffs, provincial hamlets and piercingly blue seawater—it offers a backdrop that’s as serene as it is glamorous,” he explains.
Melissa Biggs Bradley, founder of Indagare Travel, agrees.
“For celebrities, honeymoons are all about privacy and pampering, so classically romantic locations with legendary resort properties like Capri, the Amalfi Coast, Lake Como and the South of France have been popular for decades,” she says. “Hotels such as Splendido and Cipriani in Italy and the Hotel du Cap Eden Roc in France (where Liz Taylor and Richard Burton honeymooned and Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge exchanged vows) have perfected romance and discretion but in recent years, far-flung and remote resort destinations like French Polynesia, the Maldives and the Seychelles have also become popular.”
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11 Romantic Hotels Where Celebrities Honeymoon, According to Travel Experts
Refer to this list when you’re on the hunt for star-studded stays in awe-inspiring locations.
1. Grand Hotel Tremezzo (Lake Como, Italy)
“Grand Hotel Tremezzo is a dream and a half,” raves Berkson, who notes Emily Blunt and John Krasinski honeymooned here, alongside Chrissy Teigen and John Legend.
As the first hotel to open its doors on Lake Como over 100 years ago, he says celebs favor this storybook setting for its “timeless elegance and mountain-fringed shoreline.”
It also helps that there are three lovely pools to choose from, acres of private grounds to roam in matrimonial bliss and tucked-away candlelit tables set for two.
2. Kamalame Cay (Andros, Bahamas)
Reachable by boat or seaplane off the coast of Andros Island, Kamalame Cay was designed with under-the-radar romance in mind.
Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian chose the private property for their honeymoon, opting to book one of their palatial four-bedroom villas shrouded by lush foliage for extra intimacy but if you can’t swing $35,000 per week, fear not. Smaller beach bungalows nestled on the same stretch of paradise start at $500 a night.
They also pride themselves on having the only overwater spa in the Bahamas, ideal for side-by-side massages while watching schools of fish swim by.
3. Jamaica Inn (Ocho Rios, Jamaica)
One can’t help but feel a serene sense of place at the 65-year-old Ocho Rios resort, Jamaica Inn. The laidback luxe, family-run property was a favorite of James Bond creator Ian Fleming who famously frequented their bar, as did 007 himself, Sean Connery. Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller honeymooned in the property’s sought-after Suite 21 and Meghan Markle celebrated her (first) wedding at this storied retreat.
Spread across eight acres fronted by one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, the historic hotel is a worthy choice for couples who just tied the knot. Play a round of croquet on the lawn or enter one of their cutthroat backgammon competitions. Afterward, retire to your oversized cottage to sip rum punch and dip in the cool blue sea.
4. COMO Parrot Cay (Turks & Caicos)
The Turks & Caicos Islands have been luring lovebirds to its sandy white beaches and azure waters for ages, so it’s no wonder this tropical archipelago is a popular refuge for famous faces. Keith Richards, Donna Karan and Bruce Willis all own homes in Parrot Cay, in between Providenciales and North Caicos, while Jerry Seinfeld, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy and Sofia Vergara chose the sparkling isle as their honeymoon destination.
As for the premiere hotel in this neck of the Caribbean, that would be COMO Parrot Cay. “Think beautiful beaches, unmatched spa treatments and an overall exclusive feeling fueled by inherent privacy,” says Berkson.
5. Le Sirenuse (Positano, Italy)
Le Sirenuse, an 18th-century palazzo on the dreamy Amalfi Coast, is another one of Berkson’s preferred honeymoon hotels, for its sensational views of the sea. “Its red exterior is iconic,” he says, adding that Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth went here for their honeymoon, as did Ian Somerhalder and Nikki Reed.
The 58-key stunner is a hospitality legend, thanks to its work-of-art terrace pool that’s always showing off and light-drenched suites that make you want to linger longer. Take a spin around Positano on their vintage Riva Aquarama speedboat before lunching, leisurely, in a quaint waterfront village.
6. Sanctuary Camelback Mountain (Scottsdale, Arizona)
Arizona might not be the first place that comes to mind, when you think Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, but don’t discount Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney’s Resort & Spa. Jay-Z and Beyoncé chose the mountainside property for their honeymoon and woke up to views like this every morning.
Surrounded by 53 acres of teeming desert topography, the Scottsdale-adjacent hotel features manicured grounds, well-appointed casitas and a 12,000-square-foot spa. They even have a brand new pickleball court for budding enthusiasts to take advantage of, with sweeping vistas of the craggy cliffs and exotic blooming cacti.
7. North Island (Seychelles)
“As the post-wedding destination for both British royalty (Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011) and Hollywood royalty (George and Amal Clooney in 2014), Seychelles ranks high on the list of glamorous private getaways,” explains Bradley.
Boasting only 11 villas, North Island is an Indian Ocean hideaway and one of the world’s most exclusive honeymoon resorts, with an aptly named Honeymoon Beach on the Southwest side. “Guests can settle into their private corner of this unspoiled landscape—white-sand beaches against a tropical jungle backdrop—and embrace the ethos of barefoot luxury,” she adds.
8. Singita Faru Faru Lodge (Serengeti National Park, Tanzania)
African adventures in places like Botswana, Namibia and Tanzania also top Bradley’s celebrity honeymoon hot list, partly because of the luxury lodges available.
“All offer unique immersions in natural landscapes and experiences that can’t be found anywhere else, from the peaked, tangerine-colored dunes in Namibia to the migration routes of elephants, buffalo and zebras in Botswana and Tanzania that remain uninterrupted,” she shares.
Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel opted for Singita Faru Faru Lodge in Serengeti National Park for their ‘moon. A 350,000-acre private reserve in northern Tanzania with breathtaking bush appeal, airy suites and watering holes where the local animals are known to greet guests partaking in a midday swim.
9. The Beverly Hills Hotel (Beverly Hills, California)
Elizabeth Taylor may have been married eight times to seven men (she wed Richard Burton twice, once in 1964 and again in 1975) but she spent several of her honeymoons in Bungalow 5 at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
With four bedrooms and a private pool, this particular abode is the largest at the iconic hotel and happened to be her favorite. So much so, that her family used Number 5 for the private memorial service when she passed away in 2011.
A celeb magnet for Hollywood’s elite for over a century, “The Pink Palace” has played host to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe John Lennon and countless other luminaries.
10. The Brando (Tahiti, French Polynesia)
“The Brando in French Polynesia is one of Indagare’s all-time favorite properties,” shares Bradley, calling it the perfect honeymoon hotel.
At the ultra-indulgent, eco-luxury resort, guests stay in beachfront villas with massive rooms, plunge pools and gardens—and are flown in and out by private plane, which is likely why Whitney Wolfe Herd, the founder and former CEO of Bumble (the dating app used by 23 million people), and her husband, Texas oil heir Michael Herd chose it for their honeymoon and where, Princess Kate’s sister, Pippa Middleton, jetted off to after her wedding to James Matthews in 2017.
Everything about The Brando is incredible, she says, adding that she loves to spend days swimming, hiking, snorkeling and star-gazing when she visits: “It’s very secluded and private and the service is incredible.”
11. NIHI Sumba (Sumba Island, Indonesia)
While Bali is always a good idea for a sexy sojourn, honeymooners searching for an atmospheric cast-away experience will love NIHI Sumba Island even more, according to Bradley.
She loves the far-off resort where Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence and her husband Cooke Maroney stayed for its impeccable creativity and soul, plus its collection of 27 thatched-roof villas that are equipped with individual pools and stylish interiors.
“They offer plenty of seclusion but venture out to Ombak restaurant or Nio Beach Club and you’ll find a house-party-on-the-beach scene,” she says. “Meeting the people of Sumba, however, is the highlight of a trip to the island, and guests are encouraged to spend time with locals, whether during a surf lesson or a visit to the Sumba Foundation, which endeavors to protect and support the island’s population.”
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Sources:
- Brandon Berkson is a travel expert and the editor-in-chief of Hotels Above Par, a curated guide to the best boutique stays in the world.
- Melissa Biggs Bradley is the founder of Indagare Travel, the author of Safari Style and the host of Passport to Everywhere, a podcast centered around meaningful journeys.