Honeymoon Blog

The World's Best Hotels and Resorts - check out the article

So many great places, so little time!  We'd like to share an excellent article on the World's Best Hotels and Resorts that was published in this month's Cigar Aficionado.  The writer for this luxury lifestyle magazine convened a panel of travel industry experts, one of which was MoonRings' President, to determine which hotels and resorts represent the creme de la creme around the world.   You can see the entire article at the link below:

Link to The World's Best Hotels and Resorts

In the article, our president keys in on such amazing places as The Four Seasons George V in Paris, Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli in Italy, The Singita Grumeti Reserve in Tanzania, Four Seasons Hualalai in Hawaii, and a number of other beautiful places to stay. 

For a honeymoon, this list really does represent some of the finest places you could possibly experience.  Granted, there are many other hotels and locations in which you can have a terrific honeymoon, and we look forward to helping you determine exactly where is best for you! 

   

Above:  Four Seasons George V, Paris; Singita Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania

Below:  Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli, Italy; Four Seasons Hualalai, Hawaii

   

 

Where will Prince William and Kate Middleton Honeymoon?

   Last week the world celebrated the much anticipated royal engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton.  The media is buzzing with all kinds of questions about their upcoming nuptials.  What dress will Kate wear?  Where will the event take place? Will it be as lavish as Charles and Diana’s wedding?  

The top question on Ms. M’s mind is definitely, where will they honeymoon?  With little information on the subject available, it’s difficult to say, but here are some exclusive and luxurious options that the world’s most famous engaged couple might consider…

Sport and adventure in New Zealand – Rumors abound that the couple plan to spend at least part of their honeymoon in New Zealand to see the Rugby World Cup (the prince is a big fan).  The South Pacific destination is known for its Maori culture, jaw-dropping scenery and luxurious lodges. With glaciers, fjords, rugged coastline and snowcapped peaks, it’s a great place to be active, which is evidently right up Kate and William’s alley!  The Owners Cottage at Huka Lodge on the North Island is one of the most secluded and exclusive hideaways in the world.  The cottage is almost completely hidden from view and has 4 bedrooms, a living room and an infinity pool with views downstream to the powerful Huka Falls.

 

Safari in Botswana – Kate and William were engaged several weeks ago while vacationing in Kenya.  If they are romantics at heart, Botswana could be a great honeymoon spot to recreate all the magic of their engagement safari, while experiencing a different African location and landscape. The off-the-beaten-path Selinda Reserve is an area of vast savannas and floodplains known for its numerous elephants, water birds, hippos and unique “surfing lions” who hunt hippos.  Zarafa Camp is a romantic retreat with just four stunning guest accommodations where Kate and William can relax by their fire place or private pool and gaze out at the plains teeming with wildlife.

 

Sand and Sun in the Seychelles – After one of the couple’s “splits” during their nine-year courtship, they chose the islands of the Seychelles to rekindle their romance.  During that trip, they stayed a lovely private island resort called Desroches Island Resort.  For their honeymoon, they may wish to return the idyllic islands of the Seychelles, but kick the luxury and seclusion up a notch and stay at Villa North Island.  North Island is a resort on a completely private island with just 11 villas.   Villa 11 (aka Villa North Island) is a slice of heaven – tucked away in the forest with its own private stretch of white-sand beach, it has stunning views of the turquoise hues of the Indian ocean from nearly every vantage point. If Kate and William can’t unwind here, they probably can’t unwind anywhere!

 

Seclusion on a Private Yacht – With circus that will inevitably surround their wedding, the newly married couple may choose to honeymoon in the complete seclusion and privacy of a luxury yacht.  This way they have the flexibility to visit the locations they are interested in without the prying eyes of other guests. A spring wedding would be prefect for yachting in the Caribbean and a summer wedding would allow for great cruising in the Mediterranean.

 

We’ll have to wait and see what they choose.  Wherever they go, it will undoubtedly be an exclusive, romantic and luxurious vacation that they’ll remember and treasure for the rest of their lives. 

Ponta dos Ganchos Resort Review Posted on Facebook

Ms. M's latest voyage took her to the fabulous seaside Ponta dos Ganchos Resort in Brazil.  Check out her full take on the resort on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf#!/notes/moonrings/beautiful-ponta-dos-ganchos-resort-in-southern-brazil/454591232669

 

Honeymoon where Katy Perry and Russell Brand were married

Okay, let's face it, most of us who are not of Indian descent may not choose to be married in India.  Katy Perry and Russell Brand are certainly an exception!  But they do have excellent taste and India is a fascinating country, so while perhaps not a perfect wedding locale, it could be an ideal honeymoon destination for some.

It's possible to do India in style.  For example, Aman-i-Khas (click here), where Katy and Russell were married, is a member of the prestigious Aman Hotel Group.  A stunning property and away from the hustle and bustle of major metropolitan centers, this is a luxury tented camp that is adjacent to Ranthambore National Park.  When not enjoying a the peace of the resort or the bliss of the spa, guests go on twice-daily tiger safaris in the park, to obtain (hopefully) a glimpse of these magnificent cats.  If you see one in the wild, count yourselves lucky!  They are so rare that now is the time to go before they disappear.

  
 
The tents at Aman-i-Khas are all white, lending an air of romance when you enter.  They have a huge sunken bathtub (which the resort will fill with flower petals to celebrate your occasion), a patio for lounging, a dressing area and a giant divan for a lovely afternoon nap.  This is safari in style!

  
Aman-i-Khas and Ranthambore are close to Delhi and Agra (for the Taj Mahal) so you can easily combine a tiger safari wth some of the country's key sights.  And many people will also tie in the gorgeous Maldives Islands (where Katy and Russell are on honeymoon - currently in a top secret location), which are great for a little R&R before or after the magic of India. 

 

 

Real Honeymoons: A Mediterranean Masterpiece

When Aaron and Talia, from Los Angeles, initially contacted MoonRings to assist in planning their honeymoon, they were not entirely sure where they wanted to go. But one thing was certain – it had to be exotic and luxurious.  After exploring a number of fabulous locales including Bali and Bora Bora, it was old world charm of France and Italy that had the right mix of luxury, sophistication and culinary delights.

Their journey began on the France’s stunning Cote d’Azur for a week of relaxation and pampering.  Their first few days at the Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat in St. Jean Cap Ferrat primarily consisted of lounging by the spectacular pool and taking strolls through the hotel’s romantic gardens.  Aaron and Talia did venture out to explore nearby towns such as Monaco, Eze and St. Paul de Vence (a favorite of Aaron’s).  One afternoon, they took hike around the Cap encountering a secluded cove with incredibly turquoise water where local residents were cliff diving. On their last night, the hotel upgraded them to massive suite with a private roof top Jacuzzi featuring panoramic views of the sea and dramatic scenery.

  

 
   
  
 
After the coast, it was time to head inland to the Four Seasons Provence for countryside vistas and more pampering.  The Four Seasons took excellent care of the couple and even gave them their first glimpse of a photo from their wedding, which was thoughtfully placed in their room (they received it from the Four Seasons in California where Aaron and Talia were married).  When they did opt to leave the Four Seasons, they visited the charming local towns of Fayence and Tourettes sampling tasty Provencal dishes and wine along the way. 

  

  
 

While their French adventure was coming to a close, there was plenty more pampering and luxury in store for them in Italy at the lovely Hotel Le Sirenuse in Positano.  Guess what they did?  You’re right, more relaxing and pampering!  The pool at Le Sirenuse is quite inviting, and with the view that they had from their suite, it’s easy to how they struggled to find a reason to leave such a perfect place.  Nonetheless, Aaron and Talia did muster the motivation to leave the hotel and enjoy Positano, visiting the local shops and people watching in cafes. One day, they made their way to the town of Ravello set high in the cliffs with beautiful views of the coast. Here they took a cooking class with a local chef, Vincenzino.  Chef Vincenzino shared many secrets of creating Italian seafood dishes, but in the end, the meal they created was not Aaron’s favorite and they opted for restaurant dining (i.e. professional chefs) for the rest of the trip. 

 

   

To close the trip, they took a quick train up to Rome for couple of nights of sightseeing and urban excitement.  

As Aaron and Talia began their long journey back to Los Angeles, they took a moment to browse through their fabulous digital photos and remember their enchanting adventure to some of Europe’s most scenic locations and luxurious retreats.   We wish them warm congratulations on their marriage and a long, happy and healthy life together!  Thanks for sharing your fantastic stories and photos!

 

 

 

 

Real Honeymoons: Raves for Capella Ixtapa from Andre & Jenya

  

  

  

  

 

 

 

Take one chilled out couple, add a brand-new resort with stunning cliffside views and plunge pools, and then include some of the most thoughtful service anywhere on the planet.  Mix thoroughly and what do you get?  A truly amazing honeymoon experience!

Andre and Jenya, from Boston, wanted to relax on their honeymoon.  After their wedding six months prior, buying a house, going crazy with work and many other life pressures, they decided upon the sister cities of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo Mexico as their honeymoon destination.  A combination of two resorts, one on a stunning cliff in Ixtapa and another on the beach in Zihua sounded like the best of both worlds.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To start their honeymoon, they checked into Capella Ixtapa, a new resort that features only 58 rooms and suites, all of which have sea-facing balconies with plunge pools.  Each guest has a “Personal Assistant” who is essentially a concierge at their beck and call.  Christian was assigned to Andre and Jenya from the moment their reservation was made.  He pre-contacted their MoonRings Relationship Manager to find out what he could do to help make their stay special. 

The relaxed ambiance at Capella was perfect, and their balcony was a highlight – morning coffee, evening drinks, (complimentary) beer/chips/salsa, and a lot of time in between was spent gazing over the water and enjoying each other’s company. 

 

During their stay, nothing was too much trouble for Christian and the staff at Capella; every employee was empowered to make the guests’ experience personal and special.  Whatever you wanted to eat for breakfast, complimentary snacks by the pool, iced bottles of water at regular intervals, generosity at every turn.  “Yes” was the answer to almost everything!

   
  
  

When it was time to leave for the second resort, they were sad.  Reluctantly, they moved, and while Resort #2 was on the beach and it wasn’t so bad, it just wasn’t the same.  Clearly, they had been spoiled!  Fortunately, they were able to return to Capella, and they spent the remainder of their honeymoon pampered by their new family and friends who were delighted to welcome them back.

 

 

 
 
While at Capella, Andre and Jenya took advantage not only of the resort but of the area and all it had to offer.  They went snorkeling multiple times at Isla Ixtapa, took Capella’s bikes out for a spin to a nearby beach, and spent an amazing afternoon with Capella’s Executive Chef learning how to make simple yet delicious Mexican fare.  On top of that, they went deep-sea fishing and the kitchen staff created a custom dinner for them with their catch!  The couple also checked out the local dining scene, enjoying restaurants such as Tentaciones and Espuma. 

 

 

  
With so many great memories, Andre and Jenya went back home to Boston on Cloud 9.   Like the staff at Capella, we wish them warm congratulations on their marriage and all the best together!  Thanks for sharing your fantastic stories and photos!

 

  
  
 

 

Snorkeling from French Polynesia's Overwater Bungalows: A Misconception?

When people think of French Polynesia they usually think of turquoise lagoons with charming bungalows perched directly above the water.  People from all over the world (honeymooners in particular) travel here to experience the unique feeling of sleeping directly above the water.  Since French Polynesia's lagoons are also well known for their excellent marine life some visitors expect to check in to their accommodations, strap on a snorkel mask and fins and dive directly from their overwater bungalow to greet schools of colorful fish.

  
  

In some of French Polynesia's resorts, these expectations will be met, but it’s important to note that not all resorts and overwater bungalows sit above great reefs for snorkeling. 

First, many overwater bungalows reside in shallow water, simply too shallow for snorkeling!  Snorkeling from the beach is often a better alternative, considering many resorts have a reef or “Lagoonarium” within their grounds.  Granted, it’s often located in a more enclosed area in order to guarantee great snorkeling as opposed to in the open water near the bungalows.  

Some overwater bungalows do reside right at a reef.  In theory, great, but coral is quite sharp, and you may have to wear reef shoes whenever swimming or wading.  If this is less than appealing to you, do look for a resort with a Lagoonarium to ensure good and comfortable snorkeling.  Alternatively, you can choose bungalows within the resort that are classified as “deep overwater” or “end of pontoon”.  These categories, although pricier, are deep enough such that most guests' feet won't touch bottom.

If your dream is to be able to snorkel directly from your overwater bungalow for at least part of your honeymoon in French Polynesia, you may want to consider a few nights at The Sofitel Ia Ora Resort on  Moorea, which has an excellent reef situated right below the overwater bungalows.  During a recent stay here, I had the opportunity to snorkel right from my overwater bungalow and it was truly fabulous. 

A glimpse of some of the fish I saw:

No matter what, a honeymoon in the idyllic French Polynesian Islands will offer beautiful scenery, fantasic resorts with overwater bungalows and excellent snorkeling either directly from an overwater bungalow or within a nearby Lagoonarium.

Just Back from French Polynesia!

I've just returned from a fantastic trip to French Polynesia where I had the opportunity to visit some of the finest hotels on offer...

Tahiti:

• Intercontinental Tahiti Resort
• Radisson Plaza Resort
• Manava Suites Resort

Moorea:

• Moorea Pearl Resort & Spa
• Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa
• Legends Resort Moorea
• Sofitel Ia Ora Beach Resort

Bora Bora:

• Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
• Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa
• Intercontinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort
• Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa
• Le Meriden Bora Bora
• Sofitel Bora Bora Marara Beach & Private Island
• Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort

Taha'a

• Le Taha'a Island Resort & Spa

It was an amazing trip so keep an eye out for additional posts on both The Honeymoon Blogger and our Facebook page in the coming weeks.  In the meantime, here are a few snaps to tide you over...

 



  
 
 

New on the honeymoon radar: Panama and the Bristol Hotels

In Central America, the destination of choice for honeymooners and adventure travelers alike has long been Costa Rica, but its neighbor to the south, Panama, is hot on its heels to become another Latin favorite. Miles of deserted beaches, tropical mountains covered with lush rainforests, remote island getaways, and a melting pot of cultures are a few of the many draws of Panama. Not to mention the historic and quickly developing capital of Panama City with the extraordinary Panama Canal.  Combine a visit to the beach and rainforest with a stop in the city and you will have the opportunity for a unforgettable trip in a unique and up and coming destination.

 

  
 

Though the tourism infrastructure in Panama is in its infancy, the development is fast and furious, particularly in the luxury market.  The Bristol hotel group is at the forefront of high end options. It operates one of the finest hotels in Panama City (website); an intimate and classy address located in an excellent central location. 

 

 
 
The Bristol Group has recently opened an exclusive resort along the Pacific Coast. The Bristol Buenaventura is about an hour and a half drive from Panama City and offers a truly 5 star experience.  From the finely appointed rooms, beautiful landscaping and pool areas, to the lovely stretch of beach and myriad activity options, the Buenaventura is a destination unto itself. Top this off with a world class spa, excellent dining, and exceptional service, you may find yourself reserving your next trip before you have even left!  We think this resort is a perfect way to relax after some adventure in other parts of the country.

 

  
  

 

For those looking for a romantic getaway or a unique adventure, Panama will not disappoint with its beautiful landscape and friendly, welcoming people.

Luxe Hacienda Hotels in Mexico's Yucatan

Interested in spicing up your Mexican honeymoon with a bit of culture after you have gotten your fill of rest and relaxation on the beach? Within only a few hours drive of Cancun and the Mayan Riviera is an area of the Yucatan that’s filled with unique cultural opportunities and the chance to delve into the interesting history of the Mexican people.  Some may be familiar with this location because it is home to famous Chichen Itza, one of the largest Mayan ruins in Latin America.

 

Though this region is somewhat off the beaten track, you won’t have to sacrifice luxury and comfort.  On our most recent visit, we had the opportunity to stay at several former historic haciendas which have been converted into luxurious boutique hotels.  Through carefully orchestrated renovations, the properties have retained much of their original character.  Former ranch buildings have been transformed into plush and spacious guest rooms with 25 foot ceilings, king sized beds, huge bathrooms, private terraces, and outdoor bathtubs.  Hacienda San Jose offers private “casitas,” free-standing bungalows that mimic the original Mayan dwellings of the area, complete with a platform bed hanging from ropes (the Mayans slept in hammocks, you know!).

 

Honeymooners, in particular, will appreciate the privacy and romance that the haciendas exemplify.  These charming abodes provide a perfect place to return to after a day of exploring ancient ruins, visiting colonial towns and hiking through the jungle.