The Sweetest Excursion
The honeymoon is about an experience that's tailored to the bride and groom.
Sarah Jane Leming
MINI-MOONS
A mini-moon provides an inexpensive alternative for couples who can’t afford a full honeymoon. At the Wynn Las Vegas Resort, the list of activities are endless. Catch a show on the strip, relax at a spa or admire the original Picassos in the reception area. Rates range from $299 to $3,000. Another mini-moon option is the Hotel Park City in Utah. This cozy resort boasts three nearby ski resorts, a spa, fine dining, breath-taking views and golf. The hotel has 100 luxury suites with rates from $299 to $1,300 per night.
TROPICAL GETAWAYS
There are plenty of warmer options if you prefer the sun and surf. Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, located on a private island in the Florida Keys, has romantic amenities like indoor and outdoor showers, king-sized beds and private terraces in 30 oceanfront suites that range from $600 to $1,600. There’s also access to a dazzling menu and activities like snorkeling, sailing and windsurfing.
Cancun is far more than a spring break spot at Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa. Situated on a pristine beach, guests can swim in three interconnected pools and play tennis, volleyball or golf. The nearby Spa Del Mar offers world-class spa services in a 15,000-square relaxation center. At night, there’s world class dining and live entertainment. Rates vary from $200 to $1,500 per night.
OUR NEIGHBOR TO THE NORTH
For those who want to leave the country but can’t afford Paris, Canada and Mexico offer great getaways. Canada’s Fairmont Banff Springs is a historic Scottish castle that’s easy to get lost in and stunningly romantic. Located 90 miles west of Calgary, Banff rests amidst the Canadian Rockies, making it a great spot for ski and nature lovers. And when you’re finished skiing, heat up in the hot springs at the resort’s spa. Rates vary from $190 to $600 per night.
Newlyweds can also take in the natural delights of the region in the Four Seasons Resort in Whistler, British Colombia. Situated at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, the resort offers three-night ski packages starting at $1,350. During warm weather, guests can enjoy 18 holes at Nicklaus North Golf Course. With more than 250 guest rooms, the rustic resort is a great place for any nature-loving couple.
HONEYMOONING ABROAD
These days, many couples avoid traveling abroad because of the amount of time it takes to apply for a passport. But for couples willing to get passports and shell out more cash, there are places like Greece, Thailand and South Africa. Centered on 40 acres of land overlooking Mirabello Bay on Crete’s Northeast Coast, Elounda Beach Hotel and Villas have private terraces with wooden decks that overlook the sea. Many rooms and bungalows offer fireplaces, kitchenettes and private pools. It’s also a refined locale for boutique shopping, sailing, diving, spas and generally experiencing the lap of luxury. Rates range from 400 to 18,000 euros.
For a walk on the wild side, travel to Pezula Resort Hotel and Spa in Knysna, South Africa, situated along South Africa’s Garden Route 300 miles east of Cape Town. Studio and villa suites range from $540 to $730, and are furnished with furniture made from native wood, stone fireplaces and original African art. Enjoy horseback riding, golf, tennis, archery, canoeing and cricket on the 2,500-acre property between the Indian Ocean and the South African countryside.
At Trisara in Phuket, Thailand, suites range from $560 to $1,850 and villas vary from $1,400 to $6,000. This luxurious hotel is set among the cliffs overlooking the Andaman Sea, where guests can dive in or swim in the beachside pool. Each suite has a private infinity pool and sits amid a network of streams, waterfalls and more than 50 decorative pools. Guests can rejuvenate in the spa, party on a yacht or take a hike through the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park to the perennial Bang Pae waterfall. This exotic destination affords honeymooners a cultural and romantic getaway.
