#1 for Honeymoon
Lake Como, Italy · Five-Star . ***** · from EUR 2,400/night
"The 2022 De Santis family opening, World's 50 Best Hotels #1 in 2023, the most-decorated new honeymoon hotel of the decade."
9.9Room & Design
9.8Service
9.7Location
Why this rank, Passalacqua opened in July 2022 in Moltrasio on Lake Como, the De Santis family's restoration of the 1787 Villa Passalacqua. The property won the World's 50 Best Hotels #1 ranking in October 2023, the fastest new-hotel-to-#1 ascent in the award's history. 24 suites only across the historic main villa and the adjacent Casa al Lago, each suite individually designed in the De Santis family's restoration vocabulary. The Wagner Suite at 175 sq m is the property's flagship. The Salone Mosaico restaurant operates from the original 1787 mosaic-floored ballroom; the kitchen is led by Viviana Varese. The Spa occupies the property's vaulted lower-level rooms. The De Santis family also owns Grand Hotel Tremezzo (also on Lake Como) which gives Passalacqua guests access to the larger property's facilities. The lake-edge swimming pool and the boat dock are the property's principal honeymoon-photograph settings. Best for milestone honeymoons, anniversaries, and any trip where the lake-villa format is the trip's defining environmental signature.
Best room: Wagner Suite, 175 sq m, lake-facing private terrace.
#2 for Honeymoon
Maldives, Noonu Atoll · Ultra-luxury . ***** · from USD 4,500/night
"LVMH's Maldives flagship, 45 villas, the deepest service tenure in the Maldives by a meaningful margin."
9.8Room & Design
9.8Service
9.7Location
Why this rank, Cheval Blanc Randheli opened in 2013 on a private island in Noonu Atoll, the Maldives flagship of LVMH's Cheval Blanc collection. 45 villas across the island, 36 of them overwater, designed by Jean-Michel Gathy. The 25-minute seaplane transfer from Male is part of the experience. The property has held Forbes Five-Star recognition since 2015, and the staff-to-villa ratio approaches 4:1, the deepest in the Maldives. The four restaurants include Le 1947 (French fine dining, Forbes Five-Star Restaurant), Diptyque (Asian), and the Beach Club. The Cheval Blanc Spa across two overwater pavilions operates the most-developed spa program in the Maldives. The Owner's Villa (a separate 1,000 sq m island accommodation across two villas, accessible only by boat) is the flagship; the standard Garden Water Villa at 220 sq m is the most-requested honeymoon category. Best for honeymoon couples wanting the most-decorated Maldives experience available.
Best room: Owner's Villa, two villas, 1,000 sq m total, private island access.
#3 for Honeymoon
Maldives, North Male Atoll · Ultra-luxury . ***** · from USD 3,800/night
"The 130-villa Reethi Rah, the largest private island in the Maldives, six kilometres of coastline."
9.7Room & Design
9.7Service
9.6Location
Why this rank, One&Only Reethi Rah opened in 2005 on a 109-acre private island in North Male Atoll, the largest single-property private island in the Maldives. 130 villas across the island, both beach villas and overwater villas, with no two villas sharing direct sightlines. The Kerzner-led ownership has continued since opening; Forbes Five-Star recognition has been continuous. The six-kilometre coastline and twelve separate beaches on the same property are unique among Maldives resorts. Eight restaurants on the property, including Botanica (organic-Mediterranean), Reethi Bar, Tapasake (Japanese), and Vapor (rooftop). The Spa across multiple overwater pavilions operates the largest Maldives spa program. The Grand Sunset Residence at 1,300 sq m is the flagship; the Water Villa at 250 sq m is the most-requested honeymoon category. The largest-Maldives-island claim is structural: every other private-island Maldives resort uses a smaller landmass. Best for honeymoons where space and variety on a single island are priorities.
Best room: Grand Sunset Residence, 1,300 sq m, private beach.
#4 for Honeymoon
Venice, Italy · Palace-equivalent . ***** · from EUR 1,800/night
"Giuseppe Cipriani's 1958 Giudecca founding, LVMH-owned since 2019, the only Venice hotel with a pool and a private boat to San Marco."
9.6Room & Design
9.7Service
9.8Location
Why this rank, Belmond Hotel Cipriani opened in 1958 by Giuseppe Cipriani (of Harry's Bar fame) on Giudecca, the island across the lagoon from San Marco. LVMH acquired Belmond in 2019, with Cipriani as the portfolio's Italian flagship. 96 rooms and suites across the property, the only Venice luxury hotel with a heated swimming pool (Olympic-size, lagoon-facing) and the only with a dedicated private boat service to San Marco running on demand. Oro restaurant under chef Riccardo Canella holds one Michelin star. The Cip's Club operates as the rooftop bar with the most-photographed San Marco view from any Venice hotel. The Palazzo Vendramin (the property's smaller exclusive-use wing across the canal) operates as the honeymoon flagship at 12 suites. The Dogaressa Suite at 130 sq m faces the lagoon with private terrace. Best for honeymoon couples wanting Venice without the principal-island density.
Best room: Palazzo Vendramin (exclusive use), 12 suites across a private wing.
#5 for Honeymoon
Positano, Amalfi Coast · Five-Star . ***** · from EUR 1,500/night
"The Sersale family's 1951 Positano flagship, La Sponda's two Michelin stars, the iconic Positano honeymoon hotel."
9.6Room & Design
9.8Service
9.7Location
Why this rank, Le Sirenuse opened in 1951 by the Sersale family in their 18th-century Positano summer home; the family continues to own and operate the hotel across four generations. 58 rooms and suites across the cliff-set property, with every room facing the Mediterranean and the village rising behind. The Sersale family ownership and the property's Positano-village embedding (the family also runs Emporio Sirenuse retail and the Sirenuse Sport line) produce a stay format unlike any chain-owned competitor on the Amalfi Coast. La Sponda under chef Gennaro Russo holds two Michelin stars and operates from the property's most-photographed terrace setting (200 candles lit nightly). Aldo's Bar is the cocktail room. The Champagne and Oyster Bar on the rooftop runs sunset hour. The Master Suite at 75 sq m with private terrace facing the Mediterranean is the most-requested honeymoon category. Best for honeymoon couples wanting the iconic Positano cliff-village experience under continuous family ownership.
Best room: Master Suite, 75 sq m, Mediterranean-facing private terrace.
#6 for Honeymoon
Venice, Italy · Ultra-luxury . ***** · from EUR 2,200/night
"Aman's 2013 Venice opening, Palazzo Papadopoli on the Grand Canal, 24 suites only."
9.7Room & Design
9.7Service
9.7Location
Why this rank, Aman Venice opened in 2013 in the 16th-century Palazzo Papadopoli on the Grand Canal, the brand's first Italian urban hotel. 24 suites only across the historic palace, designed by Jean-Michel Gathy and Denniston Architects. The Aman service standard combined with the 16th-century frescoed interiors (the Tiepolo frescos in the dining room are original) produces a stay format unique to Venice. The property's two interior courtyards and the canal-edge dock are the principal honeymoon-photograph settings. The property holds two restaurants: Arva (Italian, with Tiepolo-frescoed ceiling) and the Garden Restaurant. Cocktails operate in the Piano Nobile and the Bar at Aman. The Palazzo Suite at 110 sq m faces the Grand Canal. The 2014 Clooney wedding (where George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin married at Ca' Farsetti with the Aman as base) cemented the property's honeymoon-wedding profile. Best for honeymoon couples wanting Venice with the Aman service language.
Best room: Palazzo Suite, 110 sq m, Grand Canal-facing.
#7 for Honeymoon
St-Barth, Caribbean · Ultra-luxury . ***** · from USD 3,000/night
"LVMH's Caribbean Cheval Blanc, Flamands Beach, the property anchored by Le Carrousel and the gourmet experience."
9.7Room & Design
9.6Service
9.7Location
Why this rank, Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France sits on Flamands Beach on the western end of St-Barthelemy. LVMH's Cheval Blanc acquired the original Isle de France property in 2013 and refurbished it across multiple phases through 2024. 40 villas and rooms across the property, most beachfront-facing, with the suite categories offering private pools. The St-Barth setting and the Cheval Blanc service standard combine to produce one of the Caribbean's most-decorated honeymoon stays. La Cabane (the casual beachfront restaurant) and Le Carrousel (signature dining) anchor the F&B program. The Spa across two pavilions runs Cheval Blanc's standardized treatments. The Beach Villa at 250 sq m with private pool is the most-requested honeymoon category; the Owner's Villa is the property's flagship. The seasonal closure runs September through mid-October; the high season runs December through April with peak rates during Christmas and New Year weeks. Best for Caribbean honeymoons with Cheval Blanc brand standards.
Best room: Beach Villa, 250 sq m, private pool, Flamands Beach.
#8 for Honeymoon
Paris, France · Palace . ***** · from EUR 1,800/night
"LVMH's 2021 Paris debut, the Samaritaine Pont-Neuf restoration, the only Right Bank Palace with Seine frontage."
9.8Room & Design
9.7Service
9.6Location
Why this rank, Cheval Blanc Paris opened in September 2021 in the restored Samaritaine Pont-Neuf building, the brand's first Paris property. 72 rooms and suites across the 1869 Belle Epoque building, with Peter Marino-led interiors. The property received Atout France Palace classification in 2023, two years post-opening, the fastest Palace recognition in the certification's history. The Seine frontage is unique among Right Bank Palace hotels. Plenitude under chef Arnaud Donckele holds three Michelin stars. The Dior Spa Cheval Blanc occupies two floors with the largest hotel pool in central Paris (30m x 7m). The four-restaurant program includes the Tout-Paris brasserie, Limbar (cocktails), and Le Tout-Paris on the rooftop. The Quintessence Suite at 200 sq m faces the Seine with private terrace. Best for honeymoon couples wanting Paris as the urban honeymoon and the freshest Palace product.
Best room: Quintessence Suite, 200 sq m, Seine-facing terrace.
#9 for Honeymoon
Kruger, South Africa · Ultra-luxury safari . ***** · from USD 3,200/person/night
"Singita's Sabi Sand flagship, Boulders Lodge and Ebony Lodge, the most-decorated safari honeymoon property in Africa."
9.7Room & Design
9.8Service
9.6Location
Why this rank, Singita Sabi Sand sits on a 45,000-acre private concession adjacent to Kruger National Park. Singita operates two main lodges on the concession: Boulders Lodge (12 suites in the river-rock-clad lodge) and Ebony Lodge (12 suites in a more-classical safari format). The Bailes family ownership has been continuous since the 1925 land acquisition; the lodges represent the family's 100-year safari heritage at its current-decade peak. Forbes Five-Star recognition is continuous across both Singita lodges. The full Singita safari experience combines twice-daily game drives (with private vehicles for honeymoon stays on request), the property's wine cellar (one of South Africa's deepest), the gym and yoga deck, and the in-suite plunge pools that face the bush directly. The Castleton Suite at Boulders Lodge is the flagship honeymoon accommodation. Pre- and post-safari extensions typically pair with Cape Town's Mount Nelson or One&Only Cape Town. Best for honeymoon couples wanting safari as the trip's principal cultural deposit.
Best room: Castleton Suite, river-rock-clad, private plunge pool facing bush.
#10 for Honeymoon
Paris, France · Palace . ***** · from EUR 1,400/night
"Oetker Collection's Faubourg Saint-Honore Palace, Epicure at three Michelin stars, the rooftop pool."
9.6Room & Design
9.8Service
9.6Location
Why this rank, Le Bristol Paris has held the 112 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore address since 1925, with Oetker Collection ownership and management since 1978. The 2009-2014 renovation added 38 rooms and the rooftop teak-decked pool. 188 rooms and suites across the heritage building with the largest private hotel garden in Paris at the property's interior courtyard. The Oetker Collection's family service standard produces named recognition by the second day. Epicure under chef Eric Frechon holds three Michelin stars, one of three Paris hotel restaurants at the three-star tier. 114 Faubourg holds two Michelin stars. The rooftop swimming pool runs heated year-round, one of few hotel pools in central Paris with a view. The Imperial Suite at 320 sq m is the flagship honeymoon accommodation; the Penthouse Eiffel Suite has direct Eiffel Tower view. Best for honeymoon couples wanting Paris with three-Michelin-star dining as part of the trip.
Best room: Imperial Suite, 320 sq m, courtyard view, private terrace.
#11 for Honeymoon
St-Tropez, France · Ultra-luxury . ***** · from EUR 2,800/night
"LVMH's 2019 St-Tropez opening, 30 suites only, the most-decorated Cote d'Azur honeymoon hotel."
9.7Room & Design
9.6Service
9.6Location
Why this rank, Cheval Blanc St-Tropez opened in June 2019, LVMH's first French Riviera property and the smallest Cheval Blanc by suite count. 30 suites only across the converted historic property on St-Tropez's old harbor, designed by Jean-Michel Wilmotte. The seasonal operation runs late April through October, with the property closing November through March. The Cheval Blanc service standard adapted to the Cote d'Azur summer-season format produces a honeymoon-trip register unique to the French Riviera. La Vague d'Or under chef Arnaud Donckele held three Michelin stars before the renovation; the post-renovation restaurant continues under Donckele's standards. The Beach Club runs lunch and pool-deck service. The Spa Guerlain occupies a dedicated space. The Penthouse Suite at 200 sq m with private terrace looking across St-Tropez harbor is the property's flagship. Best for honeymoon couples wanting St-Tropez summer with brand-standard service.
Best room: Penthouse Suite, 200 sq m, harbor-facing terrace.
#12 for Honeymoon
Santorini, Greece · Five-Star . ***** · from EUR 1,400/night
"The 2018 Canaves flagship in Oia, Auberge Resorts Collection, the most-decorated Santorini honeymoon hotel."
9.7Room & Design
9.7Service
9.7Location
Why this rank, Canaves Oia Epitome opened in 2018 as the third Canaves property in Oia and the family's contemporary flagship. The Chatzigeorgiou family has operated Canaves properties in Oia since 1986; Auberge Resorts Collection added Epitome to its portfolio in 2024. 27 suites and villas on the caldera-edge of Oia, each with private plunge pool of 8-18 square meters. The Oia village's western-tip position produces the most-direct Santorini sunset alignment available. Petra Tou Ilios restaurant operates from a 270-degree cliff-edge position. The Spa across two stone-vaulted floors uses traditional cave architecture. The Sapphire Villa at 180 sq m is the flagship, three bedrooms, private heated pool of 18 meters. The Auberge Premier loyalty program applies to stays. The seasonal operation runs late April through early November before the village closes for winter. Best for honeymoon couples wanting the iconic Santorini cliff-village format at its most-decorated.
Best room: Sapphire Villa, 180 sq m, 18-meter heated pool.
#13 for Honeymoon
Anguilla, Caribbean · Five-Star . ***** · from USD 1,800/night
"Belmond's Anguilla flagship, Maundays Bay, the Moroccan-Mediterranean villas on the white sand."
9.5Room & Design
9.6Service
9.7Location
Why this rank, Belmond Cap Juluca sits on Maundays Bay on Anguilla's western tip. The Moroccan-Mediterranean architecture (white-domed villas with arched colonnades) dates to the original 1980s development; Belmond acquired the property in 2017 and led a top-to-bottom renovation completed in 2019. 108 rooms and villas across the property, the largest being the Patio Villas at 290 sq m with private pools. The Anguillian sand at Maundays Bay is considered one of the Caribbean's whitest. Three restaurants on the property: Maundays Club (signature, beach-edge), Pimms (the lunch-and-dinner option facing the bay), and Cap Shack (casual). The Spa at Cap Juluca operates from a beachfront pavilion. The Beach Villa at 165 sq m is the most-requested honeymoon category. Anguilla's tax-free destination status and the LVMH-Belmond ownership combination produce service standards that exceed most Caribbean luxury hotels. Best for honeymoon couples wanting the Caribbean honeymoon format with the Anguilla beach quality.
Best room: Patio Villa, 290 sq m, private pool, Maundays Bay.
#14 for Honeymoon
Lake Como, Italy · Five-Star . ***** · from EUR 1,500/night
"The 2016 Patricia Urquiola-designed contemporary Lake Como property, Forbes Five-Star, the design-led Como alternative to the heritage hotels."
9.6Room & Design
9.6Service
9.5Location
Why this rank, Il Sereno Lago di Como opened in 2016 in Torno on Lake Como, designed entirely by Patricia Urquiola from the architecture through the in-room furniture. The Contreras family (also owners of Le Sereno in St-Barth) commissioned Urquiola to deliver a contemporary counter-program to Lake Como's heritage palace hotels (Villa d'Este, Tremezzo, Passalacqua). The result is 30 suites and villas in a modernist register unlike anything else on the lake. Berton al Lago restaurant under chef Andrea Berton holds one Michelin star. The Sereno Boat (a Riva Aquariva 33) operates as the property's private water taxi. The 110-square-meter infinity pool extends to the lake-edge with no horizon break. The Penthouse Suite with private rooftop and pool is the property's flagship. The smaller, contemporary scale produces a different honeymoon format from the larger heritage Como properties. Best for honeymoon couples wanting Lake Como with contemporary design over historic palace formality.
Best room: Penthouse Suite, private rooftop, lake view.
#15 for Honeymoon
Santorini, Greece · Five-Star . ***** · from EUR 1,000/night
"The Imerovigli Auberge Collection property, 21 suites, the most-expansive caldera views on Santorini."
9.5Room & Design
9.5Service
9.6Location
Why this rank, Grace Hotel Santorini sits in Imerovigli at 300 meters above sea level, the tallest cliff village on the caldera. The Auberge Resorts Collection has operated the property since 2018; Grace was the first Auberge property in Greece. 21 suites only, all caldera-direct, with the Imerovigli elevation producing the most-expansive caldera views on Santorini, broader than even the Oia properties south of Skaros Rock. Grace Restaurant under chef Andreas Tsiknias runs the property's signature program with Cycladic ingredients and French technique. The Champagne Lounge is the property's defining sunset ritual, with Champagne service at the cliff-edge pool deck nightly. The Grace Suite at 150 sq m has a 17-meter heated pool with west-facing sunset orientation. The smaller scale and the cliff-direct elevation differentiate Grace from the larger competing Imerovigli properties. Best for honeymoon couples wanting Imerovigli over Oia and the most-expansive caldera-view configuration.
Best room: Grace Suite, 150 sq m, 17-meter heated pool.
#16 for Honeymoon
Yogyakarta, Indonesia · Ultra-luxury . ***** · from USD 1,400/night
"Aman's 1997 Java property facing Borobudur, 36 suites on a private hillside, the contemplative-honeymoon trip."
9.6Room & Design
9.6Service
9.4Location
Why this rank, Amanjiwo opened in 1997 on a private hillside in Central Java facing the 9th-century Borobudur Buddhist temple. The Edward Tuttle-designed property is the only Aman property whose principal architectural reference is a UNESCO World Heritage Site visible from every suite. 36 suites across the hillside, each freestanding with private terraces, with the suite categories progressively closer to the central pool and dining areas. The property's restaurant program is contained within the central pavilion, with morning and evening menus drawing on Javanese ingredients refined through Aman's broader culinary standards. The pre-dawn Borobudur visit (where Amanjiwo guests can access the temple at sunrise before the public opens) is the property's defining cultural deposit. The Dalem Jiwo Suite is the property's flagship honeymoon category, with private pool. Best for honeymoon couples wanting a contemplative cultural-led honeymoon format distinct from beach or city stays.
Best room: Dalem Jiwo Suite, private pool, Borobudur-facing.
#17 for Honeymoon
Phuket, Thailand · Ultra-luxury . ***** · from USD 1,600/night
"Aman's 1988 founding property, Pansea Beach, the original Aman and the working honeymoon flagship of Phuket."
9.6Room & Design
9.7Service
9.5Location
Why this rank, Amanpuri opened in 1988 on Pansea Beach in Phuket as Adrian Zecha's first Aman property and the founding hotel of the Aman collection. 40 pavilions and villas on a coconut grove sloping to Pansea Beach, designed by Ed Tuttle. The property remains under Aman's current ownership (DLF and Vladislav Doronin) with operational continuity from the founding decade. The Amanpuri spa was the first dedicated wellness facility at any Aman property. Restaurants include The Restaurant (Italian-Mediterranean), Buabok (Thai pavilion overlooking the sea), and the Beach Club (lunch and casual). The 30-meter black-granite swimming pool is one of the most-photographed pools in Asia. The Garden Pavilion at 115 sq m is the standard honeymoon category; the Ocean Pavilions and the larger Villas offer private pools. The seasonal high runs December through March; the monsoon shoulder runs April through November. Best for honeymoon couples wanting Aman's founding-property heritage at Phuket scale.
Best room: Ocean Front Pool Villa, four bedrooms, private pool, sea-facing.
#18 for Honeymoon
Maldives, Laamu Atoll · Five-Star . ***** · from USD 1,800/night
"The only resort in Laamu Atoll, Six Senses brand standards, the surf-led Maldives honeymoon."
9.5Room & Design
9.6Service
9.5Location
Why this rank, Six Senses Laamu is the only luxury resort in Laamu Atoll, one of the southernmost Maldivian atolls, accessible by 50-minute domestic flight plus speedboat transfer. 97 villas across the property, both beach villas and overwater villas, with the property's environmental-led design (recycled materials, mangrove-restoration program, in-house marine biology) producing the most-developed sustainability program in the Maldives. The Six Senses brand standard combined with the remote-atoll positioning makes Laamu the working sustainability-led honeymoon answer. The Sip Sip restaurant operates the property's signature Cycladic-Mediterranean menu; Leaf serves organic and detoxifying meals; the Chill Bar runs the cocktail program. The Six Senses Spa runs the brand's standardized wellness program. The Two Bedroom Ocean Beach Villa at 380 sq m is the family flagship; the Ocean Water Villa with Pool at 180 sq m is the honeymoon category. The Laamu surf break (Yin Yang) is one of the Maldives's better surf spots. Best for honeymoon couples wanting Maldives with explicit environmental sustainability.
Best room: Ocean Water Villa with Pool, 180 sq m, private overwater pool.
#19 for Honeymoon
Phuket, Thailand · Five-Star . ***** · from USD 950/night
"Rosewood's 2017 Phuket opening, Emerald Bay, the design-led Phuket alternative to the legacy Aman and Trisara properties."
9.5Room & Design
9.5Service
9.4Location
Why this rank, Rosewood Phuket opened in November 2017 on Emerald Bay on Phuket's quieter eastern coast. 71 villas and suites across the property, designed by Bensley Design Studios with the Thai-vernacular architecture refined to Rosewood specification. The property anchored Phuket's contemporary luxury hotel cluster as the design-led counterpart to the heritage Amanpuri (1988) and Trisara (2004) properties. Forbes Five-Star recognition was granted in 2020. Restaurants: Ta Khai (Thai), Red Sauce (Italian), and The Mai (lobby restaurant) anchor the property. The Spa at Rosewood Phuket occupies a dedicated wellness pavilion with treatment rooms set in private gardens. The Pool Villas are the most-requested honeymoon category; the Pavilion Villa with private pool is the standard category. The seasonal high runs November through March; monsoon-shoulder operations run through the rest of the year. Best for honeymoon couples wanting Phuket with contemporary luxury rather than the heritage Aman format.
Best room: Pavilion Pool Villa, private pool, ocean-view from cliff position.
#20 for Honeymoon
Maldives, Baa Atoll · Five-Star . ***** · from USD 2,400/night
"Four Seasons' Baa Atoll flagship, 103 villas, the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the manta-ray sanctuary at Hanifaru Bay."
9.6Room & Design
9.7Service
9.5Location
Why this rank, Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru sits in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, on a 44-acre private island. 103 villas across the island, both beachfront and overwater, with the property's nine-restaurant program one of the deepest in the Maldives. The 30-minute seaplane transfer from Male is part of the experience. The Baa Atoll's Hanifaru Bay (the world's largest manta-ray sanctuary, eight kilometres from the property) provides the seasonal June-November snorkel-and-dive program. The Sense Spa and the on-property marine biology lab (the brand's resident science program with rotating research projects) define the property's wellness and environmental positioning. The Two Bedroom Beach Villa at 350 sq m is the family flagship; the Two Bedroom Water Villa is the honeymoon-pair flagship at 320 sq m. The property's Four Seasons brand-standard service combined with the Baa Atoll's biological richness produces a Maldives honeymoon format distinct from the smaller-scale private-island resorts. Best for honeymoon couples wanting Maldives with active marine programming.
Best room: Two Bedroom Water Villa, 320 sq m, two-person plunge pool, overwater.