The 10 Best Mainland U.S. Honeymoon Resorts of 2023

The urge to photograph every inch of your honeymoon might be too tough to bear if you’re at Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur’s iconic retreat that’s on bucket lists the world over. Breathtaking organic architecture features at this 39-room adults-only hotel that’s as splurge-worthy as any vacation spot ever could be. Oh, and Anne Hathaway was married here.

The 100 acres of Big Sur’s dramatic cliffs sprawl refined-rustic rooms, treehouses, and suites topped with wildflower-carpeted roofs, plus a couple of 104-degree infinity spas that produce views that could be actual heaven. There’s even a pool in the middle of a golden field.

The wellness element is strong: there’s morning yoga, couples’ massages, and even sound journey meditations. Hiking, stargazing, and whale watching are other fine pursuits while hanging among the towering redwoods.

There’s plenty to indulge in, too, when it comes to cuisine. The chef pulls produce straight from his organic garden for the beautiful plates at Sierra Mar, accentuated by top-of-the-world vistas and world-class wine.  

If a bucolic beach honeymoon is your ideal, Santa Barbara is perfection. This resort just 80 miles north of Los Angeles draws influences from all over the world—see the glamorous seaside southern Italian restaurant Caruso’s for its inspired marriage of local catch and ingredients with time-honored recipes—yet remains wholly Californian in feel.

A slightly preppy elegance pervades the flawlessly manicured resort, with an array of bright, bold rooms in which to laze. Go all out with a Beach House Suite, with a fireplace and patio that put you smack-dab in front of the Pacific’s rolling surf—and steps away from brisk morning walks on the beach or standup paddleboard jaunts.

There’s surfing, hiking, biking, and winery-hopping nearby, but the real pleasure comes from staying put, sunbathing around the scalloped-edge pool, and watching the sun go down in a blaze of glory with an expertly blended cocktail in hand. Oh, and spending afternoons in the Sense Spa bonding over your shared love of massage. 

Everyone from Miley Cyrus to Jason Statham and Kanye West adores this remote Utah retreat, and for good reason: It’s absolutely stunning. It's also one of the most romantic desert resorts in the U.S. Looking out to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, the resort is made up of luxuriously minimalist suites framing the dunes, plateaus and mountain ridges and, tented pavilions known as Camp Sarika that immerses guests even further in their breathtaking environs.

Amenity-wise it’s five stars all the way—personalized service and privacy on an A-lister level. The 600-acre property allows easy exploration of multiple national parks, Lake Powell, and many red slot canyons, too. The pool is something special: curving around a rock escarpment for a totally otherworldly and architectural effect.

Beyond lacing up your hiking shoes for days outside, the Aman Spa is a great place to spend a lot of time, especially in the flotation therapy pavilion, cold plunge, and yoga space. That is when you’re not having treatments inspired by the Navajo.

Seasonal menus in the dining room rift on local Native American cuisine (try the Spirit of the Journey tasting menu!), while there’s a fireside eatery for grilled dishes. Make indelible memories by horseback riding to the Chinle Site for a private meal capped off with performances by Navajo musicians and storytellers.

Tennessee may not sound like a natural honeymoon destination, but a 5,200-acre plot in the Great Smoky Mountains there makes a strong argument otherwise. Opened in 2019, Blackberry Mountain earned coveted Relais & Châteaux status before even opening, thanks to the reputation of its sister property, Blackberry Farm. Just 18 cottages, 14 treehouses, and six cabins and multi-bedroom homes including the Watchman Cabins (with reclaimed wood, floor-to-ceiling windows, and wood-burning stoves) and larger Stone Cottages, featuring private patios, soaking tubs, and fireplaces.

Excursions are original and hands-on; think picnics led by the chef and trailside cooking. Speaking of, at the heart of the culinary program are fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced locally. There’s a learning kitchen and arts and crafts space, plus an indoor rock-climbing wall and an outdoor infinity pool. The Nest spa is home to a sauna and dream-inducing spa treatments that pair beautifully with an afternoon outdoors hiking, tree climbing, fly fishing, mountain biking or even foraging for something that will enhance that next meal even more.

The Relais & Châteaux stamp of approval on this five-guest-room inn in Sonoma is like a heads-up indicating unbelievable food. But pair that with not one or two but three Michelin stars and you know you’re in for something special on the culinary side of things.

Couples who appreciate an incredible meal—or a whole honeymoon’s worth of delectable dishes—should book it to this five-acre farm made famous by its 11-course tasting menu (personalized and adaptable for each table, it’s worth mentioning). A full and fantastic breakfast is included each morning to start the day off right with playful plates influenced by chef Kyle Connaughton’s time in kitchens around the globe.

Excellent aesthetics extend beyond to the guest rooms featuring 14-foot ceilings with redwood beams and exposed brick (not to mention soaking tubs, rain showers, and heated floors), plus bespoke amenities designed to make each guest feel special and unique. 

Sedona’s vortexes are famous for giving off epic energy and drawing in couples seeking an inspired way to start their new chapter together. This luxury resort in Boynton Canyon is all about infusing an unmistakable desert spirit into every bit of the experience marked by Native American–influenced cuisine across several eateries (don’t miss the golden hour glowing rocks and sunsets with handcrafted cocktails).

The 218 guest rooms all have private decks and warm Southwestern decor, setting the tone for journeys out into the iconic red rocks for biking and hiking. The resort has 140-plus weekly activities encompassing art and adventure, so there’s no such thing as a dull moment. Plan on a full moon hike or stargazing with expert astronomers, and definitely set aside time to visit sister property Mii Amo’s award-winning spa for everything from enlightening daily morning ceremonies in the Crystal Grotto and Aura-Soma Relationship Readings to more traditional body treatments incorporating indigenous ingredients and mindful intentions. 

You don’t go to a place as beautiful as Santa Fe and not engage with your surroundings. Couples seeking adventure and customized experiences will find them at this boutique-sized, adobe-styled Four Seasons property set on 57 virgin acres in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo mountains—translation: lots of hiking opportunities abound, but there are also shops and galleries close by.

The starry night sky is something to behold, as is the bright blue daytime one by the infinity pool. The former dude ranch has lots on offer via its customizable Adventure By Design program, from mountain biking to rafting and smudging ceremonies to holistic spa treatments. There are horseback riding excursions and even an adventure architect for guided tours encompassing the culture, land, and history of the area.

Among just 65 rooms are casitas with deep soaking tubs and fireplaces and others boasting seriously awe-inspiring mountain vistas. By night savor local flavors at the fine-dining Terra restaurant, or take a seat around the fire with a cocktail at The Bar. 

If you thought you had to go to Tahiti or the Maldives to see a surreally turquoise body of water, think again! Miami’s South Beach is one of the prettiest pieces of coastline around, and the Setai, sitting right beside it, matches that natural beauty with attractive architecture (it’s in a restored 1936 Art Deco building) and design to boot.

Rooms, ocean suites, and a penthouse meld that original vibe with a Far East flair for super Instagrammable spaces for sleeping and lounging—see the three glittering pools and, of course, the serviced beachfront. The Asian-meets-American aesthetic translates to warm hospitality throughout, from the new Valmont Spa (where couples shouldn’t miss the restorative massages in suites fitted with steam rooms) to the pair of distinctive dining experiences, one celebrating Asian cultures and the other delivering beachfront wood-fired specialties.

Without going very far it’s possible to find a beach-lovers paradise in Southern California’s Terranea Resort, complete with rose petal turndown service, bubbly, and strawberries. One hundred and two acres give way to an award-winning golf course, countless immersive outdoor experiences (think guided hikes along the gorgeous Cali coastline, standup paddleboarding, archery, and even falconry), and a substantial wellness program.

Fitness classes and a renowned spa (go for the VIP ocean suite, where you’re given custom-embroidered monogrammed bathrobes to wear for Champagne after a bath and massage) round out the good-for-you amenities. But with eight total dining outlets, there’s a seriously mouthwatering emphasis on bright, bold, and locally sourced cuisine, too.

Foodies can take it a step further and head out with the executive chef to explore the off-site farmland or book a romantic picnic on the peninsula.  

If a tropical retreat with a relaxing atmosphere is your dream destination, look no further than Bungalows Key Largo. This resort in the Florida Keys is only for adults, and it's located inside a botanical garden featuring 1,000 feet of shoreline to enjoy your honeymoon without disruptions.

Book your bungalow for an all-inclusive stay with unlimited dining at any of the resort's six restaurants, beachside service, and premium alcoholic beverages. Enjoy laid-back attractions from Coconut Beach to the zen pool and beachside cabanas, or opt for activities like kayaking and snorkeling in addition to special events.