Picking the perfect honeymoon is no easy feat—countless romantic destinations, endless hotel options, limited vacation time and the struggle-is-real challenge of finding the perfect place to please both you and your new spouse. Where to begin? Well, right here. BRIDES teamed up with the A-list agents at Virtuoso—a global network of more than 15,000 luxury-travel specialists—to find the most romantic, luxe hot spots in the world. Whether you're looking for bucket-list hotels and resorts, far-flung beaches, the top cruise lines for couples, inexpensive honeymoon ideas or unexpected honeymoon-worthy locales, you’ve come to the right spot. Presenting our 2017 Honeymoon Awards—dive in to see the best resorts in Africa and the Middle East!
1. One&Only Cape Town, South Africa
It’s no coincidence that well-traveled couples choose to start (or end) their South Africa safari with a few days at this sprawling 133-room resort. First, there are the panoramic views of Table Mountain—that majestic 3,558-foot plateau overlooking the city. Then there’s the location, on the Victoria & Albert Waterfront, with hip shopping hubs like the Watershed and cultural musts like the new Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa. And let’s not forget the spa, set on its own private island. (Rooms from $690; oneandonlyresorts.com)
2. Singita Sabi Sand, Kruger National Park, South Africa
South Africa is renowned for its high concentrations of big game. And staying in a privately owned game reserve, like Singita Sabi Sand—which operates three lodges in its 45,000-acre game reserve adjacent to Kruger National Park—means you'll get many more animal sightings with fewer human interference out in the bush. The first, Ebony Lodge—Singita's hallmark property, which opened in 1993—channels Out of Africa with its khaki tents, four-poster canopy beds, and rattan rugs. Boulders Lodge, meanwhile, embodies the surrounding natural landscape with indoor-outdoor living accommodations and stone and wood fixtures. At Castleton, couples can experience a traditional African farmhouse; the property is home to six cottages, a swimming pool, and tennis courts. (Rooms from $1,751 per person per night, all-inclusive; singita.com)
3. Singita Kruger National Park, South Africa
As one of the largest game reserves on the continent, Kruger National Park is filled with dozens upon dozens of South Africa safari camps. But go further afield, to a remote section near the Mozambique border, and that's where you'll find Singita Lebombo and Singita Sweni Lodges, two more ultra-luxe Singita properties. The 33,000-acre private concession features pristine wilderness and rivers teeming with wildlife. Each camp is perched high above the bush, so expect animal sightings from your private suite—especially when you request the star bed experience, where your mattress is moved to an outdoor deck surrounded by a dense canopy of trees. (Rooms from $1,844 per person per night, all-inclusive; singita.com)
4. Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, South Africa
Looking for a traditional colonial-style lodge? Try Selati Camp. If your vibe is more one-with-Mother-Nature, there's none better than Earth Lodge. And for those in the market for purist Africa, take your pick between Bush Lodge and Little Bush Camp. The four hallmark properties within Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve have their own appeal, but no matter where you choose to post up, expect unbelievable sightings on four-hour game drives and delicious African barbecue for dinner. (Rooms from $575 per person, all-inclusive; sabisabi.com)
5. La Mamounia, Marrakech, Morocco
Few honeymoon destinations are as romantic as Marrakech, with its desert surroundings, bustling markets, mouth-watering cuisine (the tagines are not to be missed), and over-the-top hotels. The best among them: La Mamounia, a stunning resort property, just outside the medinas, that's hosted everyone from Charlie Chaplin to Gwyneth Paltrow, as well as been the location for destination weddings by the likes of Hannah Bronfman and Poppy Delevingne. Take your pick among 135 rooms, 71 suites, and three riads (three-bedroom villas with their own terrace and heated swimming pool) and spend your days indulging in a traditional hammam treatment or lounging by the indoor and outdoor pools. At night, take a seat in the gardens under millions of North African stars. (Rooms from $649; lamamounia.com)
See more: Exclusive: Hannah Bronfman and Brendan Fallis Are Married!
6. Amanjena, Marrakech, Morocco
Each corner of Amanjena is thoughtfully considered, from the zen-like setting outside of Marrakech (overlooking the Atlas Mountains) to the traditional Arab bassin in the marble-filled entryway and the keyhole arches found throughout the resort, a nod to the destination's Moorish and Arabian heritage. Spend your days haggling with street vendors in the city's Djemaa el Fna square, relax by the pool, or stroll hand-in-hand through the olive groves. (Doubles from $638; aman.com)
7. andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Tanzania
To find andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, you'll have to go 7,900 feet above sea level to the rim of the namesake collapsed volcano in northern Tanzania. But the trip will prove well worth it once you embark on game drives in a protected area teeming with wildlife. And once you lay eyes on your thatched bungalow—one of 30 divided among three separate camps—outfitted with Persian carpets, teak paneling, hand-beaded chandeliers, gilded mirrors, and silk drapes. Talk about honeymoon digs. (Rooms from $473; andbeyond.com)
8. Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa
With sweeping views of iconic Table Mountain, the Belmond Mount Nelson sets the standard for luxury hotels in Cape Town, the crown jewel of South Africa. Sugar-pink on the outside, luxe yet comfortable on the inside, the Mount Nelson provides a quiet refuge for honeymooners on their way to or from safari. (It was also a favorite of Nelson Mandela.) Book a renovated guest room in the main building (interiors maven Alexandra Champalimaud oversaw the redesign) or a garden bungalow for more privacy and quicker access to the stunning outdoor pool. (Rooms from $473; belmond.com)
9. Burj al Arab Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
You'd be hard pressed to find a more over-the-top honeymoon destination than Dubai. And the Burj al Arab Jumeirah—set on a man-made island in the Arabian Gulf—definitely tops them all. The 202 rooms are outfitted in crystal chandeliers, 24K-gold accents, thirty different types of marble, and custom-made carpets from South Africa and India. And there's a floating pool complex, nine restaurants and bars, a spa and fitness center, a private beach, and even a helipad. (Rooms from $2,700; jumeirah.com)
10. Belmond Eagle Island Lodge, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Northern Botswana's UNESCO-designated Okavango Delta is one of the most wildlife-rich destinations in Africa, owing to its diverse landscapes that include mainland areas, floodplains, islands, and endlessly changing channels, tributaries, and lagoons. In the heart of it all is Belmond Eagle Island Lodge, set on a private island in the middle of the delta. Fresh off a 10-month renovation, the lodge strikes a bold contrast to its thatched-roof neighbors. Each of the 12 tented rooms has a private plunge pool, outdoor shower, spacious deck, and shiny copper-finished headboard—luxe finishes that elevate life in the bush to a whole new level. As does the menu of organic grilled-watermelon-and-feta salad and kudu minute steak in a port wine sauce. (Rooms from $770 per person, all-inclusive; belmond.com)
Subscribe to BRIDES now for the best wedding dresses, advice, and big-day inspiration.
