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Courtesy of Accor Hotels
Courtesy of Accor Hotels

Romantic Hotels in Cartagena’s Old City

Honeymoon Spots, Hotels We Love | Written by Susan

Earlier this year I was lucky enough to be a speaker at the Love Colombia conference in Cartagena, Colombia. Though this Central American city had long been high on my must-visit list, I had never made it there before. After spending five days exploring Cartagena’s romantic hotels and meeting with the city’s top tourism and event pros, I know firsthand what I’ve been missing, and I’m certain I’ll be back again! Located on the southern edge of the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena was founded in the 16th century, and today the historic Old City is a designated UNESCO Heritage Site. The historic stone walls (originally built to repel invaders)Learn more

Courtesy of Blue Diamond
Courtesy of Blue Diamond

Globetrotter: Bernadette Smith of Gay Wedding Institute on Why She Loves Riviera Maya

Honeymoon Spots | Written by Susan

Our friend Bernadette Smith has long been a leader in same-sex weddings. She started planning same-sex weddings in 2004 with her company 14 Stories, and has written three books on the topic. When legalization began sweeping across the country, she wanted to bring her passion and knowledge to other planners. So in 2009 she founded the Gay Wedding Institute, which works with individual planners and travel corporations like Marriott, teaching them all how to best serve their same-sex clientele. Bernadette travels a lot for work, educating on same-sex wedding planning, but when she needs a break, Riviera Maya, Mexico isLearn more

Courtesy of Ashford Castle
Courtesy of Ashford Castle

Best Honeymoon Picks from Virtuoso Travel Week

Honeymoon Spots, Travel Tips | Written by Susan

I just got back from an exhilarating Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas. Virtuoso is the world’s leading luxury travel network: the best hotels, cruise lines, tour companies and other travel companies undergo a strict vetting policy before they are allowed to join, ensuring the highest level of quality across the Virtuoso brand. It’s just as exclusive on the travel advisor side; we have to pass the rigorous standards to be a part of Virtuoso, and through that we’re able to offer our clients unique perks and extras that aren’t available to the general public. Virtuoso is considered the “best of the best” inLearn more

Talking Bora Bora Honeymoons on Style Me Pretty

Honeymoon Spots, Press, Travel Tips | Written by Susan

When it comes to honeymoons, one place towers above the rest: Bora Bora. It’s one of our favorite places, for sure; every time we fly into Bora Bora Airport and get that first glimpse of the stunning blue-green waters, our hearts melt. Add in the fact that the airport sits on an island and is only accessible by boat…well, you have a magical experience from the very start. When our friends at the uber-fab Style Me Pretty asked us share our favorite things about Bora Bora, we were honored to share! Check out the story here. If you’re thinking of an overwater honeymoon, we’d love to help you create the ultimateLearn more

Casa Palopo at Lake Atitlan
Casa Palopo at Lake Atitlan

A Secret Honeymoon Villa in Guatemala

Honeymoon Spots, Hotels We Love | Written by Susan

Most visitors to Guatemala head straight to the historic capital Antigua and leave it at that, but you’re missing out if you don’t head into the highlands. Lake Atitlan is the deepest lake in Central America; think Lake Tahoe only surrounded by rural villages and the Sierra Madres instead of the Rockies. It’s a three-hour drive from Guatemala City by car, or 30 minutes by helicopter (which is how the wealthy Guatemalans do it; many of them have second homes here). One of these homes has been turned into the sweetest boutique hotel, ideal for honeymoons or buyout weddings. Casa Palopo is a former villa-turned-9-room hotel,Learn more

plunge pool suite at MAIA Resort in Seychelles
plunge pool suite at MAIA Resort in Seychelles

Is This The Sexiest Honeymoon Resort in Seychelles?

Honeymoon Spots, Hotels We Love | Written by Susan

We don’t like to make blanket statements, and there are a lot of amazing resorts in the Indian Ocean. But for honeymoons, it’s hard to beat this one. First of all, there’s the setting. MAIA Luxury Resort & Spa sits on its own peninsula in a marine preserve, so the views are second to none.   The digs are pretty sweet, too. The resort has 30 standalone villas, each with its own plunge pool. They’re centered around a main pool area with pool bar and pristine white-sand beach.   There are only two room categories: Signature Villa and Ocean Panoramic Villa. The main diference is whereLearn more

Hammock at Carlisle Bay Hotel, an all inclusive resort in the Caribbean
Hammock at Carlisle Bay Hotel, an all inclusive resort in the Caribbean

Beachfront boutique hotel on Antigua

Honeymoon Spots, Hotels We Love | Written by Susan

If you’re a beach-lover, you should know about Antigua; the island claims to have 365 (“one for every day of the year”). Carlisle Bay sits one a beautiful one, small and tucked inside a deep cove that’s bookended by bluffs. The limited access means you don’t encounter people from other hotels — the vibe is private and serene, which is different from so many beachfront hotels. Guestrooms sit in three-story, cottage-style buildings along the beach. Interiors are the same size and style whatever category you’re in: all junior suites with airy living areas, private patios, and extra-deep soaking tubs. That said, the best for honeymooners are the OceanLearn more

Courtesy of Blancaneaux Lodge
Courtesy of Blancaneaux Lodge

Sexy Jungle Hideout in Belize

Honeymoon Spots, Hotels We Love | Written by Susan

We love Belize as an off-the-beaten path honeymoon spot. It’s close (just below Mexico) and easy to get to, with plentiful connections from the U.S. The offshore islands like Ambergris Caye and Robert’s Caye are reknowned for snorkeling and diving, but if you stick to the coast you miss half of the country’s beauty. That’s why we suggest combining beach time with jungle time at one of our fave romantic hotels, Blancaneaux Lodge. We fell in love with this hotel on our first trip to Belize, almost 10 years ago. It’s set in the Cayo District in northwest Belize, home to ancient Mayan ruins, cave systems ideal for climbing andLearn more

Pool reflection at Howie's Homestay on a Chiang Mai honeymoon
Photo by Laura Grier

Globetrotter: Thailand’s Coolest Honeymoon Hotel

Honeymoon Spots, Hotels We Love | Written by Susan

The latest rage in travel is private homes-turned-hotels. No, not Airbnb — we’ll save that debate for another post. This a whole other caliber: fully-vetted exquisite private homes that give you the run of the place along with top-notch hotel style services. One of the best is Howie’s HomeStay, in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Our pal Laura Grier of Beautiful Day Photography and Wanderlust by Laura Grier recently stayed there, and sent us these gorgeous images and some thoughts on the experience. “Recently, I went on a wild 5-week world tour photographing two weddings, two engagement shoots and two National Geographic/NOVICA catalog shoots. During this epic adventure, I stayed for 5 days inLearn more

Courtesy of Palmetto Bluff

Romantic Destination Wedding Resort in South Carolina

Destination Weddings, Honeymoon Spots, Hotels We Love | Written by Susan

Today’s travel pick is from one of our favorite photographers, Donna Von Bruening. She travels the world shooting weddings but specializes in the place she calls home: The South. Here is the romantic resort she frequents in her down time. It’s one our our favorites, too, especially for destination weddings! “My job as a Savannah-based destination wedding photographer takes to me to finest resorts across the South but one in particular owns my heart: Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, SC. Not only do I work there often, shooting gorgeous destination weddings, but it’s one of the few places I return to regularlyLearn more

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