The ideal end to the trip of a lifetime, Social & Personal Weddings bring you a selection of the quirkiest and coolest spots worldwide for jet setting honeymooners.
Nihiwatu Resort, Indonesia
If you’re searching for your own little private paradise, then look no further than the Marangga Wave Front Villas at the Nihiwatu Resort. Situated on one of Indonesia’s least developed islands, this luxury resort offers complete seclusion for newlyweds to enjoy the perfect romantic escape. Each of the four wavefront villas here comprises of one bedroom with jaw-dropping views of the idyllic Indian ocean, a private garden, outdoor shower, bathtub, outdoor dining and lounge area, terrace and decking complete with your very own private plunge pool. These villas also offer an outdoor bale complete with mosquito net where couples can sleep under the stars if they so wish.
Giraffe Manor, Kenya
An intimate boutique hotel, Giraffe Manor is part of The Safari Collection set upon 12 acres of private land within 140 acres of indigenous forest in the Langata suburb of Nairobi. This beautiful, stone house offers 10 bedrooms, but the main attraction here has to be the herd of exquisite Rothschild giraffe who roam the estate and regularly drop by to say hello, poking their beautiful long necks in the windows in the hope of a treat. Couples can book a stay here for just a night or two at the end of their trip, or as part of a complete tailor-made safari with The Safari Collection.
Thesafaricollection.com/properties/giraffe-manor
Azulik, Tulum
The perfect spot for a romantic getaway, this mesmerizing eco-hotel offers 48 wooden-crafted villas which are in perfect harmony with the Mayan jungle and the Caribbean Sea, offering spectacular 360-degree views. With no light or television (romantic candlelight shows the way by night), a stay at Azulik allows guests the opportunity to switch off from the outside world and reconnect with Mother Nature. Take in the unforgettable sunsets at KIN TOH, their restaurant built on stilts 39 feet above the Mayan jungle.
Levin Iglut, Finland
Behold the beauty of the northern lights in one of Levin Iglut’s 18 glass igloos. Located on the slope of a fell at a height of 340 metres, marvel at the uninterrupted views in the luxury of these unique hideaways. Each igloo has a kitchenette complete with breakfast sets, a double bed with adjustable headrests for your aurora viewing along with a full bath. The windows are all insulated with curtains for privacy. Create the ideal cosy night in with your own fireplace in the small, rustic lodge or if you’re brave enough, experience the stars from the outdoor hot tub.
Kingston Treehouse at Lion Sands Game Reserve, South Africa
Set amidst the untouched beauty of picturesque South Africa, the Kingston Treehouse at the Lions Sands Game Reserve is true isolation for newlyweds looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. With no electricity, your own private treehouse is accessed by drawbridge with the only communication possible via radio to the nearby lodge. Enjoy your own gourmet picnic under the stars and by day, make the most of the uninterrupted views which this private hideaway has to offer. With no fences between the reserves, guests can enjoy numerous opportunities of regular wildlife spotting as the game roam the area freely.
Udang House at Bambu Indah Hotel, Bali
A unique private suite, the Udang House at Bambu Indah Hotel allows guests to enjoy a stunning underwater panorama thanks to their tempered glass floor panels above a natural pond. Offering incomparable views, the hotel looks out over the Ayung River, a Hindu temple and multiple volcanic ridges surrounding Mount Batu Kau. Guests make their way from the bamboo reception area to their private suite via stone paths. Once settled, couples can lounge on their private porch, soaking in the majestic views with the peaceful bubbling from the fountain as a soothing soundtrack. For those looking to reconnect with nature, an outdoor shower is just what the doctor ordered.
Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur
Built in 1743 as a summer escape for the royal dynasty of Mewar, the palace was converted into a hotel in the 1960s. One of the world’s most romantic destinations, the palace floats on the waters of Lake Pichola with breath-taking 360-degree views. Home to 65 luxurious rooms and 18 grand suites, the Taj Lake Palace was a key location in the Bond film Octopussy where the exceptional levels of glamour and decadence were apparent to all. And in keeping with its heritage, you can indeed be expected to be treated like royalty when staying here with round the clock butler service and on-demand water taxis to the city pier.
The Secret Treehouse, Australia
With just enough space for two, The Secret Treehouse is nestled in the tree-tops of the Blue Mountains complete with spa, kitchenette, a queen bed and fireplace. The floor to ceiling windows offer compelling views of the deep Bowen’s Creek gorge and the rare Blue Mountains rainforest. Couples can breathe in the fresh air while soaking up the views from their balcony or curl up in front of the fire after a long, relaxing bath. Total relaxation.
Lovecabins.com.au/Tree-House.aspx
Liberty Hotel, Boston
Formerly the Charles Street jail, residents at the Liberty Hotel can expect a much more comfortable stay these days. Converted into a luxury 298 room hotel in 2007, this charming building has incorporated many features of the old jail showcasing parts of the original structure, including the wrap-around catwalks on the upper floors. Guests here can dine inside remnants of the original jail cells at the hotel’s restaurant, Clink, or enjoy a beverage in their Alibi bar which once served the purpose of the jail’s drunk tank. The hotel also offers 18 rooms which feature real parts of the original jail for those looking for the real prisoner experience.
Treehouse Lodge Resort, Iquitos, Peru
What better way to experience the wonders of the Amazon than high in the rainforest canopy, sleeping in the tops of the same trees that are home to a variety of monkeys and tropical birds. While a treehouse stay may require a little extra exercise, the experience will more than makeup for this. We recommend newlyweds to request The Cradle treehouse for optimum seclusion. Each treehouse is equipped with showers, sinks, toilets and are enclosed in a mosquito mesh but walkie-talkies are located in each bungalow for those wishing to contact the main lodge. Guests can also avail of excursions to see Amazonian plant life and wildlife, such as macaws or pink dolphins.
Muraka, Maldives
Opening at the end of last year, The Muraka is the world’s first underwater hotel villa. Located 16 feet below sea level in the picturesque Maldives, the two-level hotel room offers panoramic views both above and below sea level. Fall asleep surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean where the glass walls offer panoramic views of fish swimming overhead. The two-level villa comes with a butler and private chef along with an on-call fitness trainer, spa treatments and two jet skis. Promising a unique experience unavailable anywhere else in the world, it doesn’t come cheap - a night here is priced at an eye-watering $50,000, we can but dream!
Conradmaldives.com/stay/the-muraka
The Ice Hotel
Offering a once in a lifetime opportunity, the Ice Hotel in Sweden is a combination of hotel and art exhibition, made from a combination of ice and snow. Guests are given the option between staying in a cold room or a warm room, the cold rooms are hand-carved by artists from around the world and hold a temperature of between -5 and -8 degrees. Guests sleep on a bed carved from ice, covered in reindeer hides and a thermal sleeping bag is placed on top of these (thermal clothes are a must here!). Featuring the bare minimums, changing rooms, toilets and your belongings are all stored in a warm building adjacent to the cold rooms to avoid everything freezing. Guests are recommended to book one night in a cold room, followed by another in a warm room to reap the benefits from this unusual concept.
- Alexandra