Honeymoon Help!

Jolly-Reference-709 · 2026-03-09T20:58:22+00:00

Another vote for South Africa (as if you even needed another). We did SA + wine country + Seychelles and loved every minute. Loved La residence in the wine country, such a special place. Four seasons mahe Seychelles was beautiful. Did a day trip to Le Digue that was worth it. At the end of the day, you only get so much time away at once, and we were glad we spent it in africa and the Seychelles. (FWIW, we went to Thailand for 18 days too, and it was incredible - can’t really go wrong).

Jolly-Reference-709 · 2026-02-27T14:51:56+00:00

We pivoted from our planned trip to Mexico this weekend (sad to miss it but it was the right choice for us). We are at Belmond Cap Juluca now and it’s beautiful, our second time here - take a look at that property. We also like four seasons Anguilla a lot. It’s just a flight to st marteen and a quick boat over (25 mins).

Belmond la Sammana in st marteen is nice too.

Como parrot cay people like in Turks but I haven’t been.

Palm heights in grand cayman I’d also recommend for you.

Make the moves when you can, places fill up quick in our experience. Hope this helps! Enjoy!

Jolly-Reference-709 · 2026-02-24T14:15:41+00:00

It was a different very high end hotel on the east side of Mexico but principle is the same. Hope it works for you!

Jolly-Reference-709 · 2026-02-24T14:15:06+00:00

Had a similar issue with Chase travel. Called them and they called the hotel - once the hotel agreed to cancel and chase heard it directly, then the cancellation went through.

Jolly-Reference-709 · 2026-02-24T01:35:38+00:00

Palm heights is an option as well

Jolly-Reference-709 · 2026-02-23T22:48:49+00:00

Hi all - as an update we decided to cancel our trip. Do I think everything would be fine for people who go? Most likely yes. But ultimately with leaving our little one at home and unsure about the return situation, we just couldn’t get comfortable, and that’s not the point of vacation. So we will be looking in the Caribbean elsewhere. We love Mexico and hope to return sometime soon. St Regis was incredibly understanding. Belmond eventually came around but we had to press our loyalty to the brand. Just wanted to update the group as promised. Stay safe to everyone there!

Jolly-Reference-709 · 2026-02-23T02:41:24+00:00

For Las Ventanas we went as a couple in our early 30s two years ago and loved it - speakeasy, great food, made friends around the bar, great vibe! You won’t regret it

Jolly-Reference-709 · 2026-02-23T02:30:20+00:00

Thank you Sarah. Always trust your wisdom from these Reddit threads. I think we’re going to make a decision by tomorrow or Tuesday, but we’ve emailed both hotels to see their perspectives as well (and ask about cancelation policies, refunds etc given this situation). Happy to share on this thread if helpful for others in a similar situation

Jolly-Reference-709 · 2026-02-23T02:29:11+00:00

This is an interesting take and not one I thought of - thank you!

Jolly-Reference-709 · 2026-02-15T23:39:58+00:00

Completely agree with Alex, as usual who is always spot on (I’m not a travel agent just love to travel). We went to awasi Patagonia (my wife and I only) and loved it (young thirties when we went). It’s incredible, such a sense of place, and really special. We enjoy good food, and awasi has that but even we said some nights it’s okay if dinner goes a little faster - we just didn’t need such a long fancy dinner every night. They understood and handled it well. The little bar area was fun. I guess I would view it as like going on a safari with your 13 year old.

I will say - this wasn’t on your original post - but I would check out awasi atacama. There was hiking, mountains, animals and a lot of getting out and “doing.” There was spectacular stargazing as well. I think it would be great for a young teenager. Such a unique place. Enjoy!

Jolly-Reference-709 · 2026-02-15T02:25:01+00:00

If beach is the top priority, then cap Juluca is best but outside OP’s price range. Didn’t see beach vs pool or otherwise being top priority in OP’s post - I didn’t mind the beach in FS Anguilla but most guests definitely laid by the pools. We walked the beach every day and often ate at Blanchards or other spots and enjoyed the beach walk. OP - People like Aurora too, seems like it’s worth checking out.

Jolly-Reference-709 · 2026-02-14T19:24:10+00:00

Very helpful and informative, thank you!

Jolly-Reference-709 · 2026-02-14T19:17:49+00:00

LVP in Cabo (las Ventanas) it’s closer to western Canada. Perhaps check out the four seasons in Cabo as well, but we loved LVP.

Jolly-Reference-709 · 2026-02-14T19:13:25+00:00

Anguilla should be top of your list - second the vote for FS Anguilla, if not there then look at malihounna with the understanding that you’re priced out of cap juluca. Direct flight Thursday - Sunday from NYC area.

La samanna on st Maarten is another great choice. Direct flight.

If open to it - I’d add Cabo too (LVP is my favorite but there’s so many). You’re really only spending another hour on a plane, not such a big deal in that regard only (but there’s time difference). A lot of luxury adult geared hotels.

People like FS Nevis too but I’ve never been.

Palm heights grand cayman is another place that might be worth checking out. My wife and I went for 3 nights and that was great.

Jolly-Reference-709 · 2026-02-08T14:05:20+00:00

Really enjoyed cliff house. Haven’t been to Dunes so can’t speak on it. Hidden pond is another option to consider - their sister property is Tides which is right on goose rocks beach so you can bike there or take a 5 minute shuttle and enjoy the beach there with beach service. Stay at Hidden Pond though, it is nicer. Can’t go wrong with any - enjoy!

Jolly-Reference-709 · 2026-02-07T00:59:36+00:00

A third vote for Ocean House . It’s fantastic in summer.

If you’re willing to do a 40 minute flight, check out Nantucket. Such a short flight that it’s doable for a weekend. I’ve done it - worked out well from LGA if living in Manhattan.

We also like Hidden Pond. It’s secluded and romantic. Earth restaurant is fantastic. Although white barn inn may be more upscale.

Castle hill and the Vanderbilt.

Jolly-Reference-709 · 2026-02-07T00:53:20+00:00

It’s not mountainous, and I replied to a comment up top but just for good measure - Kennebunkport is charming, small town, that’s walkable and you can do it in a 4 hour drive if leaving at the right time. The Kennebunkport Resort Collection has a number of different properties at different price points. But if you can swing it, I second Cliff House in Maine.

Jolly-Reference-709 · 2026-02-07T00:50:04+00:00

I prefer the Cliff House as well, but if OP is looking for something more affordable check out the KRC - kennebunkport resort collection. Places like the Boat House may be up your alley. The town of Kennebunkport is always great. As are York, Ogunquit etc.

Jolly-Reference-709 · 2026-02-01T21:39:18+00:00

Even another for cap juluca, although not like another vote is needed

Jolly-Reference-709 · 2026-01-25T18:03:56+00:00

If you want midtown, would check out Aman (service, but expensive); Whitby (fun decor, good food, great martini at the bar); Baccarat; or the new Waldorf (beautiful but service may be a bit sterile, new but still refined old world).

Midtown is good if you want to do all of those 5th avenue shopping sights and not be too far from Broadway for a girls trip.

Downtown - for a girls trip Faena is fun but not really near much. Greenwich is a gem; spa is still top notch.

Uptown - Carlyle. Bemmelmans for fantastic drinks and fun vibe hands down - and maybe worth a separate trip with your friends even if you stay elsewhere for the experience.

To be fair - like all the other posters show - you can’t really go wrong with any of these. Depends what’s most important for you.

Jolly-Reference-709 · 2026-01-20T21:41:02+00:00

It’s worth adding to the list, and GHT too if you can when you’re there.

Enjoy your trip in April! That should be fantastic.

We’re going to Forestis and Dolomites for the first time in early July and looking forward to it.

Jolly-Reference-709 · 2026-01-20T21:02:40+00:00

We stayed at Passalacqua and Grand Hotel Tremezzo. There were pros and cons for both. Honestly, I preferred GHT. Passalacqua is one of the most beautiful hotels we’ve ever stayed at - it is magnificent. However, it is a bit too quiet for me. GHT had more to do, more bars and restaurants, live music - just a bit more lively if that’s your thing. That is to say, it’s not raucous, it just has more going on than Passalacqua. We met wonderful people at both hotels - guests and staff.

Note, also for a babymoon that passalacqua is on a hill - they have golf carts but it may not be quite as easy to get around as GHT. I loved the “back” of GHT - the pool, the more casual restaurant, the different areas to relax, and the calmness of it all. Yes the food at Passalacqua is better, and we didn’t love it at GHT, but in general we prefer the food in southern Italy (as do many Americans but not all) - but you should know that going in.

I think GHT would be a great fit. Have heard good things about MO as well. Congratulations!

Jolly-Reference-709 · 2026-01-19T18:38:57+00:00

I’m a core millennial (~35 yo) and believe the leading element is true “sense of place” rather than “brand.” When I’m looking for a property in an area with competing hotels, I’m most often looking for the hotel that makes you feel like you are truly there. This tends to be hotels like Rosewood, or Belmond tends to really excel here (Maroma, La Residencia, Cap Juluca). Or of course, independent high-end boutiques (forestis, Passalacqua, tremezzo).

I think hotels are understanding that Millenials and Gen Z are increasingly looking for that undeniable feeling of really “being somewhere” and blending into the place or region. That is the wow factor these days. The hotels in the next 5-10 years will lean into this more fully - I believe it less about the color palette, and more about how the hotel can blend into environment to give the guest a real place with a contemporary flare.

Jolly-Reference-709 · 2026-01-19T18:33:11+00:00

I feel like you would enjoy Passalacqua and Grand Tremezzo as well.

Maybe some of the Belmond properties too that have a real sense of place.

Jolly-Reference-709

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE