Top 5 Honeymoon Tips From Mr & Mrs Smith

When it comes to romantic getaways, no one knows better than the boutique hotel experts at Mr & Mrs Smith the value of an inviting king-size bed, a bath tub big enough for two or a private rooftop terrace with spectacular sunset views.

They’ve spent the last decade checking-in to the world’s most stylish and inspiring boutique hotels, and helping couples plan jaunts all over the world.

Claire Wilson, one of Smith’s top-class team of honeymoon specialists, shared her tips for an unforgettable honeymoon.

1. When are you going?

First things first: check the weather. There’s no point planning a trip to India if you’ll fly straight into monsoon season. Bali is a great if you’re looking for long-haul sunshine during our summer; June to September is the best time to go, and it’s full of some of the most romantic hotels I’ve ever seen: Alila Villas Uluwatu is a particular standout.

In the Caribbean, January to March is the best time of year: the weather’s usually great but the prices aren’t as sky-high as they usually are over Christmas. (If you’ve got your heart set on the Caribbean but you’re having a summer wedding, you might want to wait a bit before you head off… how about a quick minimoon right after the wedding to keep you going?

A weekend in the country at Lime Wood will give you a chance to unwind after the big day.)

2. What do you each want to get out of it?

Think about what you both want from the trip – it’s likely to be one of the most memorable trips you’ll ever go on, so take the time to get it right.

If your new Mr or Mrs wants to laze on a beach all day but you want to soak up some culture, make sure you pick a honeymoon that ticks both boxes, like four nights exploring the sights and sounds of Miami – staying at Tides South Beach, perhaps – followed by six nights relaxing on the sand at the Viceroy Riviera Maya in Mexico (but don’t worry, you won’t ever get bored.

I went snorkelling with whale sharks when I was there and it was one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done!)

3. How much time do you have?

Be realistic about what you can fit in – although a road trip from New York to Mexico City would be an adventure, trying to fit it into two weeks would almost definitely mean your first trip as a married couple is also your last.

There are some amazing honeymoons to be had closer to home if you have a week to spare – personally, I think seven nights in Italy (somewhere like Villa Arcadio, with a couple of nights in Venice at Ca Maria Adele if there’s time) are hard to beat.

If you’re really pushed for time, what about a city minimoon? Everyone knows the romantic merits of Paris, but a long weekend at Das Stue in Berlin is brilliant if you’re after something a bit different.

4. How can you plan it without getting stressed?

For me, the ultimate luxury is having everything taken care of from the moment you leave for the airport to the moment you arrive back at home, and that’s how your honeymoon should be.

This starts with at the planning stage – enlist the help of an expert who knows the hotels and can give you plenty of advice – and carries on during your stay; make sure to tell the hotel that you’re on your honeymoon, because good hoteliers are always looking for excuses to surprise and delight their guests!

Finally, it’s easy to get caught up in planning the wedding and forget about the honeymoon, but try to plan your trip as far in advance as you can to avoid missing out on your first-choice hotels – four months is usually a good lead time.

5. How much do you want to spend?

You want your honeymoon to be special, but that doesn’t mean you can’t save money along the way. Lots of couples choose one of our Budget Boutique hotels for a week or two, and then splurge on an all-out-luxury stay for just a few nights.

A week in one of the luxe-for-less Cambodian hotels coupled with two nights at the sensational Song Saa Private Island is a great combination. Just make sure you save the best till last; you never want to feel like you’re downgrading on your honeymoon!

For more insider info and lots of inspiration for planning your trip of a lifetime, get Mr & Mrs Smith’s Little White Book of Honeymoons for the scoop on how to plan your dream holiday, whether you’re after a Californian road trip, Greek island-hopping adventure, or luxe Caribbean hideaway.

Register your details to receive a free copy, which includes all the info on how to become a GoldSmith VIP honeymooner — you’ll get access to upgrades at every hotel, and an around-the-clock concierge.