Laura French finds out where to send couples in search of a dream honeymoon.
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1. Mauritius
What’s the brief?
A couple is looking for an affordable honeymoon in Mauritius at an intimate, adult-only resort. They want a romantic stay with a variety of activities on site, but also a chance to explore the island and experience the local culture and food.
Premier Holidays, Nikki Hain, product manager for the Indian Ocean
We suggest:
For a good-value honeymoon, I’d recommend the four-star Veranda Paul & Virginie, set in a fishing village on Mauritius’s northeast coast.
A romantic, couples-only property renovated in 2017, the hotel is based on all-inclusive and offers a variety of activities catering specifically for couples – such as tandem biking in the village, private cruising on a traditional pirogue and a dinner under the stars – as well as a special honeymoon deal offering up to 40% off for those staying five nights or more.
Guests can choose from three different room styles, and there’s a Seven Colours Wellness Spa for those after some pampering, as well as two restaurants – one serving seafood right by the beach, the other specialising in local Mauritian flavours.
Capital Port Louis is only 30 minutes away, and I’d highly recommend an excursion here. The Pamplemousses Botanical Garden is also spectacular, while the nearby village of Grand Baie offers the likes of speedboat tours and rum tasting.
One of our most popular honeymoon itineraries is a twin-centre pairing the island with South Africa – it ticks all the boxes for an unforgettable holiday.
Book it: Premier Holidays offers seven nights’ all-inclusive at Veranda Paul & Virginie from £1,239 per person, including flights from London and transfers and valid for travel September 1-30.
premierholidays.co.uk.
2. The Maldives
What’s the brief?
You’ve got a pair of young honeymooners wanting a modern, luxury private island resort in the Maldives with the option to stay in a beach or overwater villa. They want a laid-back, relaxing escape with optional diving and snorkelling and an emphasis on good food.
Kuoni, Linda Pedler, product and purchasing manager for the Maldives
We suggest:
My top recommendation would be Baros, located in the North Malé Atoll.
It’s possibly the most picture-perfect of all the Maldives’ islands, with a real focus on providing a personalised service in everything from private dining options to tailored packages at the Serenity Spa.
There are 75 villas, each with extra touches such as wine chillers, yoga mats and dedicated villa hosts, and food is a big deal, with three restaurants including The Lighthouse, which serves gourmet seafood with panoramic views over the sea. There’s also a dive school and marine centre with a resident marine biologist, and a glorious house reef that makes it ideal for snorkelling.
When it comes to selling the Maldives more generally, it’s important to match the resort carefully to your clients’ needs, as all of the islands are different.
Recommend an all-inclusive package for the best value, and for the ultimate wow factor, suggest booking an overwater villa or seaplane transfer to arrive in style.
Book it: Kuoni offers seven nights in a Deluxe Villa from £2,299 per person, including breakfast, Emirates flights from Gatwick and transfers, on select dates in June and September.
kuoni.co.uk
3. The Seychelles
What’s the brief?
Clients are looking to go all out with an exclusive, luxury honeymoon in the Seychelles. They want the privacy of a villa with their own pool but the facilities and service of a resort, as well as the option to get active and do some sightseeing on the surrounding islands.
Caribtours, Rebecca Bryson, head of sales
We suggest:
I was lucky enough to spend my own honeymoon island-hopping around the Seychelles, and among the standouts for me was Raffles Seychelles.
It’s a stunning resort set on the northeast coast of Praslin island, and it’s the only private, all-pool-villa resort in the archipelago. The villas are strategically scattered across the hillside, offering sensational views over the turquoise ocean and lush gardens.
There are plenty of dining options, with four restaurants serving everything from fragrant curries to artistic sushi, and there’s a gorgeous spa with open-air treatment pavilions, plus a fantastic beach service.
But I’d recommend getting out to explore the island too. We cycled to the world-famous Anse Lazio beach one day for a picnic, and also explored Vallée de Mai national park, a Unesco World Heritage Site.
The island of Mahé is great for immersing yourself in local culture with colourful arts, crafts and food markets, and La Digue is a beautifully natural island ideal for those looking to get away from it all. I’d also recommend visiting the eco-friendly Denis Private Island, which has a real Robinson Crusoe feel about it.
Book it: Caribtours offers seven nights’ B&B in a Garden View Pool Villa from £4,175 per person, including flights, private transfers and UK lounge passes, valid between August 1 and December 20.
caribtours.co.uk
Read more:
Short-haul honeymoons
The best islands for honeymooners
Twin-centres: Honeymoon hotspots
