One of the fabulous perks of being a wedding blogger is being invited to press days and WOW, what a fun time we had when we were invited to brunch with Mr & Mrs Smith at the super cool Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings, a couple of weeks ago on a sunny August morning.

In an enchanting, sun drenched, flower filled, Islington hot spot, along with a handful of other bloggers and press, we were introduced to Mr & Mrs Smith’s fabulous new cosmic-themed honeymoon hub.

The introductions were made by none other than Mr & Mrs Smith’s founder and current CTO — Tamara Heber-Percy. Admittedly we were a little star struck (if you missed the post outlining my obsession with Mr & Mrs Smith, then please allow me to fill you in right here). And as for the location, there’s no real surprise that they chose a stand-out spot for brunch… because that’s what they do.

To give you more of an idea what, and how they do it, Mr & Mrs Smith have rounded up into their stable, 1000 of arguably the most stylish hotels in the world, and as an extension of this, their honeymoon hub is essentially, a call-off-the-search, look-no-further, honeymoon finding and booking service. That’s whether you’re looking for a mini moon, midi moon, full moon or maxi moon. Indeed the terminology has moved on.

Me and Sharon (STG team writer) at the fabulous Mr & Mrs Smith press breakfast at Bourne & Hollingsworth

We all just need a holiday

Gathered around an enormous farmhouse table laden with fruit salad, yoghurt, granola, smoked salmon bagels and toasted sourdough, Tamara — who, by the way is as smart, stylish, warm and inspirational as we’d heard – ran us through the results of their honeymoon inspired survey. Take a look at the graphic at the foot of the post for a roundup.

Aside from the hysterical number of people who’d been caught in a compromising position on honeymoon, there were some interesting findings in how people would choose to honeymoon again given the chance.

Given the choice between an all-expenses-paid trip to the Maldives or the moon, most people chose, perhaps unsurprisingly, sunbathing on the magical beaches in the Maldives. But let’s face it when it comes to a honeymoon, no matter how adventurous and intrepid we think we are, we all just need a holiday. Especially after organising your dream Jewish wedding and using your very last drop of energy and patience achieving just that.

And isn’t it interesting that only a third of couples opted for the combo-moon, pairing a city/culture stay with a beach break? Most opted solely for the beach retreat. The flying and flopping honeymoon isn’t dead after all.

Of-the-moment honeymoon trends

So where is everyone going? Mr & Mrs Smith have identified five trending long-haul destinations. Given the choice to honeymoon again this year, half of the already married couples would head to Sri Lanka. There has been a burgeoning boutique hotel movement there for a while now and has become a firm holiday favourite for the big one. If that appeals you really must check out Mr & Mrs Smith’s Sri Lankan gems.

Japan is another favourite. It’s a bit different in terms of honeymoon destination, but it really has everything from skiing to crazy city culture. Considering it’s just got the Olympics, I can see this destination wedding going through the roof in the next four years.

Where to go when…

That’s all well and good but what’s the best time to go to any of these places?

When’s the sweet spot between the rains and the searing heat, a time when hurricanes hardly ever happen? How many times have you goggled “best time to go to x”? You’re not alone.

Mr & Mrs Smith, always with an eye on service and those added extras, have created a simple but effective month-by-month breakdown of the globe’s best getaways.

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January

Nestled in glorious greenery — a short drive from Patong beach , Keemala Phuket‘s holistic philosophy proposes healing spa rituals, healthful homegrown cuisine and an eco-friendly ethos. And did I mention that the swimming pools are on stilts?

January in Phuket = Very little rainfall and lower humidity.

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Close your eyes, let your mind wander and imagine your perfect, have-it-all honeymoon.  If you’re picturing the most spectacular, breathtaking hotel in an intensely beautiful destination – complete with flawless service and a staggering attention to detail, then chances are, you’ve already visited Mr & Mrs Smith.

Mr & Mrs Smith is a brand I’m totally unabashed to say that I’m obsessed with. It never fails to disappoint. There’s nothing better than when a person, place or service exceeds expectations, not just meets them. And that’s what Mr & Mrs Smith do for me. I have been using their slick website for the last 6 years or so to find and book weekend breaks – and eventually our honeymoon – from their incredible collection of world-wide, soulful, boutique and luxury hotels, that range from the sublime to the ridiculously beautiful.

Mr STG and I have weekended at several of their recommended gems. From the love letter in art and architecture that is Villa Cora in Florence, to the insanely grand french Château de Bagnols, complete with fairy tale moat, drawbridge and honey- coloured stone towers, then back to the relaxed city-to-country retreat, The Pig in Hampshire. Each place was as spectacular as the one before and all shared the same impeccable service standards.

And no surprise really given that Mr & Mrs Smith was the brainchild of an inspired husband and wife team (James Lohan and Tamara Heber-Percy) who started the brand after enduring too many frustratingly mediocre breaks in hotels that didn’t quite live up to their brochure description or represent the stars they were brandishing. The chic duo upped the ante and created a real hotel guide for a style and service savvy market.

Our bedroom at Château de Bagnols (I kid you not!)

Our bedroom at the Bellevue Syrene

Booking my honeymoon with Mr & Mrs Smith

Mr STG and I didn’t think twice before booking our honeymoon with Mr & Mrs Smith. We had utter faith that they would deliver perfection when we most needed it. After organising my dream wedding and finding out the wonderful news that we were expecting our first bundle of STG joy, I was exhausted. I wanted some expert guidance on our honeymoon choices and needed the assurance that it would be just right. We wanted to relax, be totally pampered and go somewhere that Mr STG and I hadn’t been before. First destination Mr & Mrs Smith.

And lets just say that since our honeymoon at the Bellevue Syrene in the Amalfi Coast (yes, that’s what we chose!) our love affair with Mr & Mrs Smith has continued….

Me & Mr STG on our Mr & Mrs Smith honeymoon

My top 12 Honeymoon picks

Considering I’m only allowed one honeymoon, I thought I’d live vicariously through you lovely lot and share my top Mr & Mrs Smith honeymoon picks (one of them even has its own kosher restaurant!).

Their honeymoons are literally out of this world — you really can expect celestial massages, starlight dining and earth-shattering services. Whether you want a few weeks of long haul lounging or a mini-moon in a romantic city, their around the clock travel specialists Smith 24 can tailor a trip to your tastes and budget.

And if, like me, you’re the kind of person who relishes and savours impeccable service and style at every turn, join me in the love affair with Mr & Mrs Smith.

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Top 3 for Adventurers

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If it’s adventure you’re after, TreeHotel, in Norbetten Country, Sweden, is a fabulous choice… This has to be one of the only honeymoon destinations in the world that offers husky drawn sledge rides, ice fishing trips, and a possible peek of the Northern Lights from your treetop den.

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If you’re looking for large doses of peace and quiet, AWASI in Patagonia, Chile is simply perfect. Set in acres of stunning South American countryside, complete with forests, mountains and lakes, you can spy on the dramatic peaks of the Torres del Paine from your bed and enjoy private trips around the national park.

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Tsala Treetop Lodge in South Africa is a unique boutique resort giving you a mind-blowing, bird’s eye view of South Africa’s indigenous forest canopy from your luxurious stilted hut. Better still, it’s just 10km from the beaches, bars and boutiques of Plettenberg Bay.

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Top 3 for Luxury Seekers

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Live out your castaway fantasies at one of the unspoilt tropical islands at Song Saa Private Island Villas in Cambodia. Think intimate, luxurious and seductive — this place is truly special.

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Muse St Tropez in France is a boutique bolthole in the heart of Ramatelle. A serene yet stylish sanctuary, away from the St Tropez glitz, you wont even have to leave your room for a massage…

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You’ll have little incentive to ever leave your spectacular French-colonial bungalow in Hotel Le Toiny, St Barthelemy, a serene, hillside beach escape. Perfect, unspoiled sea views, private infinity pool and supreme island dining. The stuff of honeymoon dreams.

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