After months, possibly years, of planning a wedding, you need — no — deserve to unwind together in the lap of luxury as newlyweds. Luckily, we know just the people to help you out: Mr & Mrs Smith, who happened to help founder, Karen, with her honeymoon planning. We are BIG FANS!)
With so many amazing potential honeymoon spots to choose from, this year your trip starts with the hotel… And nobody knows more about picking out the perfect hotel than Mr & Mrs Smith.
In case you didn’t know, Mr & Mrs Smith is the travel club for hotel lovers. Each stay in their collection is a destination itself and comes with the all-important Smith stamp of approval; none more so than the 10 hotels shortlisted in the 2018 Mr & Mrs Smith Awards’ Above & Beyond category.
Seamless service
These Mr & Mrs Smith hotels are made even more special (if that’s possible) with seamless service and a generous spirit. Going the extra mile is the rule, not the exception, so it’s safe to say you’ll be well looked after. We really wish we could show you all of them, but we’ve had to narrow the list down to our five favourites.
Oh, and just to make things even easier for you, the Smith24 team can take care of everything from hotels and villas to itineraries and flights, so all you have to do is relax and have the time of your lives.
And now, without further ado, and in no particular order, we present the five stays that stole our hearts.Let us know your favourites in the comments below!
1. Chamba Camp Thiksey, Himalayas, India
The winner of the Above & Beyond category in the Smith Hotel Awards 2018, this breathtaking property is set an impressive 3,500 metres up in the Ladakh Valley.
Now, let’s talk service… What could be more decadent than having a personal butler assigned to each ultra-luxe tent? That’s right — everything is taken care of, so you’re free to enjoy exploring the mountains and watching the local dancers strut their stuff at dinner each night.
Every last detail has been thought of here — there’s even a well-stocked snack drawer for those who get peckish in the middle of the night. Above and beyond even the hotel’s lofty altitude…
Find out more about Chamba Camp Thiksey and book your stay here.
2. Deplar Farm, Troll Peninsular, Iceland
Iceland is famed for showcasing nature at its finest. The staff at this attractively remote property are very attentive, and cheerful, despite the sub-zero temperatures and seasonal early-onset darkness — likely because the overwhelmingly beautiful location perks them up…
Deplar Farm has knowledgeable guides who lead the twice-daily activities (free with the all-inclusive rate), such as trekking, skeet shooting and whale-watching.
That’s if you want to leave the farmhouse at all; it’s so stylish and cosy within, with a turf-topped roof, geothermal pool and incredible Icelandic scenery without! What’s that? It’s the sound of the whole STG team running for a flight to Iceland, all at once.
3. Cuixmala, Jalisco, Mexico
Cuixmala feels like a billionaire’s playground. Once the home of Sir James Goldsmith, a British tycoon, this astounding property is set against Mexico’s Jalisco coast on the Pacific side of the country. (Incidentally, Jalisco’s also the birthplace of tequila — in case you weren’t already sold.) Food is excellent here, too, with many ingredients foraged and sourced from within the extensive grounds
A Moorish mansion filled with splashes of Mexican colour, Cuixmala has a jawdropping domed roof and a clutch of lavish, colourfully outfitted casas and casitas, each served by its own team of staff.
Nature lovers, the hotel hasa wildlife sanctuary on site — just in case you haven’t already hopped on the first flight to Mexico…
Here’s how to book your stay (take us with you?!)
For nature lovers, the hotel features a wildlife sanctuary, and food is sourced from the grounds or nearby. In case you haven’t already hopped on the first flight to Mexico, here’s how to book your stay!
4. Villa la Coste, Provence, France
The winner of the biggest gong in the Smith Hotel Awards — Best Smith Hotel — Villa La Coste took a decade in the making and it was worth every minute of it…
Picture 600 acres of vine-planted grounds, surrounding the Château La Coste winery, leading into grounds displaying sculptures and installations by luminaries such as Tracey Emin, Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, Frank Gehry and Ai Weiwei.
The perfect stay for lovers of art, design, architecture and superb food and wine, the hotel’s service isimpeccable too. Staff take a refreshing on-first-name-basis approach, and every detail — right down to the memory-foam slippers waiting for you in your room — is taken care of.
Past guests (the real-life Mr & Mrs Smith), James and Tamara Lohan, said: “We fell for this place at first sight. With its cutting-edge design, arresting architecture, amazing art collection and sublime service, it’s a well-deserving winner.”
Find out more about Villa la Coste here.
5. Ceylon Tea Trails, Hill Country, Sri Lanka
If you’re looking for an inspiring stay, this Sri Lankan stay, in the island’s emerald hinterland, won’t disappoint. The hotel is housed in several restored tea planters’ bungalows and has spectacular views over Sri Lanka’s Hill Country
Here you can feast on tea-laced cuisine and enjoy the view with a cuppa, before exploring the surrounding plantations, ravines and waterfalls. If that’s not luxurious enough, you can also enjoy views over the Bogawantalawa Valley from the infinity pool. Eco-minded couples will love that all three — ys, three —pools are fed by mountain springs.
Between the attentive butlers and in-room spa pampering, you’ll love starting your married life here.
Find out more about Ceylon Tea Trails here.
What are you waiting for?
Mr & Mrs Smith is the travel club for hotel lovers: an award-winning boutique-hotel booking service specialising in the world’s most seductive stays.
Founded in 2003, there are now more than 1,000 boutique and luxury hotels in the collection, all hand-picked and anonymously reviewed. With Smith you’ll get the best prices guaranteed, free extras on arrival and round-the-clock service from Smith24, our in-house travel specialists. The collection now also includes luxury villas, bespoke itineraries and unique experiences, too. Go to mrandmrssmith.com/honeymoons to browse and book.
So where are you going on honeymoon? Have you immediately booked one of these amazing breaks or are you already doing something incredible? Let us know in the comments so we can live vicariously through you adventurous lot!
I’ve stayed at Deplar Farm, it’s sensational!