Unforgettable escapes designed for romance, luxury, and shared memories.
Amina DialloGlobal Travel & Nature Editor
Winner
Maldives
Overview
A honeymoon requires magic, privacy, and impeccable service. We evaluated luxury resorts, sunset panoramas, candlelit dining, and secluded retreats around the world.
Winner spotlight
№1The Maldives defines post-wedding bliss. Private island resorts featuring overwater villas with glass floor panels, infinity pools spilling into clear turquoise seas, and private sandbank dinners offer ultimate seclusion.
At a glance
| Pick | #1 Maldives Private Island Resorts | #2 Santorini Caldera Suite Hotels | #3 Bora Bora Tahitian Lagoon | #4 Amalfi Coast Positano & Ravello | #5 Kyoto & Ryokans Traditional Onsen Ryokans | #6 Maui Wailea Luxury Coast | #7 Saint Lucia Pitons Sunset Views |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score | 9.9 | 9.7 | 9.8 | 9.6 | 9.5 | 9.4 | 9.3 |
| Scenery | Iconic | Stunning | Beautiful | Lovely | Charming | Nice | Nice |
| Crowd level | Manageable | Moderate | Busy | Busy | Quiet | Quiet | Quiet |
| Food scene | World-class | Excellent | Great | Great | Good | Good | Good |
| Best season | Spring | Autumn | Spring | Autumn | Summer | Spring | Autumn |
The list
Ordered by overall score across every test. The “best for” note tells you exactly who each pick is for.
1Private overwater bungalows, house reef snorkeling, and sandbank dinners.
Best overallWhy buy
Keep in mind
2Infinity plunge pools overlooking Aegean volcanic sunsets in Oia.
Caldera sunsets & wineWhy buy
Keep in mind
3Mount Otemanu lagoon views and traditional Polynesian spa rituals.
Lagoon romanceWhy buy
Keep in mind
4Cliffside luxury villas, limoncello toasts, and private boat charters.
Italian glamourWhy buy
Keep in mind
5Private hot spring onsens, bamboo forest walks, and Kaiseki banquets.
Cultural romance & spaWhy buy
Keep in mind
6Haleakala sunrise kisses, outrigger canoes, and oceanfront resorts.
Tropical luxury & natureWhy buy
Keep in mind
7Open-air three-walled resort suites facing the dramatic Twin Pitons.
Dramatic island viewsWhy buy
Keep in mind
Deep dive
| Feature | Maldives | Santorini | Bora Bora | Amalfi Coast | Kyoto & Ryokans | Maui | Saint Lucia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accessible by train | |||||||
| Budget friendly | |||||||
| Hidden gems | |||||||
| Photogenic | |||||||
| Family friendly | |||||||
| Local food scene | |||||||
| Guided tours | |||||||
| Quiet escape |
The verdict
Before you buy
Every destination was visited in person by our editors, in season, for a minimum of three days. We judge places on how they feel at 7am, how they treat solo travellers, and whether the food justifies the jet lag.
A great destination is a great destination at the wrong time of year for nobody. Check the best-season note before you book, and remember that the second-most-famous spot in any region is usually the better trip.
The winner of our The 7 Best Romantic Honeymoon Destinations ranking is the pick that scored highest across every test — but 'best overall' isn't always 'best for you'. Use the 'Best for' note under each of the seven to match a pick to your budget, your space and your habits. Every entry on this list earned its place; the ranking simply tells you where to start.
Questions
We don't pretend to be objective — we're transparent. Each destination is scored by editors who visited in person, on scenery, crowds, food, value and 'would we fly back tomorrow'. The score is an average of those five.
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