By Molly Tully
With global warming becoming an agreed-upon fact, carbon-neutrality is
what it’s all about. But this is your honeymoon, and you should be
celebrating in style. Well, you’re in luck this year, because green
luxury resorts have become the hippest travel craze. Exotic locales, gorgeous
views, relaxing spas, and five-star amenities? You bet—right alongside
responsible energy and water consumption, organic produce, solar power,
and the use of recycled materials. Add in minimal development of local natural
resources and proximity to national parks, coral reefs, and rain forests,
and you’ve got the perfect formula for a green honeymoon.
The rosewood mayakoba is a brand-new luxury retreat in Mexico’s Riviera
Maya. Situated on a white sand beach 30 minutes south of Cancun, Mayakoba
has been carefully developed around a national park and a mangrove jungle.
Relax in one of the modern, chic beachfront units made of indigenous materials
or be at one with nature in a lagoon suite. Swim in the spa’s natural
crystal-clear sinkhole, snorkel at the world’s second largest coral
reef, or learn about the local culture at nearby ruins. From $490. 888-767-3966; rosewoodmayakoba.com.
Costa Rica has pretty much cornered the market on eco-resorts. Here are
just a few options: arenas del mar opened this past fall and offers luxurious
lodging in harmony with nature in a spectacular beach and rain-forest setting.
Activities include whitewater rafting, mangrove kayak tours, rain-forest
hikes, ocean kayaking, catch-and-release sport fishing, and horseback riding.
Rates from $200. 011-506-777-2777; arenasdelmar.com. The latitude 10 jungle
beach resort offers “six-star camping,” and has attracted such
famous guests as Mel Gibson. latitude10.com. Or hide out in the luxury mountain
resort of hotel punta islita, with beautiful ocean views, infinity pools,
and the chance to observe hundreds of endangered species. 506-231-6122;
hotelpuntaislita.com
One and only kanahura in the Maldives recently received the President’s
Award of Green Resorts, the island’s highest environmental accolade.
This private atoll is as luxurious as they come, while still retaining its
natural beauty with the use of solar panels, organic menus, and recycling
programs. There’s a dive center, spa, large freshwater pool, and even
a disco. Rates start at $515. 866-522-0001; oneandonlyresorts.com.
The Verandah resort and spa is a brand-new 200-room luxury eco-friendly
resort hidden away on the coast of Antigua. Hike along nature trails, explore
the adjacent national park and reef-sheltered beaches, and discover eco-adventures.
Rates start at $490. 800-858-4618; verandahresortandspa.com.
Jean-Michel Cousteau’s fiji island resort is one of the most famous
eco-friendly luxury resorts with everything you’d expect from a green
honeymoon. With a phenomenal location in the South Pacific, you can explore
the coral reefs, rain forests, or the underwater world of Fiji with the
resort’s full-time marine biologist. 800-246-3454; fijiresort.com.
Chaa creek, one of the first eco-lodges in Belize, is now a full-fledged
five-star resort. Horseback in the rain forest, mountain bike through jungle
trails, learn about the natural environment at the resort’s butterfly
farm, or detoxify at the spa. From $175 per night. 877-709-8708; chaacreek.com.
St. Lucia's Hippest New Resorts
By Molly Tully
The Caribbean island of St. Lucia has seen a resort renaissance in the last few years with many hotels renovating, changing hands, adding on, or simply starting anew. Here are five that we’ve found to be great honeymoon destinations:
Jade Mountain is perhaps the jewel that shines the brightest in St. Lucia’s newly built crown. Located within Anse Chastanet, Jade Mountain is a new exclusive resort within a resort, with 24 infinity-edge pool sanctuaries that are virtual rooms built high into the mountainside. Check in at Jade Mountain’s own private reception area and get ready for an experience of a lifetime. The resort’s architect-owner has taken the concept of building in harmony with Caribbean nature to a whole new level of sophistication. Each suite combines a living room, bedroom, bathroom, and infinity-edge pool in one large open area with fifteen-foot ceilings and the fourth wall missing entirely, providing phenomenal views. The entire resort is tech-free—no telephones, radios, or televisions—but each suite has a unique bell pull cord to summon room service and housekeeping 24 hours a day. And if you really must, internet access is available in the reception area. The pools are outfitted with fiber-optic lights that can be set to one color or allowed to run through a range of colors throughout the night. Enjoy fine dining in your suite or at the Jade Mountain Club located at the very top of the mountain, which can only be used by Jade Mountain guests. And if you ever decide to retreat from your exclusive digs in the sky, you can visit the resort’s spa, take a dip in the club’s large pool, or enjoy access to all of Anse Chastanet’s leisure and sports facilities, including two beaches. This place is chic, it’s swank, it’s exclusive, and it’s bound to create memories—along with views—you will never forget. Sounds like the perfect honeymoon. Rates start at $950 per night. 800-223-1108 or www.jademountainstlucia.com.
Cotton Bay Village, scheduled to open this June, is the island’s first five-star luxury villa resort. Situated on a half-mile beach with a spa and first-class golf just steps away, you’ll also have access to your own private butler who can arrange anything you’d imagine—from sightseeing trips to barbecues on the beach. The 74 rooms range from one-bedroom suites to four-bedroom villas with guest cottages. Rates start at $250 per night. 800-544-2883 or www.cottonbayvillage.com.
Coco Palm is another hip, new resort, but this four-star boutique hotel, decorated in the French-Caribbean style, stands out because it’s also trés affordable, with rates starting at just $125 per night. You’re located in the heart of Rodney Bay Village, just steps away from the island’s action and more than 30 restaurants. 866-588-5980 or www.coco-resorts.com.
All of Calabash Cove’s 23 luxury teak and mahogany cottages are situated on the water, with breathtaking views of the Caribbean. This brand-new boutique resort, slated to open this fall, is a relaxing retreat with hammocks, private plunge pools, beautiful gardens, and the Mindspring Spa. Contact the resort directly for room rates. 758-450-3142 or www.calabashcove.com.
Coconut Bay Resort & Spa opened two years ago after a $15 million dollar renovation to the former Club Med site. This all-inclusive resort features a full-service spa, three restaurants, 254 oceanview rooms with separate sitting areas and balconies, three swimming pools, and a water park featuring a lazy river, waterfalls, and waterslides. They even offer a hurricane guarantee, allowing you to reschedule should a storm hit the island, which is a nice bonus. Rates start at $310 per night. 866-978-6226 or www.coconutbayresortandspa.com.
Brand-New Honeymoon Resorts
By Molly Tully
Each year brings a new batch of honeymoon destinations, and this year is no exception. The InterContinental Resort and Thalasso Spa in Bora Bora is everything you’d imagine Polynesia to be-, with 80 bungalows perched above the water featuring spacious living rooms, glass-bottom coffee tables serving as aquariums, outdoor showers, and large guest baths that open onto the lagoon. There’s even a wedding chapel with a glass-bottom floor. Rates start at $800 per night. 888-424-6835; www.boraboraspa.interconti.com. The Ritz’s newest gem, the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, is a 144-acre resort on Seven-Mile Beach that features a Greg Norman golf course, the first La Prairie Spa in the Caribbean, a tennis center designed by Nick Bollettieri, and five restaurants. This little bit of high-end luxury is just what the Caymans needed. Rates start at $299 per night. 800-241-3333; www.ritzcarlton.com. And Riviera Maya, Mexico’s newest luxury boutique resort, Esencia, set on a white-sand beach just 45 minutes south of Cancun, offers the soothing sound of the water with incredible views, sophisticated cuisine with rustic simplicity, personalized butler service, and luxurious amenities. Choose between 29 suites and cottages, many with private plunge pools. Its spa, Aroma, is the first organic one of its kind in the Riviera Maya, offering treatments with pure indigenous fruits, plants, and herbs. They also offer yoga and meditation classes. Serenity is the keyword here. Rates start at $475 per night. 877-528-3490 or www.hotelesencia.com.