The world is literally their oyster, but where will the young royal couple decide to spend their honeymoon? The Caribbean has always been a favourite with royals from around the world and Scotland is a hotspot for our own royal family. Kate and Wills, however, are sure to head further afield. We suggest some honeymoon spots that would be fit for a future king and queen.
THE ALGARVE
As soon as the royal wedding was announced, the Algarve Tourism Board issued an invitation to William and Kate to spend their honeymoon in the Algarve. We’ve yet to see whether they take them up on it but if you fancy experiencing the Algarve’s luxurious side keep your eyes open, as you never know who you might meet…
• Stay: Vila Joya Boutique Hotel, the Algarve’s most exclusive hotel with its Vila Joya restaurant boasting 2 Michelin stars (unique in Portugal).
• Do: Indulge the senses in the Joy Jung Spa, relax on the beach or join the Via Algarviana nature trail to explore the countryside.
• Price: ‘The Royal Suite Alegria’ comes with its own heated pool and stream, steam cabin, free standing bath tub & bedroom with ocean view. Prices start from £1,384 per night in low season and £1,888 in high season – both include breakfast. (Well, that’s ok then!)
OMAN
The Middle East is fast becoming the place to come and indulge your penchant for all things opulent. Home to some of the world’s most luxurious and decadent hotels you’ll be able to get your own palacial getaway, even William and Kate would be impressed by.
• Stay: The Shangri-La Resort and Spa at Barr Al Jissa, Al Husn Hotel is the most exclusive place on the Shangri-La’s books in Oman and a stay here will definitely leave you feeling like royalty. Rooms are among the biggest and most luxurious in the whole of Oman and are decorated like Arabian palaces (with all mod cons included) as well as all coming with direct views of the sea. The hotel is for over 18’s only.
• Do: Relax on the private beach and sip a cool drink from the Mahhara Beach Bar while enjoying complimentary usage of one of the hotel’s iPods, enjoy the complimentary pre-dinner cocktails and canapes (which you can request in your room if desired), unwind in the spa, join a dolphin or whale watching trip, learn to scuba dive and if you are out there between January and June you can even watch Greenback and Hawksbill sea turtles nesting with the turtle ranger.
• Price: The Al Husn Hotel, Shangri La starts from £410 per room per night.
FOR A SECLUDED HONEYMOON
The press interest in Prince William and Kate’s nuptials is huge and while most of us don’t require seclusion to escape from the paparazzi & the constant recognition, a little privacy away from prying eyes is for many, a honeymoon essential…
MAUI, HAWAII
Maui is a top wedding and honeymoon destination thanks to its beauty and seclusion.
• Stay: Hotel Hana Maui & Honua Spa. A secluded ocean front hotel where the focus is on spending time with your partner & soaking up the surroundings. Rooms even come without a TV, so as to minimise outside distractions!
• Do: Horse-riding along the beach, snorkelling trips, yoga or just chilling on the tropical sands. Alternatively, you could stay in your room and soak in the private outdoor hot tub or have a massage overlooking the ocean. Also be sure to take in the drive to Hana when you arrive – it’s considered one of the most beautiful drives in the world. Stop by Café Romantica on your way for a vegetarian treat
• Price: Standard Rooms start from £205 a night. Super secluded Sea Ranch Cottages (with amazing views) are from £331 a night.
GALICIA, SPAIN
Galicia is a hidden gem on Spain’s northern coast where William and Kate would stand a good chance of regaining their anonymity. As for us, it’s a beautiful corner of mainland Spain a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the south coast.
• Stay: Gran Hotel La Toja is a luxurious property located on the ‘Isla de la Toja’ and attracts rich Spaniards with its art-deco appearance and plentiful facilities.
• Do: Go for walks on the wooded island and soak up the views of the beautiful Galician La Ria de Arousa estuary, pamper yourself in the spa, play a round of golf on the 9-hole championship golf course then finish in La Toja Casino for an after dinner drink close to the hotel.
• Price: A 7-night stay, full board in the ocean view suite in July costs from £3,612.
• Stay: The five star Palacio de Sober (Pictured above) in Ribeira Sacra territory in Galicia’s interior is Galicia’s most remote property. Around £8 million were spent on renovating the old palace into a hotel and it shows!
• Do: Walk through the beautiful surrounding countryside, eat in the gourmet restaurant, relax in the Aqua Ardens Spa or visit the ancient town of Monforte de Lemos just 9 kilometres away. Go wine tasting at Bodega Valcar & ask owner Manuel to take you through the best wines of the region or visit Ponte de Boga where Marta or Ruben will show you around and invite you for a free tasting session.
• Price: 7 nights in July costs around £4,515 in the Top Suite (£645 per night).
FOR A REGAL HONEYMOON
Even the royals need a holiday every now and again, and outside of Scotland there are a number of hot spots where members of Britain’s most famous family have been spotted…
MALTA
After marrying Prince Phillip in 1947 Queen Elizabeth II spent the first two years of her married life in Malta. The royal couple even returned for a ‘second honeymoon’ on their 60th wedding anniversary. Will William follow in his grandmother’s footsteps and honeymoon on this Mediterranean island?
• Stay: Will and Kate would probably be invited (as was the Queen) to stay at the President’s San Anton Palace or the President’s summer residence Verdala Palace. However, those of us still waiting for our royal invite should consider the five star Corinthia Palaca Hotel & Spa situated just across from the President’s San Antonio Palace and Gardens (so close enough to keep your eyes out for your royal neighbours!).
• Do: Relax in the Athenaeum Spa, charter a yacht and enjoy Malta’s scenic coastline and secluded inlets around the island of Gozo, swim in the turquoise waters of Comino’s Blue Lagoon, dine in one of the local restaurants and sit back with a cool drink and watch the sunset.
• Price: Top-end Suite Deluxe Queen Garden View (with interconnecting rooms, walk-in-wardrobe and adjoining lounge and terrace) is £443 per night in May but Corinthia currently have a 50% mega sale across all their international hotels for stays up to 31st December 2011, to be booked by 28th February 2011.
FOR AN AFRICAN HONEYMOON
As the place where William popped the question, Africa, is already full of happy memories for the royal couple. While a honeymoon here for the royal couple has yet to be confirmed you could say ‘I do’ to some African magic of your own…
KENYA
“I took her up somewhere nice in Kenya and I proposed,” said Prince William on his engagement to Kate Middleton. Well, if it’s good enough for the future king of England & his queen it’s good enough for us!
• Stay: Rutundu Log Cabins (pictured above) in the Mount Kenya Region was where Kate and William were staying when he proposed. Located on the northern slopes of Mount Kenya, the log cabins are blessed with complete privacy and are home to a unique range of bird life as well as boasting amazing views of both Lake Rutundu and the surrounding countryside.
• Do: Go horse riding, join a fishing trip or walk through the forests and moorland stopping for a picnic and some photos.
• Price: From £340 per cabin per night on a self-catering basis.
• Stay: Treetops is where Queen Elizabeth II was staying when she learnt of her father’s death and her subsequent rise to the throne. According to our local expert the royals are often popping over here (not that she has actually seen them himself yet!)
• Do: Spot animals drinking from the neighbouring waterhole, join a game drive in the Aberdare National Park and Solio Rhino Sanctuary and don’t miss the amazing sunsets.
• Price: From £127 per night for a standard double, staying half board.
• Stay: For the ultimate tranquil tropical island retreat Kiwayu, is an exclusive family-owned resort in the Indian Ocean located right in the Kiunga Marine Reserve. You’ll stay in a thatched cottage which opens out into the sea ideal for relaxation and swimming. For even more seclusion, 2 kilometres away on Kiwayu Island the ‘Baobabs of Kitangani’ boasts an ensuite bedroom and living room right on its own private beach with private staff – nice.
• Do: Try your hand at some water sports, join a walking safari tour, go turtle watching, snorkelling or deep-sea fishing or just kick back on the beach.
• Price: Full board accommodation starts from £237 per adult, per night (minimum 3 night stay).
GARDEN ROUTE, SOUTH AFRICA
With Diana’s friendship and charity work with former South African President, Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s Eastern Cape could be an ideal location for William and Kate to Honeymoon. South Africa is also hard to beat when it comes to safari and to combine relaxation, pampering and romance with amazing wildlife is a recipe for a memorable honeymoon.
• Stay: Gorah Elephant Camp is one safari camp that is not only luxurious and secluded but is home to the densest population of elephants on the planet. The sanctuary has seen the likes of Robert Redford and Meryl Streep stay here – although not quite royalty in the traditional sense, certainly royalty of the golden screen….
• Do: Play a game of polo or join a safari. The Addo Elephant National Park comes highly recommended as it’s the only place in Africa where visitors can see the big 7 in one National Park.
• Price: Between £460 – £630 (includes meals, game drives and non-alcoholic drinks).
We have lots of great weddings abroad advice on Confetti!
