To start this week off, we have a lovely Real Honeymoon to the Koa Kea Resort & Spa in Kauai. Alejandro and Brittany had an amazing honeymoon! Here is what they had to say about their getaway.
Where did you go?
Kauai, HI
Where did you stay?
The Koa Kea in Poipu
Why did you decide on Kauai for your honeymoon?
We wanted a romantic and beachfront trip with some relaxation and also some activities.
What did you like about Kauai?
Kauai is a gorgeous, tropical island with extremely nice and welcoming people. We made friends with all our tour guides and hotel staff. The island is also amazing and there is a ton of wildlife in the water, which was awesome to witness.
Did you receive any special honeymoon amenities or upgrades?
We were upgraded to an ocean view room and received complimentary champagne, which was fun to arrive to.
If you could have changed one thing about your trip, what would it be?
That the surf was not so big! Haha!
If you had to pick just one, what would be your favorite honeymoon memory?
Snorkeling with my hubby and swimming next to a sea turtle.
Looking back, is there anything you would tell other couples planning their honeymoon?
It is always nice to have a balance of relaxation and activities. We had an activity planned each day but made sure to have either a relaxing morning or evening for ourselves.
What 3 words would you use to describe your honeymoon?
Fun, relaxing, & adventurousThank you two so much for sharing!! Interested in going to Kauai for your honeymoon?? Contact us!
Let’s face it, most travel souvenirs are pretty tacky- obnoxious t-shirts, plastic magnets and ugly shot glasses. I love these products because they are capable of sparking a memory from a fun travel experience. And these are much cuter than those Hawaii plastic license plates with your name on it…
1. Ork Neighborhood Posters 2. Little Brown Pen Paris Calendars 3. Jonathan Adler Needlepoint Pillows 4. Destination Maptotes 5. Maya Brenner Necklaces 6. AHeirloom Cutting Boards
St. Barths is one of my favorite Caribbean islands and so I was super excited when Camm & Liz decided to celebrate their honeymoon there! Here’s what the newlyweds had to say about their trip.
Where did you go?
St. Barth’s
What resort did you stay in?
Hôtel Le Toiny
Why did you decide this honeymoon spot & how did you come to this decision?
Camm and I had a few “absolute musts” when our hunt for the perfect honeymoon spot began: Caribbean, beautiful beaches, amazing food, and escape. St. Barth’s had instant appeal because I speak French, and it is known as a culinary jewel in the Caribbean fusing Creole, French and other worldly flavors. We chose it, and Hôtel Le Toiny, because it provided the seclusion and relaxation we craved but would still be easy enough to venture out for a night on the town or adventures on the water.
What was your favorite part about Hotel Le Toiny?
Just one favorite? Then we’d have to say the private luxury of our villa suite. From our own pool and patio, you could see nothing but palms, cliffs, and waves carrying the occasional surfer. The villa was so well appointed as an ultimate getaway, it felt like home the first night. Small touches including turn down service, his & hers flip flops and slippers, unlimited bottled water, and complimentary laundry services (returned the same evening, folded & wrapped in tissue paper) really spoiled us and put the resort experience at the top of the charts. I have to say the service went hand-in-hand with our enjoyment of the resort. Whether it was recommending a dinner spot or reserving a sunset cruise, the staff was gracious and helpful without fail. Breakfast served each morning by our private pool—the figurative cherry atop our bungalow.
What did you like about St. Barths?
We liked St. Barth’s, in part, because of what it wasn’t. There is no Señor Frog’s on the corner and no feeling like you’re on the wrong side of town. We loved it since it wasn’t over-commercialized or catering to people with kids. As for Toiny, the neighborhood we stayed in, it was outside of the hustle and bustle of the bigger villages of St. Jean and Gustavia. After exploring all day, it felt wonderful to retreat to a quieter side of the island.
Did you receive any special honeymoon amenities or upgrades?
As soon as we arrived at the hotel, we were upgraded from a Junior Villa to a full-sized Villa Suite. Awesome! This meant our pool was more than just a puddle, our bathroom was palatial, and our honeymoon all the more special. Also in the room to greet us were mini coconut pound cakes, fresh fruit, and chilled champagne. On our last night, there was a copy of the hotel’s annual art book with a parting note from the managers. A beautiful keepsake to share with friends.
If you could have changed one thing about your trip, what would it be?
We only rented a Mini Cooper for two days. If we had a do-over, we would have booked a car ahead of time for the whole week. While it was nice to go out a few times and not worry about driving, taxis in St. Barth’s are sparse and a bit pricey. Even though St. Barth’s is a small island, it is spread out, and the flexibility of the car would’ve been nice to have all week. Oh, and we backed into a retaining wall once…wouldn’t do that again!
If you had to pick just one, what would be your favorite honeymoon memory?
When I asked Camm his favorite honeymoon memory, he replied, “The food!” More specifically, his favorite dish was a rich bowl of truffle-infused mascarpone potatoes. Those were part of a fabulous meal we ate at On the Rock, the restaurant in the Eden’s Rock resort. For me, the champagne sunset cruise will forever stand out in my mind. While we just paid for a group tour, we ended up having the 60-foot catamaran all to ourselves! Emmanuel, our captain/guide/champagne pourer, was entertaining and knowledgeable. The sunset was a little cloudy, but still it was a magical two hour trip we will never forget.
Looking back, is there anything you would tell other couples planning their honeymoon?
Imagine what you would do on the “perfect day” together. Then, go somewhere you can do that! We had done some research on our own and through AAA, but in the end we were much happier with Katie’s recommendations. Use an agent who knows the area you’re interested in and who is responsive Next, set up a honeymoon registry. Many of our wedding guests loved the idea, and it enabled us to enjoy the food and activities we wanted. Lastly, enjoy your escape!
What 3 words would you use to describe your honeymoon?
Food. Fun. Love.
Interested in going to St. Barths for your honeymoon? Contact us!
It’s time that the old saying “Don’t always believe what you see on TV” be officially changed to “don’t always believe what you see online.” This is especially true when it comes to reading hotel and travel reviews online.
One important thing to realize is that people are more inclined to leave a negative review of a hotel than they are to leave a positive one. This is especially true in regards to higher end properties, because the more expensive a hotel is, the higher a guest’s expectations will be.
It’s also really important to look at the date that a review or complaint regarding a hotel was made. For example, if there are a bunch of complaints about the food posted in 2 years ago but no recent posts about it, then most likely the issue has been resolved.
Joielala Photographie
The fact of the matter is that all travelers are looking for something different in a hotel. So what one person saw as a positive aspect of a hotel might be a negative for you. A place that’s just perfect for newlyweds just shy of 30, won’t always be paradise for an older couple looking for a different experience.
Read through reviews, but don’t put too much weight on each review. If a vast majority of people love a hotel, there is a good chance that you will as well! Don’t be deterred from a few negative posts here and there. Some people are just impossible to please!
So what online review sites do you trust? Who do you take advice from? Your safest bet is to read more than just one or two reviews of a hotel and look for an over-arching opinion from a combination of opinions.
Helpful Websites:
- TripAdvisor – hotel reviews worldwide
- Oyster – the hotel “tell-all”
- Room77 – for all the information about rooms you don’t find on the hotel site
I hope this is helpful! When in doubt, your best bet is having someone plan your honeymoon for you, like Ever After Honeymoons! Interested in honeymoon planning assistance? Contact us!
Right in the heart of Sydney, in the historic Rocks district and opposite the Sydney Observatory sits The Observatory Hotel. As Australia’s most awarded hotel, this property offers boutique luxury and personalized service that is unsurpassed. The fact that it is only a short walk from everything you want to see in Sydney makes the Observatory Hotel the perfect base for your stay in Sydney. Each of the 100 rooms overlook Observatory Hill or Walsh Bay and leave guests feeling as if they’re not staying in a hotel but in an elegant 19th century Australian mansion. If you appreciate antiques, astronomy, or anything resembling the colonial era, the Observatory Hotel is for you. There is a colonial ambiance about the hotel, especially in the restaurant, where antique decor, leather-bound-first-edition books and deep leather arm chairs make you feel like the member of a private club.
The hotel also has extensive spa facilities and a 65-foot lap pool that sits under a fiber-optic domed roof that is a recreation of the Southern Hemisphere night sky. They give the idea of “swimming under the stars” a whole new meaning… Insider Tip: Go to the Sydney Observatory, just across the street, and have a star named after you!
Interested in going to Sydney and staying at the Observatory Hotel? Contact us!
