Riviera Maya

Real Honeymoon |

Riviera Maya is one of my favorite places in Mexico to send couples, so here we have another beautiful honeymoon adventure at the beautiful Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita. John & Cindi really took advantage of what the hotel had to offer, from tequila tastings & cooking classes to catamaran rides & kayaking, and they had an absolute blast! Here’s what John & Cindi had to say about their honeymoon.

Where did you go? Riviera Maya, Mexico

What resort did you stay in? Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita

Why did you decide to honeymoon in Mexico and how did you come to this decision? We chose Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita because it seemed to have everything we were looking for in a honeymoon and then some! It felt like it was one of the more luxurious choices we saw in the Caribbean and we loved going in to the trip knowing the experience was ‘all inclusive’ and we definitely couldn’t wait to enjoy all of the things that the ‘honeymoon package’ had to offer. The in-room plunge pool helped our decision too ☺

What was your favorite part about Zoetry? We loved all of the different activities offered at the resort (cooking classes, yoga, tequila tasting, Mayan rituals, releasing baby sea turtles into the ocean and MORE). Also, one very special thing about this resort is how extremely nice and enthusiastic the people who worked there were. They went out of their way to make sure that you had everything you could possibly want or need and made a point to learn our names, remember our favorite food and drinks – that made it very personal and special! Oh and we loved the daily fresh sushi bar…. Sorry, that was three favorite parts.

What did you like about Riviera Maya? The scenery was picturesque and breathtaking! The weather was perfect and it was just a short flight away!

Did you receive any special honeymoon amenities or upgrades? Yes, we chose the ‘Honeymoon in Paradise’ package which included:
— Private airport transfers with a glass of champagne and strawberries
— Unpacking and pressing service on arrival
— Large red rose floral arrangement in the suite
— Specialty spa basket in the room on arrival
— Sunrise champagne breakfast on the suit terrace
— Nightly “lavish chocolate” turn down service
— Romantic dinner on the beach
— Handmade beach bag
— Special turndown service one evening with rose petals, scented oil bubble bath and the champagne
— Specialty 80 min Couples Massage
— 10% discount on all Spa treatments
— Two hour catamaran cruise in the ocean

If you could have changed one thing about your trip, what would it be? It was great – we can’t think of a single thing! Well… maybe we would have caught at least one fish on our fishing trip but you can’t control those things, haha. I guess that’s why they call is fishing and not catching!

If you had to pick just one, what would be your favorite honeymoon memory? We really enjoyed the catamaran cruise. It was a lot of fun!

Looking back, is there anything you would tell other couples planning their honeymoon? From our perspective a quick flight to a relaxing and all inclusive resort was a great choice! We definitely underestimated how exhausted we would be after all of the activities leading up to the wedding and of course celebrating the BIG DAY! It was so nice to top off the wedding experience in a relaxed and indulgent atmosphere! We tried all the food and drinks that we could manage to enjoy and never had to worry about our wallets. This atmosphere was a nice treat after wedding planning ☺

What 3 words would you use to describe your honeymoon? Perfect, Tranquil, Indulgent

  Thanks again, John & Cindi for sharing with us! It was such a pleasure working with you two!

Interested in going to Riviera Maya for your honeymoon? Contact us!

Bon Voyage!

Part Two – Italy

Real Honeymoon |

Here is the second half of Aaron & Lindsey’s honeymoon escape. We posted their Greek adventures from the beginning of their honeymoon on Monday. Below are their memories from Rome, Sorrento, & day trips to Capri, Positano, & Pompeii.

Where did you stay? The Plaza in Sorrento was in an amazing location just off the main square and within walking distance to everything that Sorrento has to offer.  The River Palace in Rome was on the north side of town near wonderful restaurants, shopping, and a metro station.


Why did you decide this honeymoon spot? We had never been to either country and wanted the perfect mix of relaxing (Greece) and an adventurous vacation (Italy).



What did you like about Italy? Sorrento is such a beautiful city on the Amalfi Coast, which spoiled us with views of the island of Capri, the infamous Mount Vesuvias, and all of the activity in the Mediterranean. The food was absolutely amazing and we ate as many times a day as humanly possible. Rome was the perfect place to end our trip as we were able to enjoy so many things that make it such an iconic city. We especially loved that it is such a walkable city. And again, we enjoyed some of the best food on Earth.



 
Did you receive any special honeymoon amenities or upgrades? We had champagne and snacks awaiting us at each of the 3 hotels as well as a very nice “congratulations” welcome from the staff.

If you could have changed one thing about your trip, what would it be? It really was perfect… first class flights would’ve been nice though!

Looking back, is there anything you would tell other couples planning their honeymoon? Pack light (which we did), don’t ever plan (save time to relax) and listen to Katie!


What three words would you use to describe your honeymoon? Dream come true!

What an amazing honeymoon, right?! Be sure to check out part one of their honeymoon in Greece and also see their wedding on 100 Layer Cake! Thanks again Aaron & Lindsey for sharing your honeymoon with us!

Need help planning your honeymoon? Contact us!

Bon Voyage!

Part One – Santorini Greece

Real Honeymoon |

I am so excited about featuring Aaron & Lindsey’s honeymoon! You can see pictures from their beautiful wedding on  JL Design’s Blog and on 100 Layer Cake. The adorable couple started their honeymoon in Santorini Greece, and then they headed off to Italy where they stayed in Sorrento and Rome.  They had an amazing honeymoon and came back with beautiful pictures! Be sure to check back later this week to see the rest of their honeymoon in Italy!

Where did you go?  Santorini, Greece, Sorrento & Rome, Italy (w/ day trips to Capri, Positano, and Pompeii)

 

Where did you stay in Greece? The Arressana in Santorini was in the capital of Fira and conveniently located close to the coast, restaurants, shops, and the bus station. (Which we used every day!)

How did you decide to honeymoon in Greece & Italy? We had never been to either country and wanted the perfect mix of relaxing (Santorini) and an adventurous vacation (Italy)

What did you like about Santorini? Santorini was an absolutely gorgeous island with breathtaking views, sunsets, and delicious local foods.  The Aegean Sea was wonderful and we enjoyed swimming every day in its beautiful, blue, clear water. 

Did you receive any special honeymoon amenities or upgrades? We had champagne and snacks awaiting us at each of the 3 hotels as well as a very nice ‘congratulations’ welcome from the staff.

If you could have changed one thing about your trip, what would it be?  It really was perfect…first class flights would’ve been nice though.

If you had to pick just one, what would be your favorite honeymoon memory?  It’s not fair to pick just one, but swimming in the Aegean Sea at Amoudi Beach in Santorini was something we will never forget.

Looking back, is there anything you would tell other couples planning their honeymoon?  Pack light (which we did), don’t over plan (save time to relax), and listen to Katie!

What 3 words would you use to describe your honeymoon?  Dream Come True!

So cute, right?!! Thank you again Aaron & Lindsey for sharing your honeymoon with us! Check back later this week for the second part of their honeymoon! Interested in going to Greece or Italy for your honeymoon? Contact us!

Bon Voyage!

Kauai

Real Honeymoon |

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, & adventurous

Thank you two so much for sharing!! Interested in going to Kauai for your honeymoon?? Contact us!

Bon Voyage!

St. Barths

Real Honeymoon |

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!

Bon Voyage!