Best Adventurous Honeymoon Resorts of 2022

Best Adventurous Honeymoon Resorts of 2022

By Leslie Matus 1 year ago

When it comes to choosing a destination for an adventurous honeymoon, the options can seem almost endless, but to help you out, we’ve pulled together some of the best.

Classic tropical locales like Fiji, Bora-Bora, and Hawaii promise white-sand beaches, swaying palms, and abundant ocean-based activities — from surfing and snorkeling to helping with coral restoration. Sleeper hit spots like Vancouver Island, Utah, and Iceland should appeal to couples keen to heli-ski, hike, and horseback ride. And newlyweds wanting wellness programs or the chance to spot iconic wildlife can look to Arizona’s saguaro-dotted Sonoran Desert and a 2.5-million-year-old Tanzanian caldera.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: The Lodge at Blue Sky, Park City, Utah

Courtesy of Auberge Resorts Collection

Why We Chose It

An architectural stunner, The Lodge at Blue Sky celebrates the great outdoors and best of the West across every season.

Notable Amenities

Spa, infinity-edged hot tub, après-ski spot The Yurt

Pros and Cons

Resort Overview

From archery and trout fishing to wildlife tracking and holistic horsemanship classes, there’s seemingly no end to the warm-weather adventures at Blue Sky. During winter, it’s possible to heli-ski, go dogsledding, or ride fat tire bikes across snow-covered trails. There are meditation and alpine art classes for mellower days, while joining a private ceremonial sage blessing with a Shoshone tribal elder might also appeal.

Rooms range from the Sky Lodge Suites (located near the restaurant, bar, and infinity pool) to limestone Earth Suites with outdoor fireplaces. The open-concept Creek House suites are adults-only and popular with couples. Treatments at the Edge Spa feature natural “bloom-to-bottle” products, much like the elevated and mountain-inspired cuisine at signature restaurant Yuta (helmed by Eleven Madison Park alum Jason Franey) and The Bar, both of which source much of their produce from Blue Sky’s on-site farm and nearby purveyors. Throw in High West Distillery & Tasting Room (the place for whiskey cocktails and Utah craft brews), and guests aren’t left wanting for much here.

Best Luxury: Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, Bora-Bora, French Polynesia

Courtesy of Four Seasons

Why We Chose It

Romance scores a perfect 10 at this multi-award-winning South Sea paradise.

Notable Amenities

Spa, Lagoon Discovery underwater adventure program, deep-sea fishing excursions

Pros and Cons

Resort Overview

Dubbed the “Pearl of the Pacific,” Bora-Bora has long topped lists of favorite honeymoon destinations. And with their turquoise-hued lagoon setting, the thatched overwater bungalows and beachfront villas at this Four Seasons outpost will impress even the most seasoned of travelers.

Spend your days swimming, kayaking, spotting reef sharks, or hopping on a cultural lagoon tour. Honeymooners keen to dial up the romance can select from a list of couples-only services, including spa treatments and a sunset cruise. Filled with traditional teak furnishings, Polynesian artwork, and five-star touches — from soaking tubs to private pools — the bungalows and villas are as romantic as they are restful. Whether it’s a toes-in-the-sand dinner for two on a private motu, poisson cru and sunset cocktails at Faré Hoa Beach Bar & Grill, or champagne delivered to your bungalow, dining options go above and beyond here as well.

Best Sustainability: Kokomo Private Island Fiji, Yaukuve Levu Island, Fiji

Courtesy of Kokomo Private Island Fiji

Why We Chose It

With its secluded villas and lush tropical gardens, Kokomo is a castaway fantasy come to life.

Notable Amenities

PADI diving center, private seaplane and helicopter, wine cellar

Pros and Cons

  • Local craftsmanship

  • Beautiful design

  • Private villas

Resort Overview

From its coral restoration and manta tagging programs to its hydroponic garden and 5.5-acre organic farm, this idyllic and multi-award-winning resort puts sustainability and conservation at its core. These initiatives extend to the materials used throughout the hotel, from furniture and decks crafted with cinnamon tree hardwoods and mahogany to traditional woven mats and coconut fibers that secure roof beams. Fijian artwork adds to the sense of place.

With just 21 villas and five residences, each with a private infinity pool and ocean view, Kokomo is hugely popular with honeymooners who come to snorkel, surf, stand-up paddleboard, sail, and scuba dive the crystalline waters of the nearby Great Astrolabe Reef. At Yaukuve Spa Sanctuary, the treatments employ vegan Aussie skin care line Sodashi and natural ingredients like lemongrass and ginger. Try the Jet Lag Recovery or indulge in a two-hour Royal Moroccan Hammam experience.

Best Access to Nature: andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania

Courtesy of andBeyond

Why We Chose It

One of the most architecturally spectacular safari lodges in Africa, the resort offers unparalleled wildlife viewing opportunities.

Notable Amenities

Safari game drives, cultural visits, wine store

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Personal butlers

  • Spectacular views

  • Exceptional service

Resort Overview

A 90-minute drive from the nearest airstrip, Ngorongoro Crater Lodge rewards intrepid travelers with magnificent views of the ancient caldera from each of its 30 mud-and-thatch, Maasai-inspired suites. Guests of the lodge have the chance to see wildlife in one of the most beautiful parts of Tanzania, and naturalist guides are on hand to help them spot big tuskers, zebras, and rare black rhinos. Guests shouldn’t miss the chance to spend a day with a local lion conservation team, either.

Back at the lodge, which is divided into three intimate camps, personal butlers provide impeccable service, from making gin and tonics for fireside sundowners to drawing rose petal baths. There’s no swimming pool or spa here, but in-room massages can be arranged, as can bespoke blessing ceremonies conducted to the sound of chanting Maasai warriors.

Best for Privacy: Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, Alberni-Clayoquot, Canada

Bryan Stockton

Why We Chose It

Wild, welcoming, and luxurious, Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge lets guests become one with nature without sacrificing creature comforts.

Notable Amenities

Deluxe tents with wood-burning stoves; spa with cedar hot tubs, sauna, and meditation room

Pros and Cons

Cons

  • Only open May through September

  • No cell service, spotty Wi-Fi

Resort Overview

Reachable only by boat or seaplane, this luxe eco-resort on Vancouver Island’s wild and jaw-droppingly beautiful west coast is surrounded by rainforests, glaciers, and soaring peaks. Stays of three, four, seven, or 10 nights are fully customizable with a wide range of activity options, from whale and bear watching to sea kayaking, rock climbing, and horseback riding. Yoga classes and meditation are also available.

The charming prospector-style tents feature wood furnishings and fine linens. Book a Waterfront Deluxe for prime wildlife viewing. Clayoquot’s rugged yet refined theme extends to its culinary offerings. Two resident chefs source local and regional ingredients to use across their seasonal menu — think foraged forest mushrooms and grass-fed Blue Goose beef. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows at The Ivanhoe lounge afford stunning Clayoquot Sound views, making it the perfect place to mingle with fellow guests or to keep an eye out for passing wildlife as you sip a small-batch spirit before dinner.

Best Wellness: Castle Hot Springs, Morristown, Arizona

Courtesy of Castle Hot Springs

Why We Chose It

This adults-only Sonoran Desert escape strikes the perfect balance between outdoor pursuits and soothing mind-body rituals.

Notable Amenities

Natural hot springs, Via Ferrata adventure climbing course, three-acre farm, spa

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Exceptional range of adventures and experiences

  • Rate includes meals, select activities, and hot spring access

  • “E-free” areas for guests who want to unplug

Resort Overview

Located an hour north of Phoenix, Arizona’s first wellness retreat opened in 1896 and counted the Roosevelts and Wrigleys among its earliest guests. Today it’s a coveted destination for couples looking to recharge, thanks to its palm tree-lined geothermal pools and restorative therapies, including a new Watsu aquatic bodywork treatment.

The property is also home to a Via Ferrata cable climbing course and a slot canyon, while outdoor activities span desert e-bike tours, archery, trail rides, and shooting using replicas of 19th-century firearms. Guests can tour the on-site three-acre farm, which supplies Harvest restaurant and Bar 1896 with produce for its dishes and drinks, or get green-fingered with a gardening workshop. The tastefully appointed freestanding cottages, bungalows, and cabins all feel private and feature lovely extra touches like fireplaces and outdoor soaking tubs; some have telescopes for stargazing.

Best Boutique: Deplar Farm, Ólafsfjörður, Iceland

Courtesy of Eleven Experience

Why We Chose It

This 13-suite, luxe, off-grid lodge in northern Iceland provides year-round adventures, from heli-skiing and aurora borealis viewing to fly-fishing for Arctic char.

Notable Amenities

Geothermal pool with swim-up bar, spa with Isopod flotation tanks, media room, library, two helipads

Pros and Cons

Cons

  • Remote location

  • Not adults-only

Resort Overview

Ultra-adventurous couples will love this 18th-century sheep farm turned boutique hideaway in the wilds of northern Iceland. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are popular in winter, while spring is prime heli-skiing time. (When weather conditions don’t cooperate, the backcountry can be accessed by snowcat instead.) In summer, whale watching, fly-fishing, and surfing entice visitors.

With their chic but still cozy Scandinavian aesthetic, accommodations range from king spa rooms to Gallery Suites that provide dramatic mountain or lake and river views. The largest, Grettir, has a fireplace, mezzanine loft, sauna, and soaking tub. Private chef Garðar Garðarsson (one of Iceland’s best) puts a modern spin on classic dishes using local produce, including pasture-raised lamb from a nearby farm. A well-stocked cellar features wine and craft beers, and “aprés snacks” are available after every activity.

Best All-Inclusive: NIHI Sumba, Hoba Wawi, Indonesia

Courtesy of Nihi Sumba

Why We Chose It

Reached by a 50-minute flight from Bali, this romantically far-flung resort is perfectly geared for eco-adventures on land and at sea.

Notable Amenities

Bespoke adventures, spa, cooking classes, cultural experiences

Pros and Cons

Cons

  • Books up in advance

  • Expensive

Resort Overview

The plush NIHI Sumba has a slew of awards under its belt, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be battling crowds. The hotel is located on the deliciously still un-touristy Indonesian island of Sumba, which is home to wild horses and several world-class surf breaks. Guided waterfall hikes, sport fishing, snorkeling, and visits to local villages all feature, and wellness is a staple, with daily group yoga classes — from Vinyasa flow and Kundalini to Yin — held in a breezy hilltop pavilion.

Set on terraces, the resort’s 27 villas are gorgeous and include private verandas with plunge pools and Indian Ocean views. Inside, canopy beds are neatly made up with soft white linens. Tucked within the boundary of NIHI Sumba’s Spa Safari Nihioka, the secluded Villa Rahasia (Indonesian for “secret”) is especially popular with honeymooners.

Best Budget: Turtle Bay Resort, Kahuku, Hawaii

Courtesy of Turtle Bay Resort

Why We Chose It

Respectful of native traditions, the land, and local surf culture, Turtle Bay Resort is a special place to stay on Oahu’s North Shore.

Notable Amenities

Multiple dining outposts, pro-led surf program, two championship golf courses, boutique spa

Pros and Cons

Resort Overview

A world away from Waikiki, Turtle Bay Resort sits on 1,300 acres of land where hiking trails meet white-sand beaches. It’s close to the celebrated “Seven-Mile Miracle” stretch of world-class surf breaks, and its Jamie O’Brien Surf Experience gets a lot of love from guests of all levels, who get to paddle out with the local pro and his team of instructors. Ocean activities don’t stop at surfing; there are stand-up paddleboarding sessions, canoe tours, and journeys to spot Hawaiian green sea turtles.

The oceanfront swimming pool, tennis courts, and yoga classes give guests plenty to enjoy back at the resort, as do the multiple dining destinations. Order mai tais at Sunset bar and celebrate Hawaiian cowboy culture at the weekly luau dinner and show. From guest rooms to villas, all accommodations face the sea, but for an oasis-like experience within the resort, the Ocean Bungalows come with lanais and access to an exclusive infinity pool, plus a personal host.

Final Verdict

Let you and your partner’s shared hobbies guide you when deciding on the perfect honeymoon destination. With access to skiing, dogsledding, horseback riding, and lots more, our top pick, The Lodge at Blue Sky, is a reliable choice no matter your interests. If scuba diving and snorkeling with manta rays and colorful reef fish is the top priority, properties like Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora and Kokomo Private Island Fiji will be ideal. Keep the time of year for your trip in mind, too. Surfers heading to Turtle Bay Resort will find Oahu’s biggest waves in winter, while the best swells at NIHI Sumba hit from April to October. And couples keen to see wildlife on a safari honeymoon at andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge will be best rewarded in June, after the “long rains” have ended and game drives are less crowded.

Methodology

To decide on the best property for each selected category, we evaluated close to 100 hotels and resorts around the world. Key factors in our decisions included location, range of activities, and excursions that cater to active and outdoorsy couples. Proximity to nearby attractions, quality of service, and notable amenities — from private chefs and dining options to spa facilities, welcome gifts, and romantic packages — were considered as well. We also took into account customer reviews and recent accolades or awards.

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