We’re back in the Polka Dot Travel Lounge this week, joined by the lovely Simon Bernardi of Hotels Please! Hotels Please is an easy to use booking website for people who wish to only book hotels at a great rate – without all the gimmicks. Working tirelessly to bring you accommodation at the best prices with over 100,000 properties to choose from, both in Australia and worldwide. Simon has been generous enough to share with us honeymoon travel advice, including the best hotels and destinations – and a particularly romantic tip for a proposal!
What is your favourite region?
It’s difficult to pick a single region, I have favourites all over the world and favourite regions depending on my mood and the time of the year, eg Venice is one of the most romantic cities in the world but I’m not a fan in winter or peak summer when the crowds are too large, but in Spring or Autumn it is very different.
My all year favourite region is the Pacific. I’m a sun, scuba diving and beach lover and in the Pacific there are plenty of places to enjoy all three.
The Yasawa Island Resort and Spa
Top Resort Recommendation
My top resort recommendations especially for a honeymoon would be The Yasawa Island Resort and Spa in Fiji and the Four Seasons Resort and Spa in Bora Bora Tahiti. From the first “Bulla” you hear (Fijian for welcome) when you step off the plane in Nadi Airport, you experience the true warmth and friendliness of the Fijian people.
The Yasawa Island Resort and Spa is just a quick boat ride or sea plane ride from Nadi Airport. This relatively new resort is five star luxury and offers 18 secluded Bungalows. The only other guests on the Island other than the resort are the inhabitants of the local Fijian village.
The resort really embraces the “get away from it all” philosophy with no phones or television on the Island, this really lets you immerse yourself in the Island the way it was meant to be enjoyed.
The Honeymoon Suite is secluded and has its own infinity pool overlooking the white sand. It also has a large timber deck to laze away the days on. The activities on this Island include intense pampering at the beachfront spa, as well as beach picnics, game fishing and snorkelling adventures or just relaxing on the pristine beach out the front of your bungalow door.
At the Four Seasons Resort and Spa Bora Bora, you’ll find over 100 overwater bungalow suites, 15 bungalows and villas with private pools, 5 pool cabanas and 1 private Island. The resort lagoon is a marine reserve home to hundreds of species of tropical sea life and marine animals.
There is plenty to do here activities include tennis, circle the island in a wave runner, catamarans’, shark and ray feeding, kayaking wind surfing and beach volleyball. The dining options at the resort give you a choice of dining and bars as well as room service on the balcony of your own overwater bungalow.
Whilst these two are my favourites it really depends on the mood you’re in as there are many more great resorts I could tell you about.
Suggestions for great honeymoon activities
There is nothing like a spa treatment and massage after a hard day of beach activities. (I love Scuba diving and snorkelling and just taking in the island ambiance.)
However if you’re going to do all the activities at a resort it’s important that you reward yourself with a great meal at the end of the day, so anywhere I go must have quality food and dining options.
The Ideal location for a proposal
A proposal location is a big decision; it must be intimate so you are not interrupted.It must be a special place so you will always have fond memories.
I’m not a big believer in locations such as the Eifel Tower for example whilst its truly spectacular and beautiful, it sounds romantic but by the time to wait in line and cram into a small area with thousands of others on a windy day, it can lose its appeal and lustre. Some places sound good but you really have to think it through.
At the risk of sounding food obsessed I think a restaurant is great and I proposed to my wife at Florentino’s Restaurant in Melbourne. If I could pick any where it would be at the roof top restaurant at the Hassler in Rome overlooking the ancient city at night….it has to be a winner.
Restaurant Imago at Hotel Hassel
The Best Kept Honeymoon Location
If it’s not just the beach you like, the Greek Islands can also be a great honeymoon spot. In particular the Island of Santorini, like Tahiti is better than the postcards and the backdrop of the sunset over the Mediterranean is like no other sunset you will see. Its worth staying five star here and exploring the island by motorbike and dining at the little villages and of course on the face of the volcano (long since extinct).
Santorini – Image courtesy Visit Greece
Huge thanks to Simon for providing these tantalising tips, and if you’d like more info on some of the locations or accommodation he’s highlighted, then head over to the Hotels Please website!
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