We’re very happy to be joined in The Polka Dot Travel Lounge today by the lovely Kristen McKenzie, head of Community and Public Relations at HotelsCombined. HotelsCombined is a fab site that allows you to instantly search and compare room availability and prices from all major travel websites, including Expedia, Hotels.com, Venere,Laterooms, EasyToBook (and many more) all in one set of search result. No honeymoon destination left uncovered!
We asked Kristen for her personal tips and secrets for the best of the best of honeymoons!
What is your favourite region?
Australia has so much natural beauty that it’s hard to pick just one! As a wine aficionado, I have to say though that I especially love Oz’s wine regions. Having travelled to places like the Napa Valley and Mendoza in Argentina, Australia is at the forefront when it comes to winery estates. And whether it be the Hunter Valley, the Barossa Valley or the Margaret River, they’re all really beautiful areas that are plenty romantic. If I hadn’t done a beach wedding, I definitely would have undergone a vineyard ceremony…
Top Resort Recommendation?
I actually got married with Peppers Airlie Beach and was really impressed with their level of detail and service. Though they must see dozens of weddings every year, they really did go above and beyond to make us feel special. Plus, their rooms come complete with the hugest spa baths I have ever seen as well as absolutely stunning views of the Coral Sea.
Suggestions for great honeymoon activities.
Couples spa treatments are always a great honeymoon treat, and I especially love the romantic therapy treatments on offer at the Langham Melbourne and at the Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge in Tasmania. Unique wine and culinary experiences can also be a fun and intimate experience for any foodie duo – for instance, at the Treetops Lodge and Estate in New Zealand, guests can partake in a 4WD safari to observe the estate’s varied wildlife before being led to forage in the bush for fresh herbs and spices. Dinner is then served al fresco in front of a cascading waterfall…a memorable day out, to say the least!
The ideal location for a proposal?
My husband proposed to me in front of a beautiful waterfall in Kakadu National Park, and I was pretty impressed with that! But anywhere with a gorgeous view will suit – and there’s certainly lots of stunning vistas to pick from in this country. I know a couple who recently got engaged at the Four Seasons Sydney with the Sydney Harbour in the background and that was pretty incredible. And then there’s also the natural beauty of places like Hamilton Island and the Blue Mountains which are always good choices.
Best kept secret honeymoon location?
I think Tasmania is often overlooked as a romantic getaway which is surprising because it has absolutely breathtaking scenery, a great culinary scene and lots of activities to choose from. It also boasts plenty of amazing resorts like the spectacular Saffire Freycinet and the picturesque Avalon Coastal Retreat.
Thanks a bunch to Kristen for sharing her fantastic picks from around our fair country. If you’d like to see what sort of great deals you can get for one of the destinations she’s suggested, head over to HotelsCombined!
Hi,
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