Sure, we all want to take a private jet trip around the world. And, maybe one day that’ll happen. While we’re a fan of the Maldives and Bora Bora’s of the world, there are so many luxury travels that exist a little closer to home, too. From California to New York, Colorado and South Carolina, we rounded up the best honeymoon destinations in the USA and North America, below.Â
The beauty of a North American honeymoon destination isn’t just the convenience, either. We often forget just how gorgeous this country is. A three-hour flight or 8 hour drive can often get you to a completely different scenic wonderland. And if you put your Europe or Asia airfare budget towards one these amazing resorts, you’ll feel like you’re in a far-away land, all in less than a day’s travel.
And even though your cell phone will still work, no one says you can’t shut it off the minute you hit wheels up.
The Best Honeymoon Destinations in the USA
1. Amangani, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Airport: Jackson Hole Airport (JAC)
Distance from Hotel: 25 Minutes
Basic Booking Costs: Superior Suites from $800/night
Best Room in the House: Grand Teton Suite from $2,600/night
If you’re well-versed within the luxury hotels space, you’ve probably heard of Aman resorts, most popular for their seriously 5 star accommodations mostly in Asia (plus Europe and Africa). But what you may not know is that two of their renowned destinations exist right here in America. For instance, Amangani in Jackson Hole, Wyoming touts some of the best skiing real estate in the Rockies, not to mention other snow sports such as snowmobiling and sleigh rides. But, don’t let the location fool you. Jackson Hole is just as beautiful year-round with sunny days, cool nights and optimal hiking weather. Likewise, the resort offers a luxe spa, farm-to-table cuisine, but most notably, a remote location where you can really feel like you’re on your honeymoon.
2. Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California
Airport: Monterey (MRY)
Distance from Hotel: 45 Minutes
Basic Booking Costs: Rooms from $1,095/night
Best Room in the House: Post House (must contact hotel directly for rates and information)
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This has been on our wanderlust list for quite some time. And for good reason. The Post Ranch Inn is located atop the cliffs of Big Sur, some 1,200 feet above sea level. Each of the 39 guest rooms (plus one private home) offer a truly unique experience (like the Tree Houses, which are built on nine-foot-high stilts). In fact, each freestanding structure is made of reclaimed wood, glass, steel and stone. A truly immersive experience with nature, room rates include complimentary buffet breakfast, yoga, star gazing with an in-house astronomer and Lexus vehicles available for use to drive along the Pacific Coast Highway. This is definitely one of the best honeymoon destinations in the USA.
3. Lake Placid Lodge, Adirondacks, New York
Airport: Saranac Lake (SLK)
Distance from Hotel: 30 minutes
Basic Booking Costs: Pine Cabin at $409/night
Best Room in the House: Buck Two Bedroom Cabin at $1,169/night
You’ll notice a few of our suggestions for the best honeymoon destinations in the USA are included within the Relais & Chateaux group, and that’s because the boutique hotels that are part of the Relais & Chateaux collection are exactly what you’re looking for when it comes to a honeymoon. Totally private, completely luxurious and with serious charm. Lake Placid Lodge embodies just that.
Nestled in the Adirondack mountains in upstate New York, the resort’s 30 rooms, suites, private cabins and cottages have been individually outfitted with furnishings that exude the charm of the Adirondack mountains, such as stone fireplaces and hand-built beds. The hotel’s waterfront location means a surplus of activities for the summer, such as hiking, boating and horseback riding. But, we must admit, their winter activities like skiing and ice skating, an Olympic bobsled ride and Toboggan rides make this sound like the perfect winter honeymoon destination, too. The year-round bonfires complete with s’mores (even in the snow) don’t sound so bad, either.
4.Montage Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton, South Carolina
Airport: Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV), flights also available to Hilton Head Airport (HHH)
Distance from Hotel: 40 minutes
Basic Booking Costs: Forest View Inn King at $430/night
Best Room in the House: River View Cottage $1,150/night
If you’re looking for some Southern hospitality (and some great lowcountry food), Montage Palmetto Bluff is one of the best honeymoon destinations in the USA for your stay in the south. Not only can you experience all the great things the South has to offer (head east for Hilton Head and southwest for Savannah), but the resort boasts charming cottages, a beautiful golf course on the banks of the May river, and a ton of outdoor activities such as boating, dolphin tours and paddle boarding. We’re dreaming of cruising around on one of their bicycles and afternoon “porching” (socializing while drinking sweet tea). What’s better than that?!
5. Sonora Resort, Sonora Island, British Columbia, Canada
Airport: Vancouver (YVR) + Helicopter/Seaplane to Sonora (Additional 50 Minutes), Seattle (SEA) + Kenmore Air Float Plane to Sonora (Additional 2.5 Hours), Campbell River (YBL) + Water Taxi (Additional 1 Hour, 15 Minutes)
Distance from Hotel: 4 Hours
Basic Booking Costs: Gold Room from $560/night
Best Room in the House: Sea Lion Pointe Villa from $5,540/night
Sonora Resort, located in British Columbia’s Discovery Islands, is truly an immersive experience with nature, where wilderness surrounds you and the locals include great big bears. What we love about this resort is its serene location that includes both relaxation and adventure. From salmon fishing and grizzly bear tours to helicopter glacier tours, the opportunities for adventure are endless.
The resort also offers a Homalco Wildlife tour with the native Hamolco Band, who have called the Orford River home for thousands of years. The tour includes traditional cedar weaving, paddling in a Salish Design canoe and a seafood feast (in additional to Grizzly habitat and fish hatchery viewings). We also recommend signing up for the Blind Channel Tour which offers exciting wildlife watching as well as a hike through British Columbia’s rainforest with ancient cedars, which are hundreds of feet high. Bald eagles, sea lions, seals, whales and dolphins. Check. Next on the list? The Island Currents Spa.
6. The St. Regis Aspen Resort, Aspen, Colorado
Airport: Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE)
Distance from Hotel: 15 minutes
Basic Booking Costs: Superior, King Bed at $499/night
Best Room in the House: Aspen Mountain Suite e at $3,200/night
Mountain luxury, like no other. The St. Regis, Aspen is truly a mountainside retreat perfect for a romantic trip (like your honeymoon). We recommend the hotel for its stately exterior and contemporary mountain-inspired rooms (like the leather bed designed by Ralph Lauren). Not to mention the majestic views that can be seen right from your suite.
Though Aspen has long been the gem of winter ski-season, we see this one of the best honeymoon destinations in the USA for warmer-weather activities such as mountain biking and fishing. And don’t forget to visit the Aspen Saturday Market, hike the Maroon Bells, and ride the Aspen Mountain Gondola. Plus, shopping in the historic downtown plaza is a must.
7. Harbour House Hotel, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
Airport: Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Distance from Hotel: 1 Hour, 20 Minutes
Basic Booking Costs: Premium River View at $153/night
Best Room in the House: Honeymoon or Riverview Suite at $385/night
We’ve been craving a visit to Canada’s Niagara-on-the-Lake for quite some time. Specifically, to visit during their Icewine Festival which takes place in January. One of Ontario’s most notable treasures, Icewine is a dessert wine, which is created from grapes that have been frozen on the vine. Each January, Niagara-on-the-Lake celebrates the Icewine harvest, with a winter wonderland festival full of (you guessed it) food and wine pairings and even Icewine marshmallows.
Thinking about visiting during the warmer months? The region’s traditional wine festival takes place in September, and you can sip Canada’s premium wines along the wine trail which includes over 40 wineries. The quaint Harbour House Hotel on Lake Ontario offers all the cozy comforts you could hope for in your honeymoon (all premium rooms have a gas burning fireplace!). You’ll also love the picture-perfect breakfast served in the conservatory with a size of jazz music.
8. Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, Little Torch Key, Florida
Airport: Key West International Airport (EYW) + boat available at Welcome Center on Little Torch Key
Distance from Hotel: Approximately 40 minutes + boat ride
Basic Booking Costs: Island Escape Suite at $1,233/night
Best Room in the House: Island Grand Suite at $2,019/night
If you ever thought Florida wasn’t tropical enough of a vacation for a honeymoon, we’re about to totally change your mind. In fact, we think we found one of the best honeymoon destinations in the USA here!
Little Palm Island Resort & Spa is located on its own private island, and accessible by sea-plane or boat. It’s remote, tropical, and you can sit on a lounge chair with a book all day without feeling bad about your lack of movement. Plus, the resort offers air-conditioned thatched roof bungalows that will really make you feel like you’re super far from anywhere. No phones, no televisions. Just a whole lot of great food and luxe spa treatments. The perfect honeymoon, if you ask us.
9. Post Hotel & Spa, Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada
Airport: Calgary International Airport (YYC)
Distance from Hotel: 2 Hours
Basic Booking Costs: Room Type: B, King Bed at $385/night
Best Room in the House: Watson House (Contact hotel directly for rates)
The luxe accommodations at the Post Hotel & Spa is reason enough to book your honeymoon stay at this Relais & Chateaux gem in Alberta, Canada. Located in Banff National Park, the hotel is situated five minutes from the Lake Louise Ski Resort, and 20 minutes from Moraine Lake. And, just another 40 minutes to the town of Banff.
The hotel has also been awarded for its exquisite dining scene, and expansive wine cellar that includes over 25,500 bottles and more than 2,300 selections of fine wines. A true summer and winter destination, The Post Hotel & Spa is an amazing retreat whatever season you choose.
10. San Ysidro Ranch, Santa Barbara, California
Airport: Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)
Distance from Hotel: 20 Minutes
Basic Booking Costs: Romantic Garden Hideaways King Bed at $845/night
Best Room in the House: Warner Cottage at $6,000/night, you may want to consider the Daisy Cottage or French Lavender Cottages which are just as lovely at $1,245/night
Last but not least is another stop in California, this time to the San Ysidro Ranch. In fact, we’re kind of obsessed with it. The perfectly serene location with magnificent views of the Santa Ynez Mountains, Channel Islands and the Pacific make this a California-dream of a honeymoon. Not only do we love that the location offers equal parts activity (hiking, sailing, etc.) and beaching, but you’ll be able to enjoy the offerings of downtown Santa Barbara as well as the many wineries of Santa Barbara Wine Country. Plus, the rooms at San Ysidro Ranch, with beautiful oak floors, hand-selected antiques and artwork, Nespresso machines and Persian rugs are among the most beautiful hotel abodes we’ve seen. Want to splurge? The private cottages have an outdoor shower and private hot tub that will make you want to never leave. Did we mention the ivy-clad bungalow exterior and secret-garden-esque patio? Swoon.
San Ysidro Ranch is also perfect for a wedding! Read our review here.
