1. Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, CaliforniaAs part of the 2014 Brides Best Honeymoon awards, we’re counting down the best places for newlyweds to stay... Read More
1. Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California
As part of the 2014 Brides Best Honeymoon awards, we’re counting down the best places for newlyweds to stay in the Mainland U.S. From luxe resorts in the Napa Valley to hotel oases in the Sedona Desert, you’re guaranteed a memorable stay no matter which resort you choose.
From villas on stilts to suites with wildflower-carpeted roofs, every room feels as much a part of the landscape as the redwoods that surround it do. No wonder Anne Hathaway got hitched here.
2. Auberge du Soleil, Napa Valley, California
When you’re done with a day of wine tasting in the vineyards, come home to this posh hillside retreat to sip a little more. (The Michelin-starred restaurant’s wine list is among the most robust in Napa.) Bonus: The property has serious eco cred—food is composted, the pool is purified with an ozone system, and lights are rigged for maximum efficiency.
3. Amangiri, Canyon Point, Utah
Set among the bluffs and canyons of southwest Utah, this 34-room hotel is literally one with its surroundings. Buildings and rooms are the color of the earth, a natural rocky promontory juts into the pool, and spa treatments are inspired by the Navajo dedication to Hozho—beauty, harmony, balance and health. Mother Nature never looked so good.
4. Little Palm Island Resort and Spa, Little Torch Key, Florida
To get from your sumptuous bungalow to the white sand beach that stretches in front of the restaurant, you could take the seashell paths that run this five-and-a-half-acre private island. Or you could kayak through the surrounding mangroves, past blue herons and egrets. Worked up a sweat? Take a dip in the pool, or rinse off in your outdoor shower. Seriously sexy.
5. Calistoga Ranch, an Auberge Resort, Napa Valley, California
When you’re honeymooning in a town known for its healing mineral waters, it’s practically mandatory to do at least one mud bath. But there are other ways that this haute resort, tucked deep in a canyon lush with grape vines and oak trees, works hard to dissolve your wedding stress. Take a wine-blending class or painting class, hit the hiking and jogging trails, or just sip chardonnay on your private cedar deck before bedding down in 500-thread-count sheets.
6. Enchantment Resort, Sedona, Arizona
The desert landscape is the draw here, so don’t be surprised when you notice that the blues, taupes, and rust tones of your casita match the colors of the sky, earth, and red rocks outside. With the canyons and vortexes (energy centers) of Sedona to explore, hiking is a must. Good thing your aching muscles have access to Mii amo, consistently ranked among the best destination spas anywhere.
7. Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, California
Like much of Santa Barbara, the Four Seasons was built in Spanish-colonial style—the perfect choice for a resort set on the coast of the American Riviera. Take a stroll on Butterfly Beach, practice your synchronized swimming moves in the heated pool (music is streamed underwater), and breath in the smell of jasmine as hummingbirds hover overhead. It won’t be long before you come down with your own case of California love.
8. Montage Laguna Beach, California
Laguna Beach has been the artistic heart of California since the 1900s. Reflecting that legacy, plain air paintings by California artists are on display throughout the 248-room Craftsman-style oasis. Also on view: the Pacific surf, both from your balcony and the beach below.
9. Amangani, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
If there’s a chicer place to ski and be seen, we haven’t seen it. In winter, steam rises from the heated outdoor pool, making your après-snowboarding views of the snow-peaked Grand Tetons that much more mysterious. In summer, sign up for one of the resort’s safaris, so you can spy on the area’s flora and fauna, including moose, bison, and bald eagles. No wonder they call it the Wild West.
10. The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Sprawling across 3,000 acres, this 95-year-old lakeside grand dame is a Rocky Mountain legend. When you’re not outside mountain biking, hiking, swimming, rafting, or fly-fishing, you’ll be inside knocking down pins in the bowling alley, browsing the 26 shops, or doing the couples-massage thing in the 90,000 square foot spa.