Say ‘I do’ to these ridiculously romantic hotels for honeymoons, each less than a five-hour flight from Singapore.
Less time travelling means more time honeymooning – whether you want to spy on fishermen in Kerala, spot elephants in Sri Lanka, swim with sea turtles in Lombok, dine on the beach in Bali or have a Thai cookery class in Phuket.
Brunton Boatyard, Kerala, India
Start your marriage off in shipshape fashion at this handsome harbourside hotel in Kerala’s historic Fort Cochin. Items for your hotlist include: the glorious outdoor swimming pool; an Ayurvedic Centre for fragrant treatments and massages; sea-view bedrooms and a choice of excellent restaurants. If you want to spy on the boats and local fishermen from your room, opt for a bedroom on the second floor. Cocktail-lovers will enjoy nights at Armoury bar, which serves a daily-changing libation. Days are warm and balmy, but bring a jumper for the evenings, when the temperature drops (alternatively, just cuddle up to your new spouse).
Smith Extra: Two-for-one dinner in the main restaurant
The Lombok Lodge, Lombok, Indonesia
Everything is serene and breezy – just like the perfect marriage – at the Lombok Lodge, whose coconut-white interiors are a stark contrast to Lombok’s giddy riot of blue-green colour. You’ll spend a lot of time outside: in the sun-kissed gardens, splashing in the pool and lazing on the beach – though there are mountain bikes and a boat to borrow, if you’re feeling lively. Stay outdoors for dinner by the pool, especially if the local musicians are playing. You’ll want to fit spa treatments into your hectic schedule of honeymooning: serious sunbathers should prep skin with an exfoliating scrub; clumsy ones can cool down with aloe vera.
Smith Extra: A candlelit beachside dinner for two
Hotel Tugu Bali, Bali, Indonesia
Wake up amid precious Indonesian antiquities at Hotel Tugu Bali, perched prettily on a beachfront beloved by surfers, sunbathers and seclusion-seeking honeymooners. Tugu Bali boasts five very tasty restaurants; guests are also encouraged to dine privately in their chambers or to take their meals in numerous romantic nooks around the verdant grounds – nothing beats dining on the beach. The seductive thatched suites are dotted among lush gardens and lotus ponds by the Indian Ocean: honeymooners should consider the sprawling, red-themed Puri Le Mayeur villa, dedicated to the love story between the Belgian painter Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur de Merprès and local Legong dancer Ni Pollok.
Smith Extra: A one-hour massage for two; for three-night stays, either a one-hour signature Gemulai Penari massage or a private torch-lit dinner for two on the beach
Paresa, Phuket, Thailand
Paresa is named after the ‘heaven of heavens’ in Sanskrit: it lives up to its name, thanks to its sky-high perch on the cliffs of Kamala Bay, with sandy beaches within easy reach and god-given views of Andaman Sea sunsets from all of its contemporary rooms. Additional angelic attributes include seductive modern design (from the sleek infinity pool to free-standing bath tubs), romantic outdoor and overwater dining areas, and a smart Thai cookery school. Talking of food, dine away from prying eyes in the Khao Sok forest; ask the Adventure Team and they’ll set up a linen-topped table on a raft beneath the tree canopy.
Smith Extra: A Thai set lunch with a glass of house wine for two at Talung Thai Restaurant
Living Heritage Koslanda, Koslanda, Sri Lanka
Living Heritage Koslanda sits in an area called God’s Forest; spend five minutes amid its cinnamon-scented serenity and you’ll soon see why. Romantic, rustic rooms, a dazzling hilltop infinity pool and a brilliant chef keep things heavenly. Instead of visiting angels, elephants stomp by during the drier months. There are only four rooms, so you’re in no danger of feeling crowded: for maximum privacy, opt for the Garden Villa, set away from the main building and tucked in the undergrowth, close to the pool. The restaurant is very lovely, but who could resist a lantern-lit table for two by the creek, or hidden in a hilltop pavilion behind the pool?
Smith Extra: A bottle of wine
Mr & Mrs Smith gets you the best rates, guaranteed, as well as a little something extra on arrival at every hotel. To book, call the Smith24 team toll free at 800 905 326 or visit mrandmrssmith.com.
