Mr & Mrs Smith have rounded up their pick of the most romantic places that are perfect for newlyweds who want to ring in the new year together.
For the ultimate double party, why not combine your honeymoon and New Year into one incredible
post-wedding celebration? Here, travel experts Mr & Mrs Smith have rounded up their pick of the most romantic places – from a beautifully dressed designer den in Paris to a boutique bolthole camouflaged by Chile’s Atacama moonscape – that are perfect for newlyweds who want to ring in the new year together.
Le Roch Hotel & Spa, Paris, France
There’s no better honeymoon spot than the city of love… and our pick for the most jaw-droppingly romantic honeymoon in Paris is at Le Roch Hotel & Spa. Situated in the 1st arrondissement, it’s a stone’s throw from some of the world’s finest eating and shopping spots. For newly-wed brownie points, check in to the Saint Roch Suite, whose terrace overlooks the rooftops of Paris. Why? From here you can watch the fireworks above the city as the clock ticks towards midnight on New Year’s Eve. And, although we could tell you about the restaurant and its modern-French menu (curated by twice-Michelin- starred chef, Arnaud Faye), as the newly appointed monsieur et madame Smith, we have a feeling you’ll be more interested in the room service that’s available 24-hours a day…
Smith extra: A box of chocolates and a half-bottle of Champagne
Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa, Atacama Desert, Chile
At Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa, glorious sunsets and otherworldly landscapes provide the backdrop to unforgettable honeymoons. This sun-baked boutique bolthole combines relaxation and luxury with culture and exploration. What better way to start a new adventure together than with once-in-a-lifetime excursions discovering hotsprings, climbing volcanoes, mountain biking through desert canyons and exploring ancient Inca ruins? Connect with indigenous culture, undertake revitalising treatments based on local remedies at the spa, and ring in 2018 at the resort’s alfresco fire pit, where lovebirds can stare up into the world’s clearest night sky with a glass of Chilean red in hand.
Smith extra: a glass of champagne each and a cheese platter
Zaborin, Niseko, Japan
With all the meadows and mountains you could wish for, Zaborin on Japan’s Hokkaido island is a secluded honeymoon spot for couples looking to celebrate new year away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The hotel features a series of sleek, modern villas, each with two onsen baths (one inside, one out) filled with the purest, steamiest, most mineral-rich volcanic water. Dinner is an 11-course ritual of organic, local food, with fish from a nearby lake and produce from the surrounding countryside. Serenity is the order of the day here, but if you want to add in a dose of adventure, Japan’s most famous ski resort is just 20 minutes away.
Smith extra: a bottle of local sake from Niseko brewery
Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, United States
Perched upon a stretch of rugged California coastline, the architecturally breathtaking private lodgings of Post Ranch Inn are upstaged only by the vast Pacific Ocean views. Sierra Mar, the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, is an enviable New Year’s Eve location thanks to its glass wall, which awards both stunning valley vistas and a prime spot for stargazing come nightfall. And know that each spacious module (it just feels wrong to call them cabins or cottages) is built from recycled redwood and other low-impact materials, meaning you’ll be leaving a reduced carbon footprint for this wondrously alternative honeymoon.
Smith extra: US$50 towards lunch at Sierra Mar
L’Hotel Marrakech, Morocco
A gorgeously tiled terrace framed by a flower-draped pergola overlooking the Atlas Mountains – what better place to see in the New Year – and your new life – together? L’Hotel Marrakech is far enough from the medina to offer peace and tranquility in its jasmine-scented courtyards and gardens, but also near enough to the vibrant souks to make it easy to go hunting for rich fabrics and ornaments to adorn a new abode. The nearby Jardin Majorelle has picture-perfect walkways that lend themselves to hand-in- hand strolls, while back at the hotel, the Thirties-inspired restaurant is a sophisticated spot for a New Year celebration.
Smith extra: One dinner for two a stay
With Mr & Mrs Smith, you’ll enjoy a best-price guarantee, as well as a little something extra on arrival at every hotel. To book, call toll free at 800 905 326 or visit mrandmrssmith.com.