HONEYMOON NEWS

GREECE

Costa Navarino, the ultimate five-star sustainability-led travel destination in Messinia on the under-the-radar Peloponnese peninsula in Greece, is an idyllic location for honeymoons. Perched on the unspoiled and breathtaking coastline, overlooking the Ionian Sea, it provides newlyweds with the perfect romantic shorthaul destination post-vows.

A sophisticated setting, surrounded by verdant land and a sparkling seascape, Messinia has quaint town halls, beautiful beaches and offers hilltop exploration.

Costa Navarino is one of the few beachfront mixed-use developments in the Mediterranean and includes: luxury hotels, freehold residences, a world-famous Anazoe spa, 21 restaurants and bars, sports facilities and two signature golf courses ‒ meaning guests and newlyweds never have to leave!

For more information visit www.costanavarino.com

MAJORCA

Perfect for pre- or post-wedding getaways, Es Racó d’Artà is a wellness retreat that’s recently joined the TemptingPlaces hotel label. A real gem in the sapphire waters of the Mediterranean, this new holistic retreat is located next to the historic town of Artà, on the eastern part of the island. Outstretched in the valley, its nearly 200 acres encompass an authentic 13th-century stone farmhouse, several buildings, almond, fig and olive trees, local fruit trees as well as 14 acres of grapevines.

It’s here, within this peaceful environment, that this newly-opened property invites its guests to connect with nature and lift themselves beyond their well-being.

Seamless swimming pools, jacuzzi, sauna, Turkish bath, relaxation and meditation areas offer newlyweds a unique experience, where the notion of time and space disappears.

Make sure to try a Watsu treatment, performed in the original treatment pool – this aquatic massage creates optimal conditions to enter a state of deep relaxation through the union of water and shiatsu, aiming to release the everyday tensions ‒ bliss!

Visit www.temptingplaces.com

AMERICA

Hotel Bel-Air, possibly one of the most romantic hotels in the world, has launched an outdoor dining experience, Bel-Air Under the Stars. Guests can cosy up beside their own private firepit while sipping wine, toasting marshmallows and tucking into Wolfgang Puck snacks.

Many Hollywood love stories have played out at this iconic hotel in its 75-year history, and it’s easy to see why stars including Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly have fallen for its romantic allure. Set within the blissful Canyon landscape, and away from the LA noise, this private and elegant hotel is a haven in Bel-Air and renowned for its 12 acres of winding, tropical greenery surrounding the beloved Swan Lake, filled with flowers that bloom all year round and home to a 100-year-old sycamore tree. It has witnessed some of the most incredible, star-studded and wildly romantic weddings imaginable, all watched over with loving grace by its swans. What’s more, one of the hotel’s most famous guests, Grace Kelly, penned a number of love letters to her then partner Oleg Cassani during her time staying there while she was filming Country Girl. What better honeymoon destination truly epitomises love and romance?

Rooms start from $695, visit www.dorchestercollection.com

ITALY

Room Mate Hotels, the international hotel chain, has opened Hotel Room Mate Filippo and Gran Filippo Apartments in Rome.

Located 500 metres from the emblematic Spanish Steps and a ten-minute walk from the Trevi Fountain, the hotel and the apartments are designed by interior designer Tomas Alía, who was inspired by the refined aesthetics of the 1940s.

The hotel has 30 rooms divided into three categories: superior, deluxe and executive, its imposing façade stands out with elegant and subtle flat pilasters and striking lighting that creates a chandelier effect throughout the street acting as a magnet to passers-by.

The lobby features a forest of sculptural, three-dimensional palm trees, complete with a dome supported by granite columns. The two interior courtyards - the two lungs of the building - are arranged with sienna- and celadon-colored lattices while the rest of the common areas are divided into a large meeting room with a library effect and the breakfast room, decorated with modulations in marble, gilded metals and geometric shapes.

The rooms, several of which have terraces, have surprising decorations, all inspired by the refined, well-travelled and cultured aesthetics of the 1940s

Check out https://room-matehotels.com/gb/

A SENSE of history

Hannah Faulder indulges in a splendidly English stay at Mayfair’s Brown’s Hotel

There are so many impressive name-drop opportunities when talking about the famous faces who have stayed and celebrated at Brown’s, a Rocco Forte Hotel in the heart of Mayfair. Opened in 1837, Brown’s was London’s first hotel, and the hidden gem has provided a retreat for many distinguished guests ever since, from the Roosevelts (who honeymooned here) to Agatha Christie. The hotel’s Kipling Suite is named after legendary author Rudyard Kipling, who found the hotel to be the perfect place in which to write. You can understand why the enormous desk could inspire a masterpiece – in fact, Stephen King started writing Misery in this very spot. Alexander Graham Bell even made London’s first telephone call from the hotel. Oh, if walls could talk…

When I arrived with my sister, Laura, our car was whisked away to be valeted by a top-hatted attendant, and we checked in over a glass of champagne in the elegant front hall, which has a beautiful feature fireplace and hand-painted wisteria dripping from the ceiling. The hotel certainly has gravitas, but the most wonderful surprise is that it feels warm and welcoming, a real romantic retreat in the heart of the city, and full of quintessentially British sophistication and eccentricity.

STAY

The quiet and calm atmosphere of the hotel means it’s hard to believe that it’s home to 33 suites and 82 bedrooms. When Laura and I headed up to our Deluxe Suite, we gasped as we stepped inside. The space was huge; we spent our time there shouting “I can’t hear you” from each end of the suite.

The lavish interiors were designed by Olga Polizzi (the British hotelier and sister to Brown’s owner Sir Rocco Forte) and expertly blend antiques and original features with opulent furnishings and modern artworks. Heading from the living area into the bedroom, you’re met with an enormous cushiony bed and huge windows overlooking prestigious Mayfair streets. Turn the corner, and you’ll find the pièces de résistance: a dark wood-panelled walk-in wardrobe and Romanesque bathroom featuring his and hers sinks, a spacious double-ended shower and a Jacuzzi bath with built-in TV. Originally, we had grand plans to walk to Soho for drinks, but first we just had to put on our fluffy white robes and slippers, crack open the complimentary Moët and luxuriate in the comfort of our suite.

ENJOY

Drag yourself away from your room, and you can enjoy the wonderful Spa at Brown’s, which promises a hidden sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Skilled therapists provide a range of pampering treatments and rituals, and look out for the couple’s treatments – the best way to unwind after a hectic wedding day.

There’s something wonderful about dressing for dinner and dining in your hotel. The hotel’s restaurant, Charlie’s, headed up by Michelin-starred chef Adam Byatt, plays to its strengths by celebrating its heritage with a delicious menu of the highest-quality ingredients paired with first-class service. Laura and I enjoyed breakfast here, starting our day with a sumptuous cooked meal while enjoying the quirky botanical wallpaper, which strikes a fabulous contrast against the classic wood-panelled walls.

While you’re staying here, why not embrace that most British of experiences: an afternoon tea? Served in The Drawing Room, the traditional afternoon tea at Brown’s is one of the most famous in London. Finally, you must enjoy a nightcap in The Donovan Bar. Playing host to Mayfair’s elite, this stylish drinking den serves an incredible choice of 16 carefully curated cocktails.

@cwm_wedding

@CountyWeddings For further wed-spiration and to keep up to date with the latest news and trends check out our County Wedding Magazines’ Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages

What’s more, our editors are on hand to help brides-to-be with all their planning problems:

• Ask us anything, whether you’re on the hunt for a local venue or simply looking for ideas and advice • Find local suppliers • Top planning tips from the pros • Tell us about your big day for your chance to appear in the magazine • Special subscription offers • Win wedding essentials with our exclusive giveaways and competitions

County Wedding Magazines