Have clients looking to book a destination wedding or honeymoon? We reached out to one of the top experts in the space — April Schmitt, founder of Divine Travel Company — who shared several of her favorite under-the-radar properties for romance travel.
Fresh off a nearly $4.5 million renovation, Likuliku Lagoon Resort in Fiji is sporting refreshed bures, 11 of which received private plunge pools. Also part of the upgrades were the main pool and a new restaurant concept offering an alternative evening dining experience to the existing signature Fijiana Restaurant, taking the total to three dining venues.
That new restaurant, Saluwaki, is named after the Fijian word for a collection of indigenous herbs and spices. Here, guests can expect Fijian-inspired Asian tapas using ingredients from the resort’s gardens and surrounding waters. Dishes served from the open kitchen include ember-roasted walu (escolar) with young coconut and tomato sambal, steamed zucchini blossoms with pumpkin nectar, and handmade squid ink noodles with sea urchin and chili butter.
Another major addition from the renovations is the Na Vanua Conservation Hub, where guests can engage with and support local ecosystems and Fijian culture. The hub houses displays of field projects and focuses on conservation efforts like reforestation, mangrove restoration, coral planting, and the critically endangered Fiji Crested Iguana program.
Couples can choose from two main wedding packages, though each ceremony is customizable to suit individual needs. Ceremony locations include the beach at sunset, the horizon-edge pool, the deck of an overwater bure, or even a private island for those looking for a little added decadence.
To keep guests entertained, advisors can book a full range of activities, including paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving via a PADI 5-Star Dive Center, and surf excursions to world-class breaks like Cloudbreak. Those who prefer staying dry can opt for fishing, water skiing, parasailing, or e-foiling.
On land, guests can hike to scenic lookouts and World War II sites or participate in yoga sessions. Cultural experiences include village visits, Meke dance nights, fire shows, kava ceremonies, weaving classes, and storytelling.
For the happy couple, a must-visit is Mociu Island — an exclusive, uninhabited island 15 minutes away by boat. Surrounded by protected reefs, it offers complete privacy and serenity.
Honeymoon packages include the “Honeymoon Bonus” (sparkling wine, chocolates, floral bed decoration) and the “Celebration Package,” which adds a one-hour Aromatic Couples Massage. Wellness seekers can head to Tatadra Spa for the signature three-hour treatment featuring a sugar glow, hot stone massage, and facial.
Besides Saluwaki, private beachside dining under the stars is available, and picnics on Mociu Island can also be arranged.
Top accommodations include the 10 Over-Water Bures with private decks and lagoon-view tubs. For a beachfront option, the 29 Deluxe Beachfront Bures include plunge pools, daybeds, outdoor showers, and a split-level layout.
For bookings, contact Pauliani (Pau) Tubuna, sales executive for Ahura Resorts (the management company of Likuliku Lagoon Resort), at sales@ahuraresorts.com.
Likuliku Lagoon Resort is adults-only and located about 16 miles from Nadi International Airport. Transfers include fast catamaran, private speedboat, seaplane, or helicopter. Water transfers take about 45 minutes; flights are around 10 minutes.
The resort is open year-round, with Fiji’s dry season (May to October) offering the best weather for outdoor activities.
In that same corner of the world is Silky Oaks Lodge, located in Daintree National Park in Queensland, Australia. While Fiji might be top of mind for tropical romance, Australia makes for a memorable and less-expected alternative.
Silky Oaks Lodge offers several venues for weddings, with the Marrdja Pavilion — a covered, open-air space for 60 guests (or 82 for a cocktail-style event) — serving as the prime pick. For ultra-intimate weddings, the Jungle Perch, which accommodates 15 and is cantilevered over the Mossman River, is the go-to.
The setting provides plenty of adventure and cultural experiences for couples and guests, such as guided and self-guided Daintree walks, e-biking through cane fields, kayaking or snorkeling in the Mossman River, coral cay snorkeling, Aboriginal art workshops, sunrise ballooning, helicopter tours, or even golf.
For bucket-list romance, guests can join full-day tours of the Great Barrier Reef.
The resort, which welcomes guests 10 and up, has 39 suites. The crown jewel is the 3,500-square-foot Daintree Pavilion with two bedrooms, an outdoor atrium bathtub, tiered infinity pool, central lounge, and private dining/bar setup.
Couples may also love the two Billabong Suites (990 square feet each), which have king beds, open-air tubs, hammocks, and decks that overlook the river.
Domestic high season is June to August; international visitors typically come from October through March. The “green” season (November to April) can affect demand. Booking early is advised.
Advisors should contact Alison Burn, senior sales manager, at alison.burn@baillielodges.com.au.
At the Healing Waters Spa, couples can unwind with the signature “Ulysses” treatment — a two-and-a-half-hour ceremony of self-care. Treatments should be booked well in advance. Complimentary yoga is also offered.
At Treehouse Restaurant, Executive Chef Matt Fury focuses on local ingredients in a daily changing menu. Sample dishes include coral trout with native seed curry and kumquat ice cream.
Silky Oaks Lodge is open year-round, part of Baillie Lodges and Luxury Lodges of Australia. It’s an 80-minute drive from Cairns Airport, and helicopter transfers can be arranged via Nautilus Aviation.
For VIP arrangements, advisors can also reach out to General Manager Benjamin Brown at slkgm@silkyoaks.com.au.
Closer to home, Chablé Maroma, located north of Playa del Carmen in Mexico, is ideal for larger weddings or East Coast-based couples seeking tropical luxury without the jet lag.
Chablé Maroma accommodates weddings of up to 250 guests. A full buyout is required for this size, with at least 140 staying on-site. For smaller groups, 80 percent must stay at the resort. No age restrictions apply.
Event venues include the white-sand beach, the secluded Jungle Palapa, the poolside Pergola, the rooftop Raw Bar by BU'UL, and the Michelin Guide-recommended BU’UL restaurant. Upstairs at Raw Bar, couples can sip cocktails while taking in Caribbean views.
Wedding guests can stay entertained with morning yoga, cooking and cocktail classes, hydrotherapy at the spa, and water sports like snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Off-site experiences include cenote swims, archaeological site visits, and reef diving.
For bookings, contact Lourdes Ojeda, groups and weddings sales manager, at grupos.maroma@chablehotels.com.
Top suite for romance? The Serenity Pool Villa, with 1,206 square feet of private space, indoor and outdoor showers, and a 23-foot pool. For guests bringing a crowd, the Grand Presidential Villa has three bedrooms and plenty of room to spread out.
The spa includes four couples’ massage cabins, with in-room options available. The signature experience is the temazcal, a traditional sweat lodge ceremony led by a shaman. It uses heated stones, herbs, chanting and drums to guide couples through a powerful spiritual cleanse — followed by a refreshing dip in the sea.
Chablé Maroma is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and is 40 minutes from Cancún International Airport. Contact Lester Romero, director of leisure sales, at lester.romero@chablehotels.com, or reach out to General Manager Joslin Fuentes at joslin.fuentes@chablehotels.com for VIP needs.
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