Hotels

Hotels for Tropical Destination Weddings and Honeymoons

By Matt Turner Jun 2, 2017 12:05pm

We scout out three places for couples seeking to wed in a tropical setting.

Rosewood Mayakoba

Adventurous couples will have plenty to do at Rosewood Mayakoba. The proximity to multiple ancient Mayan ruins, including Coba, Tankah and Ek’ Balam, as well as the colonial town of Valladolid, allows for scenic hiking, biking and swimming excursions (like inside of sacred Mayan cenotes and underground caves). In addition, guests get a chance to go deep-sea fishing or join dolphin excursions.

Managing Director Daniel Scott (daniel.scott@rosewoodhotels.com) can help arrange group or personal visits to any of the ruins. After the excursions, couples should head to the 17,000-square-foot spa, which requires a walk over the “Puente del Balneario” bridge. Here, there are 12 rooms and eight suites, as well as plunge pools, steam grottos, saunas, experiential showers, a meditation deck, pool and a relaxation deck.

The top couple’s treatment is the three-hour Escape Together: Eclipse Sun & Moon Journey, which begins in the guests’ suite and is followed by a private boat ride to the spa. Upon arrival, the couple is guided through a sensorial experience with cacao, crushed rose petals and Neroli. The treatment is concluded with a restorative massage.

Good to know: Any of Rosewood Mayakoba’s treatments can be customized for couples, and the most popular signature massage is the Kuxtal Sensory Garden Ritual, intended to pay homage to Mayan shamans and “fuses” aromas, sounds and taste. Emmanuel Arroyo (emmanuel.arroyo@rosewoodhotels.com) is the spa director. Bookings should be made a week in advance.

All weddings at Rosewood Mayakoba are tailored to the guests’ preference. In addition to religious rituals, other popular symbolic ceremonies include the Mayan Ceremony, a spiritual and sacred ritual where the couple exchanges vows and the shaman invokes love, happiness and abundance, blessed with copal (a Mayan incense); Sand Ceremony, where the union of the couple is represented by the mixture of different colored sands; and Cosmic Ceremony, which consists of the presentation of the couple to the higher cosmic energy and Mother Earth with the birthstones of the couple.

To plan a wedding, contact Celebrations Manager Aurora Avila (aurora.avila@rosewoodhotels.com). The most popular wedding venues on property are La Ceiba Garden & Kitchen, a garden setting, and La Palapa, a beachfront venue.

We hear that all 130 suites are suitable for couples. Each has a rooftop sundeck, terrace, spacious bathroom, plunge pool and boat dock. Top digs at the resort is the 6,200-square-foot Presidential Lagoon Suite, which has three bedrooms, each with its own bathroom; a living and dining area; studio and kitchen.

St. Regis Princeville Resort

Looking to tie the knot at St. Regis Princeville Resort? Fashion illustrator and style expert Dallas Shaw will be serving as the resort’s exclusive bridal illustrator, offering couples custom sketches of the ceremony.

St. Regis Princeville’s Presidential Suite is located on the top floor, affording wrap-around views of Hanalei Bay and Mt. Makana.

There are two packages available to guests getting married on property: one includes a custom unframed 9x12 illustration and digital files of the bride in her dress, the couple set against a tropical backdrop, the bridesmaids, the bouquet and more; the second option includes three 9x12 illustrations that are created live, on-property with Shaw in attendance at the wedding. Additionally, the St. Regis Princeville Resort has partnered with Martin Roberts Design, a floral and events design studio, to create a collection of bridal bouquets, floral crowns and leis inspired by Kauai.

Mark Young (mark.young@stregis.com), senior manager, meetings and events, can accommodate most requests, including events in The Grand Ballroom, the Bay Terrace, or even under the canopy of kamani trees.

Of the 12 treatment rooms at the Halele’a Spa, one is for couples and one is a VIP room with an entirely separate, and contained, spa experience. While any of the treatments can be tailored for couples, the Hanalei Bay Ritual and Makana Renewal Ritual are the suggested offerings. The former utilizes vanilla salt polish with coconut oil and flakes, vanilla bean, Kauai clay and ginger massage oil; the latter uses a scrub of seaweed, pumice, acai and guarana.

Good to know: For wedding parties, the Halele’a Spa offers a range of bridal services, including buy-outs, private bridal showers and spa-inspired cocktails.

Kristy Roberts, the director of Halele’a spa, can help make arrangements for couples, and at least three days is recommended for booking treatments.

We suggest booking one of the Premium Ocean View Suites, which overlook Hanalei Bay and have views of Mt. Makana. Couples looking for the top accommodations should consider either the Presidential Suite or the Royal Suite. The Presidential Suite is located on the hotel’s top floor, and includes a foyer, living room, formal dining area, master bedroom, kitchen and marble bath suite with a whirlpool spa tub, separate shower, and dressing area and bath amenities. The 2,400-square-foot Royal Suite has an entertainment room, a guest bathroom, kitchen, wet bar, master bedroom suite and a “Royal Spa,” which has a custom marble whirlpool bath tub, walk-in shower for two and dressing area.

All rooms include the signature St. Regis Butler service. For specific requests, contact Valerie Iwasaki (valerie.iwasaki@stregis.com), leisure account director.

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita

Couples considering the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita will be happy to hear that there is a new spa, adults-only pool and presidential suites, Sol and Luna.

Both Sol and Luna are 3,790 square feet, have one king-size bed, marble bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers, an “ultra-wide” patio with a plunge pool, and views of the Pacific Ocean. Both accommodations are located on the cliff. For the top suite on the beach, ask for the Arena Suite (9,137 square feet) or the Coral Suite, which is a staggering 13,000 square feet — the largest in the Four Seasons portfolio. Each of these suites can accommodate 10.

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita’s tranquil tropical setting and pristine white-sand beach are a top attraction for couples.

The most requested rooms for couples are the One-Bedroom Ocean Front Suites.

To book a specific room for your clients, contact Edit Monroy (edit.monroy@fourseasons.com), head concierge.

The spa, which was designed by Kollin Altomare Architects and interior designer Anderson Miller, has 13 treatment rooms, a Tamai Spa Garden for treatments and meditation, and hydrotherapy treatments such as eucalyptus steam rooms, hot and cold plunge pool and ice fountains.

Good to know: The spa also has the Apuane Luxury Suite for couples, with an in-suite Jacuzzi, dry sauna, steam room and private patio, as well as a private beauty salon exclusively for brides.

Couples should book the Apuane Nights treatment, which takes place in the evening in the candlelit couples suite. It begins with a bottle of champagne, followed by a dip in either the whirlpool or cold plunge pool with “colortherapie.” Next comes a Naikieri ritual, and a circuit including the Jacuzzi, steam bath, sauna, ice fountain and pediluvium. During high season, book treatments one week out. Spa Director Paulina Mercader (paulina.mercader@fourseasons.com) can assist with special requests. Advisors are encouraged to reach out to General Manager John O’Sullivan (john.o’sullivan@fourseasons.com) with any specific questions on the resort, which can host a variety of weddings.

Hotels for Tropical Destination Weddings and Honeymoons

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