On a honeymoon budget that can’t budge? If you think you can’t travel to swanky honeymoon destinations, or stay in fantastic romantic resorts, think again. Here’s how to honeymoon like the 1 percent, even though you’re in the 99.
BORA BORA
$5,200 per couple for five nights
The best rates are in November, January, February and March. During the winter low season, it’ll cost about $4,400 to get you both there from LAX. Stay at budget beach digs like Bora Bora Eco Lodge for $160 per night.
ST. BARTH
$4,484 per couple for five nights
Winter is when the famous fly into St. Barth, so summer is best for bargains. Between June and August, budget-conscious honeymooners can bag a beachfront double room for roughly one-third of winter peak-season rates. Book far enough ahead and you’ll shell out as little as $1,140 per couple from Miami on American. Save beaucoup dollars by taking the 40-minute Great Bay Ferry across the water for $117 per person round-trip. The chic boutique Hotel Guanahani boasts several eateries par excellence, a Clarins spa, tennis courts and numerous water activities like windsurfing and snorkeling. During the summer, standard garden-view rooms run $356 per night.
MONTE CARLO, MONACO
$3,806 per couple for five nights
The glitterati arrive in the summer, and the Formula One grand prix owns spring. Find the lowest hotel rates from November to March. You’ll fly into Nice’s Côte d’Azur Airport, half an hour east along the Riviera. From NYC, Turkish Airlines can get you both there for $1,900. Once you’ve arrived, hop the shared Nice Shuttle to Monte Carlo for $60 per couple. Shack up in style at the waterfront Port Palace for $305 per night in the winter.
MUSTIQUE
$4,570 per couple for five nights
This private Caribbean island is a favorite of British royals, and summer is the low season. You’ll both be able to fly there for about $2,320. The swank Cotton House will fit you in for $450 per night, including breakfast.
NEW ZEALAND
$4,200 per couple for five nights
Ski season (June through August) is high season in Queenstown. Score killer bargains in our fall (their spring). Air New Zealand has fares from LAX for as low as $3,400. Stay at the Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa for around $160 per night.
PARIS
$3,650 per couple for five nights
It’ll be cloudy and drizzly, but January and February are prime for the euro-conscious. Air France will wisk you two to CDG from JFK for $2,200. Hotel de Sers, walking distance from the Arc de Triomphe, is about $290 per night.
ASPEN
$3,295 per couple for five days
Pining for powder? Find great ski-season bargains during the windows of early December and April. But to really exploit Aspen, aim for summer or fall: Early June, late August and October. United and American Eagle are the only airlines servicing Aspen Airport year-round; United flights run around $1,250 per couple in August from New York City. In the heart of town, The Gant by Destination Hotels & Resorts gives you several ways to save. The honeymoon package comes with a complimentary room upgrade, plus discounts on both the published rate and a couples massage. Standard rooms start at $145 (early June and midweek September). — Erika Hueneke
FLORENCE
$4,183 per couple for four nights
Florence’s hotel rates plunge during the winter months — though they’re still pricy. Plan a shorter sojourn (four nights) and stay someplace with real honeymoon cred like Il Salviatino, with its sprawling gardens and hillside overlooks. It’s closed February and March, but during January, April and early May, the boutique hotel offers rooms as low as $395 per night. Winter flight fares for two people run as low as $2,545 from Chicago and $2,450 from Newark on United, Lufthansa and Swiss Air.
DUBAI
$4,328 per couple for five nights
If you can take the heat, honeymooning in the summer means shorter lines at attractions like Atlantis water park and the indoor snow park. More than 140 airlines serve Dubai International Airport, so there are bound to be bargains. Austrian Airlines can get you both from Chicago to Dubai for as little as $2,600 in the summer. You’ll feel like you’re in an Arabian kasbah at Jumeirah’s prime property, Mina A’Salam Resort at Madinat Jumeirah, a modern waterfront village laced with romantic Venetian canals and walkways. Rooms are as low as $270 per night during the summer.
MACAU
$3,470 per couple for five nights
This spot on China’s southern coast is a gaming haven second only to Vegas. Fly for as low as $2,120 for two from LAX (via Taipei) and stay at Wynn Macau for around $270 per night during the autumn low season.
