Velaa, Maldives
The tiny (perfectly round) island ot Velaa has giddy-inducing natural beauty and villas that will floor you, but the resort’s outstanding feature is how understatedly elegant it is.
Ocean-chic decor leans just the right side of outré with shabby-chic Balinese rugs, mother-of-pearl walls and sexy Conran-style lighting – and butlers are more likely to tease you than to kowtow. There are hi-tech water toys such as hoverboards. jet packs and two-man submarines to play with in the waves, and a magnificent over-water Clarins spa to retreat to when you need some downtime. And in case you want to work on your handicap while on honeymoon, there’s even a small but perfectly formed golf course.
Honeymoon high: With a staff/guest ratio of 8:1, the service at Velaa is unrivalled.
Miavana, Madagascar
Officially marking Madagascar’s ascent into ultra-luxury, brand-new Miavana is being heralded as the new North Island (where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge honeymooned in the Seychelles). Built from scratch across four completely unspoiled islands off the northeast coast of Madagascar, Miavana is a great fit for eco-conscious travellers.
With just 14 villas, the resort is not only a sanctuary for rare animals and threatened sea creatures but helps hundreds of people in the local community. Your contribution? Padding about on virgin beaches (careful not to disturb turtle hatchlings), marvelling at the unique flora and fauna and pinching yourself that you’re really there. Nirvana.
Honeymoon high: A 10-minute helicopter ride will have you spotting lemurs on the mainland.
Room key: Villa 11
French Polynesia
You’re certain to out-exotic any fellow newly-weds with this island-hopping extravaganza taking in Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora. Checking in to a trio of heart-stopping hotels including Pour Seasons Resort Bora Bora, a trip to French Polynesia is an immersion in true paradise.
Splash about in topaz-blue lagoons, and should you have the upper-body strength, why not try your hand at surfing? On land, you can hike through jungles of wild mango, mosey around markets, stroll through plantations and explore ancient archaeological sites before returning to your five-star lodgings for a flame- torched Polynesian feast and drumming long into the night.
Best time to go: June to October.
