Q&A with: Mr & Mrs Smith

We are just starting to think about honeymoon options and really don't know where to begin…

Boutique hotel experts Mr & Mrs Smith know the importance of a romantic retreat so I asked their honeymoon expert Claire Wilson for the latest honeymoon trends and the inside scoop on a stylish stay...

Claire Wilson, Honeymoon Expert at Mr & Mrs Smith

What is currently the most popular destination for honeymoons?

This year it’s all about Greece, particularly Santorini and Mykonos – they’re beautiful islands with the most stunning sunset views. Iconic opened earlier this year and still has availability for this summer, so that’s my insider tip! The Amalfi coast is the ultimate Italian escape for a honeymoon, too; I love Capo la Gala and Maison la Minervetta for their quirky design, ocean views and, of course, wonderful food.

Iconic, Santorini, Greece

How has this changed in recent years?

Direct flights are one of the biggest drivers for increased demand – naturally if it’s easier to get there you’re more likely to go! Bali has really opened up to travellers, as has Sri Lanka, which is upgrading its two airports currently so they’ll see more flight routes added within the next couple of years.

What are the hidden gems that people might overlook when planning a honeymoon?

Greece has about 200 inhabited islands (and hundreds more that are uninhabited) so I think there’s an enormous amount of exploring to do there. Getting around by ferry is incredibly easy – Poseidonion Grand Hotel on Spetses and the Anemi Hotel on Folegandros are perfect honeymoon hotspots. They’re both completely unique and chic, in beautiful beachside locations.

Anemi Hotel, Folegrandos

Where would you recommend for a couple looking for relaxation only? And what is the general price range for this kind of honeymoon?

If you want an indulgent beach holiday after an inevitably hectic wedding, Fusion Maya in Vietnam would be my top choice: it has all-inclusive spa treatments and a beautiful beachfront location. In terms of price, it’s hard to say because it completely depends on where you go and how long for. You could be looking at anything from £800 for a week in a hidden boutique retreat like Cortijo del Marqués in the Andalusian olive groves, right up to £9,000 for a blowout, multi-stop trip to New York and St Lucia.

Cortijos del Marqués, Spain

Where would you recommend for a couple planning to indulge in a once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon?

I always think Australia is overlooked because of the flight time, but if you fly on a Friday night you can take just two weeks out of the office and still have a full two weeks exploring thanks to the time difference. Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island is an all-inclusive stunner of a hotel, as is Qualia on the southern Great Barrier Reef, and I love the Empire Retreat & Spa in the Margaret River region just south of Perth – it’s a secret retreat in the coastal wine region that’s perfect for honeymooners.

Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island, Australia

Empire Retreat & Spa, Margaret River 

Where would you recommend for an adventurous couple planning a longer honeymoon (say two to three weeks) on a tighter budget?

Sri Lanka is a great option and it’s good value – it has the ideal mix of culture and beach. I’d recommend starting in Colombo, heading to Kandy and the hill country to explore the tea trails, and then, if you want to have a treat and can splash out at the end of your trip, the Maldives is hard to beat, somewhere like Cocoa Island by Como.

Cocoa Island by COMO, Maldives

Do people tend to go for one week or longer? What other trends are you noticing?

Most honeymooners head off for more than a week – if it’s a trip within Europe then it’s generally 10 days. For those heading long-haul, it’s generally a fortnight to make the most of it. I always think two weeks feels like you’ve been away for far longer than just double the one!

In terms of trends, combination stays are becoming more popular, for example twinning Miami with Mexico’s Riviera Maya, or Singapore with Bali, or Sri Lanka with the Maldives.

Your top tip for planning a honeymoon?

It sounds obvious, but book ahead… although bear in mind that flights come out 11 months before travel, so don’t try to book any earlier than that! Generally six months ahead of travelling is sensible. Remember to check direct flights and connections, too, if you want to go on a multi-stop trip – planning a logical route will save you time as well as money.

Your personal opinion…

Italy or Indonesia?

I’d personally pick Italy, because the options are endless: Tuscan hills, lakeside luxury, coastal retreats…

Maison La Minervetta, Italy

Bali or Bora Bora?

For me, Bali, because I can’t get enough of its variety and beautiful views, there is just so much to take in.

France or French Polynesia?

I’d probably say France, and specifically Hotel Crillon le Brave in Provence for its perfect location to explore beaches and beautiful countryside.

Hotel Crillon le Brave, Provence

Mexico or Maldives?

Ooh, tough one! Mexico, for its beaches, which almost rival those in the Maldives… but it also has so much to explore if you want a bit more adventure.

For your free insider guide to planning the perfect honeymoon, sign up for your copy of Mr & Mrs Smith’s Little White Book of Honeymoons and find out how to bag exclusive VIP benefits (including free upgrades and extras at every hotel). Can’t wait? Give Claire or another of Smith’s honeymoon experts a call on 0330 100 3180.

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Dream Honeymoon: Capri

This week I'm dreaming of travelling to Capri and below are my top picks of what to where when you're there…

1. Prism Swimsuit, Avenue 32

2. Isabel Marant Obira Dress Matches

3. OPI Juice Bar Hopping Nail Varnish, ASOS

4. Panama Hat, J.Crew

5. Illesteva sunglasses, Net-a-Porter

6. Ancient Greek Sandals Antigone Gladiator Sandals, My-wardrobe.com

7. Eve Lom Daily Protection SPF, EVE LOM 

8. Isabel Marant Melvyn Lace Dress, Net-a-Porter

Where to stay

JK Place Capri

T.A x

Marrakech Day 5: Sunset at the Main Square

We watched the sun go down at the Place Djemaa el Fna from the rooftop of Cafe de France

Dinner at Pepe Nero. Follow the signs off the main square to find this little gem set in an old riad, offering Italian-Moroccan fusion food. 

Marrakech Day 3: The Atlas Mountains, Thunderstorms and Terrific Views

On our third day we trekked up to the mountains in a grand taxi from the centre of Marrakech. We were sad to leave the lovely Les Jardins de la Medina, but excited to see what Richard Branson's Kasbah Tamadot was like. 

First impressions were great. We were invited to have a drink in the relaxed garden surroundings and then taken up to our room (which was covered in tiny  mosaic mirrors). 

This was the view from our gorgeous room.

The decor was resplendent and very indulgent. 

The general decor of the Kasbah was beautiful and well-kept, with touches of Moroccan mixed with a very European feel. 

Little areas for sitting and relaxing everywhere. 

Cocktails were held in this lovely seating area by a decorative pool at 7'o clock every evening.

Flowers in the pool were a romantic touch and looked beautiful against the blue.

What an incredible view of the Atlas mountains

There was a sophisticated library also at the Kasbah with impressive views, an extensive range of books and a great DVD/widescreen set up.

Then at night you could have cocktails by the decorative pool with fires going.

In the evening there was a thunderstorm, but this only served to make the Kasbah even more atmospheric, with lightning bolts piercing the backdrop of the Atlas Mountains. 

Kasbah Tamadot, Richard Branson's Moroccan Retreat

BP 67, Asni 042150, Morocco

Marrakech Day 2: Gardens, Guéliz and Guardian Lantern Carriers...

A morning spent walking the Jardin Majorelle, Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé's garden. 

Then onto Guéliz for lunch - here there are a variety of European shops, cafes and bars, including Le Grand Café de la Poste. 

Then back to the peaceful haven of our riad hotel, Les Jardins de la Medina where we indulged on mint tea and delicious cocktails...

Then we spent the evening at Le Foundouk, where lantern carriers meet you to take you to the secluded restaurant, with three floors. 


Make sure you get a taxi to the meeting point (taxi driver will know where this is) and then a guide in a fez with a lantern will come to guide you to the restaurant as the neighbourhood is a bit dodgy.

The restaurant is on threee levels - definitely go for the outdoor roof terrace if you can, it is very atmospheric at night. 

Reasonably priced and good food. The experience has been cleverly mastered; the waiters give you scrolls (menus) to open up and look at. The restaurant caters for all tastes with a variety of Moroccan and French dishes, so something for everyone.

Marrakech Day 1: Souks, Soaking in the Djemaa el Fna and Sunny Terraces

We spent our first day by heading straight for the Djemaa el Fna [main square] in Marrakech and heading north eastwards into the souks. There are different souks for every trade - leather, metal [where you find the beautiful lanterns in the pictures below], spices, you name it...

We stopped off for an ornate glass of mint tea [you are offered this everywhere] to rest a little after the initial chaos of the souks. There is a wealth of amazing items on offer in the souks, from beautiful intricate lanterns to butter soft leather slippers and mountains of olives and heaps of multi-coloured spices that are difficult to find elsewhere. 

There is, it must be added, also a load of tat, so be wary of this and be sure to barter! There are some little diamonds to be found in the rough and, we found, it takes a great deal of searching these out. 

After a morning spent in the dark souks we went back to the main square and found a roof top bar or 'terrasse' [pretty much all the locals in Marrakech speak French] for a drink looking over the wide expanse of the Djemaa el Fna. 

It was quite bright up there, so excuse my squinting! These little terrasse cafes [also Cafe de France among others] are a great way to see the Djemaa el Fna from above away from the hustle and bustle. The square gets much busier at night time. [See Day 5.]

We then went on a very long-winded search to find Terrasse des Epices , which I had read about on Liberty London Girl and persuaded my boyfriend we simply must go to! We were [thankfully!] not disappointed. 

Though difficult to find in the heart of Souk Cherifia, Terrasse des Epices is a welcome break from the madness down below. With a very relaxed European vibe and appealing menu, the terrace restaurant caters for weary souk-hagglers and celebrities alike. 

We particularly liked the spray mists [you can see these in the picture] which cooled you down on a hot day - it was 32 degrees in the heat that day!

We ate tomato and mozzarella salad and a delicious fillet steak.

Terrasse des Epices - 15 Souk Cherifia Sidi Abdellaziz, Marrakech, Morocco. [They also own Cafe des Epices off the Djemaa el Fna.]

Terrasse des Epices is located just above a gorgeous little gallery of shops 

Must sees include Lalla - From Marrakesh with Love xxx. 

Souk Cherifia - 1st floor. Sidi Abdelazziz Dar El Bacha souk entrance. Marrakesh Medina +212.661.47.72.28

Lalla's store offers beautiful crafted butter soft leather handbags, forward-thinking towelling clutch bags and cloth and diamante statement necklaces.

After a wander around the souks, we headed back to our gorgeous lush riad hotel Les Jardins de la Medina [more about that in the next post] for a bit of relaxation before an evening out at Grand Café de la Poste in Guéliz. Here we ate mediterranean pasta and a delicious lamb dish and went up to the lounge area for delicious mojitos. 

Grand Café de la Poste - Corner of bd. El Mansour Eddahbi and av. Imam Malik | (behind the main Guéliz post office), Ville Nouvelle, Marrakech 40000, Morocco

4 more days to follow! Keep reading...