Where to Honeymoon, the Mr & Mrs Smith Hotel Award Winners | UK WEDDING BLOG

Choosing a destination to honeymoon in can be hard enough but choosing somewhere special to stay is a whole new ball game. As you know, I’m a huge fan of properties with a boutique, unique kind of vibe. And where else to turn to but Mr & Mrs Smith. I’ve used Smith Hotels for years and one of the things I love most about them is having a curated list of boutique, luxury accommodation that you know you can trust. Every property is hand picked and reviewed with expert tips such as what to pack and which room to choose. They have high standards, as do I, and it saves me hours of research trawling through TripAdvisor/numerous booking sites. So I was especially excited when their annual hotel award winners were announced last week for fresh inspiration. There’s everything from Australia to Japan to Chile and they all look so insanely gorgeous {!!}

Over to Smith Hotels themselves;

It’s time for hoteliers at the world’s most seductive boutique boltholes to take a collective breath in… the winners of the Mr & Mrs Smith Hotel Awards have been decided. And this year, Halcyon House in Cabarita Beach, Australia, comes out on top. After finishing runner-up last year, this bastion of beachfront cool has scooped Best Smith Hotel 2016, as voted for by the public.

Our panel of globetrotting tastemaker judges – including fashion designers Charlotte Olympia Dellal and Henry Holland, TV and radio presenter Lauren Laverne and cocktail maestro Tony Conigliaro – have also crowned 11 boutique beauties in a range of other categories, from World’s Sexiest Bedroom to Best Date-Night Bar and Pool with a View. With winning properties in Chile, Japan and Canada, the list is an enticing hint at location hotspots for 2017.

‘We’ve always wanted Mr & Mrs Smith to be about the details, so this year we’ve ensured each category gives a nod to a unique part of the boutique hotel experience. We’ve introduced new categories like Hottest Hotel Soundtrack (because music can make or break an atmosphere), and Coolest Creative Hub (now that so many hotels are becoming culture hubs). We want to reward and recognise the best of the best.

AND THE WINNERS ARE…

• {Best Smith Hotel}

Halcyon House Cabarita Beach, Australia

‘As the only category voted for by the public, Best Smith Hotel is a serious accolade. Halcyon House burst on to the scene as a new opening last year, and has since become one of the most impressive boltholes on our books. With it’s good looks and down-to-earth charm, it’s a well deserved winner.’

– James Lohan, founder, Mr & Mrs Smith

• {Best-Dressed Hotel}

Palazzo Margherita Basilicata, Italy

‘A beautifully-designed, updated Palazzo which still retains its character and soul.’
– Charlotte Olympia Dellal, designer

• {World’s Sexiest Bedroom}

Keemala Phuket, Thailand

‘Nestled up in the rainforest canopy with a private pool, alfresco bath and four-poster bed… heaven.’
– Olivia von Halle, designer

• {Best Date-Night Bar}

London Edition London, UK

‘Each Edition property hits the nail on the head when it comes to killer food and drink combos, and since I’m a sucker for classic cocktails and bygone-era bar culture, this one’s a top contender in my book.’
– Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton, founder of Taste The Style + Celine Bossart, Creator of The Staycationers

• {Best Gourmet Getaway}

The Old Clare Sydney, Australia

‘My readers rave about this hotel… AND I’m biased… my pal Jason has a restaurant here!’

– Ben Pundole, A Hotel Life

• {Most Spoiling Spa}

Amanemu Mie, Japan
‘Amanemu has incorporated the Japanese bathing tradition of onsen, making it a very authentic and Zen spa experience; the watsu pool is definitely a highlight.’
– Vivienne Tang, founder of Destination Deluxe

• {Hottest Hotel Soundtrack}

Fazenda Nova Country House Algarve, Portugal

‘A laid-back soundtrack that is as chic, timeless and classy as the hotel itself.’
– Lauren Laverne, DJ and broadcaster

• {Pool with a View}

Grand Hotel Tremezzo Lake Como, Italy

‘Water, water and more water – plus pasta – is basically my idea of heaven.’
– Paula Goldstein, founder Voyage D’etudes

• {Above & Beyond}

Awasi Patagonia, Chile

‘Secluded cabins amidst Patagonian triple peaks, eco-awareness, and they’ve bothered to make their villas and bathrooms wheelchair accessible; location, privacy and inclusivity win hands down.’
– Anita Kapoor, TV presenter

• {Best Family Hotel}

Treehotel Sweden

‘I love the freedom that each room gives, the uniqueness in design, how well the hotel integrates into the natural surroundings and the amazing amount of activities available when you stay.’
– Tom Aikens, chef

• {Coolest Creative Hub}

Fogo Island Inn Newfoundland, Canada

‘The inspiring Todd Saunders design perched on the cliff edge is so spectacular… this has to be a front-runner.’
– Henry Holland, designer

• {Local Hotel Hero}

11 Howard, New York, US

‘This hotel engages with and gives back to its community in multiple ways, but my favourite element is the Jeff Koons-mentored mural created by local students, because supporting the arts is what I’m most passionate about. And this particular effort is very much in tune with the aesthetic-minded nature of this stylish, boutique hotel.’
– Rosa Park, editor Cereal

Aren’t they all just dreamy?! Keemala is now firmly at the top of my list as is Lake Como but I’m in love with those Patagonian mountains out of the window in Chile too.

Which are your favourites? As always, you can ask us for honeymoon advice/planning. And you can find all of the honeymoon guide articles here. 

R <3 xx

{this post is in partnership with Mr & Mrs Smith, a company who we’ve used and loved for years}