Inside six of the best budget honeymoon destinations from £42pp a night
You’ve already spent money on the wedding, so it might scare you if you squander another staggering amount on your honeymoon.
According to the latest 2021-2022 National Wedding Survey, the cost of an average wedding has increased by 23 percent hitched.co.uk.
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But there are still plenty of romantic holiday bargains to be found.
Sophie Swietochowski selects six of the best.
St. Lucia, Caribbean
Set on a 150-acre hillside estate overlooking the ocean, THE Windjammer Landing Resort in St. Lucia offers everything you could wish for in a honeymoon vacation.
We’re talking swaying hammocks amid turquoise seas and soft white-sand beaches.
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Book before June 30th at the Island Getaway Sale and save 50%.
That means sea-view rooms cost £150 a night – and if you stay seven nights or more you’ll also get a $250 resort credit.
The lavish spa, snorkeling trips, and plentiful dining options make it perfect for those who want some seclusion while on the resort.
British Airways (ba.com) offers return flights from the UK from £524 per person.
Madeira, Portugal
IF the Maldives is on your bucket list but is not on the budget, Madeira is a great alternative.
The tiny archipelago, hundreds of kilometers off the coast of Africa, may not be as remote as the Maldives, but it is home to some stunning beaches of soft sand and clear water, and is also a fantastic spot for snorkeling.
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Stay at 4H Allegro Madeira, an adults-only resort just 200 meters from the beach with a rooftop bar from which to watch the most beautiful sunsets.
The hotel’s restaurant serves local dishes or the capital, Funchal, is only two kilometers away.
Seven nights bed and breakfast from £347 per person, including flights from Stansted on 27 November.
For more information, see onthebeach.co.uk.
Barbados, Caribbean
The Caribbean may seem out of reach on a budget, but staying in self-catering accommodation means you can save on dinner and restaurant lunches.
Even better, this British Airways Holidays package can be booked with a deposit of just £150 per person.
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Located on the west coast of the island, Travelers Palm Resort is the perfect base for explorers with scenic beaches within walking distance.
Seven nights at 3H Resort are from £679 per person including flights from Heathrowplus luggage.
For more information, see britishairways.com/barbados.
Marrakech, Morocco
Summer is low season in Morocco, so there are some sizzling deals in June and July.
Tui Blue Riu Tikida Garden in Marrakech is a couple’s paradise with lavish facilities, including a spa with traditional hammam, newly renovated rooms, and four outdoor pools sheltered by palm trees.
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From just £775 per person you can secure seven all-inclusive nights at the 4H Resort, including flights from London, luggage and transfers – and you really don’t have to lift a finger.
Unlike many all-inclusive packages that only include dining at the buffet restaurant, this one includes dinner at the extraordinary Culinarium, which hosts themed nights and traditional Moroccan fare.
For more information, see tui.co.uk.
Galacia, Spain
LOOKING for something secluded and off the beaten path?
Los Tendales, a quaint stone house tucked away among rolling meadows in northern Spain, is just the place.
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Boasting a huge lawn with a private pool and views of expansive acres of green countryside, the one bedroom home features a modern kitchen, a comfortable living room and a small outdoor table for romantic dinners.
A two mile stroll through the countryside takes you to the hamlet of O Viso which has a small grocery shop, cafe and bakery that the locals love – and a quiet beach is just 15 minutes drive away.
Seven nights self catering in September from £299 per person.
Ryanair (ryanair.com) flies from London to Vigo, a 25-minute drive away, from £17.05 each way.
For more information, see vintagetravel.co.uk.
Crete, Greece
The adults-only 5H Seaside A Lifestyle Resort on the coast of Crete is THE place for newlyweds.
At £185 a night it’s not a particularly budget choice, but this price is a steal for what you get.
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Plush, modern rooms with ocean views, chic dining — including a Japanese sushi restaurant — and a cave spa with an ice fountain and excellent massage options.
Feel like wellness? Book a sound bath session at the hotel’s yoga studio.
Foodies will love the events hosted by Michelin-starred chefs.
EasyJet (easyjet.com) flies from the UK to Heraklion Crete from £34.99 each way.
MR & MRS GET AWAY CHEAPER
THERE are some guaranteed ways to save money on your post-wedding getaway without missing out – it all comes down to being smart. Deputy travel editor Sophie Swietochowski shares her best tips.
TRAVEL OFF-SEASON: It goes without saying that traveling outside of school holidays can save you a lot of money, but in addition, many popular honeymoon locations have rainy seasons or exceptionally hot months.
If you can handle the heat or are willing to put up with a little drizzle, you can save quite a bit by visiting during these times. Also, in many tropical climates, the rain often clears much faster than in the UK.
Discover the offers: If you have a specific travel destination in mind, chances are there is at least one hotel or tour operator offering a discount in that location.
Think of it like the discounted merchandise section in a supermarket — just as sellers are cutting the cost of certain products to get rid of them, many hotels will do the same.
A hotel may be brand new and trying to lure customers in with a bargain offer, or you may be booking at the last minute and a resort may have a lot of vacancies that need to be filled.
SHOPPING SPREE: You wouldn’t be buying the latest PlayStation from Amazon if it was half price elsewhere – and that mentality should apply on a holiday too.
Many vacation package providers, be it Jet2holidays or On The Beach, offer deals on the same hotel. So it pays to take the time and look around at several websites to see which offers the best package for you.
BOOK ON SALE: Airlines have special offers at certain times of the year. Important dates to watch out for are Boxing Day, the end of summer and Black Friday. Some that offer great special fares are Virgin Atlantic, easyJet, British Airways, Jet2 and Ryanair.
PART OF A LOYALTY PROGRAM?: Times are tough right now and costs are rising. So if you saved your points for a rainy day, that day has come. Use them now.
FLEXIBILITY IS KEY: I’m addicted to Skyscanner’s Everywhere and Cheapest Month tools. If you’re flexible about location and dates, these are a great way to find the best deal.
frequent flyer? If you know where you’re going and are part of an airline loyalty program, use the Low Fare Finder tool to show you the cheapest time to travel.
Just Google”[airline name] Low Fare Finder – many major airlines have one including easyJet, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
JUST ASK ABOUT: Would you like an upgrade? Honestly, it’s unlikely that something like this would happen on a flight these days (no matter what tricks you’ve heard about dressing smartly or being nice to staff), but that doesn’t apply to hotels.
It is worth emailing the resort in advance that you are visiting for your honeymoon. If rooms are not sold out, an additional payment may be considered.