A Real Bride's Tips for a Caribbean Honeymoon in Anguilla & Grenada

Among the countless things lost to the pandemic were destination weddings and honeymoons. Newlyweds were forced to shift their vacation plans in 2020 and 2021 – changing countries, shortening stays, and postponing festivities and travels altogether. Now, destination weddings and celebratory trips are making a comeback and honeymooners and destination brides and grooms are some of the most resilient travelers.

For advice from a real couple on having a Caribbean honeymoon or romantic vacation in Anguilla and Grenada, one of the former brides showcased in the Travel Diaries feature of Inside Weddings magazine is sharing details from her trips. Read on for her Anguilla and Grenada travel tips and advice!

Caribbean Honeymoon Destination: Anguilla

Anguilla – in all its compact, rum-scented glory – is perfect for a luxury honeymoon. From its rich coral reefs and islets, to soaking up the sun and sand, the island features unparalleled beauty and luxury all around. Only sixteen miles long and three miles wide, Anguilla is but a drop in the Caribbean Sea, but don’t let this tiny island fool you! Anguilla is known for being one of the most tranquil locales around. Many celebrities visit the island to “disappear,” disconnecting and leaving the world behind. This laid-back little island – a British Overseas Territory – lays claim to some of the best beaches in the entire world!

While getting to Anguilla may seem a bit complicated at first, it’s very much part of the adventure of enjoying a remote luxury vacation. While some guests chose to fly into the Anguilla - Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport (AXA) on smaller jets or chartered planes, most visitors to the island fly into the Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) in St. Maarten and take a motorboat to Anguilla (note: testing/entry requirements have also been dropped for St. Maarten). The short 20–30-minute ride to Anguilla can be on a shared or private sea shuttle.

The perfect indulgent island retreat awaits you at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla, which easily arranges the transport mentioned above through the premier five-star property's concierge. Tucked away on an illustrious bay, the whitewashed retreat is as relaxing as it is stylish. The Four Seasons Resort Anguilla has an unmistakable sense of place where guests can rejoice in complete privacy, yet enjoy unlimited access to the resort’s plethora of pleasures. The contemporary, open-air design offers lavish spaces featuring endless recreational activities and opulent amenities to rest, relax, reconnect, rejuvenate, and ultimately, celebrate.

The first thing you’ll notice upon arrival to the resort is the stunning panoramic views afforded by the prime beachfront location, stretching from the impressive bluff it sits on to the pearly white-sugar sands below. You’ll find yourself surrounded by immaculate grounds as you gaze out to the surrounding turquoise waters of the sea. Boasting a mile-long stretch of super-soft beach and beautiful rooms that fringe the shores with their private terraces and balconies, couples will very quickly slip into island life here.

The Four Seasons Resort Anguilla is comprised of 188 comfortable guest rooms, suites, residences, and villas. Featuring beautifully appointed marble bathrooms, serene outdoor spaces, personal plunge pools, private sun decks, deep soaking tubs, and four-poster king beds, travelers can expect nothing but the best. It’s not just the breathtaking setting and impeccable rooms that have stolen our hearts, it’s the resort’s attentive and thoughtful staff that make your stay truly unique and one to remember. The personnel are warm and welcoming, providing you with unrivaled service. Escapism at its finest. 

Dining on the day’s freshest catch and/or sampling sundowners at one of the charming beach bars are just some of the exceptional culinary experiences guests will enjoy. The hotel’s signature restaurant SALT is perched atop a clifftop bluff, offering a modern take on Caribbean cuisine, with breathtaking views of Meads Bay and Barnes Bay below. They're open for both breakfast and dinner, and making a dinner reservation is recommended. The beachfront Bamboo Bar & Grill is another option, serving both breakfast and lunch, and providing vast blue-water bay views with locally inspired plates – the lobster eggs benedict for breakfast is a must-have! Half Shell Beach Bar is the resort’s hidden treasure nestled on the Barnes Bay Beach, where guests can enjoy fresh tacos and fruity cocktails – don’t leave without trying the Dean Supreme! Lastly, Sunset Lounge is an open-air pavilion featuring a variety of Asian-inspired offerings and small bites to share, often with live music and the best sunset seats in the house. With an excess of culinary choices, there’s really no need to leave this utopia.

The property is also home to a very impressive kids' club as well as a number of on-site activities ranging from tennis and basketball to rock climbing and an array of water sports including paddleboarding, best-in-class snorkeling, kayaking, Hobie Cat adventures, and more. Outdoor fitness classes are also available and can be pre-booked through the hotel’s bespoke concierge. If you prefer zen over scoring ten, the two-story spa featuring an outdoor infinity pool and impressive tranquility area is a must-visit spot. The waterfront spa has indoor and outdoor treatment areas overlooking the turquoise sea below. Whichever way you choose to spend your day, one thing is guaranteed: you won't have a care in the world. 

A luxury honeymoon at the Four Seasons Resort Anguilla offers a romantic, carefree, bespoke, and super-secluded getaway. With Anguilla's air of tranquility, you’ll be feeling more relaxed than ever before – especially after all of the wedding planning and partying. It’s the overwhelming feeling of calm, attention to detail, and of course, this ultimate nirvana setting that has travelers coming back time and time again! So come, drop your bags in one of the many lavish Four Seasons Anguilla accommodations, and set sail into a sun-drenched getaway. A true breath of fresh air; the Four Seasons Anguilla is the ultimate in romance and island life luxury!

Caribbean Honeymoon Destination: Grenada

Looking for the most intimate island getaway oozing with romance? Look no further than the tiny tear-shaped island of Grenada. Thanks to the debut of the sleek Silversands Grenada resort in December 2018, Grenada is officially on the luxury resort map and quickly proving to be a major force to be reckoned with. This destination is poised for a very strong year – in fact, Forbes just named the island as one of "The 22 Best Places To Travel Around The World In 2022" and the best is just beginning for this most intimate isle and dreamy destination property.

After an untimely opening only a year or so before Covid hit and the island’s very strict approach to the crisis, visits were put on pause; however, with the addition of many non-stop, direct flights from JetBlue and American Airlines into Grenada’s Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND), the time to visit is now. All visitor restrictions have been lifted, so that means Covid testing, proof of vaccination, and/or health declarations are no longer required. The property, which has an around-the-clock staff to anticipate every need, makes for a beautiful destination wedding and/or bespoke honeymoon destination.

Set on the ivory sands of the pristine Grand Anse Beach – constantly named one of the best beaches in the world… and for good reason! – Silversands Grenada has introduced a completely new way for discerning design-savvy travelers to experience the unspoiled island of Grenada, known as the “Spice Island of the Caribbean.” Contemporary and ultra-modern in its design, unlike anything else on the island, the resort offers a chic, luxury experience, while blending the warmth and authenticity of a true Grenadian lifestyle seamlessly to give you and your destination-wedding guests the most memorable experience.

The property is home to the longest infinity pool in the Caribbean, 39 guest rooms, four suites, and nine residential villas, which span across two main buildings directly off Grand Anse Beach. The guest rooms consist of open-plan layouts with sweeping views of the sea and grounds from private terraces. All rooms, suites, and villas are well-appointed with natural woods and stone elements, floor-to-ceiling windows offering beautiful vistas and a plethora of natural light, and state-of-the art technology from Nest thermometers to automated nets to keep bugs at bay. Should you choose a private villa for your honeymoon, you'll have access to an around-the-clock personal butler. 

Silversands Grenada is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, offering five-star amenities, best-in-class service, and exceptional dining options, all while creating authentic Grenadian experiences. With an emphasis on community and culture, two distinctive restaurants – Grenadian Grill and Asiatique – showcase the island’s abundant agriculture by serving freshly caught fish, handpicked spices, herbs, veggies, and fruit, as well as Grenadian craft beers, wines, and local rums (there’s even a cigar-and-rum bar, Puro, on property). 

Be sure to take the property’s Tesla (one of only two on the island making for a very impressive pick-up and drop-off from the airport) across the street to Dexter’s Restaurant, owned and operated by one of the most lovely couples on the island. Be prepared to have your tastebuds wowed with an extraordinary five-course meal (with drinks included), all prepared by Dexter himself – no line cooks or helping hands – and made with local ingredients he sources at the start of each day to serve in his own family home.

The Silversands Spa is a destination in and of itself. Guests can unwind and get on “island time” with locally inspired treatments. The tranquil sanctuary includes four treatment rooms – including two couples’ suites, a sauna, hammam (steam bath), and ice cave. The relaxation area has poolside cabanas and cool lighting, designed to create a sense of calm before and after treatments. It's the perfect place to get pampered for all of your wedding weekend or honeymoon needs, all while getting great photos for social media. 

You’ll be thinking outside of the Caribbean beach resort box when you plan a vacation to Grenada, and you’ll be rewarded with a friendly island where mass tourism is still in its infancy and the beaches are as warm and welcoming as they come. Sleek and modern in its design, Silversands offers the most refined, yet unpretentious, luxury experience, all while radiating the kind-heartedness of true Grenadian life. The property will be expanding its Grenadian footprint with the addition of Beach House by Silversands, a unique couples-only beachfront property with exceptionally designed “canopied suites” in Summer 2023, tentatively. Silversands Legacy is slated to open the following year on the other side of Grande Anse Beach. The range of outstanding accommodation options will include guest rooms, beach villas, pool and beach duplexes, and hillside suites – perfect for families and multi-generational guests (perhaps a five-year vow renewal ceremony!).

For more travel tips and advice, take a look at travel tips for Croatia and Montenegro, view a stateside honeymoon itinerary for Maui and Napa, learn more about one couple's relaxing honeymoon in the Maldives followed by a safari in Kenya, and see tips for a luxurious honeymoon in Cabo!