A few of our favorites...

Always on the hunt for hidden gems, the team at Runaway Bride has searched high and low to uncover and discover some of the most charming, boutique havens in the world. We’ve rounded up some of our favorites...

While all these hotels have enviable locations, what really sets them apart is that each makes you feel like you are the only person in the world who knows it's there.



Overlooking the bay of Positano on Italy's Amalfi Coast, Le Sirenuse, is the former summer home of the Sersale family. Still family run, the 58 room property features whitewashed walls and vaulted ceilings. The glazed floor tiles and shuttered French doors and private terraces furnish guest rooms with the comforts of a luxury hotel, while maintaining the atmosphere of a private home. Runaway Bride favorite: the champagne and oyster bar!



The next hotel on our list takes us to colonial central Mexico. The Rosewood San Miguel de Allende is fashioned after a classic Mexican hacienda. The luxurious furnishings of its 67 guest rooms include regionally sourced hardwood floors, leather desk blotters, museum quality wool rugs and special touches such as candle drawn bubble baths with turndown service. Runaway Bride favorite: the views from the rooftop Luna tapas bar at sunset!



Sunrise is just a little bit nicer at the Four Seasons Bora Bora. Surrounded by palm trees and thatched roof dwellings, this Polynesian village resort has been deemed by many "the most beautiful place on earth". Overwater bungalows allow guests to star gaze or spy on schools of fish below. Runaway Bride favorite: passion fruit mojitos at the pool bar!



Qualia, meaning "a collection of deeper sensory experiences" in Latin, is situated on the secluded northern-most tip of Hamilton Island surrounded by the mesmerizing Great Barrier Reef. Hillside pavilions dot over 30 acres of tropical land overlooking the Coral Sea and incorporate Aussie style using local hardwoods and quarried stone. For a real treat, book one of their sundeck pavilions with a private pool. Runaway Bride favorite: the Tasmanian salmon with whiting and enoki!



Couples can channel their inner "Will & Kate" at this sixteenth-century fortified castle in the Irish countryside. The limestone exterior towers Dromoland Castle give way to interiors with Waterford-crystal chandeliers, damask wall coverings, and tasseled drapes. Guest rooms feature Empire and Louis XV furnishings and eighteenth-century botanical drawings. Runaway Bride favorite: picnicking on the grounds with special baskets prepared by the chef!

cancun's slice of paradise

Guest Blogger: The Restless Voyager

We've all heard glowing tales of Cancun, Mexico's popular honeymoon resort. Many of us have even traveled there and savored some of the area's many delights. And while there are obviously many wonderful resorts to choose from, honing in on the "perfect" spot may prove to be a challenge.



Not anymore. I recently discovered a slice of heaven on these powdery shores in the sleek form of Grupo Posada's newest hotel brand: Live Aqua, (the "Live" rhymes with "give"), which is a "must" for honeymooners.

Recently named No. 1 resort in Mexico by Travel & Leisure, the resort is strategically located along Boulevard Kukulcán, on one of the area's best beaches. Just steps from Cancun's premier shopping area, the all-inclusive, adult-only hotel gives new meaning to understated luxury and personalized service.



The emphasis is on tranquility, from the moment you step into the aroma- scented marble lobby, lulled by soft strains of soothing music. Music is such an important component to this resort, that there are 14 individual "zones," where the tunes cater to the specific locale.



On check-in, each guest is treated to a hand massage, as they will tell you, "to remove the stress of travel." This simple touch paves the way for what proves to be a very soul-satisfying stay. A nod to the mighty Maya who first inhabited this area can be found throughout.

Maya-inspired spa treatments, menus and décor combine with the warm Maya greeting, "Inlaa'kech," (a greeting of mutual respect you will hear often from staff) evoke the area's ancient heritage.



Each of the 370 balconied rooms and suites is a sanctuary. Top-notch amenities - including an aroma-therapy menu to select the perfect "mood," and a well stocked mini-bar combine with sweeping views of lush gardens, or the long stretch of beach below to assure a comfortable stay.





Dining becomes a gustatory experience of Mediterranean/Mexican cuisine with a selection of seven restaurants to choose from - all under the supervision of European celebrity Chef Eric De Maeyer. Options range from the specialty Inlaa'kech Lobster & Grill, the casual seaside Azur, chic MB or Siete which showcases more traditional Mexican fare with buffet stations.



Sushi fans will enjoy fresh options at the Sushi Station, while fish tacos and ceviche are dished up in the Sea Corner on the beach.



After hours, sexy drinks and live entertainment beckon at Egos Bar or the trendy Soho inspired AKA Bar. 

No matter where you are, "water, water, everywhere," the dominant, soothing theme at Live Aqua assures a balance, harmonious stay.



A honeymoon stay at Live Aqua is an experience you shouldn't miss.