Top 15 best hotels for beach weddings around the world, from beautiful secluded hideaways to famous island resorts
Light sea breeze, beautiful beaches with soft sand underfoot, and perfect scenery – this is the picture many people associate with a romantic trip. Probably, that's why wedding ceremonies on the seashore or ocean have gained such popularity all over the world, and beach hotels are included in the list of the best places to hold the marriage ritual. To some lovers, the sea waters seem like such a powerful yet soothing and pure force that they want to make part of their great day, while others like the relaxed, light, and fresh atmosphere with which they want to epitomize the beginning of their married life.
Because of this, beach wedding hotels can now be found almost all over the world, but we have gathered the best ones endorsed by leading wedding planners in this list: from famous hideaways in Bali or Florida to private resorts in the Bahamas and Fiji.
1. Sun Gardens Dubrovnik, Croatia
New Jersey-based wedding planner from Dee Kay Events, Diana Kolanovic-Scholaj, recommends newlyweds opt for a coastal cliffside retreat in Dubrovnik, Croatia. It has the potential to top the top best wedding hotels in the world if the couple dreams of a fairytale ceremony on the beach. Here you can easily find great ballrooms, exquisite restaurants and outdoor terraces so that your ceremony is graced with stunning views of the Adriatic Sea. Both the pristine coastline and the three outdoor pools are suitable for celebrations and cocktails. Wedding guests will fill their free time with interesting special events: private cooking and mixology lessons, excursions on private boats and yachts to explore the famous Blue Caves of Dubrovnik and the islands of the Elaphite archipelago. Also worth mentioning is the undoubted advantage of the resort's location: despite its secluded fairytale atmosphere, it is only a 20-minute drive from Dubrovnik's Old Town.-
2. LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, Florida
Wedding planner Carrie Darling, who works at LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, attributes the boutique's popularity among other top hotels in Florida for ceremonies on Naples Beach to the unique charm this venue lends to each celebration. It was ranked among the top five best hotels for 2023 by Travel + Leisure readers, so you won't have to worry about the comfort and convenience of your wedding guests. The hotel offers two locations for the best wedding ceremonies and receptions – South Beach and North Beach. Apart from these, there is another beautiful location suitable for such events – the lush green lawn overlooking the beach. Continue your celebration in two luxurious on-site ballrooms with spacious outdoor terraces. For welcome parties, cocktails, or rehearsal dinners, you can take advantage of the space by the north pool with beautiful views of Vanderbilt Bay and the Gulf of Mexico and a relaxing tropical setting.
3. The One & Only Portonovi, Montenegro
Another magical spot on the Balkan Peninsula recommended by Kolanovic-Szolaj is in Montenegro, covering nearly 20 acres of coastline along the Bay of Kotor. The One & Only Portonovi is surrounded by stunning scenery reminiscent of the Scandinavian fjords, which are protected by UNESCO. This superb hotel is a perfect choice for beach weddings for lovers who appreciate beautiful surroundings, luxury and attention to detail. The hotel has chic rooms and suites and an impressive spa, while the team of chefs will create a unique culinary experience for your special day. There are several outdoor and indoor wedding venues, including a lovely beautiful beach, garden and contemporary ballroom, as well as waterfront restaurants. At their leisure, guests can take speedboats on the bay and explore the scenic surroundings.
4. Hotel del Coronado, California
Beautiful beach wedding venues are offered by Hotel del Coronado, located near San Diego. Its private beachfront property is divided into two areas, and each can serve as the perfect backdrop for a romantic event. Main Beach is nearly 7,600 square feet in size, while North Beach is much larger at 70,000 square feet. These are good places to hold a ceremony, parties, cocktails or wedding receptions, and bask in the California sun at the same time. Other than that, few beaches in the state can boast of having fireworks right on the sand. If you want to move the main celebration from the beach, the hotel will provide exquisite ballrooms, a terrace overlooking the Pacific Ocean, gardens or lush lawns.
5. Kamalame Cay, Bahamas
Another of T+L readers' rankings of the best hotels for 2023 with beautiful beaches is also recommended by celebrities, and wedding planner Marva Munroe of Chic Bahamas Weddings & Events recommends this luxurious hideaway for wedding ceremonies. It is a 96-acre private island family resort in the Bahamas. It features a signature combination of tropical chic and deserted beaches. The resort is accessible only by helicopter, private ferry or seaplane. As event locations, the hotel offers a stunning white sand coastline, the magnificent Great House Terrace and resort suites and private residences for up to 86 guests. This palm-fringed oasis dotted with thatched-roof beach bars is also ideal for secluded getaways and romantic honeymoons.
6. Chatham Bars Inn, Massachusetts
With nearly 600 miles of coastline, Cape Cod is logically one of the most popular wedding destinations in the world, and Chatham Bars Inn tops its list of top beach hotels. You can hold your ceremony on the beautiful private beach, and then continue the event at the Beach House Grill restaurant on the waterfront. It has a capacity of 250 people. Food and drink can be offered to guests as part of a traditional reception, clambake or bonfire. The adjacent 20-foot-high, light-colored vaulted boathouse with an outdoor terrace and a beautiful view of the Atlantic Ocean can accommodate up to 90 guests. If your celebration is expected to have a large number of guests, you may also consider the spacious South Lawn for 300+ guests. There is also a beautiful 75-person room with a private terrace and harbor view and a small Captain's Table with ocean views for 14 guests.
7. Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, Mexico
Cabo's striking cliffs, plenty of attractions, and sparkling waters make for fantastic beach wedding venues. According to San Francisco Bay Area wedding planner Jamie Chang, owner of Mango Muse Events, the chic Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal is worth checking out here. The cliffside resort in secluded Cabo is a 2023 World's Best Award winner. It features a beautiful secluded beach that can serve as a great location for weddings. The pristine beach area can accommodate about 200 guests. On chilly nights, bonfires can be lit here. The hotel also has some exquisite grounds with ocean views on one side and mountain views on the other.
8. Rosewood Kona Village, Hawaii
Many of the best beach hotels in the world that are great for weddings are located on popular tropical islands. One of them, located in Hawaii, is advised as a choice by wedding planner Kimiko Hosaki of Elements by KH & co. The recently renovated Rosewood Kona Village Resort on the Big Island has become one of the favorites for special occasions thanks to its beautiful private black sand beaches, bright blue ocean waters and lava rocks, which all combine to create an incredible landscape. A ceremony or cocktail reception can be held on the beach or by the Shipwreck Hotel's pool surrounded by palm trees. The resort also offers private Hawaiian-style parties on the grounds surrounded by views of pristine lagoons and gardens, on the pool deck overlooking the ocean, or on the tiered lawn just steps from the sandy shore.
9. Andaz Bali, Indonesia
Bali is associated with beautiful resorts, almost otherworldly pictures of nature with lush rice paddies and dense forests and lively beach clubs. This is why it is so popular as a honeymoon destination. But its perfect beach hotels are no less in demand for those who are just about to have a wedding and exchange vows. The Andaz Bali hotel is suitable for travelers who like to relax on the beach with superb scenery all around. The ceremony venue here can be a 656-foot golden sand beach, which will also have enough space for cocktails for 100 people. If you're looking for an alternative, check out the two interior green courtyards or the vibrant Village Square in the center. The resort can be redeemed in its entirety for two nights and will include a drink and food credit, 145 deluxe rooms and spa treatments.
10. Frangipani Beach Resort, Anguilla
A venue for more modestly sized events but no less beautiful can be found, as recommended by Jamie Chang, in Anguilla right in Meads Bay. It's home to one of themost beautiful beachfront hotels, Frangipani Beach Resort, which is perfect for intimate beach weddings. The resort has 19 rooms, and due to its small size, guests can literally walk out the door to the beach. The hotel works directly with future spouses to help them organize their dream wedding. Couples who decide to buy the hotel outright can also take advantage of expert help for planning and complimentary water sports. In addition, hotel guests can also host cocktail parties or barbecues on the beach at no extra charge for the space.
11. Tides Beach Club, Maine
The only beach hotel in Kennebunkport, Tides Beach Club has three miles of soft sandy shoreline on Goose Rocks Beach. In order to have your wedding ceremony here, you will need to rent the property in its entirety. The price includes a full wedding menu and 21 rooms and suites. So this luxury option in Maine will suit those couples looking for nice beach hotels for chamber weddings with 80 guests (or 50 seated). The couple will exchange vows under a custom-made white birch altar, and then the celebration will continue with drinks, a local seafood dinner, and dancing in the reception hall. The sand and surf will create a truly fairytale setting for the wedding. The hotel also provides locations for a rehearsal dinner, brunch or bridal shower for the bride.
12. Sandals South Coast, Jamaica
The Sandals chain is widely recognized for its collection of all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean. One of its Sandals South Coast hotels in Jamaica has also gained a reputation as a favorite among the most popular beach resorts for weddings around the world. The beautiful two miles of serene white sand beach encourages couples to say "I do" in this picturesque location. If you are planning to have a large number of guests at your ceremony, it is best to organize it or the reception right on the beach. An alternative option for a small party can be a unique wedding chapel over the water Serenity with a panoramic view of the ocean. Its aisle is a glass floor through which you can see the turquoise waters. The resort also has a wide range of wedding packages, from pre-event to honeymoon.
13. Wild Dunes Resort, South Carolina
An excellent choice of locations for beach weddings can be boasted by another member of the 2023 Best Hotels in the World ranking – the expansive Wild Dunes Resort, located on quiet Isle of Palms just a half-hour drive from Charleston. Here, you can hold an outdoor ceremony on a wide sandy beach that can accommodate up to 200 guests. There are also several other venues for outdoor or indoor events: an elegant ballroom, croquet lawns, a pavilion overlooking the water, a poolside area overlooking the sparkling pools and vibrant waterfront, seating for 60, or a cocktail party for 100 guests. Of particular note is the resort's latest upgrade, a rooftop ballroom overlooking the sea with a partially covered veranda and sun terrace, suitable for a celebration for 75-150 people. All of these venues share a combination of relaxing ocean breezes and Charleston's famous charm.
14. Vomo Island Fiji, Fiji
Couples who dream of privacy and tranquility can choose stunning beach hotels in the Fiji islands for their wedding ceremony. For example, the private island oasis of Vomo Island Fiji offers 225 acres of picturesque landscape and is all-inclusive. A wedding package can help you throw a dream celebration on a long white sand beach dotted with palm trees for a group of guests from 2 to a hundred or more. To make it more original, you can add local flavor to the usual ceremony and invite Fijian warriors to escort the bride, or organize traditional costumes. Other additions to the package can include photography and videography in various genres, spa treatments, headdresses and floral decor, hairdresser and makeup artist services, choir, fruit basket, and floral arrangements at your villa, etc. For weddings with a large number of guests, customized packages can be put together, tailored to meet all needs and wishes.
15. Gurney's Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa, New York City
Serene sandy beaches with chic hotels make the Hamptons one of the best and most sought-after wedding venues in the world. Notable among them is Gurney's Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa, with a 200-foot-long private beach that's suitable for ceremonies of any size. In addition to it, the hotel has other beautiful outdoor and indoor locations for celebrations, receptions and cocktails, and most have sea views. For example, The Beach Club, located literally a couple steps from the water, has multi-level decks, the chic Scarpetta Beach Restaurant with ceiling-to-floor windows showcasing the ocean panorama from every table, gorgeous terraces, and other rooms and spaces for rehearsal dinners, receptions, cocktail evenings and wedding ceremonies. The hotel's restaurant teams will work with you to create uniquely themed menus that emphasize seasonal produce and local purveyors.
