Drop out of the tech zone for a carefree honeymoon at one of these blissfully unplugged resorts.
By: Becca HensleyNatura Cabana Boutique Hotel & Spa
Natura Cabana is distilled soulfulness crafted for the yogi in everyone. First built as a family home, hewed out of wilderness on the Dominican Republic’s less touristed northern shore, this boutique property has evolved over time. It’s when friends refused to leave that the owners realized they had created a magical place.
So in response they built 10 modern cabins and breezy bungalows one by one, composing them from locally derived, found materials — stone, palm fronds, bamboo, shells, seeds — using feng shui principles as their guide. Secreted at the end of a dirt road, with its own herb and vegetable garden, Natura Cabana doesn’t have televisions, phones or air conditioning. Needless to say, kicking back becomes second nature the moment you arrive thanks to the property’s earthiness and hippie, surfer vibe. Here, nobody expects you to dress up or show up. Your well-being and vacation time is up to you.
Photo Credit: Bianca Garimani
Walk the tranquil beach, go for a swim, ride horses on nature trails, practice beachside yoga in the open-air pavilion and linger over farm-to-table meals in the two Lilliputian, gourmet restaurants. Indulge at the spa, where tinctures and potions hail from indigenous traditions. Feeling amorous? The staff has your back: You may return from body surfing to find your room artfully blanketed with fresh rose petals (room rates start at $130 a night; naturacabana.com).
Rendezvous, St. Lucia
The 100-room Rendezvous pulls off the lovey-dovey thing without being trite and treacly. This all-inclusive resort, which hugs St. Lucia’s prettiest beach, advocates amour like no other. With cocktails bearing sexy names, and a spa that caters to couples, the property seems intent on ensuring paramours eschew the hustle and bustle of everyday life to nourish their relationship. Rendezvous sometimes spells it out for you.
Photo Credit: Rendezvous Resort
Case in point, the fine dining restaurant called The Trysting Place. The cupid of Caribbean resorts, this hibiscus-and-orchid studded secret garden of a destination, would have pool boys bearing quivers packed with love-fever-soaked arrows — if there were such things. Instead, they act as romance enablers, always setting the stage for courtship and flirtation with bespoke adjustments to their offerings meant to spark your à deux fires. You can dine privately by the pool, on the beach or wherever else your whims take you. A stellar scuba program and the nightly serenade by tree frogs and crickets up the heart-pumping ante (room rates start at $739 a night and are all inclusive; theromanticholiday.com).
Bonus: Four Seasons Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
Costa Rica is that tricky country that some folks call the Caribbean (since its east coast is lapped by the sparkling sea’s waves), but others consider a Pacific surf destination because, well, it’s also framed by that mighty ocean. And although this pampering resort is located on the Central American country’s Pacific side, we’d be remiss not to mention its fabulously unplugged package for couples.
The Disconnect to Connect program ensures ultimate relaxation in nature the old fashioned way — free from electronics. If you choose to enjoy the complimentary service, the resort will safeguard your phone for 24 hours (or throughout your stay) at the front desk, and return it with a stylish phone cover that features scenes from the posh resort.
Located on two jungle-framed beaches on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, hewed into the hills of the Papagayo Peninsula, Four Seasons Costa Rica at Papagayo Pennisula will also provide a handy guide that features things to do at the resort that don’t require technology, including: stand-up paddle boarding, hiking, yoga, an art program and classes in the craft of chocolate making (room rates start at $425 a night; fourseasons.com).
