Best Beach Hotels
The Best Beach Hotels to Get Married at Around the World, According to Wedding Planners
Sun Gardens Dubrovnik, Croatia
Couples craving a fairy-tale-worthy beach wedding need not look further than Sun Gardens Dubrovnik, says Diane Kolanović-Šolaja of Dee Kay Events in New Jersey. The wedding planner describes the property as a “coastal cliffside sanctuary” with “stunning vistas of the Adriatic Sea at every glance.” She continues, telling T+L, “Various ballrooms, outdoor terraces, and restaurants give robust choices for your wedding venues.” The pristine beach area is prime for ceremonies and cocktail hours, as are the three outdoor swimming pools. Kolanović-Šolaja also notes that the resort can arrange special events for guests, including private mixology classes, gourmet culinary experiences, or private boat and yacht charters to explore the Elaphites archipelago or the Blue Caves of Dubrovnik. Best of all: Despite the luxury resort’s dreamy seaside locale, it’s just 20 minutes from Old Town Dubrovnik.
LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, Florida
“This boutique resort on the Naples beach has its own one-of-a-kind charm,” says Florida-based wedding planner Carrie Darling of LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort. The 2023 World’s Best Award-winning property features two beach wedding venues — North and South Beach — which are great for both ceremonies and receptions. Darling is also quick to call out the property’s “sought-after lawn space overlooking the beach,” which is also popular for ceremonies and receptions. Other on-site venues include two lavish ballrooms complete with expansive outdoor terraces plus the dreamy North Pool area. Flanked by the Gulf of Mexico and Vanderbilt Bay, this al fresco space is perfect for cocktail hours, rehearsal dinners, and welcome parties.
The One & Only Portonovi, Montenegro
Surrounded by fjord-like natural elements in UNESCO-protected Boka Bay, the One & Only Portonovi is the ultimate beach resort for marriers who appreciate luxury, their surroundings, and the fine details,” says Kolanović-Šolaja. Spanning nearly 20 waterfront acres along the Bay of Kotor, the property is a T+L favorite for its spectacular spa and luxury rooms and suites housed inside Venetian-inspired pavilions. “As for an unforgettable wedding experience,” says the pro, “chefs are ready to create a unique culinary experience for your guests.” Additionally, the property offers several indoor and outdoor event spaces, including a gorgeous sandy beach area, an al fresco garden, waterfront restaurants Sabia and Tapasake, and a contemporary ballroom. Couples and their guests will be whisked around the bay via wooden speed boats, offering postcard-worthy vistas of the storybook surroundings.
Hotel del Coronado, California
Bask in the SoCal sun at Hotel del Coronado near San Diego. The resort’s private section of Coronado Beach — aptly named Del Beach — is divided into two different stretches of sand, both of which serve as picture-perfect backdrops for weddings. Both Main Beach (which is 7,590 square feet) and North Beach (70,000 square feet) can be utilized for ceremonies, receptions, cocktail hours, welcome parties, and more. They’re also one of the few California beaches where guests can eat, drink, and enjoy fireworks directly on the sand. Alternate on-site venues include opulent ballrooms, lush lawns and gardens, and a terrace overlooking the Pacific.
Kamalame Cay, The Bahamas
Accessible via helicopter, seaplane, or private ferry, this family-owned 96-acre private island resort is beloved by T+L readers (it recently snagged a World’s Best Award for 2023), along with celebrities and wedding planners like Marva Munroe of Chic Bahamas Weddings & Events in the Bahamas. “Dotted with palm trees and beachside thatched bars, this oasis is the perfect location for couples seeking complete seclusion and pampering,” she tells T+L. What’s more, she says, “The resort’s beach ceremony location, stunning Great House Terrace, and Palm Grove are ideal for groups of up to 86.”
Chatham Bars Inn, Massachusetts
With nearly 600 miles of shoreline, it’s no wonder why Cape Cod is such a popular beach wedding spot — and Chatham Bars Inn is, hands down, the destination’s best beach hotel to get married at. Exchange vows on the property’s private beach before continuing the fun at the waterfront Beach House Grill (max capacity: 250) for a clambake, bonfire, or traditional reception. The adjacent Boathouse — which can hold up to 90 guests — offers plenty of natural light, 20-foot vaulted ceilings, an outdoor deck, and panoramic ocean views. For a fully al fresco celebration, consider the lush South Lawn, which offers a tented outdoor space that can fit over 300 guests. There’s also the 75-person Harbor View Room, which is equipped with a private terrace, and the Captain’s Table, ideal for intimate soirees of 14 or under; both spaces offer sweeping ocean views.
Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Mexico
With its striking rock formations, sparkling waters, and an abundance of attractions, Cabo is a fantastic place for a destination beach wedding. In terms of venues, look no further than the luxurious Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal. According to San Francisco Bay area-based destination wedding planner Jamie Chang of Mango Muse Events, this cliffside resort — a 2023 World’s Best Award winner — is “situated in a more private area of Cabo and has a beautiful secluded beach.” While the property offers a handful of on-site venues to choose from, the rugged beach area — which can accommodate up to 200 guests — is the true star of the show. This pristine stretch of soft sand serves as a gorgeous backdrop for weddings. Beach bonfires can also be set up upon request, and, as you can imagine, they come in especially handy on chilly nights.
Rosewood Kona Village, Hawaii
This recently renovated Big Island resort is a favorite among T+L editors (read our recent review of Rosewood Kona Village) and wedding planners, including Kimiko Hosaki of Elements by K.H & co. in Hawaii. Per the pro, “The private black-sand beaches with lava rock and bright blue ocean in the background are something you can’t quite describe.” The palm-tree-lined Shipwreck pool and beach space serves as an idyllic place to exchange vows or sip cocktails before the reception. Additionally, says Hosaki, couples can host a private luau “surrounded by pristine views of lagoons and gardens at Hale Hoʻokipa Lūʻau & Event Grounds,” which offers seating for up to 250 guests, a stage for entertainment, and an imu pit for traditional Hawaiian cooking. Other highlights include the Moana Pool Deck, which overlooks the ocean, and a 15,000-plus-square-foot tiered lawn just steps from the sandy shores.
Andaz Bali, Indonesia
Known for its vibrant beach clubs, beautiful resorts, and almost-otherworldly surroundings (including lush rice paddies, enchanting forests, and more), Bali is one of the world’s top honeymoon destinations. Beach-loving couples should also consider tying the knot here, and the luxe Andaz Bali is the perfect place to do so. The 2023 World’s Best Award-winning resort — our readers’ top pick for the best hotel in Indonesia and Asia as a whole — offers a 656-foot-long golden-sand beach that doubles as a ceremony and cocktail hour venue for up to 100 guests. Alternate al fresco options include two flora-filled courtyards or the lively Village Square area in the center of the resort. For the ultimate splurge, pay a cool $106,000 to buy out the resort for two nights; food and beverage credit, spa treatments, and 145 luxe rooms are all included.
Frangipani Beach Resort, Anguilla
The 19-room Frangipani Beach Resort in Anguilla is ideal for intimate beach weddings thanks to its small size, explains Chang. She also notes that the hotel is “right on Meads Bay, which itself is lovely.” Additionally, “Because it’s a smaller resort, you can literally walk out your door to the beach.” The 2023 World’s Best Award-winning property works directly with couples to craft their dream wedding experience. Additionally, those who book a full property buyout can enjoy amenities like a dedicated point person who is on hand to assist with planning, as well as complimentary non-motorized and motorized water sports. (Boat charters and excursions can be arranged for an extra cost.) Lastly, there’s even the opportunity to host on-site cocktail parties and beach BBQs for wedding guests without an additional site fee.