How to Plan a Romantic Honeymoon in Florida

If you put off planning your honeymoon but don’t want to miss out on a romantic beach getaway with all the trappings of luxury—and none of the added hassle of international travel)—look no further than Florida. 

“You’ve got fresh seafood, great weather, and over 800 miles of beaches,” says travel advisor Lisa Mullin, who is a huge advocate of honeymooning in the Sunshine State.  “And, if you’re coming from the U.S., you don’t have to deal with jet lag from a long flight, so you can enjoy every single minute that you’re here.” 

Ready to start exploring your options? Read on for recommendations from Mullin and fellow luxury travel advisor Mallory B. Jones on where to stay, what to do, and the best places to eat on a Florida honeymoon.

Planning Your Florida Honeymoon

While many tend to associate the vacation destination with family-friendly mega-resorts (i.e. Disney World) and well-tanned retirees, Florida actually varies drastically in topography and culture—and that’s precisely what makes it such a good fit for couples of all sorts.

“Any type of honeymoon you want, you can find it in Florida,” Mullin adds. “Amelia Island versus Key West, Destin versus South Beach—they’re all very, very different. And that’s what’s so nice about the state: you can have completely different experiences depending on which area you visit.” 

Here are our basics for the early stages of your planning process:

Where to Stay During Your Florida Honeymoon

From quiet luxury on barrier islands to high design in the center of glittering cities, Florida boasts a wide variety of wonderful honeymoon hotels. Here are eight romantic accommodations to consider for your Florida honeymoon.

1 Hotel Southbeach

“This is a great hotel for people who like a more sustainable yet still luxurious environment,” says Mullin. Reclaimed woods and recovered materials dominate the soothing decor, living green walls cover many of the facades, and a tricked-out gym boasting plenty of workout classes will appeal to wellness enthusiasts across the board, while the rooftop pool is the perfect place to unwind. Best of all, it’s located steps away from the beach and Miami’s bustling Collins Avenue, so you can easily bounce between the two as your energy levels change.

Acqualina

“For all-out luxury, this is a great choice,” says Mullin. The more intimate 98-room resort, which is situated a few miles north of Miami’s South Beach in Sunny Isles, is known for its signature touches of red, spacious accommodations, and, per Mullin, a staff that goes out of their way to provide a personalized experience for every guest. The four in-house restaurants include a new Japanese fusion spot—hello, decadent sushi dinner!—and you’ll want to reserve plenty of time for the 20,000-square-foot spa, where treatments include HydraFacials, Hypervolt massages, and sound healing.  

Little Palm Island Resort & Spa

For a more barefoot, low-key Florida experience, you’ll want to head to the Florida Keys, an archipelago of small islands that form the state’s—and the country’s—southernmost point. Only reachable by boat or seaplane, Little Palm sits on Little Torch Key. “It’s a very unplugged experience,” Mullin says. “They don’t have televisions or phones in the rooms or public areas.” What they do have, though, will make you forget your electronics entirely: day sails, scuba and snorkeling, an indoor-outdoor spa, and a private beach of pure white sand and clear turquoise waters. Honeymooners should book the “Get Lost” package, which includes a welcome bottle of champagne, daily breakfast for two, and a $100 spa credit per person per night.

The Henderson Park Inn

This all-inclusive, adults-only Destin resort is nestled in Florida’s panhandle, where visitors are welcomed with Caribbean-blue waters and plenty of palm trees. “The Destin area is a totally different experience from Miami,” says Mullin. “It’s more of a peaceful getaway, with great golf, private boating experiences, and some of the world’s best fishing.” When you’re not out exploring, Henderson Park offers plenty of amenities to enjoy, including a gourmet breakfast buffet, beach service, and a cabana-lined pool.

Sunset Key Cottages

Situated just off Key West, the beachy-nautical one-bedroom cottages on this private 27-acre island are ideal for honeymooners. While on the property, activity-oriented couples can keep their calendars packed with tennis games, sailing and jet ski trips, parasailing, and deep sea fishing excursions, while those after some much-needed R&R can kick back by the saltwater pool, lounge in a chair on the beach, or book a massage at the garden-wrapped spa.  The on-site restaurant Latitudes is considered by many to be one of the best restaurants in Key West.

The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island

A barrier island at the northeast tip of Florida, the topography of Amelia Island more closely resembles the dune-covered beaches of the Carolinas. Go full-tilt on the Lowcountry charm at this 446-room resort, where you can fish for your dinner, play golf, kayak through marshes, and dress up for an unforgettable meal at Salt, the AAA, 5-Diamond on-site restaurant. For a unique spa experience, Mullin suggests the resort’s “Heaven in a Hammock” massage, which combines energy work, reflexology, stretching, and more as you lay in a gently rocking hammock. 

The Breakers Palm Beach

“This is the flagship property of Palm Beach, but it is constantly being updated and renovated so it never feels old,” says travel advisor Mallory B. Jones. Honeymooners can count on four pools, six whirlpool spas, a private beach, golf, tennis and so much more. Plan for at least one dinner at flagship restaurant HMF, where, per Jones, “the expansive wine list and multiple private tables,” make for a supremely romantic evening.

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World

Of all the Disney honeymoon hotels, this property is best for romance.  Preferred by adult couples because it’s quieter, more private, and more geared toward luxury than its many kid-friendly counterparts, the resort boasts a 5-acre swimming area with a lazy river complex, six restaurants, an on-site spa, and free shuttles to the park. Be sure to reserve a table at the rooftop steakhouse, which boasts amazing views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks show.

Things to Do During Your Florida Honeymoon

Wetlands full of wildlife wonders, sunny beaches with amazing snorkeling, and America’s favorite theme park—Florida has something for every type of couple. Here are ten bucket-list-worthy activities to try during your Florida honeymoon.

Go Scuba Diving and Snorkeling

Exploring underwater is a must-do while in the Sunshine State! Though the coasts offer plenty of places to swim with fish, Mullin recommends the prehistoric Devil’s Den Spring and nearby Blue Grotto in north-central Florida for more adventurous sorts.

Hit the Spa

For wellness lovers, there’s no shortage of world-class resort spas in Florida. While the spa at Acqualina (see above) is certainly bucket-list worthy, more New Age acolytes will appreciate the Turkish-style hammam, arctic plunge, and hydrotherapy playground at the adults-only spa at The Standard Miami.

Experience Drift Diving

Head to the West Palm Beach area for this “lazy man’s” take on scuba diving, in which the Gulf Stream carries you past miles of coral reef and marine life. Per Mullin, in the high season of May through September, this is one of the best ways to spot sea turtles in their natural habitat.

Hang With Manatees

One hour north of Tampa, the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge offers several ways to interact with these slow-moving sea cows. View them from a boardwalk, paddle with them while on kayak, or get in the water and snorkel.

Head to Disney World

America’s most iconic theme park is ready and waiting for honeymooners in Orlando. Hang with Minnie and Mickie, ride the rides, take a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride, and so much more.

Take a Romantic Gondola Ride

The southeastern city of Ft. Lauderdale is sometimes referred to as the “Venice of America” thanks to its extensive canal system, and a sunset cruise with Los Olas Gondola is the best way to take it all in. “They take you out on the water and around some of the most luxurious homes and gardens in the area,” says Mullin.

Island Hop in a Sea Plane

The most magical way to experience the Florida Keys might just be by air. Key West Seaplane Adventures provides breathtaking aerial views en route to Dry Tortugas National Park, one of America’s most hard-to-reach national parks, where the majestic Fort Jefferson and white sand beaches with a living reef for snorkeling await.

Ride Horses at Sunset

The beauty of Amelia Island is best revealed during the hours surrounding sunrise. Amelia Island Horseback Riding takes couples for hour-long beach rides as the sky changes colors. “With the horse’s hooves in the surf, it’s a very romantic adventure,” says Mullin.

Explore the Everglades

These South Florida wetlands are filled with breathtaking natural scenery and unique wildlife. (Including alligators!) For an added thrill, set sail for the mangroves on a guided airboat tour.

What to Eat During Your Florida Honeymoon

The best honeymoon dining experiences are often a mix of romantic high-end restaurants, destination eateries, and more casual spots where you can sample the signature dishes of a region. Here are a few to seek out on your Florida honeymoon.

Macchialina

In Miami, Jones says this is the place to head for quiet romance. “It’s a rustic Italian restaurant that makes its pasta by hand,” she explains. Pair the tasty dishes with a bottle from the restaurant’s rare wine collection.

Joe's Stone Crab

Per Mullin, stone crabs are to Florida what lobster is to Maine, and this South Beach restaurant is where you want to sample them. “It’s busy, and there are waits, but it’s a very well-known restaurant for the best stone crab you can get,” she says.

L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon

Florida’s only two-star Michelin restaurant is this modern French eatery in Miami. Foodies should book the 34-seat dining counter, where you can watch as chefs meticulously plate all sorts of creative dishes in the open kitchen.

Rosie's

This Black-owned daytime Miami restaurant is a must for couples who love brunch. While the Southern-inspired menu does rotate, you’ll definitely want to order the shrimp & grits.

Jaya

This Setai hotel restaurant “seduces with its beauty and Pan-Asian dishes,” says Jones.  Here, sunken couches surrounded by light-covered palm trees line a large water fountain, and the decadent signature dishes include caviar and Peking Duck.

Columbia Restaurant

With locations throughout the state, Columbia Restaurant is a great spot to indulge in Cuban sandwiches. Named “Best Sandwich in Florida” by Food & Wine magazine, the signature Florida delicacy likely originated in cafes catering to Cuban immigrants and is typically made with ham, swiss cheese, roast pork, and, in certain communities, Genoa salami.

Key Largo Conch House

Originally from the nearby Bahamas, conch fritters are a delicious fried shellfish snack that are also popular in Florida. According to Mullin, one of the best places to sample the dish is this Key Largo restaurant. “It’s in an old bungalow facing the sea, and it’s got a great island atmosphere,” she says.

Budgeting for a Florida Honeymoon

The best part about budgeting for a Florida honeymoon is that you won’t have to devote a significant amount to airfare, as flights at all price points from a wide variety of airlines are available for domestic travelers. Where costs can creep up, however, are daily resort fees, so be sure you’re excited to enjoy all the amenities a destination hotel has to offer before you book. While you’ll likely want a car the full time you’re visiting the Florida Keys, where points of interest are more spread out, a full rental is not necessarily essential for longer stays in other destinations. Instead, consider grouping your major excursions over the course of two to three days and only renting a car for that amount of time instead. Finally, Disney: Visiting the parks can be a significant financial undertaking, so if you’re on the fence about the idea, it’s probably best to save it for another trip.