Distinctive Honeymoons is your one-stop source for any type of romantic trip, whether you're planning your honeymoon, destination wedding, anniversary trip, babymoon, or vacation getaway. Also be sure to check out the honeymoon registry; visit distinctivehoneymoons.com or call 800.803.1360 to learn more.

In the Spotlight

The InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa 

Travel + Leisure recently announced their Top Hotel Awards as voted by readers, and some of our favorites made it to the top 50! Here are a few to check out:

• Royal Malewane, South Africa
• Triple Creek Ranch, Montana
• Nisbet Plantation Beach Club, Nevis
• InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa


GERMANY
Travel + Leisure readers voted Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa in Baden-Baden as #5 in the "Top Large City Hotels in Europe" category. Standing in extensive grounds on Lichtentaler Allee, the 5-star hotel gracefully weaves beauty, fitness, health, and culinary delights all into one. More about Brenners Park-Hotel and Spa

GREECE
Discover traditional age-old recipes and indulge your taste buds. At the luxurious Blue Palace Resort & Spa, Chef Kostas Katsoulis is now presenting Reflections of Crete, which are local Cretan specialties at the award-winning L’Orangerie Restaurant. More about Blue Palace

FIJI
Qamea Resort & Spa now offers Royal Beach Houses! The three houses are set at the end of the resort's white sand beach and offer absolute privacy and ocean views, with their own private plunge pool on an expanded sunning deck. More about Qamea

ST. LUCIA
There's still time to book the Total Romance Summer Promotion at Jade Mountain! Receive a 5^th night free, or stay 7 nights and receive an additional 2 nights free. This promotion is available in the categories Sky, Star and Moon for travel through September 30, 2011 but with very limited availability. The package includes accommodation, airport transfers, meals, guided tours, a one-hour Swedish massage, and much more. More about Jade Mountain

Announcing Gay Weddings and Honeymoons by Distinctive Honeymoons!



Gay and lesbian couples can now legally wed in New York, and in celebration of this long-anticipated moment, Distinctive Honeymoons launched the division Gay Weddings and Honeymoons (GayWeddingsandHoneymoons.com). "We feel this is a remarkable time in history," said Donna Keane, Director of Distinctive Honeymoons. "Not only does it allow equal rights for same-sex couples but it will have an enormous impact on New York Tourism." The new website will feature approved gay-friendly accommodations worldwide, as well as resources for same-sex couples and a honeymoon gift registry. Read the full press release here.

Featured New Hotel
Devi Rathn, Jaipur, India



Devi Ratn represents the spirit of modern Rajasthan and combines lyrical spaces with bold architecture. It takes its name from the "Nav Ratn"; nine pure gemstones that focus cosmic energy. Domes and arches rise out on the horizon, and towering structures in red sandstone filter the light of the sun creating patterns on the ground. Learn more


Modern vs. classic hotels: what's your style?

Try something modern if you get excited about:
• Experimental architecture
• Whimsical themes
• Bold colors
• Avant garde interiors
• 21^st century artwork
• Fusion cuisines

Some of our modern picks include W South Beach, Sanderson Hotel in London, Hôtel Le A in Paris, and Roses + Xocolate Boutique Hotel in the Yucatan region of Mexico.

Or, try something classic if you're evoked by:
• Restored mansions and chateaux
• Elegant, timeless interiors
• Antique furnishings
• Dramatic ballrooms
• Traditional cuisines

For a classic feel, we recommend Ca'Sagredo Hotel in Venice, Conrad Brussels in Belgium, La Residencia in Mallorca, and The Homestead in Virginia.

In this issue: 5 Ultra-Unique Accommodations, Stand-Out Destination Wedding Venues, In the Spotlight, Devi Ratn, Modern Vs. Classic Hotels, and Distinctive Honeymoon's New Gay-Focused Division

5 Ultra-Unique Accommodations
Make your journey especially memorable by choosing a room unlike anything you've tried. If you long for a way to experience the thrill of camping without rocks poking your back at night, The Resort at Paws Up has an ideal setting for you. Or if you’re debating between a scenic panoramic balcony versus a private villa, Four Seasons Resort Seychelles has just the right mix. Find out how the following properties have stepped beyond convention to offer innovative luxury accommodations.


1. "River Camp" at The Resort at Paws Up in Montana. These 270-square-foot, well-appointed luxury tents are complete with king-sized beds, electricity, spacious decks, nearby private master bathrooms, twice-daily housekeeping service, gourmet meals, and even your own personal luxury camping butler. That's what it means to be "glamping" at Paw's Up (glamorous camping). More about the Resort at Paws up


2. Restored Farmhouses at Borgo di Castelvecchio, Tuscany. This historical property is made up of ancient, lovingly restored stone farmhouses, whose original architecture and materials are preserved. You'll get the sense you're in an authentic Italian village! More about Borgo di Castelvecchio


3. Treetop Villas at Four Seasons Resort, Seychelles. These Creole-style tree house villas embrace the natural simplicity of treetop living. Each features a private deck, complete with an outdoor shower and infinity pool to sit and soak in the Indian Ocean views. More about Four Seasons Resort, Seychelles


4. Dhoni Loft Suites and Dhoni Loft Suites at Cocoa Island Private Island Resort, Maldives. These suites, inspired by local Dhoni Boats, feature bleached wood with alang-alang roofs. They are reached via planked walkways stretching out into the lagoon. From your platform bed, watch fishermen traverse the Cerulean Sea. More about Cocoa Island

5. Private Mexican Castles at Costa Careyes Resort. Stunning homes on the Mexican Pacific, these villas were designed to thrill. Each castle is situated on prime oceanfront property with panoramic views, and two of them have private beaches. The castles are fully staffed. More about Costa Careyes Resort