My wife and I are big fans of Margaritaville Resorts.
We first discovered them about 10 years ago in Hollywood, Florida, when they opened a beautiful beachfront resort in an area that we already loved for its “broadwalk” area (no, it’s not a boardwalk) and gorgeous beaches.
The decor, music, vibe, and even the smell of Margaritaville give you all the oceanfront vacation feels that you associate with Jimmy Buffet.
Given our affinity for Margaritaville, we were excited to stay at their brand-new, adults-only, all-inclusive property in Riviera Maya, Mexico. The property was incredible and even had a rooftop wedding venue that made us want to get married again…
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That got me thinking: would a Margaritaville Resort be a viable option for a honeymoon destination? Based on what we experienced in Mexico, the answer is an emphatic “Yes.”
Here’s a rundown of the Margaritaville resorts that would be an amazing place to honeymoon (and maybe even host a destination wedding).
Margaritaville Island Reserve – Riviera Maya
Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya
See More PhotosI’m going to start here because we were blown away by their newest resort in Riveria Maya. The service we had, from check-in to the restaurants and bars, and especially the spa, was top-notch.
This property tops our list of Margaritaville honeymoon destinations primarily because it’s adults-only, which is fairly uncommon at Margaritaville. Most resorts are family-friendly, which doesn’t mean you can’t honeymoon there, but many couples aren’t too excited about the prospects of kids running around and doing kid things while you’re on a romantic trip.
Highlights for us were the spa treatment, which was a 30-minute massage that was preceded by 50 minutes in the hydrotherapy room. The entire experience was well-staffed and relaxing, but the massage stood out as one of the best we’d ever had (and we’re big massage people).
The restaurants were fantastic as well, from the JWB steakhouse to the more informal LandShark Grill, which featured its own microbrewery with craft beer being made on-site.
Finally, the resort has pools virtually everywhere, from the large main pool with a swim-up bar to swim-up room access, and even a shallow pool with built-in loungers to cool off and take a sunburn home with you as a wedding gift.
We never felt crowded and spent most of our days relaxing at the pools, which, for us, is an ideal setting for a honeymoon.
Hammock at Margaritaville Island Reserve – Cap Cana
Margaritaville Cap Cana Hammock Experience
See More PhotosMargaritaville operates a family-friend resort in Cap Cana called Wave, but they’ve newly opened an adults-only sister property called Hammock that would be perfect for honeymooning couples.
This side of the resort features an adults-only pool, restaurant, and bar, but visitors also have access to all of the amenities at Wave. That’s great news because, between the two sections of the resort, there are ten restaurants, five bars, two pools, and a spa.
Two of the resort’s restaurants, A-LAM-BIK and Rum Runners, are for ages 18 and older only, which gives couples a chance to grab a kid-free bite. There’s also 24-hour room service… you are on your honeymoon, after all!
Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana also has a St. Somewhere Spa on site, and based on our experience at the Riviera Maya location, we can’t recommend a trip to this spa highly enough.
Margaritaville Beach Resort – Hollywood Beach, FL
Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort
See More PhotosHollywood Beach is where my wife and I first fell in love… with Margaritaville Resorts, that is.
This resort has two pools located on the oceanfront: the Landshark Pool, which is family-friendly and features a rock waterfall and a water slide, and the Lone Palm Pool, a quieter pool setting with a jacuzzi and poolside bar service.
While this isn’t an adults-only resort, there are a few places to nab some alone time. Honeymooning couples can swim in the 21+ License to Chill Pool located on the 11th floor or rent a private cabana at either of the oceanfront pools.
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If you’re looking for fine dining, you can find it at the JWB Steakhouse, but we preferred the ease of walking to the Floridays food truck for tacos and margaritas.
It was definitely relaxing to know that we didn’t need to drive around after a day at the beach to get to dinner – there were plenty of great options to walk to on-site.
Margaritaville Beach House – Key West
Margaritaville Beach House Key West
See More PhotosSince my wife and I adore our experiences with Margaritaville, we jumped at the chance to spend a night at their fairly new Margaritaville Beach House in Key West.
Just one night didn’t turn out to be nearly enough – we’re hoping to return as soon as we can.
We stayed in a spacious, luxurious 2-bedroom suite with massive TVs (just what I needed to catch the MLB playoffs) and a clean, coastal decor style.
The Fins Up pool area was the perfect place to relax and take a break from the Key West sun, with plenty of shaded spots, loungers, and waitstaff that walked around to take poolside food and drink orders.
Key West isn’t really a “beach town,” but for honeymooners who like to be out and about exploring and adventuring, it’s a perfect location. The resort also offers a free shuttle service, which takes the stress away from trying to find a spot to park.
There’s also an on-site concierge who will help couples arrange for other activities in the area, making this a perfect destination for lovebirds who like to stay busy.
Margaritaville Resort – Gatlinburg
Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg
See More PhotosMore couples get hitched in Gatlinburg than in any other Southern destination, so Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg is perfectly situated to receive your Honeymoon getaway car. And if you want to make things even more convenient, they even have indoor and outdoor wedding venues right onsite.
The resort is located on the riverfront, with easy walking access to shopping, dining, and other nearby attractions. It’s also on Gatlinburg’s trolley line, so your laid-back vibe won’t be thrown off by the stress of driving and parking.
Gatlinburg experiences all four seasons, but it’s not just the warm and beachy weather that can be romantic. Picture snuggling up the the fireplace on the covered terrace or getting some new couple time around the fire pit on the Edge of Paradise patio, all while taking in the area’s famous mountain views.
Just like many other Margaritaville locations, this resort has a St. Somewhere Spa. Based on our previous experience, we’d definitely recommend that to any couple visiting.
The surrounding area is packed with activities that will suit just about anyone, from relaxing fishing to adrenaline-pumping white water rafting.
If you’d rather just hang out by the pool with a margarita in hand? That’s an option too.
Margaritaville Resort – Orlando
Margaritaville Resort Orlando
See More PhotosWe all know someone who wants to celebrate every major life event with a trip to Disney World. If you’re one of those Disney Adults, can I make a recommendation? Do the theme park thing, but spend your honeymoon at Margaritaville Resort Orlando.
This resort has a 265-room hotel with the brand’s signature fun, coastal vibe. If you’re looking for more privacy, there are also free-standing cottages and townhouse-style villas available for rent.
We spent Thanksgiving at this resort two years ago, and it’s still a holiday highlight. The 3-bedroom cottage we stayed in was spacious, with a clean decor style that felt comfortable but classy.
Upscale dining is available at the Euphoria Fish House, but we couldn’t tear ourselves away from the pool for long enough to try it. Even after two years, the poolside margaritas stand out as a “best-thing-I-ever-drank” level cocktail, and there’s something perfect about enjoying a burger in a lounge chair while everyone you know is eating dry turkey back home.
And as an award-winner from major wedding sites like The Knot and Wedding Wire, we’re not the only ones who think this resort would be the perfect place to tie the knot.