Wedding: Honeymoon: Destination: Mustique
WHAT TO EAT: At your villa, you’ll arrange menus for your stay with your private chef (food costs aren’t included in the rental price) and can enjoy your meals where you like — think breakfast in bed, or a picnic lunch on the beach. For a dinner out, the Veranda at the Cotton House offers upscale international dishes and a plentiful wine selection. For lunch or casual fare, try the Beach Café overlooking Endeavor Bay, or the seafood specials at Basil’s Bar. And don’t leave before assaying Mustique’s specialty: callaloo soup, made from a locally grown spinach-like vegetable that, we promise, tastes much better than it looks.
WHERE TO STAY: This is easy: in a private villa. From gingerbread-style and traditional Caribbean bungalow (designed by famed architect Oliver Messel) to a Japanese tea garden and an ultra-modern loft, you’ll find your dream rental. Honeymooners love the more affordable two-bedroom villas, especially beachfront (and Messel-designed) Blue Waters, super-secluded Heron Bay, and airy L’Ansecoy. (To book or research the villas, visit Mustique-island.com.) For a more resort feel, the 17-room Cotton House (cottonhouse.net) offers several room options, most with private plunge pools and separate living spaces.
WHAT TO PACK: Don’t forget your passport, U.K.-style adapters, and cash — there are no ATMs on the island. Dress code is resort-chic, though a cute cover-up will do for daytime. Bring a few dressy outfits for dinner or cocktails at the Cotton House, plus athletic gear for sporty pursuits.
BEST TIMES TO GO: During Mustique’s off-season (May through mid-November), prices and crowds (though there never really are any of the latter) drop off significantly.
NEWLYWED NEWS: The Cotton House offers several romance packages (as well as an activities coordinator) that include daily breakfast and a candlelit dinner in your room, poolside, or on the beach; inquire when booking.
GETTING THERE: You’ll need to arrange connecting flights to Barbados. (American Airlines provides the most options; Delta and US Airways have a smaller selection.) The Mustique Company will coordinate your final 45-minute flight (on a teeny plane) and include it in the cost of your stay.
