From Bucket List to Reality:
An Unforgettable Honeymoon
Honeymoon Overview
One of our top bucket list travel experiences was to stay in an overwater bungalow — whether it be in the Maldives or Bora Bora. We knew the trip was going to be expensive, so we planned to leverage points and miles. Through strategic points hacking and planning, we were not only able to stay in an overwater bungalow in the Maldives, but also flew business class on the highly sought-after, Qatar Qsuites.
Pt. 1: Montreal
We started our honeymoon in Montreal, Canada about a week after our wedding. We arrived Friday night and stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Montreal, where we received an upgrade due to our Hilton Gold status. The hotel was conveniently located in downtown, allowing us to explore the area by foot and many famous landmarks like the Notre-Dame Basilica , Old Montreal and China Town. We highly recommend taking a walk to the port and grabbing a drink by the water!
Here’s a roundup of our favorite things to do, places to see, and most importantly — where to eat!
After a quick, cold three days in Montreal, we were eager to get to the sunny Maldives!
Pt. 2: Maldives
Traveling to the Maldives was definitely an experience in itself! We flew from Montreal to Doha for a 9 hour layover. Then from Doha, we we flew to the capital city of Malé and were finally greeted by warm tropical air. TM Pro Tip: You cannot bring alcohol into the Maldives. We learned this the hard way :-).
The airport itself is a gateway to the Maldives' numerous island resorts. We hopped on a short transfer by seaplane to our hotel Hilton Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. TM Pro Tip: Book this ahead of time!
The hospitality at the Hilton Conrad was exceptional. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a group of staff, along with fresh coconut and cold towels. At this time, you will meet your personal attendant who will help you plan your stay including: excursions, dining and spa reservations, and day-to-day activities.
Due to our Hilton status, we enjoyed complimentary breakfast each morning overlooking the ocean. You can also request breakfast to be delivered to your private pool!
Your attendant will highly recommend making reservations once you arrive- but you really can’t go wrong with any of the options. Our favorite restaurant, Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, is an underwater dining experience surrounded by thousands of fish, rays, and sharks. Although pricy, it was definitely worth this once-in-a-lifetime experience. TM Pro Tip: Book this ahead of time!
We spent a lot of time in our private pool, snorkeling with sharks and stingrays, and enjoyed a couples massage. Although we wished we could have stayed forever, seven days felt like the perfect amount of rest & relaxation.
Pt 3: Dubai
After being in literal paradise for a week, we really didn’t think anything else could compare — but we were wrong!
After a long travel day from Male to Dubai, we landed pretty late and headed to our hotel in Palm Jumeirah at the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah. We were upgraded to a suite and were very impressed by how large the room was. Our view looked out onto the water and the Burj Al Arab — a 7-star hotel.
We were very impressed by the breakfast buffet, filled with made to eat omelets, fresh fruit, and every breakfast item you could probably imagine. And then some!
We also loved the exceptional daily breakfast and the outdoor complex that encompassed several swimming pools and its own separate beach. While in Palm Jumeirah, we ended up going to two really cool bars and our favorite restaurant. One of our favorite bars “The Penthouse Dubai” was on the roof of the hotel “Five Palm Jumeirah” and it was our favorite due to the amazing views and drinks. Our favorite restaurant was called “Buddha-Bar” and it had amazing asian dishes and interior design while hosting a DJ to keep the restaurant lively.
The next two nights were spent in downtown Dubai at the Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown. This resort wasn’t as nice but the location was superb due to it being near the infamous mall and Burj Khalifa. Our first day was spent exploring the mall and the tallest building in the world. We only spent a day at the mall but could have spent multiple days due to how many stores were in there. We enjoyed experiencing the Burj Khalifa because you could see everything from the top but we wouldn't do it again due to how touristy it was. The next day was spent experiencing a desert safari experience and that ended up being our favorite activity. We were able to explore the dunes in a car, atv, snowboard and on the back of a camel. Our favorite part of the safari was spending time at the camp that included an amazing sunset, dancing and local food.
Embarking on a honeymoon trip spanning four countries was an unforgettable adventure filled with breathtaking experiences and cherished moments. From the romantic ocean views of the Maldives to the majestic sand dunes of Dubai, each destination offered its own unique charm and beauty. Exploring diverse cultures, indulging in delectable cuisines, and creating everlasting memories together made this journey truly magical. This trip exceeded our expectations and jump started our goal of traveling across the world with points and miles.