Barefoot luxury at Makepeace Island - Noosa

When our editors Rhonda Bannister, Tanya Joslin and Nicole Deuble got the chance to join Richard Branson at his idyllic private hideaway Makepeace Island just upstream from cosmopolitan Noosa late last year, they came back gushing about the suave and eccentric billionaire with a surprisingly romantic side! 

Branson and his Virgin Blue co founder Brett Godfrey have taken what was once the secluded island home of local character Hannah "Shotgun" Makepeace, and converted it in to an exclusive destination for discerning couples or small groups of friends seeking out luxurious yet playful seclusion on the Sunshine Coast. 

Makepeace Island has now become sought after not only as a holiday retreat but also as a picture perfect location for weddings. With architecture and decor inspired by Bali, the heart-shaped island can accommodate up to 22 "castaways" - not a bad way to slit the $8000 a night price tag! - and boasts a two-storey open aired Balinese wantilan as the centrepiece to a tropical paradise ambience. 

The huge lagoon pool, a full sized tennis court and pavillion, spa facilities, theatre, office facilities and an expansive indoor bar is designed for entertaining on a grand scale. And the stunning gardens and indoor decor include giant sculptures, teak, granite and stone finishes, volcanic boulder bathtubs, ornamental lighting and antiquities and furniture commissioned and acquired in Bali, Java and elsewhere throughout Indonesia give one little doubt that this would be a spectacular residence to hold a small wedding - and you don't have to leave to enjoy the honeymoon. The island even has it's own private chef and a riverboat to transfer guests to and from Noosa!

Makepeace Island was recently voted 'One of the World's Best 101 Hotels' by the highly acclaimed Tatler Travel Guide and Awards, in which it was the only Australian property to feature in the Private Islands – Sensation Seclusion category. The Island will celebrate the achievement with a 6-month birthday celebration providing guests who book from today and stay in February and March 2012 with free flowing French champagne from the house of Moet and Chandon for the duration of their stay. 

We have always admired Richard Branson for his cheeky take on a luxurious lifestyle. Now we have even more reason to want to be in his world, even if just for a few days!

Chill out with a Sunday barbeque brunch at Conrad Bali

The Sunday chill out session is a well established ritual on the island of Bali. And if you're keen to try out one of the famous Sunday brunches on offer, head to Conrad Bali in Nusa Dua for their new Sunday barbeque brunch at its signature beachfront Eight Degrees South restaurant. 

Guests can indulge in some gourmet breakfast favorites including truffled hollandaise eggs benedict, seafood frittata and croissant French toast, sample their signature culinary creations such as tea-smoked duck breast with grape salad, house citrus-cured salmon and warm Wagyu salad, or feast on fresh river prawns, rock lobsters, fish brochette, squid and premium meats. And if that didn't whet your appetite enough, to complement the brunch experience, a selection of crisp salads, freshly baked pastries, an assortment of thin crust wood fire pizzas, premium roast and a dessert buffet with traditional Indonesian sweets and ice cream corner are also available. Fill up in style, and laze the rest of the afternoon away with languid swimming in the resort's pools, or extend your blissful Sunday with 15% off all treatments at the Jiwa Spa.

Priced at IDR 385,000*, the brunch also includes free flow of soft drinks, fresh juices, coffee, tea and a glass of sparkling wine or cocktail of the day upon arrival. 

Note: Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling +62 361 778 788 or emailing restaurants@ConradBali.com.

*Prices are subject to service charge and Government tax, currently 21%.

The Conrad experience is always a highly polished affair, and Conrad Bali is no exception to the rule. Located on the southern coast of Bali, this contemporary resort is nestled in 6.8 hectares of tropical gardens with 350 meters of beautiful beach to call your own personal playground. 

If you choose to stay at Conrad Bali you will be in the heart of the vibrant resort centre of Nusa Dua. Watersports are popular activities along this stretch of coast, but for those less inclined for speed and more prone to slowing down, the resort features the beautiful Jiwa Spa and wellness centre where you can even have your own private yoga or pilates class. There's also the stunning pools, with the pre-requisite daybeds lining the way to call your own private retreat. 

Conrad Bali is a very popular choice for couples seeking a destination wedding in a stunning tropical locale. Just look at that stunning architectural chapel and imagine exchanging vows, with the perfect reception venue just steps away (and an ideal honeymoon to stay on for!).

Come for the Sunday brunch, but don't be at all surprised if you don't want to leave! 

Images courtesy Conrad Bali

The Datai - Langkawi, Malaysia

If you're looking for some tropical splendour in South East Asia, look to the mystical island of Langkawi off the coast of West Malaysia where you'll find The Datai, an award-winning nature-inspired retreat where luxury and romance reign in an atmosphere that is breathtakingly beautiful. Surrounded by jungle-covered mountains and centuries-old rainforest, with its own white sand beach (bliss!), the resort offers the weary urbanite a true escape from the everyday. Built to blend in with its tropical rainforest setting and with Malaysian architecture in mind, The Datai boasts  40 villas, 16 suites and 54 rooms, all with their own private veranda and stunning views of the lush landscape and the Andaman Sea beyond. You can choose from guest rooms, deluxe rooms and the lavish two-bedroom villas, or splurge on the popular Superior Villas and Pool Villas, located in the heart of the tropical rainforest and connected to public facilities by a series of pathways. Pool Suites are also on offer, consisting of two free-standing bedroom villas connected to a spacious living and dining area with large sunning terrace and shared swimming pool. Or for the ultimate in indulgence, check in to the two bedroom Datai Suite and melt in to your own private, expansive living and dining area, plus a fully equipped kitchen and a sandstone balcony with a panoramic view of the environs from every conceivable angle. 

Naturally, wedding at The Datai are very popular for couples wanting a destination event that is truly memorable. Intimate weddings by the sea are a popular choice, yet the hotel also offers bespoke wedding reception planning and theming at any of their dinning venues.

And knowing that they are a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, planning your next island holiday or destination wedding at The Datai can be done with some serious romance in mind!

Dream Destination: Dolphin Island, Fiji

This week's Dream Destination is just made for a group of couples seeking out an island escape like no other! Imagine crystal clear waters, palm fringed beach, your own private island in Fiji, with 13 acres as your playground ... sounds more than a little dreamy, doesn't it? That's the kind of thing waiting for you at Dolphin Island, and there's plenty of room to bring some friends or family. The perfect place for that special, intimate destination wedding, perhaps?! 

As the sister property of iconic Huka Lodge and part of The Huka Retreats, Dolphin Island was once used solely by owner Alex van Heeren for his own family's holidays when his children were growing up (lucky them!). It's recently gone through a huge transformation to welcome international guests to come and stay. It's stylish refurbishment was overseen by Viginia Fisher (design) and Suzanne Turley (landscaping), so it now provides four bure suites allowing up to eight guests the ultimate private island experience. Dawn, a wonderful local Fijian who for years looked after Alex's family and the occasional visitor from Huka Lodge, is still there with a small and very discreet team who are on hand as much or little as required.  It remains very much a low key, yet now extremely stylish and elegant experience in only the way that the Huka Retreats knows how to do.

The main bure, with its fabulous palm-thatched roof and architecturally detailed elevation, holds court and is the heart of the social areas, surrounded as it is by the guest bures. There is an infinity pool to enjoy, a much, much bigger pool beyond with that crystal ocean beckoning you for long swims. 

With 13-acres of private island on your doorstep, there's no shortage of great activities to keep even the most active of guests enjoying the outdoors ... that is, if you can ever pull yourself away from a pool side lounge or manage to pry yourself off the hammock! The coral reefs just off shore provide aquatic adventures like snorkeling, tanking, diving, sailing and kayaking. Or you can learn more about the Fijian culture with a guided visit to nearby villages and areas of historical interest. Or just relax with some pure indulgent pampering, with massages and facials available on a whim. How much you do on Dolphin Island is completely up to you. The days here can idle by with one thing the mainstay ... total relaxation!

Meals at Dolphin Island reflect the nature of this stunning place, featuring fresh produce and many flavours and ingredients used that are unique to Fijian cuisine. And, of course, freshly caught fish features prominently on the daily menu! Guests can select their preference from the catch and it will be beautifully prepared and served. Top it off with the freshest tropical fruit in bucket loads (mmm, papaya!), devoured with the smell of fresh island flowers all around and that magical view spread out before you, and you have yourself a full sensory experience!

Getting to Dolphin Island can be as adventurous or low key as you like. Following your arrival at Nadi Intrnational Airport, guests can travel for 2.5 hours by private car (included within tariff), or choose to transfer by float plane or helicopter to Dolphin Island. The island's own private boat will then transfer guests to their own private island retreat. Our hot tip: get your favourite group of couples together, show them what's waiting at Dolphin Island, and head out for one of the most sublime Pacific island holidays you've ever had! 

Say "I Do" in a French Polynesian paradise

If you have ever dreamed of a romantic beach wedding in paradise, you may like to grab these details and lightly hint to your partner that now is the time to make those dreams come true! Sofitel Luxury Hotels in French Polynesia have launched several new wedding packages for those planning on getting married in paradise in 2012, making it easier for couples to find themselves bare foot on the sand as you exchange your vows!

Sofitel caters from the most simple of ceremonies through to elaborate romantic celebrations that can be held at a choice of two destinations - the Sofitel Moorea Ia Ora Beach Resort and the Sofitel Bora Bora Marara Beach Resort & Private Island.

We love the sound of the indulgent HEREHIA ceremony available at both Sofitel resorts located on Moorea and Bora Bora. The HEREHIA package is priced from AUD1,095 (96 000 XPF). If you choose to get married at Sofitel's beach resort on Moorea, the package includes a Wedding Coordinator, an authentic ceremony by a Tahitian Priest on the beach of Sofitel Moorea, three Tahitian singers and ukulele players, plus two pareos and flower leis for bride and groom to wear in addition to a bridal bouquet and boutonnière. A romantic dinner under the stars is the perfect way to conclude the ceremony and wedding in style, only to return to your bungalow with a decorated flower bed and champagne chilling on ice. Beautiful! Sofitel also arranges a wedding certificate and exotic cocktail celebration as part of the HEREHIA experience.

Couples choosing to have their wedding on Bora Bora will be rewarded with a stunning location for their ceremony, on top of Sofitel's very own private island or "motu". The wedding ceremony is conducted in the beautiful Tahitian language. Sofitel's island features a hill look out offering amazing panoramic views across the bluest of lagoons, with majestic Mount Otemanu in the background. The most idyllic location to be at sunset. Local performers are also arranged to sing, dance and make for a truly romantic Pacific celebration.

All offers are valid for stays and weddings from the 1st of January until the 31st of December 2012 and are subject to availability and change. For more information on all packages available for Sofitel in 2012 contact Lisa Coakley on +689 86 66 05 or by email at lisa.coakley@sofitel.com. You can see more at the Sofitel website here.