Wedding Blog

This behind the scenes at Bridal Guide Magazine post is brought to you by Jenna Mahoney. 

Bonjour, hola and aloha, I’m Jenna the travel editor at Bridal Guide. I’m responsible for crafting the giant section highlighting fantastic honeymoon destinations, amazing experiences and some pretty hot exclusive offers. I also yap about travel trends, rub elbows with industry experts and sometimes, every once in a while, I get to dine with recording superstars and party with wannabe A-listers.

But the best part of my job is getting to jet across the globe in search of awesome sites and activities and all the while scoping out the coolest new in-room amenities and testing all of those comfy beds (that someone else makes!). I check out all the fantastique hotel and travel trends so my fellow brides to be (that’s right…I’m getting hitched this year too!!) can have the serious QT on the low-down of the best places to book a honeymoon.

Of all the things that I get to enjoy while on the road—the thing that really gets me buzzing about a hotel is the bath prods. And while I’m sure you ’bees would never ever make a decision based on beauty alone, I thought I’d share a few of my faves and raves, you know, just in case.

The Rome Cavalieri Hilton has a special place in my heart. It was the first property I ever visited as a travel writer. My room had an enormous balcony overlooking the Vatican and the eternal city, and my bed was so big I’m sure it has its own postal code. Over the years, the hotel has welcomed the likes of Cammy D, Leo DiCaprio and that guy who played Richie Cunningham. But what places the enormous hilltop property atop my list is the La Prairie Spa. The to-die for caviar facial is one of the most memorable 90 minutes of my life.

This Italian marble didn’t need to travel as far as I did to sit in this beautiful setting.

Sometimes I wish the rooms weren’t sooo nice. I felt guilty touring Rome because I was leaving this loveliness behind. 

After a recent and disastrous day of wedding dress shopping, my mom and I hit the luxe Chatham Bars Inn, a historic beachfront property on Cape Cod.

We stayed in the super new spa suites, which feature a cozy fireplace, an in-room sauna and a so very steamy steam shower. Being a spa-suite guest also grants you exclusive access to the dreamy outdoor pool area and inner relaxation sanctum of the serene complex.

But what really got me screeching was the in-suite waterfall tub! (I literally didn’t know what hit me when the water started pouring down from the ceiling.) The entire experience was made just a little more delish when I used the bath side L’Occitaine Verbena Shower Gel as a hydrating bubble bath base…aaah….so long, visions of cringe-worthy gown confections….

Calling Patty Page. Who couldn’t fall in love with ‘Ole Cape Cod with charming accommodations like these cottages at CBI (that’s Chatham Bars Inn to the locals).

Personally, I loved the open spa/bathroom plan in the suite, but I can see how some people may feel like they need a little more separation of church and state.

My big boss lady (AKA the editor in chief) and I spent my—ahem—26th birthday weekend this past October at the grand opening party at Sandals Grande Antigua Resort and Spa.

We took a daylong snorkel excursion to the nearby Bird Island and hiked to the top of the uninhabited isle, so we could see Oprah’s house—jk. We really got to check out a cool-io naturally formed blowhole. On property, we practiced yoga and chilled in the pool.. When it was piña colada o’clock, boss lady told a certain reality TV star who was boss when he cut us in line at the swim-up bar (it’s the largest one in the Caribbean).

Five points if you can name the line cutter.

I also briefly chatted with Maria Menounos (we have a mutual friend) and got jiggy with it to the smooth sounds of LA DJ Splice. (I’m telling you he is the best DJ evs!). Throughout it all, everyone’s eyes were on the hottie from Melrose Place and his pg lady, the host of E!’s Wild On (one word: gorge), but everyone’s lips were wagging about the full-size bath amenities.

All eyes on the hotties. 

Gratuitous “look who showed up at my birthday party” shot. And for the record, Perez, she is so cute and tiny tiny in person. 

Now I’m not normally one to go all ga-ga for hotel brand shampoos and body washes, but Sandals’ spa line of Red Lane prods go waaay beyond the average bear. They’ve got sweet tropical scents and super smooth ingredients that soothe sunburned skin. 

I’m a sucker for a poster bed. It may be all in my head, but it just feels more comfy to me.

Then there are the times that I feel like the celebs are gawker stalking me. Take Brad and Ange for example. Can you believe that they just happen to stay at all the same fantastique hotels as moi? Well it seems that each new hotel I visit they do too. And my trip of a lifetime to India was no different (for all the deets pick up the Sept/Oct issue of Bridal Guide). Like the famous duo, I found reprieve from the dusty boulevards and incessant beeping of cars at the palatial Taj Palace Hotel in Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay.

That’s the Gateway to India in the front and the Taj in the back. That large tower is the ‘new wing.’

The a-maz-ing retreat boasts unbelievable restaurants, a serious spa with yoga room and a tranquil outdoor pool. Most of the rooms, mine included, overlook the Bay of Bengal and the iconic Gateway to India. (This is one time when jet lag is welcome—there is no more spectacular a sight than watching the sun rise over the Indian Ocean.) And every single room offers the very best in Molton Brown bath stuff. Personally, I find that nothing gets my humidity-ravaged hair more tame and shiny than their shampoo.

Three cheers for jet lag! Without it I would have missed this amazing sight in India.

My most recent trip took me to the Paris of Las Pampas AKA Buenos Aires, Argentina. I love the city of Evita. Many of the buildings are old palatial mansions with wrought-iron accents. And in the artsy Boca section of town the houses are built of old tin and painted all these wild, vibrant colors. Unfortunately, June in Argentina equals winter, which means low 60-degree weather and lots of rain. Although, I didn’t tour the city streets as much as I had hoped, I wasn’t so bummed, because my digs were so super comfy at the Hotel Palace Alvear.  

I caught up on my reality TV (they’ve got everything down there). And one morning, I got all prune-fingered watching a Kat Von D marathon as I soaked in a deep bath created with the Hermès shampoo and conditioner. Oh, how smooth and silky, and I kind of want a tattoo now….

Tip: Order a Kir Royale at the Alvear’s lobby bar and you’ll get an entire plate of fancy canapés. Yum!

Evita slept here! And Madonna sang “Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina” on the balcony of the Casa Rosada, BA’s white house.

If you have any questions about these honeymoon destinations, please let me know and I’ll do my best to help!

Are you amenity-lovin’ brides-to-be like me? What are your fave bathroom prods?