Kiwi Curated
This is the Year You Friendmoon
by Joy PecknoldThere’s a chance the seed for friendmoons was planted back in 2010 when Parks and Recreation’s Leslie Knope reclaimed Valentine’s Day as Galentine’s Day. Whether you’re newlyweds inviting close pals along on the honeymoon or friends planning a trip to mark other milestones, such as a big promotion or a decade of friendship, cheers to reinventing what’s long been the domain of coupledom (it’s the 21st century after all). Herein, 10 fun places to friendmoon.
This is the Year You Friendmoon
No shirt, no shoes, no problem. You can’t go wrong with a friendmoon or buddymoon in Mexico, and the laidback, barefoot vibe in Tulum is particularly perfect. Don’t let the name fool you, Mi Amor Hotel & Spa isn’t just for lovers, but it is enticingly adults-only. Celebrating love in all its forms—food, music, life—the 20-room oceanfront resort is ideal for a big group buyout. To really intensify your friend bond, book a private “Temazcal” Mayan sweat lodge ceremony for up to eight people.
BOOK NOWThis is the Year You Friendmoon
If you and your pals share a mutual love of celeb-spotting and high style, take off together for La La Land and stay at the Kimpton La Peer Hotel. Located in the West Hollywood Design District, the hotel offers easy access to high-end boutiques and design stores, such as Moschino, Kelly Wearstler and the Leica gallery-cum-shop. Buy a cool new camera there and take it straight to one of the district’s scores of colourful outdoor murals to get fresh new friend selfies. Bonus: La Peer welcomes furry friends too.
BOOK NOWThis is the Year You Friendmoon
For a major celebration worth a significant splurge, fly to Turks and Caicos, a fave beach destination for famous BFFs. Here, you can’t get much more jaw-dropping than COMO Parrot Cay—it’s on its own 1,000-acre private island with a mile-long sandy beach. Depending on how much room you want to spread out, there’s suites, villas, houses, and, the grandest of them all, private estates. Visit the spa for Ayurvedic treatments or hang by the beach bar to keep the activities chill. To inject some adventure, choose a catamaran sail or scuba dive.
BOOK NOWThis is the Year You Friendmoon
If no-kids-allowed is your friendmoon motto, check into Casa Chameleon Hotel Mal Pais. Consider booking out the whole adults-only hotel—there’s just 10 villas. We’re pretty sure that friends who surf together, stay together, and Mal Pais is a noted surf spot in Costa Rica. The villa’s decks with private plunge pools, which overlook the jungle canopy and ocean beyond, is just the spot to “further encourage the bearing of (y)our souls and the telling of (y)our most appalling secrets,” to borrow a phrase from Little Women’s guy pal Theodore “Laurie” Laurence.
BOOK NOWThis is the Year You Friendmoon
If you and your besties have a habit of fighting over who’ll get the bill, opt for an all-inclusive so you don’t have to for once. Titilaka in Peru qualifies, and it’s anything but a typical all-inclusive. On the shores of Lake Titicaca, the 18-room lodge provides an away-from-it-all experience so friends can truly unplug and reconnect. Days are geared around unique excursions, including following the pre-Incan Aymara Route, cycling through Plateria and serious star-gazing.
BOOK NOWThis is the Year You Friendmoon
They say Paris is for lovers, but it’s also for friends who share a love of incomparable food, fashion and art. This is how Carrie Bradshaw should have come to the City of Light in Season 6 of Sex and The City—with supportive gal pals in tow. Stay at the Sofitel Paris le Faubourg in the Faubourg St-Honoré district for its chic interiors and proximity to designer boutiques and decadent restaurants.
BOOK NOWThis is the Year You Friendmoon
Sure, you can all Napa, but why not shake it up with a trip to Portugal’s wine country, one of the oldest in the world. Make Six Senses Douro Valley your wine touring home base—the hotel itself occupies a 19th-century manor house overlooking vineyard rows and the ambling River Douro. Eat, drink and be merry lounging by the pool. We also thought you might like to know that the Vineyard Rooftop and Vineyard Garden suites come with private hot tubs.
BOOK NOWThis is the Year You Friendmoon
The Netflix film Ibiza starring Gillian Jacobs, Vanessa Bayer, Phoebe Robinson and Richard Madden, makes a compelling case for both friendship and romance on one getaway. Everyone can find their kind of fun on the Spanish isle, whether it’s dipping into the party scene or keeping it low-key by the pool. On the quieter east side of the island, Hotel Aguas de Ibiza has the chill pool vibe dialed. For tips on what to do when you go, check out our Destination Guide to Ibiza.
BOOK NOWThis is the Year You Friendmoon
If you and your buds bond over tackling double black diamonds, consider a mountain friendmoon during ski season. Andermatt, Switzerland is known for being particularly group-friendly. When you aren’t slaying the steeps, retreat to The Chedi Andermatt and soothe sore muscles at the spa before all kicking back at your shared suite—they have ones that will accommodate 4 to 10 people. Conversely, the crew can visit in summer and take advantage of the incredible hiking.
BOOK NOWThis is the Year You Friendmoon
For the ultimate, once-in-a-lifetime friendmoon, wrangle the crew for a glamping experience in Cambodia. Three hours from Phnom Penh in a protected wildlife corridor, Bensley Collection — Shinta Mani Wild is 15 luxurious tents perched beside the river. The activity list is nearly endless, with hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and zip-lining. Tag along on an anti-poaching patrol, then jump in the vintage 1967 US Army Jeep that’s also fitted with a bar for a tailgate sundowner in Elephant Meadows.
BOOK NOWNo shirt, no shoes, no problem. You can’t go wrong with a friendmoon or buddymoon in Mexico, and the laidback, barefoot vibe in Tulum is particularly perfect. Don’t let the name fool you, Mi Amor Hotel & Spa isn’t just for lovers, but it is enticingly adults-only. Celebrating love in all its forms—food, music, life—the 20-room oceanfront resort is ideal for a big group buyout. To really intensify your friend bond, book a private “Temazcal” Mayan sweat lodge ceremony for up to eight people.
BOOK NOWIf you and your pals share a mutual love of celeb-spotting and high style, take off together for La La Land and stay at the Kimpton La Peer Hotel. Located in the West Hollywood Design District, the hotel offers easy access to high-end boutiques and design stores, such as Moschino, Kelly Wearstler and the Leica gallery-cum-shop. Buy a cool new camera there and take it straight to one of the district’s scores of colourful outdoor murals to get fresh new friend selfies. Bonus: La Peer welcomes furry friends too.
BOOK NOWFor a major celebration worth a significant splurge, fly to Turks and Caicos, a fave beach destination for famous BFFs. Here, you can’t get much more jaw-dropping than COMO Parrot Cay—it’s on its own 1,000-acre private island with a mile-long sandy beach. Depending on how much room you want to spread out, there’s suites, villas, houses, and, the grandest of them all, private estates. Visit the spa for Ayurvedic treatments or hang by the beach bar to keep the activities chill. To inject some adventure, choose a catamaran sail or scuba dive.
BOOK NOWIf no-kids-allowed is your friendmoon motto, check into Casa Chameleon Hotel Mal Pais. Consider booking out the whole adults-only hotel—there’s just 10 villas. We’re pretty sure that friends who surf together, stay together, and Mal Pais is a noted surf spot in Costa Rica. The villa’s decks with private plunge pools, which overlook the jungle canopy and ocean beyond, is just the spot to “further encourage the bearing of (y)our souls and the telling of (y)our most appalling secrets,” to borrow a phrase from Little Women’s guy pal Theodore “Laurie” Laurence.
BOOK NOWIf you and your besties have a habit of fighting over who’ll get the bill, opt for an all-inclusive so you don’t have to for once. Titilaka in Peru qualifies, and it’s anything but a typical all-inclusive. On the shores of Lake Titicaca, the 18-room lodge provides an away-from-it-all experience so friends can truly unplug and reconnect. Days are geared around unique excursions, including following the pre-Incan Aymara Route, cycling through Plateria and serious star-gazing.
BOOK NOWThey say Paris is for lovers, but it’s also for friends who share a love of incomparable food, fashion and art. This is how Carrie Bradshaw should have come to the City of Light in Season 6 of Sex and The City—with supportive gal pals in tow. Stay at the Sofitel Paris le Faubourg in the Faubourg St-Honoré district for its chic interiors and proximity to designer boutiques and decadent restaurants.
BOOK NOWSure, you can all Napa, but why not shake it up with a trip to Portugal’s wine country, one of the oldest in the world. Make Six Senses Douro Valley your wine touring home base—the hotel itself occupies a 19th-century manor house overlooking vineyard rows and the ambling River Douro. Eat, drink and be merry lounging by the pool. We also thought you might like to know that the Vineyard Rooftop and Vineyard Garden suites come with private hot tubs.
BOOK NOWThe Netflix film Ibiza starring Gillian Jacobs, Vanessa Bayer, Phoebe Robinson and Richard Madden, makes a compelling case for both friendship and romance on one getaway. Everyone can find their kind of fun on the Spanish isle, whether it’s dipping into the party scene or keeping it low-key by the pool. On the quieter east side of the island, Hotel Aguas de Ibiza has the chill pool vibe dialed. For tips on what to do when you go, check out our Destination Guide to Ibiza.
BOOK NOWIf you and your buds bond over tackling double black diamonds, consider a mountain friendmoon during ski season. Andermatt, Switzerland is known for being particularly group-friendly. When you aren’t slaying the steeps, retreat to The Chedi Andermatt and soothe sore muscles at the spa before all kicking back at your shared suite—they have ones that will accommodate 4 to 10 people. Conversely, the crew can visit in summer and take advantage of the incredible hiking.
BOOK NOWFor the ultimate, once-in-a-lifetime friendmoon, wrangle the crew for a glamping experience in Cambodia. Three hours from Phnom Penh in a protected wildlife corridor, Bensley Collection — Shinta Mani Wild is 15 luxurious tents perched beside the river. The activity list is nearly endless, with hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and zip-lining. Tag along on an anti-poaching patrol, then jump in the vintage 1967 US Army Jeep that’s also fitted with a bar for a tailgate sundowner in Elephant Meadows.
BOOK NOW