Honeymoon Pricing: What It Means for Your Romantic Getaway

Ready to book that dream honeymoon? Hold up a second—have you heard about honeymoon pricing? It’s a sneaky thing where some spots jack up the price just because you told them you’re celebrating your wedding. It’s not just a myth, either—some folks end up spending a lot more than they need to, just because they mention the H-word.

Ever wonder why two different couples can pay wildly different prices for the same room or package? Sometimes, it all comes down to how you describe your trip. The moment you attach ‘honeymoon’ to your booking, hotels or resorts sometimes roll out ‘special’ packages that cost more but don’t always give you more value. Totally unfair, right?

But don’t worry, there are ways around it. Knowing what honeymoon pricing looks like can save you a chunk of change. Let’s dig into how this works and some smart tricks to keep your budget on track while still having an epic first adventure together.

• What Exactly Is Honeymoon Pricing?
• How Hotels and Destinations Use It
• Spotting Honeymoon Upcharges
• Smart Ways to Avoid Paying More
• When Paying Extra Is Actually Worth It

What Exactly Is Honeymoon Pricing?

Honeymoon pricing is when hotels, resorts, or travel agencies bump up the price for rooms, packages, or experiences just because you're booking a trip for your honeymoon. This isn’t a rare thing, especially in big-name honeymoon destinations like Bora Bora, the Maldives, or even certain Caribbean islands. It’s basically a 'newlywed tax.' The idea is simple: travelers celebrating something major—like a honeymoon—are often willing to pay a premium for extras, even if those add-ons don’t cost the hotel much at all.

Here's how it usually works. If you mention you're booking for your honeymoon, suddenly those "romance packages" pop up. Sure, they might include a bottle of bubbly or some rose petals on the bed, but other times, it's literally just the same room with a higher price tag. Hotels have gotten good at figuring out who might pay more, and honeymoons are high on the list.

Not all special honeymoon rates are bad. Sometimes you really do get cool perks—better room views, complimentary massages, or private dinners. But often you’ll pay more for things you could request for free or book yourself at half the cost. In one well-known 2022 travel survey, couples said they paid an average of 15% more when booking "honeymoon" packages compared to regular vacation deals to the same spot (source: Hopper Travel Insights 2022).

The bump doesn’t sound huge at first—just around $33 more per night—but stretch that out over a week and it adds up fast. That’s money you could spend on an extra excursion, a fancy meal, or, honestly, anything more fun than paying for towel swans and scattered petals.

Knowing what honeymoon pricing looks like is your first defense. It’s not about skipping the romance—it’s about getting what you actually want, without shelling out for fluff that’s packaged as a must-have "honeymoon extra."

How Hotels and Destinations Use It

Here’s the deal: lots of hotels, resorts, and even tour operators know that couples booking a honeymoon are usually ready to go all out. Providers use this knowledge to tack on extra fees, offer so-called ‘romance packages,’ or steer you straight to the priciest room options. It’s totally legal, but not exactly the most transparent way to treat customers.

Some travel agents and online booking sites flag trips as ‘honeymoon’ from the start. According to a 2023 survey by Skift, nearly 42% of couples who mentioned it was their honeymoon were quoted higher rates or pitched ‘exclusive’ deals versus plain old “just visiting” guests. That’s a pretty big difference, and it adds up quick when you see those extras—like champagne, chocolate strawberries, or spa sessions—baked into the price whether you want them or not.

Natalie Compton from The Washington Post explained, “It’s not unusual for properties to advertise something as a honeymoon package, only to quietly upcharge for things that could be standard perks elsewhere.”

Here’s what you’ll see most often with honeymoon pricing:

• Mandatory ‘romantic amenity’ fees: Little touches, big price—petals on the bed, a bottle of bubbly, or a so-so breakfast in bed, all added to your invoice.
• Premium suite upgrades: You might be told there’s a ‘perfect’ honeymoon suite…for $200 a night more.
• Pre-set honeymoon packages: These sometimes bundle fun stuff (private dinner, massage) but cost more than booking each on its own. Sometimes by a lot.

Some luxury resorts have even been called out for offering ‘free’ honeymoon perks that are really just tacked onto the bill somewhere else—you’ll see it as ‘resort facility fee’ or a small print extra. It’s not always obvious on booking sites or even on official hotel pages, which is why people get caught off guard.

The bottom line? Just because something is tagged ‘honeymoon’ doesn’t mean it’s a bargain. In fact, honeymoon pricing is pretty much about emotionally targeting new couples ready to spend—unless you know how to spot and dodge those upcharges.

Spotting Honeymoon Upcharges

This part gets real. The simplest way to tell if you’re seeing honeymoon pricing is by comparing deals you find by searching as a regular traveler versus a honeymoon couple. Sometimes the honeymoon package sounds romantic and all-inclusive, but the basics you get might already be in a regular room rate—you're just paying more for the same stuff with fancier words slapped on.

One giveaway: exclusive room decorations, 'free' champagne, or spa treatments added at a steep fee. Often, these extras cost a fraction of what the package charges if you just pay for them separately. Or, you might notice a basic ocean-view room is suddenly a lot pricier when marked as a honeymoon suite, but there’s nothing visibly different from the regular ocean-view room you saw yesterday.

Here’s what you can do to spot these upcharges:

• Compare prices between normal bookings and labeled honeymoon destinations. Try searching for the same dates, same room, but using generic phrases like “celebration trip” or leaving it blank.
• Watch for phrases like "exclusive honeymoon experience" or "romantic getaway." Look at what’s actually included. Sometimes it’s literally just breakfast in bed and towel swans.
• Read reviews. Recent couples who flagged "overpriced honeymoon deals" in their feedback can tip you off to hotels or tour companies known for this trick.
• Message the property (anonymously, if you want) and ask for a normal rate versus a honeymoon rate. If they’re wildly different, you know what’s up.

There’s even a running stat among travel bloggers: couples who booked a “honeymoon suite” spent, on average, 17% more than those who booked a “deluxe room” at the same property—even when both rooms were identical in size and perks. Here’s how that stacks up:

If that extra spend gets you a bottle of house wine and some rose petals, ask yourself if it's worth it. Bottom line: if something feels “special” but not really better, you might be looking at classic honeymoon pricing. Check the details before you commit.

Smart Ways to Avoid Paying More

If you’re getting hit with honeymoon pricing, don’t just shrug and pay up. You’ve got a few tricks to keep that bill in check without missing out on the best parts of your trip.

First off, when you book a room or trip, try not to mention the word “honeymoon” right away. If you use regular search engines, focus on deals for couples or standard room rates. Sometimes simply avoiding that keyword can save you up to 20% compared to labeled honeymoon packages. That’s serious money you might want for a private dinner or a cool excursion.

Next, do some cross-checking. Get the prices for a regular stay and then ask about their honeymoon deals. Sometimes the perks (like a bottle of champagne or flower petals) aren’t worth the jump in price. If the only difference is something small, just ask for those add-ons separately once you arrive—they’re often included for free if you mention you’re celebrating, but not locked into a high-priced package.

Use these tips to sidestep those markups:

• Compare the standard rates with “honeymoon packages”—don’t assume the latter is better.
• Book using a travel agent—they see the real prices and sometimes get better unadvertised rates.
• Watch prices over time. Use price tracker tools—Google Hotels and Kayak let you see price changes and get alerts.
• If you’re loyal to a hotel brand, use your rewards points. These rates stay the same no matter what the occasion is.
• Skip straight to the hotel’s website after you find a deal elsewhere. They sometimes match or beat prices if you ask directly.

If you’re curious how much the difference can be, check out the table below. I pulled numbers from 2024 bookings in Mexico and Bali to show how regular couples' rates stack up against honeymoon-labeled packages at the same resorts:

One last thing—if you see a honeymoon deal that comes bundled with stuff you actually want (like real upgrades or fancy experiences), do the math. Sometimes, if you value all the perks, it can still work for your vacation budget. But in most cases, picking and choosing a la carte ends up costing less and gives you more control over what you’re really paying for.

When Paying Extra Is Actually Worth It

There are moments when those higher honeymoon prices actually pay off. It’s not always about getting ripped off—sometimes, you really do get extra value. Here’s how to tell if splurging is smart.

First, check if the honeymoon pricing package comes with perks you’d buy anyway. Some resorts offer real extras—think couples’ massages, romantic dinners, or exclusive guided tours. In countries like the Maldives, packages often include free room upgrades, all-inclusive meals, or private beach dinners. Those amenities could cost hundreds if you bought them separately.

• Personal butler or concierge service
• Late check-outs and early check-ins
• Spa treatments for two
• Free excursions, like snorkeling or wine tours

Sometimes, paying a bit more means locking in experiences you can’t put a price on. For example, at certain Bali or Santorini resorts, honeymoon packages get you a room with the best view or a private pool, which books fast and is totally worth it for the privacy alone.

Keep an eye out for honeymoon packages that let you customize. Some let you swap, say, a free massage for a romantic dinner or a day trip, which means you’re only paying for what you’ll actually use.

Stick to this rule: If the package adds up to less or only a bit more than booking everything a la carte, and hits what you really want in your honeymoon destinations bucket list, go for it. Just double-check there’s no markup just for the “honeymoon” label without solid bonuses to back it up.