When you're a celebrity worth millions of dollars you can pretty much honeymoon anywhere your heart desires. And yet over the past decade, quite a few A-listers and their new mates—from superstars Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban to reality duo Trista and Ryan Sutter—have chosen to wing their way to the sunny South Pacific to enjoy their first days of marital bliss.
What is it about the South Pacific that's so alluring: seclusion, white-sand beaches, crystal-clear lagoons, those sexy overwater bungalows? How about all of the above? Read on for a list of the most popular South Pacific resorts for celebrity honeymoons.
1. The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
Photo courtesy of The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
This five-star enclave, located on a scenic 44-acre motu off of the ultraromantic island of Bora Bora, was chosen by two Hollywood ladies:
Academy Award-winning actress Nicole Kidman and her country music superstar husband Keith Urban made a beeline here for their 2006 honeymoon. The pair reportedly stayed in the just-opened resort's ultra-luxurious, sprawling Royal Estate, with its private, beach, private pool and private spa.
In August 2009, the resort also welcomed newlyweds Alyssa Milano and David Bugliari, who spent a week here after their wedding at his family's estate in New Jersey.
And although it was exactly a honeymoon, Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau and the entire cast of "Couples Retreat" took over the resort in late 2008 to film their romantic comedy.
2. Le Taha'a Private Island & Spa
Photo courtesy of Le Taha's Island Resort & Spa
The most recent celebrity to honeymoon in the South Pacific was "American Idol" winner-turned-country-music-sensation Carrie Underwood, who in July 2010 enjoyed some post-wedding R&R with hubby Mike Fisher at the secluded Le Taha'a Island Resort & Spa.
The 60-room resort, which opened in 2002 and is located on its own private motu off of the "Vanilla Island" of Taha'a, has a helicopter pad, and is renowned for its overwater bungalows with fabulous views of Bora Bora, its lagoonside Manea Spa and its Relais & Chateaux-approved gourmet cuisine.
3. Turtle Island Resort
Photo courtesy of Turtle Island Fiji
At one time it seemed as if this private-island resort in Fiji was the only place celebrities wanted to honeymoon. A trio of famous couples headed here from 2002 to 2005—but, alas, just one is still married.
First to frolic on Turtle Island's 14 private beaches in 2002 were Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey. They later filmed a reality show, "Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica" before divorcing in 2006.
They were followed by reality darlings Trista and Ryan Sutter, who honeymooned here after meeting on "The Bachelorette" and saying "I do" on TV in 2003. Still married, they have two children.
The third couple to head to Turtle Island was Britney Spears and Kevin Federline, who honeymooned here in 2005. The pair, who have two sons, divorced in 2007.
4. Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa
Photo courtesy of HIlton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa
Set in a sacred cove above some of the most strikingly blue water in Bora Bora, this resort with luxurious overwater bungalows and a hilltop spa, played host in late 2001 to honeymooning TV actress Christina Applegate and her then-husband Johnathan Schaech.
The pair has since divorced and Applegate is now engaged to musician Martyn LeNoble. But the photogenic Hilton Bora Bora Nui recently played cupid to 2010 "Bachelorette" Ali Fedotowsky and her final rose recipient, Roberto Martinez.
5. The Wakaya Club & Spa
Photo courtesy of The Wakaya Club & Spa
Microsoft honcho Bill Gates and his wife, Melissa, honeymooned here in 1994, but it was the secret wedding and honeymoon of actress Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott in 2006 that put this ultra-posh private-island resort in Fiji on the celebrity romance map.
It features just 10 freestanding beachfront bure (Fijian bungalows), each measuring 1,650 square feet, and it is renowned for its exceptional service, cuisine and seclusion.
Bill & Melinda and Tori & Dean are still married (with three and two children, respectively), and legendary Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards later survived a tumble from a coconut tree here, so Wakaya seems to be a celebrity good luck charm of sorts.