A new trend has been taking the travel world by storm: The Babymoon! For those of you who haven’t yet heard of a babymoon, it is basically a pre-baby break – or the ‘last-hurrah’ as it is often described – before expectant parents welcome their new arrival. For these mummies and daddies-to-be it is their last nappy, bottle, and dummy free holiday; a chance to relax, enjoy some peace and quiet and to get in some last-minute alone time because, lets face it, they won’t be getting much of that once the little bundle of joy arrives.
It’s no surprise that this hot new travel trend began with expectant celebrity parents who were spotted enjoying exotic mid-pregnancy escapes. Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan-Tatum took their pre-baby break in St Barts, Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick in Mexico, Hilary Duff in Hawaii, and even the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge embraced the babymoon craze by jetting off to the Caribbean in January. With this type of holiday on the rise, luxurious hotels and resorts across the globe have responded, hopping onto the babymoon bandwagon and creating their very own babymoon packages which offer anything from craving baskets, pre-natal spa treatments and maternity photoshoots. With so many incredible holiday deals designed specifically for soon-to-be parents, it seems there is no better time to be pregnant!
Here are some of Kenwood Travel’s favourite babymoon destinations:
1. Turks & Caicos, The Sands at Grace Bay –
Perhaps the biggest draw of this babymoon package is the one hour beachfront photoshoot, giving parents-to-be a priceless souvenir to take home and frame – forever capturing that baby bump. Plus, the beautiful beach setting beats an unnatural indoor photography studio any day! Babymoons here also include in-room pre-natal pilates and yoga, spa treatments for mum-to-be and a ‘Babymoon Essentials’ gift basket waiting for guests in the room upon arrival, complete with baby craving snacks. Expectant fathers are even congratulated with a complimentary cigar and bottle of sparkling cider. The hotel also gifts couples vouchers to spend at Hemingway’s Restaurant and upon departure guests receive their very own ‘baby’s first rattle’.
2. Dubai, The Ritz Carlton –
At the Ritz Carlton pregnant guests are welcomed with chocolate covered strawberries and can enjoy pre-natal massages, skin nourishing butler-drawn baths, facials, manicures and pedicures, pre-natal fitness classes, a basket of luxurious soaps and lotions, in-room dessert, breakfast in bed and even ‘Midnight Munchies’ to satisfy those twilight hour cravings. Plus, men won’t miss out on all the fun with the daddy-to-be massage.
3. South Africa, Eastern Cape, Kariega or Shamwari Lodges –
Perhaps there is one last big adventure in you before the baby comes. If so, a babymoon safari is the perfect choice! With malaria free safari zones across South Africa, pregnant women are more than welcome. Stay at the luxury all-inclusive Kariega Main Lodge, Shamwari Long Lee Manor or Shamwari Bayethe Lodge and spot some incredible wildlife including the Big 5. It’ll be one heck of a send off into the world of parenthood that’s for sure.
4. Thailand, Paresa Resort Phuket –
Our favourite part of the Paresa Resort Babymoon is the airport transfer by luxury car with cold fruits and refreshing towels waiting inside… now that is travelling in style! The resort also pamper expectant mothers with a 65 minute spa massage, a 25 minute massage for expectant fathers and for a little romance they’ve even thrown in the Lady Paresa Sunset Cruise on a private long-tail boat which includes canapés and drinks.
5. British Virgin Islands, Peter Island Resort & Spa –
This Caribbean retreat offers babymooners spa treatments designed specifically to combat the aches and pains of pregnancy, a de-stressing massage for soon to be daddies who are bound to be a little tense being on the receiving end of all those mood swings, plus a romantic picnic lunch for the couple on one of the five stunning beaches.
6. Miami, Mandarin Oriental –
Here mummies to be are gifted with a soothing Mandarin Oriental Bloom Candle and welcomed with chocolate covered strawberries upon arrival. It is also the perfect place for some pre-baby couple bonding, offering a couples spa treatment and a lunch for two served in a private poolside cabana. Not to mention the hearty American breakfast each morning!
7. Maldives, One&Only Reethi Rah –
Indian Ocean holidays are the epitome of serenity and offer the ultimate paradisical setting, so it comes as no surprise that stress-busting Babymoons to this destination are so popular. To enhance the tranquility and exclusivity that can already be found along Maldive’s pristine coastlines, this resort boasts heavenly spa treatments tailored to the needs of expectant mums, including: pre-natal treatments and massages which target the specific areas of tension and stress during pregnancy, a full-body exfoliation, moisture rich body masks to nourish the skin, as well as scalp massages to heighten relaxation.
Located on a secluded bay this is perhaps one of the best relaxation retreats around! Zighy Bay offers individually tailored spa treatments and natural therapies to eradicate tension and stress. Among the many amazing treatments that the hotel offers are Indian head massages, meditation sessions, foot acupressure and even wellness consultations. Promoting health and wellbeing the hotel offer healthy, immune boosting drinks at the Juice Bar. This Oman escape is the ideal battery re-charge for both mum and dad
When To Go –
If you are considering a babymoon, the best time to go is during the second trimester. By this stage in the pregnancy hopefully the endless nausea of the first trimester will have subsided, energy levels start slowly rising back up and the growing bump is not yet so big that it comes with a waddle! This is both the safest and most comfortable time in your pregnancy to travel.
To book your babymoon call one of our experts now on 020 7749 9220.