The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa
Photo Courtesy of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.
Expectant mothers and fathers should plan on taking at least one relaxing babymoon before their child comes. If nothing else, pregnancy presents a perfect excuse for getting away for a little while. If Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, and Prince William and Kate Middleton can do it, why shouldn’t you? For most travelers carrying a baby, ideal spots have a serene setting and hotels that really roll out the pink and blue carpets for parents-to-be. With that in mind, we’re highlighting three awesome destinations for your babymoon. After all, every parent deserves a weekend of joy before that special bundle is delivered.
For some expectant mothers, strenuous travel (that is, long customs lines, two or more layovers) is an impossible concept. In those cases, a domestic destination such as Hilton Head — Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport offers 13 non-stop destinations — proves to be just what the doctor ordered. Book a stay at The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa, a tree-lined, secluded property where a babymoon package comes with calming perks for mom and dad. This upscale retreat has beach yoga and the heavenly Pea-in-a-Pod massage, which you can chase with a refreshing mocktail at the oceanfront restaurant View 32. Another good area option for future parents is Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Inn at Harbour Town. The property’s Extended Stay special includes a discounted room rate, bike rentals (for dad), $50 resort credit and complimentary valet parking.
Zoia Spa’s Couples Massage Room, Photo Courtesy of Hyatt Corporation
Aruba
Of course, if you’re doing a list of stress-relieving vacations, you need a quintessential Caribbean getaway in the mix. At Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa & Casino, you’re given the royal treatment, as well as 12 miles of serene beachfront property to be pampered on. During the day, kick your feet up in a cushioned cabana on Palm Beach and lounge at the impressive pool, where you can paddle up to the bar and order virgin piña coladas, or take a soothing catamaran ride. You can also go on a no-impact snorkel trip around one of the many coral reefs or pack your sneakers for a gentle hike and bird-watching adventure in Arikok National Park. Book a mommy-to-be massage at the property’s Zoia Spa one day, and follow it up with a 45-minute foot relaxation rubdown the next. Future dads can get in a round of golf at nearby Tierra del Sol Resort, Spa & Country Club, and all three of you can savor the bounty of the resort’s four tasty restaurants.
Not everyone craves the beach when thinking about a vacation, though. In the outskirts of Québec City, Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Le Bonne Entente makes sure expectant parents get the most from their babymoon with a special two-night, three-day package for two that comes with a diaper bag full of goodies — two breakfasts, a $50 resort voucher and specialty spa treatments for both mom (prenatal massage, algae body wrap, pressotherapy service and pedicure) and dad (facial, therapeutic massage and pedicure). The best part about the trip is that when you’re not basking in the hotel spa, heated pool or lush gardens, there are plenty of reasons to go out and explore the historic city. Walk the famous wall around Québec or shop for a cute post-delivery outfit in the Petit-Champlain district.
