Alice Callander lets us in on her favourite luxury babymoon escapes and hotspots to visit before the arrival of your baby.
With a baby on the way, you’ll soon be preoccupied with all newborn madness that’s bound to kick in. Which is why you need to get booking your luxury babymoon immediately. Put the newborn preparations, baby gear shopping and hospital bag packing on hold for a moment and start planning your ultimate pre-baby escape.
If your stuck for ideas on where to head, Alice Callander has curated a luxury list of opulent babymoon destinations (for optimum rest and relaxation).
Luxury Babymoon Destinations
The Maldives
Home to some of the world’s most luxurious hotels and spas, the Maldives is the ideal destination for expecting (or beleaguered) parents in desperate need of some calm before the storm – you just need to pick the right island.
Luxury resort Gili Lankanfushi is a snappy 20-minute speedboat ride from Malé Airport.
It’s hard to find a more spacious villa for two than those at Gili Lankanfushi, each come with an outdoor deck, a rooftop deck, a living room and oversized bath. For complete privacy go for one of their Robinson Crusoe villas, which are detached from the main island with no jetty access (each villa comes with its own rowing boat).
Gili Lankanfushi prides itself on its extensive ‘Destination Dining’ venues, meaning couples can enjoy their meals on private tables set up on sand islands that appear at low tide, private stretches of beach, their own starlit rooftop deck, or the wine cellar.
Best of all, Gili Lankanfushi’s ‘no news, no shoes’ policy forces you to switch off and relax: instead of spending time worrying about the delivery of the baby crib, the pram or the colour of the nursery, you can instead wake up to crystal clear waters and call on your personal butler to plan your day for you.
For health and wellbeing head to Cocoa Island known for its world-class COMO Shambhala spa, focusing on holistic and Ayurvedic therapy.
There’s a healthy COMO Shambhala menu available at both restaurants, for food rich in living enzymes, vitamins and minerals, and lots of complimentary inclusions from sunset cruises to yoga for two and meditation. For total privacy book a One Bedroom Villa, located on their very own jetty.
Mexico
Originally built as the private home of an Italian duchess, the Hotel Esencia (hotelesencia.com) is located on one of the only remaining undeveloped shores on the Riviera Maya, where the Yucatan jungle dissolves into the pristine sands of one of the most beautiful beaches on Mexico’s Caribbean coast.
Set on a 50-acre estate midway between Tulum and Playa del Carmen, the Main House is the hotel’s centrepiece, around which footpaths lead to just 29 suites and villas with views of either the luxuriant gardens or the Caribbean Sea.
But it’s not just Esencia’s natural surrounds which are pleasing to the eye – the handpicked collection of art and antiques within the hotel includes work by celebrated Spanish and Latin American artists Pablo Picasso, Fernando Botero and Eduardo Santiere. There are also a two restaurants, a new beach bar, two large pools, juice bar and fabulous organic spa.
Morocco
Situated among ancient palm groves, Dar Zemora is a peaceful paradise just three miles from Marrakech’s city centre.
With a wonderfully inviting swimming pool set in three acres of rose-filled gardens, bursting with a cornucopia of palm trees, colourful bougainvillea, bamboo, fruit and olive trees, you can always find a quiet spot to catch up on your reading or snooze in the sunshine.
All the rooms are lovely, but I particularly like the Perla Suite which is light, bright and has a huge roof terrace where you can catch the sun in private.
Further afield, the Capaldi Hotel (thecapaldi.com) is owned, run and managed by the lovely Tara and Ed, both from property/design backgrounds in the UK.
This place is a true retreat (no children under 12 years allowed) set in the grounds of a four-hectare former olive farm in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, a 45-minute drive from Marrakech.
There’s a large heated pool, a good-sized spa for hammams and the hotel can organise a guide to take you walking in the mountains. The rooms are spacious and done very stylishly in neutral tones – not typically Moroccan but clean, fresh and relaxing – and those at the front of the main house have the best views of the Atlas Mountains.
Sri Lanka
Set 15-minutes’ drive inland from the city of Galle and surrounded by a small tea plantation, Kahanda Kanda is a small, stylish boutique hotel run by charming owner, George Cooper.
Each of the suites are unique and beautifully designed but I particularly recommend the Peacock Suite for its space, lovely views, two outdoor showers and private garden. The pool faces Koggala Lake (where you can do boat trips) and there are two open pavilions (salas) with lots of comfy sofas and mountains of coffee table books.
Once you’ve had enough tea and tranquility, visit nearby Galle to discover its restaurants, hidden trinket shops, and history as a fort during the 17th century.
For the grand finale, venture further down the coast to Amanwella (amanresorts.com), whose breathtakingly beautiful palm-fringed beach was the best we saw in Sri Lanka. Being an Aman property, expect minimalist style with large, open-plan suites, high ceilings and a zen-like feel (the best rooms are the Ocean Suites where you have fabulous ocean views even from your bathroom).
Mallorca
Perfect for a shorter break, Belmond La Residencia’s (belmond.com) twin manor houses sit in lush gardens among olive and citrus groves on the edge of the artists’ village of Deià, against a backdrop of the striking Tramuntana Mountain range in north-west Mallorca.
There are two outdoor freshwater swimming pools (heated seasonally), one heated indoor pool and an award-winning spa with a specially devised ‘babymoon massage’. This magical setting is ideal for complete relaxation – and there’s a charming shingle cove if you fancy a dip. Deià is the perfect village to explore with its cobbled streets, glorious views and well-heeled residents.
Luxury Babymoon in England
For those of you who have perhaps left the dash a little late, fear not, there are plenty of babymoon options in the UK.
There is a plethora of award-winning hotels (and their restaurants and spas) in the New Forest: Lime Wood has a contemporary classic style and fine-dining experiences and the fantastic Herb House Spa; Chewton Glen is the grande-dame which has stayed true to its historic English country house elegance; the Pig in the New Forest, has 26 small but perfectly-formed rooms, a shabby-chic style, pretty gardens to potter around, hammocks to collapse and a tucked away feel.
For a complete ‘pig out’ continue on to the newly-opened sister property, The Pig on the Beach in Dorset, with fabulous views of Studland Bay and Old Harry Rocks. The food here is excellent, concentrating on local, fresh produce from the extensive kitchen garden.
Feeling energetic? Take the South West Coast Path from Studland Village to Old Harry Rocks: a 6km circular walk with spectacular views. Or drive via the spectacular Corfe Castle ruins to the picture-perfect coastal village of Worth Matravers and meander down to Winspit Beach for a Dorset cream tea.
Read More:
- Your Pregnancy Week by Week
- CBeebies Launch new app to Help Infants Learn Important Life Skills
- Top Family-Friendly Holiday Destinations
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