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If you’re expecting a visit from the stork in the coming months, chances are that you’ve already started preparing for this major life change. You’ve read the books on parenting. You’ve attended the birthing classes and prenatal checkups. You’ve decorated the nursery and settled on a name.
But have you considered adding a “babymoon” to your list of preparations? This trend has become increasingly popular in recent years because it gives mommies- and daddies-to-be an opportunity to connect with each other alone before the newest member of the family arrives. So if you’re dreaming about a romantic babymoon with your partner, these tropical destinations offer an unforgettable blend of pampering, relaxation and scenic backdrops for one last pre-parenthood hurrah!
JW Marriott, Marco Island, Florida
If you prefer to keep it domestic, the Sunshine State is an obvious choice for a U.S. tropical getaway. But instead of tourist hubs like Miami or Daytona, consider the rural paradise of Marco Island where meandering lagoons, diverse wildlife and rugged, pristine beaches await you. Located in Southwest Florida near the Everglades, this off-the-grid destination offers adventure and leisure for the couple who appreciates both. At the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, there’s no shortage of water activities like kayaking or paddleboarding, wellness amenities like aromatherapy massages, and beachfront dining options to indulge all those pregnancy cravings.
Rose Hall, Montego Bay, Jamaica
If the turquoise Caribbean is luring you to its shores, then answer the call with a babymoon on the vivacious, enchanting island of Jamaica. One of the most idyllic West Indian escapes, Montego Bay will captivate your senses with its lush and exotic rainforests, craggy ocean bluffs and colonial-era architecture like the Rose Hall Plantation, for instance. If you’re seeking an immersive cultural experience, this Jamaican landmark will not disappoint. Stroll hand-in-hand through the historic palm tree flanked grounds, breathe in the eighteenth-century mysticism, then challenge each other to a round of golf on the Caribbean’s most renowned, picturesque courses.
Bela Vista Hotel, Algarve, Portugal
If a European vacation is on the babymoon radar, then head off to Portugal, one of the continent’s most affordable hotspots. This jewel of the Mediterranean is known for its breezy sub-tropical climate, active outdoor lifestyle, stunning cliffside beaches and delicious foodie scene. In the country’s southernmost region, you’ll discover the breathtaking natural landscape of Algarve and its premier resort Bela Vista. Featuring couple’s massages, thermal bath treatments, sailing excursions, bicycling trails and vibrant local markets, this destination is a unique and eclectic choice. Not to mention, the gastronomic seafood cuisine is an expectant mother’s dream.
Travaasa Hana Resort, Maui, Hawaii
If you want to venture off the mainland, but you’d rather skip that passport line, Hawaii is the ultimate compromise. With its sublime Pacific vistas, black-sand beaches, sloping volcanic terrain and luxurious green foliage, this Polynesian utopia is brimming over in untamed beauty. On the island of Maui, you’ll find the Travaasa Hana Resort, a preeminent destination in the storied town of Hana. Offering five different selections—adventure, culinary, fitness, culture and wellness—to optimize your experience, a visit to Travaasa is guaranteed to balance the mind, body and spirit, making you feel refreshed and invigorated for this new season of parenthood.
Londa Beach Hotel, Limassol, Cyprus
If you’re looking for a more unconventional babymoon locale, then disappear to the secluded nation of Cypress, cushioned between Turkey, Greece and Lebanon. This destination is perfect if you want to travel somewhere remote without the distractions of modern, hectic life—there will be enough of that once the baby arrives, right? Situated in Limassol, one of this island’s thriving urban centers, the boutique Londa Beach Hotel is an intimate enclave for your last romantic rendezvous as a twosome. The restaurant menu offers Mediterranean inspired delicacies, and the Londa Spa features an organic body oil massage designed for women in their second trimester.
Lavender Inn & Spa, Ojai, California
If your idea of a babymoon consists of organic farmer’s markets, hiking and yoga retreats, balmy temperatures and spiritual rejuvenation, this Southern California oasis has you covered. Ojai is a health-centric mecca northwest of Los Angeles, and the charming Lavender Inn bed-and-breakfast has customized amenities for all parents-to-be. Unwind with a prenatal massage, hormone balancing facial or essential oil foot treatment in the coziness of your own hotel room. Then enroll in a private class with a certified doula who can guide you through various birthing topics from delivery to breastfeeding. The “babymoon package” also includes a souvenir onesie.
Before reaching your third trimester—during which travel is no longer an option—celebrate this milestone of new parenthood together and relish being just a couple for the last time. Those sleepless nights, diaper changes and pediatrician appointments are coming down the pipeline. But for right now, give yourself the freedom to relax and de-stress because life is about to get much, much busier!