Fabulous Babymoon Destinations
Turnberry Isle Miami in Aventura, Florida
Feel pampered at this Mediterranean-style resort. Take advantage of three heated outdoor pools, a serene oceanside beach club that's a short shuttle ride away, a sprawling spa that offers prenatal massages and treatments, and award-winning restaurants to satisfy all your food cravings. It's also just a quick drive to the excitement of Miami Beach.
BOOK IT! From $299, TurnberryIsleMiami.com
The Buccaneer St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands
This legendary island getaway, so romantic that it's featured on ABC's The Bachelor, is one of the longest-operating resorts in the Caribbean. Stroll the grounds, bask on the three beaches, or relax at one of the hotel's two pools.
BOOK IT! From $271, TheBuccaneer.com
WANT MORE? Our new five-night American Baby package includes your room, breakfast, a spa service for each of you, a sunset sail, and more for $2,381 (about a $3,381 value). Restrictions apply; call 800-255-3881.
We Splurged!
WHO: Matt Hinsley and Jennifer Hobson-Hinsley, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, expecting their first child. "The trip gave us time to catch our breath and focus on each other," Jennifer says.
BABYMOON: Kauai, Hawaii. The couple used VRBO.com to rent a house in Hanalei. "It's remote, yet you're still in the U.S.," Jennifer says.
BEST MEMORY: Kayaking on the calm Hanalei River: "It was such a quiet, reflective time," Jennifer says.
Congress Hall in Cape May, New Jersey
This grand landmark hotel, open since 1816, overlooks the Atlantic Ocean in a town famous for
its stunning Victorian homes.
BOOK IT! From $158, CapeResorts.com
WANT MORE? Book a Babymoon2014 package until June 30, 2014, from $255 a night on weekdays to $350 a night on weekends. You'll get a 50-minute prenatal massage, a T-shirt for you and a bodysuit for Baby-to-be, an in-room movie and $25 "craving credit," and more (about a $500 value). Restrictions apply; call 888-944-1816.
La Quinta Inn & Suites Wellness Hotel in Trinidad, Colorado
Midway between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Denver, in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this pet-friendly hotel is a perfect home base for picturesque drives, scenic walks, and visits to local museums.
BOOK IT! From $99, LaQuintaTrinidad.com
WANT MORE? The Yes Baby! package created for AB readers, $265 a night, includes a bottle of sparkling cider, chocolates and fresh fruit, breakfast for two in your two-room suite, an organic facial, and goodies for your baby-to-be (about a $400 value). Restrictions apply; call 719-845-0102.
We Wanted Low-Cost Fun
WHO: Leah and Jason Meidl, of Junction City, Wisconsin, expecting their first child. "To save for Baby, we took a simple trip," Leah says.
BABYMOON: Mackinac Island, Michigan, about a five-hour drive from their home. They booked a four-night stay at Parkside Inn Bridgeview (ParksideInn.com), in Mackinaw City, which is across the bridge from Mackinac Island. "Each day we took a ferry to the island, which doesn't allow cars," says Leah.
BEST MEMORY: "Standing on the lakeshore and watching the sun go down and the beautiful bridge light up," she says.
THEIR ADVICE: "Don't overlook free art galleries, festivals, tours, concerts, and just being together," says Leah, who enjoyed watching kite-flyers on Mackinac Island. "And keep in mind that budget hotels often offer free breakfast!"
For families seeking a winter getaway focused on sandy beaches and nature, Key Biscayne, Florida offers plenty of options.
The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
This beachfront resort, with a recent $30 million renovation, features a golf course, three pools, five restaurants, and Westin's signature heavenly bed.
BOOK IT! From $180, WestinHiltonHeadIsland.com
WANT MORE? The Be4baby package, from $249, gets you an ocean-view room, a 60-minute prenatal massage, 60-minute beach yoga for two taught by a wellness guru, mocktails, and a $25 gift certificate to the Island Child boutique (about a $385 value). Restrictions apply; call 843-681-4000.
Inn and Spa at Loretto in Santa Fe, New Mexico
This inn and award-winning spa has adobe-style architecture, kiva fireplaces, and Pueblo, Native American, and Spanish artwork throughout.
BOOK IT! From $179, InnAtLoretto.com
WANT MORE? AB readers can request the two-night Babymag special featuring the spa's signature 365 Minutes of Bliss: Native Reflections Ritual (a sage herb blessing with a ritual bath soak, followed by a Sacred Stone Massage), a Zen Flower Organic Facial, a manicure and pedicure, a milk-and-honey wrap, and chakra balancing. You'll also get a $100 hotel credit, a bottle of custom-blended massage and bath oil, and one robe-and-slippers set, from $1,365 (about a $2,400 value). Restrictions apply; call 866-582-1646.
We <i>Really</i> Relaxed
WHO: Jennifer and Reiner Paculdo, of Bellevue, Washington, expecting their sixth child (and first boy). "I slept in every day," Jennifer says. "We scheduled no wake-up calls, and it was bliss."
BABYMOON: Two nights in Las Vegas at the Eastside Cannery Hotel (EastsideCannery.com). "We wanted a combo of pool time, sunshine, and much-needed sleep," Jennifer says. "I didn't want to cook or do any chores!" They arranged a small army of family and friends to stay at their house and care for their five girls. "The hotel was a gem," she says. "When we told the clerk that it was our babymoon, we got upgraded to a Jacuzzi suite that had a view of the Strip."
BEST MEMORY: "We spent an entire day in the pool, floating on a raft," Jennifer says. "And I satisfied all my pregnancy cravings!"
THEIR ADVICE: You can nab an easy flight here from major cities.
We Got Busy!
WHO: Kayla and Nathaniel Lech, of Dubuque, Iowa, expecting their first child.
BABYMOON: A sightseeing trip of Southern California. They visited Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Santa Monica for eight nights, staying in a home that belongs to relatives who were away at the time. "We had a whirlwind adventure doing things we don't get to do in Iowa," Kayla says. "We toured Warner Brothers Studios and Griffith Observatory, and walked Venice Beach, the Santa Monica Pier, and Hollywood Boulevard."
BEST MEMORY: "Attending a Cirque du Soleil show -- so worth the $100 per ticket," says Kayla, who snagged their tickets at the last minute.
THEIR ADVICE: "If you have relatives who live in a place you want to visit, take advantage!"
Conrad in New York, New York
Experience downtown Manhattan; this art-rich, eye-popping-design hotel is mere minutes from the Statue of Liberty, the new Freedom Tower, hopping Tribeca restaurants, and Soho shopping. The Conrad's soaring 15-story atrium lobby and spacious all-suite accommodations (you get a comfortable two-room layout) offer you plenty of space to soak in NYC. Take in the skyline from the Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar, which concocts creative mocktails and cocktails. At its restaurant, Atrio, splurge on dishes like ricotta pancakes for breakfast, or sit down to creative Mediterranean-style food at night.
BOOK IT! From $289, ConradNewYork.com
Originally published in the May 2014 issue of American Baby Magazine
This piece was accurate at publication time, but all prices, offerings and availabilities are subject to change. Please contact each hotel and attraction for up-to-date rates and information before taking your trip.
