Babymoon Destinations

Thanks to a global pandemic, we've all mastered the art of staying home. And with a new baby, there's gonna be more of that in the days to come. So, now is the time to go on that Babymoon! Or at least start planning a way to commemorate this meaningful time in your life before that bouncing bundle of joy changes things forever. In the best way.

Maybe it's a staycation. Maybe a bucket list adventure. Whatever your idea of indulgence is (with your healthcare provider's blessing, of course), DO IT! If you haven't even started planning, no problem. We've put together a list of some of our favorite places and properties to help you get your wheels turning. The packing...well, that's up to you.

Our Top Five - A (Stateside) Babymoon Guide

Travel has looked a lot different for everyone this past year and a half. And if you're about to be a first-time parent, buckle up...because travel is just one of many things that'll look different from here on out.

One day, in the not-too-distant future, you will long for the carefree days of leaving the house without packing all the newborn essentials. You'll fantasize about reconnecting with your partner and escaping to somewhere (anywhere) without having to create a PowerPoint presentation for whoever is watching your kids. Now is the time to enjoy these fleeting pre-baby days. Yes, we're talking Babymoon.

If it's two days or two weeks, the point is to make it a priority. Because it matters. Relax. Enjoy your pregnancy. Enjoy your partner. Enjoy doing whatever it is YOU want to do...with the blessing of your healthcare provider, of course.  

Whether you are still looking to stay closer to home or you feel like getting a little more exotic, we've got you covered. Here's a list of some of our favorite places to recharge and reconnect before your duo becomes a trio.

MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa - Sonoma, California

Think you have to write off wine country just because vino is off your menu for a while? Think again. Once a family estate and vineyard, MacArthur Hotel & Spa has been reinvented and is what babymoon dreams are made of. A gorgeous pool & spa sanctuary, lush gardens, and winding footpaths create a dreamy park-like setting over this seven-plus-acre property. Parents-to-be can enjoy the hotel's farm-to-table restaurant, take in the area with a gentle hike, go on a scenic drive, or simply explore the beauty of Sonoma.  

BONUS: The Spa at MacArthur's "50-minute Pregnancy Massage" is designed to relieve stress, improve sleep and pamper expectant mothers. Who said wine country is all about the wine?

Castle Hot Springs - Bradshaw Mountains (near Phoenix), Arizona

Castle Hot Springs, a desert oasis tucked in a canyon deep in Arizona's Bradshaw Mountains, is just an hour's drive from Phoenix and one of the most magical destinations on our list.  

This adults-only, all-inclusive getaway offers everything from bocce and archery to e-mountain biking and farm tours. Our bet? You'll be just fine stargazing from your cabin (complete with a telescope) or taking a soak in the spa's healing thermal waters. Two of the three cascading pools are kept at a soothing 85 and 96 degrees, making them safe for mamma's-to-be. The property follows a "digital detox" ethos, so there is no TV or Wi-Fi in the rooms, but we hardly think you'll miss it as you curl up in luxury linens after steeping in your deep-soaking tub.  

BONUS: Feel extra good while you indulge in the 5-star farm-to-table creations hand-selected from the Castle Hot Springs organic farm. When locals found it hard to find fresh produce during the pandemic, the farm at Castle Hot Springs began offering farm-fresh produce subscriptions. All profit was donated to the local St. Vincent de Paul.  

Tourists - North Adams, Massachusetts

You probably aren't gonna find this one on many of the "babymoon lists" out there. But, it definitely should be for any adventurer, nature lover, or fan of the arts.  

In the Berkshires city of North Adams, less than a three-hour drive from New York or Boston, you'll find Tourists. A sixties motor lodge reborn as a contemporary, hip retreat set on the banks of the Hoosic River. If the property's stunning architecture and textile-rich rooms, thoughtfully appointed by interior designer Julie Person, don't make you want to stay forever, the enchanting riverbank vistas will. Feeling inspired? An incredible 220-foot suspension bridge leads from the hotel to a 30-acre network of walking trails, meadows, and forest clearings perfect for a quiet little picnic with your sweetheart.  

Maybe it's because this modern-day ode to the American motor lodge it's co-owned by Wilco bassist John Stirratt. Maybe it's because of the creative clientele that gathers nightly to enjoy cocktails (or mocktails!) in the heated saltwater pool. Whatever the case, this place just feels effortlessly cool. Which will serve as a solid reminder in the days ahead - amidst the burping and the diaper changing - that yes, you are still cool.  

BONUS:  Tourists isn't just a spectacular locale for enjoying the beauty of the Berkshires. It also is home to an incredible in-house restaurant, hosts on-site yoga, and is just three miles from the MASS MOCA and the Clark Art Institute. A true feast for mind, body, and soul.