Luxury Babymoon - Four Seasons Chicago

Four Seasons Chicago spa lounge
copyright Four Seasons Chicago

The Babymoon Biweekly is going weekly! There have been so many people looking for luxury babymoon ideas that it seemed only right to step up to meet the demand of parents-to-be who want that last trip that specifically celebrates their roles as parents. And since we couldn't agree more that a babymoon is not so much a privilege as a necessity, we're happy to show you where some of the best babymoons are.

Today, we bring you the Expecting You package at the Four Seasons in Chicago. Verbatim from their website, your special visit includes a lot of goodies (although we note that a lot of them are discounts on items or services that you have to purchase on top of the package):

• An in-room visit from the Ice Cream Man
• Midwest-style breakfast for two through In-Room Dining or in The Café
• A complimentary manicure from the spa when you book a pregnancy massage
• A "Toast to Fatherhood" in Seasons Bar for expectant fathers (we're not sure if a commiserating group of guys are rounded up for this)
• Complimentary copy of What to Expect When You're Expecting, with a reading light
• 20% off your purchase of baby announcement and/or baby stationery at All She Wrote
• A gift with purchase at Galt Toys
• A US$50 savings with a purchase of US$250 or more at Krista K boutique
• A gift certificate for 20% off your bag of delivery essentials from Little Stork
• A complimentary bassinet at Neiman Marcus with any US$200 purchase of layette clothing in the children's department
• A complimentary fruit-infused, non-alcoholic mimosa with purchase of dessert at Hot Chocolate
• A 20% savings on any purchase of fashionable maternity wear at Show and Tell
• A complimentary sitting fee from Classic Kids Photography when scheduling pregnancy or new baby photographs

We also like that they provide a special contoured pillow for the mom-to-be to ensure a good night of rest - something that can be a rare event in pregnancy and will all but disappear once baby arrives...

The Four Seasons Chicago Expecting You package is available from April 17 to December 31. Rates begin at $550 a night for a moderate room. To book, click here or call the hotel directly at 312 280 8400.

Oasis Day Spa, New York City

copyright Oasis Day Spa

We regularly post info about babymoons, couples packages offered by hotels that usually include an on-site massage. But what if you already have a favorite hotel you want to stay in? Or what if, as happens in our case, you're already toting a toddler along and don't necessarily "qualify" for the babymoon thing?

If you're staying in NYC - or if you live in NYC - we can highly recommend the Mom-To-Be package at the Oasis Day Spa on 33rd & Park Ave South. We had a prenatal massage here for the first pregnancy and it was so wonderful we decided to go for the full package this time around, and we were not disappointed.

Our package started off with a 30-minute Lavender Salt Scrub. We didn't think it was possible for anything to be better than the massage but this might be it. Hala, our "scrubber", was very attentive due to our girth. She helped us up on the table and although the normal policy is to leave the room to allow clients to disrobe, Hala stays for preggos to make sure we don't slip on the wet floor. Nestled in towels, we proceeded to get scrubbed with Dead Sea salts scented with lavender. Because of the pregnancy, the treatment was performed first on one side and then the other as opposed to back then front. Hala's pressure was forceful without being too abrasive - we reveled in the thought that our back and legs were finally getting some much-needed exfoliation. Hala then turned on the 6-head Vichy shower, at which point, feeling as though we were lying blissfully under a warm blanket, we almost fell asleep. When Hala helped us up out of our stupor she toweled us off with warm towels that we were loathe to let go off.

Our prenatal massage with Vicky lasted for 60 minutes. What we love about this spa is their special maternity tables, which have the tummy cutout. The sheets are draped over the hole so your stomach isn't just hanging in space uncomfortably. (Just so you know, we recently read that some doctors don't recommend these tables due to the pressure they may put on the uterus, so you may want to check with your doctor before scheduling, or ask your therapist to leave the cutout in and use pillows for support.) The massage was excellent - Vicky paid attention to all the spots we pointed out to her: the lower back and left side were duly kneaded and we could feel the knots in our shoulders resisting her determined efforts. As we feel about practically all massages, it ended too soon.

We ended up with a 30-minute mini-facial from Rachel. Rachel was impressed with our skin and didn't feel the need to do too much, noting that our skin was very clear and hydrated. We liked that she didn't bombard our face with unnecessary treatments, but stuck to basic steam treatment, a mild exfoliant and a moisturizing gel that would keep our skin's dewy state. Nor did she embark upon the hard sell of products afterwards: her only soft push was the exfoliant since we noted that we don't do too much of that at home.

Although the package is for 2 hours, we ended up being there closer to 3 - there was no rushing from one treatment to the next. It gave us ample time to dip back into the lounge to snack on the dried fruit laid out and continually hydrate with water that was flavored with your pick of lemon or orange peel. Of course, we couldn't visit the sauna once our treatments were done, but we did settle for a leisurely shower. The only bummer? Hefting our weight back up the long flight of stairs when it was all said and done - the spa is on the basement level of the building and the only means of access is the stairs, which of course are not so bad going down but not so great coming up... However, that didn't stop us from scheduling two more packages over the next two months. We'll just be going v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y up those stairs.

Babymoon Biweekly - The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, Scottsdale, Arizona

Adult Pool at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
copyright Starwood Hotels

Enjoy your final months of quiet bliss with the "Bundle of Joy" babymoon package, offered by The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa. Several cravings will be satisfied, from your body's need for a massage to your desire to shop, shop, shop, for yourself and baby. The thoughtfully designed package includes:

-Stylish babystyle® mommy tote filled with a plush teddy bear and deluxe mom-to-be pampering potions from Mama Mio
-$500 Kierland Commons shopping and incentive book
-$25 Kierland Commons Gift Card
-$50 babystyle gift card
-24 Hour "Cravings Chef"
-Breakfast in bed
-Couples Massage at Agave, The Arizona Spa
-Sparkling cider & chocolate covered strawberries delivered to room upon turn down
-Complimentary in-room movie



Agave, The Arizona Spa
copyright Starwood Hotels


The Kierland Commons shopping district is immediately adjacent to the resort, so you won't have to travel far to shop. When you're done, the beautiful Agave Spa can pamper tired feet before you head for the Latin-influenced menu of deseo, the hotel's chic dinner restaurant and bar.

Special Touches: Take in cocktails, appetizers and the desert sunset out in Dreamweaver's Canyon, the hotel's spacious courtyard, while listening to Scottish bagpipes herald the end of the day.

Through May 24, rates for the Bundle of Joy package begin at $799 for the first night, going to $359 for additional nights. From May 25 through September 9, first night rates are $599, additional nights are $179; September 10 to December 31, first night is $759, additional nights, $339. Additional nights include breakfast in bed only. For more information or to book this package, contact The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa at 800.354.5892 and ask for rate BABYMOON.

Babymoon Biweekly - Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa, Sausalito California

Many babymoon packages are just romantic packages for couples that have been rebranded. Not all of the babymoons we see boast baby-specific features, and while we agree that a romantic dinner and breakfast for two can be a wonderful treat, (particularly since once you have the baby it will feel like an unattainable dream), to us there are a few hallmarks of a real babymoon package:

-there should be a maternity massage involved, since pregnant women can't take advantage of "regular" massages
-Mommy should definitely get special treatment, but partners should get something special as well
-ideally, the package should include a baby gift; this is, after all, about his or her impending arrival, and a onesie or baby album makes a great memento.

Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa in upscale Sausalito, California clearly thinks along the same lines we do. They have what they're calling America's first destination maternity spa (not to be confused with Destination Maternity the store). The spa, lovingly called Barefoot & Pregnant, has an entire menu of massages, facials and spa packages just for pregnant women, with a few Daddy and post-partum treatments thrown in for good measure. Several of these have been packaged with hotel accommodations to create a variety of babymoons for expecting couples. There's even a package for two pregnant mommies on a girls getaway.

We particularly like the 5-day/4-night And Baby Makes Three package, which includes transportation to and from the airport, accommodation for two, in-room continental breakfast each morning, a romantic picnic lunch, dinner for two on two nights, a gift basket, a prenatal spa package for Mom and two spa services for Dad, and a private birthing session to prepare you for baby's debut. With all that to take in, it's no wonder it's a 5-day package!

Nearby San Francisco has its own charms worth exploring, although we won't blame you if you're too busy being pampered to get out much. The hotel's winding walkways and lovely bay views can be hard to pull away from, and with rooms sporting private decks and fireplaces, it might be hard just to get yourself to the spa. The good thing? You can always go back after baby is born: San Francisco is notoriously child-friendly, and we'll be making recommendations for your family vacation there in upcoming posts.


The "And Baby Makes Three" package is $2700; there is also an Expecting the Best package which can be customized for an accompanying Dad or Mommy's pregnant friend. The hotel also offers several package add-ons for an additional fee, including maternity photography. To book your babymoon, call Casa Madrona at 800.288.0502.

Babymoon Biweekly - Peter Island, BVI

Peter Island Resort in the British Virgin Islands is no slouch when it comes to pampering. That's why we're excited to see that they've extended their considerable skills to expectant parents. Their babymoon package includes:

-5 nights in a beachfront Junior Suite or ocean view room
-2 spa treatments specifically for pregnant women for the mom-to-be
-1 destressing massage for the dad-to-be
-1 picnic lunch on one of Peter Island's beaches (includes sparkling grape juice)
-special turndown amenities nightly, including a baby album
-all meals and activities (snorkeling, tennis, etc)


Beachfront Junior Suite, Peter Island Resort

Rates range from $3390 to $5410 depending on room booked and time of travel; round trip transfers to and from Beef Island Airport included
Available through your travel agent or you may call the resort directly at 800.346.4451

Pre-Baby Vacation Plans

You're not even a parent yet. You're just eagerly awaiting the arrival of your little one, and you're here because it has occurred to you that once Baby shows up, your vacations, not to mention your life, may go through some changes.

Kudos to you for not being one of those who thinks that life will be exactly the same after baby gets here, with just the small addition of some really cute baby clothes, a spiffed up nursery, and of course, an adorable baby that never cries and sleeps 10 hours a night. Yes, life will change. But it's not too late to cram in one last vacation before Baby arrives, a chance to enjoy some pre-baby bliss and get spoiled like hell.

If you're thinking about where best to spend your last few vacation moments as a childless couple, there's a website just for you. Babymoonfinder.com specializes in helping expectant couples find and plan that wail-free getaway. (Check out Globorati's post on this.)

What's cool about Babymoonfinder.com is that they're not just finding places for you to go - you can go on Expedia or Orbitz and do that yourself. What they help you to do is find any one of the growing number of packages that pamper you with your impending parental status in mind. For instance, the W Hotels in New York feature a Baby Me package, for stays until March 31st, that include a onesie for Baby, a subscription to American Baby magazine, and a gift for Baby that will be sent upon his or her arrival. Other hotels include prenatal massages for Mommy or a couples massage, which we love even more. Fabulous.

Skip on over to Babymoonfinder.com and plan that vacation. Trust us, you may not think you need it, but you do. Once you've planned your babymoon, come back to Child of Leisure: we'll tell you where to tote Junior once he's safely out of the box.