Calling all babes and bumps! It’s time for a babymoon. We’re here to tempt you with awe-inspiring getaways from around the globe that cater to those looking to splurge on the good life before the baby bundle arrives. Enjoy the pampering, food, and experiences in Asia and beyond.
Skip across the border to Amanfayun (a hotel from the ultra-luxurious Aman Resorts group) to explore tea plantations. You can also take a boat tour around West Lake—a top tourist attraction that has inspired ancient Chinese art, literature and poetry for centuries. Retreat to your villa for a long leisurely soak in your wooden bathtub, or indulge in a spa treatment. In the morning, enjoy Tai Chi, yoga or meditation sessions.
Amanfayun, www.amanresorts.com
There’s no shortage of accommodations options for sun-seekers in the Maldives. Four Seasons Resorts offers three exceptional quality resorts. Sail between Kuda Huraa and Landaa Giraavaru aboard a triple-decker catamaran, enjoy the sandy beaches at Landaa Giraavaru, where you can also enjoy ayurvedic treatments in single and couple spa villas ; or head to Kuda Huraa, where sport-loving papas can take lessons at a surf school.
Four Seasons Resorts, www.fourseasons.com
Get away from it all in Pulau Pangkor – a breezy hop over from nearby Kuala Lumpur. At Pangkor Laut Resort, 43 overwater villas hug the shorelines of the western coast of Malaysia, making it a stunning backdrop for a stress-free holiday. For some R&R with your nearest and dearest, the hotel can organize a romantic sunset cruise or or a trek into the surrounding virgin jungles, so you and your love can admire the island’s impressive flora and fauna while walking hand-in-hand.
Pangkor Laut Resort, www.pangkorlautresort.com
Don’t write-off Boracay just yet. Dig a little deeper and you’ll find Discovery Shores in Boracay – an 88 all-suite property that’s been ranked number two in Travel + Leisure’s list of Top Hotels in Asia. Boracay is great for its white, sugar sand beaches. In the evenings, enjoy a massage and feel your anxieties melting away at the award-winning Terra Spa. There are four restaurants in the resort, so there’s no need to travel far from the resort's luxurious surroundings.
Discovery Shores, www.discoveryshoresboracay.com
Be good to yourself, from inside out. The Como Shambhala Estate in Bali is a resort dedicated to taking a holistic approach to health, through a choice of wellness retreats (from 3-7 days) that span a wide range of themes, such as Ayurveda, weight loss and recovery from illness. Set on a lush estate, you can savour every moment here without ever having to worry about booking meals, activities and daily spa treatments – everything is included in your stay.
Como Shambhala, www.comoshambhala.com
Step back to a bygone era with a trip to Japan’s ancient capital, Kyoto, where kimono-clad geishas, traditional teahouses and ancient temples await you. For something a little different, stay in a ryokan such as Hoshinoyo Kyoto – a 25-room inn set along the banks of the Hozu River. Check into one of their tatami rooms with plush Japanese futons and a traditional wooden tub
Hoshinoya Kyoto, www.global.hoshinoresort.com
Looking for something at the last minute? Soak up the sun in Langkawi – a destination that takes little pre-planning because flight and hotel options are aplenty. The resort town boasts pristine beaches, great snorkeling sites and green trails. Foodies will find no shortage of scrumptious seafood options. Families will be well taken care of at The Andaman Langkawi, while couples can enjoy some peace and quiet at Casa Del Mar.
Casa Del Mar, www.casadelmar-langkawi.com
The Andaman, www.theandaman.com
Tag-on a couple of days to a historic Ho Chi Minh trip with a visit to the island of Phu Quoc. Set in the Gulf of Thailand, there’s a wide option of secluded resorts and beachfront villas to choose from here, such as La Veranda Resort and bungolow chic Mango Bay Resort. Unlike other parts of the rapidly developing Vietnamese coast, little has changed on this island, so be sure to get here before the masses do.
La Veranda Resort, www.laverandaresorts.com
Mango Bay Phu Quoc, www.mangobayphuquoc.com
An easy option with direct flights and private airport transfers, Hansar Samui offers 74 luxurious, beachfront accommodations. They have a fabulous Babymoon Package complete with private airport transfers, mocktails, romantic dinner for two, moms-to-be facial/mani-pedi, and dads-to-be massage (score one for the papas) packages. The resort also throws in a LUXSA Spa Baby Set for the new arrrival.
Hansur Samui, www.hansarsamui.com
If you are up for a longer journey, why not head to South Africa? Whilst in cosmopolitan Cape Town, stay at Beirkenhead in Hermanus. Commanding impressive views from its location atop a seaside cliff, you can enjoy a cup of tea on the terrace where you might spot a whale or two. Le Quartier Francais in Franschoek is another classy option, where spacious suites are decked out with fireplaces. This property is also home to the world famous Drawing Room restaurant.
Birkenhead House, www.birkenheadhouse.com
Le Quartier Francais in Franschoek, www.lqf.co.za
Another long-haul option for pre-baby splurging is Anantara Qasr Al Sarab, a resort that's about a two hour (gorgeous!) drive from Abu Dhabi. Sand dunes and deserts stretch as far as the eye can see – providing plenty of once-in-a-lifetime activities such as desert walks, a falcon show, and dining under a blanket of stars. Cool-off with a dip in the resort's pool or get pampered in the hotel spa.
Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort, anantara.com
Got kids? Little Steps Asia gives you the scoop on all the things to do and see with babies, toddlers, and kids in Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bali, Jakarta, Macau, and beyond. From family-friendly hotels, kids and baby shops, the best schools and after school activities, pregnancy tips and meet-ups and more – we have you sorted.
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