The babymoon phenomenon: Luxurious prenatal getaways to spend time alone as a couple

The months leading up to a baby’s arrival are filled with uncertainty, doubts and concerns, especially for first-time parents. Even if you are fortunate enough to have a complication-free pregnancy, the doubts come as fast as unsolicited advice. Reducing stress levels has scientifically proven benefits for the mother and, in many cases, for the baby as well. To de-stress, some people choose to take long walks or sign up for yoga classes, while others treat themselves to a trip to paradise where they can disconnect from everything and enjoy time alone with their partner while they still can.

The latter, known as a babymoon, is not accessible to all budgets, but its popularity has grown steadily in recent years. “In this type of getaway, the couple brings their childless stage to an end and celebrates a new moment in their lives. It is an opportunity to spend some time alone as a couple before the baby is born,” explains Alfonso Rueda, Director of Product and Operations at the Honimunn agency. He adds that the trend only continues to grow in popularity.

Of course, before considering the idea of traveling during pregnancy (especially if it involves a plane), people should consult the obstetrician monitoring the pregnancy for advice and recommendations, since each pregnancy is different. For example, the 2014 Clinical Practice Guideline for Care in Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period recommends doing “an assessment of the possible risks that may arise from a trip, depending on the circumstances of the pregnant woman and the time of pregnancy at which she [wants] to travel.”

The babymoon trend originated in the United States. Celebrities who are less guarded about their privacy have been fueling the phenomenon for years with their babymoons to destinations that, in their exoticism, often resemble the typical choices of newlyweds. In 2018, media entrepreneur Khloé Kardashian traveled to Japan in the months leading up to the arrival of her first daughter. The term babymoon once again appeared on the frontpages of the tabloids in April 2019, when some in the British media speculated about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s alleged getaway to a luxury hotel in Hampshire before the birth of their son Archie. Just this summer, tennis player Serena Williams, prior to the birth of her second baby, posted several photos of her babymoon — as she herself described it — to Europe with her family. These trips have begun to spread around the world, including among Spanish celebrities.

But how popular are these trips with the general public? “We don’t have concrete data on [the phenomenon’s] expansion… given that it is a recent addition to the world of tourism. However, we do know that more and more couples are requesting this type of trip from the operators and agencies we are in contact with,” explains María Francisca Blasco López, the dean of the School of Commerce and Tourism at the Complutense University of Madrid (Spain).

An exclusive getaway

Exclusivity surrounds these vacations, which prioritize relaxation and typically last between four and six days, shorter than the length of a traditional honeymoon. “Nowadays, companies have started offering trips aimed at those who can afford luxury experiences in paradisiacal environments, where exoticism, nature and tranquility stand out,” says Blasco López.

When we consider that the average monthly expenditure during the first year of a baby’s life costs over $650 (€600) a month, spending a lot of money in the months prior to the child’s birth isn’t part of many future parents’ plans; they are focused on acquiring everything the baby will need when it is born.

The price of a babymoon depends on the type of trip, the destination and duration, but the most popular options cater more to travelers for whom expense is not a concern, as opposed to those seeking cheap getaways or last-minute offers. All-inclusive resorts are a powerful lure, but there are those who prefer less sedentary experiences. Honnimunn says that the company works with couples of all kinds: “Some are more adventurous, focused on faraway destinations and nature. But others prefer to travel to nearby countries for greater comfort. In many cases, we [work with] couples who were not planning to enjoy a honeymoon because they are not yet married, but who want to mark this important milestone in a very special way.”

The preferred sites among future parents? “For long-distance trips, the most popular destinations are Japan, the year’s bestseller; Maldives, whether in conjunction with Dubai or alone; Bali; the United States, we get a lot of requests for New York, San Francisco, Chicago... even Miami, depending on the time of year,” says Carla Tarrés Juncadella, the CEO and co-founder of the Hanaley agency in Spain. For those looking for alternatives closer to home, there are many other options: “Italy, from north to south, is a great, comprehensive destination; Norway and Denmark are a hit, especially when the heat is oppressive in most of Europe,” says Juncadella.

Generally, the cost of a babymoon exceeds the average investment in a summer vacation by a fair amount. For instance, according to Statista, in 2022, each resident of Spain spent $699.15 (€646.58) per person on their summer getaways, while babymoons typically cost four figures. “On trips around Europe, with good hotels and services, we can start at $1,622.02 (€1,500) per person. On longer trips, we start at $3,244.05 (€3,000) per person for most destinations, although it will always depend on the length of the trip, dates and type of hotels and services,” says Juncadella of the prices for the tailor-made babymoons that Hanaley offers.

The private island of Naladhu in the Maldives is a favorite destination among wealthy honeymooners, and it now offers options for babymooners as well. It costs over $4,866.53 (€4,500) for a four-night stay in a villa with a swimming pool, including “half board,” says Nicolette Ng, the resort’s director of marketing and communications.

Currently, many babymoon offerings are quite expensive, but Professor Blasco López predicts that these trips are here to stay. She believes that their growing popularity will lead to more “offerings [that are] more adapted to all budgets.”

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