Welcoming a new baby to the family soon? Take a breather before all the cooing (or chaos!) begins and treat yourself to a well-deserved babymoon. You won’t need to look far – or travel far, for that matter – to find gorgeous resorts that are perfect for the occasion. Feast your eyes on some of our top picks around the region.
Thailand
The Siam Bangkok
Distance from airport: 45 minutes from Suvarnabhumi International Airport
Nearest hospital: Vajira Hospital (5 minutes)
Located by the famous Chao Phraya River, The Siam Bangkok offers beautiful suites with classic colonial designs, luxurious beds and elegant bathrooms. The hotel’s Chon Thai Restaurant serves up authentic Thai cuisine, or you can whip up your own tasty Thai eats at a cooking class. Elsewhere, there’s an infinity pool for a dip. You can slow things down at a yoga and meditation session, or head out for some retail therapy in the downtown area. The Siam’s on-site Opium Spa includes treatments such as the Refining Body Toner. The rejuvenating and exfoliating therapy reduces stretch mark appearance and removes scar tissue. You can also request a special off-the-menu pregnancy massage. And, while you enjoy some pampering, the hubby can sweat it out with a Muay Thai class and unwind with his own recovery spa session to ease muscle tension.
info@thesiamhotel.com | thesiamhotel.com
Trisara, Phuket
Distance from airport: 20 minutes from Phuket International Airport
Nearest hospital: Mission Hospital Phuket (38 minutes)
On the tropical Phuket coast is Trisara, a luxury boutique hotel with pavilion-style villas. Each comes with its own private infinity pool, spacious interiors and spectacular views of the Andaman Sea. Charter a boat to one of the beautiful islands nearby, including Phi Phi, or enjoy a helicopter flight over world-famous Phang Nga Bay. Enjoy a day at the spa or beauty salon and indulge in some pampering treatments that use traditional Thai healing practices. You could also attend a prenatal class by the resort’s in-house yoga instructor. The more energetic might like to whip up Thai dishes at a private cooking class or head over to Laguna to explore its restaurants and shops.
Indonesia
Banyan Tree Bintan
Distance from ferry terminal: 16 minutes from Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal
Nearest hospital: Teluk Sebong Community Health Center (26 minutes)
Perched on a cliff side overlooking the South China Sea, Banyan Tree Bintan is the perfect couples’ retreat. Stay in one of the private villas and enjoy a relaxing bubble bath in the sunken tub. Unwind at the resort’s private beach, or head out to visit nearby Dolphin Island. Food-wise, the resort’s signature restaurant Saffron offers traditional Thai cuisine with a twist. Banyan Tree is renowned for spa treatments, and expectant mums who are in their fourth to eighth month have much to enjoy. Indulge in a special Gentle Touch massage and a variety of revitalising facials. Dads-to-be aren’t left out – they can opt for the “Tailored for your senses” package. It offers customised treatments, from massages to body scrubs.
bintan@banyantree.com | banyantree.com
COMO Uma Ubud, Bali
Distance from airport: About one hour from Ngurah Rai International Airport
Nearest hospital: Klinik BIMC Ubud (5 minutes)
COMO Uma Ubud is a perfect retreat, set amongst verdant paddy fields near Ubud in Bali’s interior. Overlooking the scenic Tjampuhan Valley and River Oos, the property offers luxurious rooms including pool suites. Stays are centred on health and well-being, so you can expect delicious and nutritious meals made from fresh local produce. You’ll have a choice of Asian or International-inspired cuisine. Hop on the shuttle for an afternoon in the town or get up close to nature at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. A visit to the COMO Shambhala Spa is a must. Treat yourself to an array of treatments and classes, including a daily complimentary spa session. Otherwise, just take a leisurely dip in the deluxe pool.
Banyan Tree Ungasan Bali
Distance from airport: 35 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport
Nearest hospital: Siloam Hospitals Denpasar (35 minutes)
Surrounded by lush greenery and with sweeping views of the Indian Ocean, Banyan Tree Ungasan Bali offers luxury one- to two-bedroom villas with Balinese architecture and plenty of mod-cons. Take off a day trip to the pristine beaches of Nusa Dua and a visit to Uluwatu Temple, before heading back for a sumptuous dinner at one of the resort’s restaurants. Mums-to-be will be impressed with the selection of treatments at the Banyan Tree Spa. They include the customised Tailored For Your Senses massage and the 60-minute Tender Touch massage using warm oil enriched by Jojoba and Vitamin E. Dads-to-be can try the Jaya Prana Vigour, a head-to-toe treatment that includes a herb and spice scrub and hot stones massage.
ungasan@banyantree.com | banyantree.com
Cambodia
Shinta Mani Club Siem Reap
Distance from airport: 16 minutes from Siem Reap International Airport
Nearest hospital: Jayavarman VII Hospital (7 minutes)
Located close to the magnificent Angkor Wat temple, Shinta Mani Club Siem Reap offers a range of rooms and suites in a courtyard-style property. Signature restaurant Kroya serves up traditional Khmer cuisine using fresh local ingredients and spices. Or you can try the food in the Old Market, which is just a short walk from the serene French Quarter location. The market stalls also sell trinkets and souvenirs for the folks back home (or for baby’s arrival!). Your stay at the resort will also give back to the community through the Shinta Mani Foundation that provides assistance to rural families.
book@shintamani.com | shintamani.com/siem-reap
Vietnam
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai
Distance from airport: 33 minutes from Danang International Airport
Nearest hospital: Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children (22 minutes)
You can choose to explore the historic city of Hoi An when you stay at the Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, or just relax and revel in the resort’s beautiful surroundings. Enjoy a leisurely lounge by one of the three infinity pools or a stroll along the beach. Savour international, local and Asian fusion dishes at the resort’s four in-house dining spots, or challenge your culinary skills at The Nam Hai Cooking Academy. You will use fresh ingredients from the resort’s own herb and vegetable garden. An ideal accommodation choice for expecting couples are the luxury one-bedroom villas overlooking the beach. They come with modern comforts including outdoor rain showers.
Fusion Maia, Da Nang
Distance from airport: 15 minutes to Da Nang International Airport
Nearest hospital: Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children, 7 minutes
Enjoy some pampering at the Fusion Maia Danang. The all-inclusive spa concept hotel offers pool villas with gorgeous views of the East Vietnam Sea. You will be able to indulge in unlimited spa treatments each day (two guaranteed), including wraps and scrubs to facials and massages. Take part in a wide selection of activities under the resort’s Daily holistic wellness programme such as Daily Mindfulness and Lifestyle Tai Chi. You’ll have the flexibility to participate in whichever activity you wish. You can also choose to have your breakfast any time and any place – at the main restaurant, in your villa or even by the beach! In the afternoon, hitch a ride on the complimentary shuttle bus and explore Hoi An.
enquiries@flightcentre.com.sg | flightcentre.com.sg
Maldives
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives
Distance from airport: 20-minute speedboat ride from Malé International Airport
Nearest hospital: ADK Hospital, 20 minute (speedboat)
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives is an over-water resort boasting lovely villas with open-air bathrooms, luxurious beds and sun decks. For greater privacy, choose to stay at the Crusoe Residences or The Private Reserve that can be reached only by boat. All villas come with a butler service that will cater to your every whim and fancy. You can go on a dolphin cruise or end the day with a romantic sunset boat ride. Relax at the Meera Spa and try out one of their prenatal massages. Couples can also indulge in facial therapies that use herbs and earth clays to nourish the skin. If the dad-to-be gets itchy feet, he can head for a dive at famous Manta Point, or try some water sports.
scottdunn.com/gili-lankanfushi
Read on for more great destinations around the region or for some awesome staycation ideas.
