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Katy Holland: Babymoons are not just for first-time mothers

Are we there yet? I rather envy pregnant women for one thing: they get to go on babymoons

Sunday 18 April 2010 00:00 BST
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Are all these celebrity pregnancies making you broody? From Sam Cam to Pearl Lowe, media darlings across the nation are announcing little additions to their families like it's going out of fashion.

I've done the sensible thing and got a dog instead. But I rather envy pregnant women for one thing: they get to go on babymoons.

These last-chance pampering flings hadn't been invented when I needed one, but today it's practically the law for pregnant couples to take a luxury holiday before they disappear under a giant pile of nappies.

In fact, babymoons are now a multi-million pound industry. As Ilonka Molign from specialist company Baby Moon (003 13 2010443; baby-moon.eu) says: "The number of couples booking pregnancy holidays is growing all the time, and high-end hotels are stepping up their game to meet the demand. Couples want to make the most of this precious time together before the baby arrives."

Which is all well and good if you're expecting your first baby. But what if you're having your second (or third or even fifth)? Most luxury spa hotels are fiercely child-unfriendly, but I've dug out a few brave ones which will happily accommodate sprogs of all ages, born and unborn.

Take the new Le Dune Resort (01202 484858; justsardinia.co.uk). Mums-to-be will be massaged and polished (and dads can be scrubbed and wrapped in mud if they fancy). Meanwhile, children from the age of 18 months to 16 years can enjoy soft play, arts and crafts and all sorts of fun activities at supervised clubs.

The newly refurbished Soar Mill Cove in Devon (01548 561566; soarmillcove.co.uk) also welcomes kids with open arms while offering respite to exhausted mums-with-bumps. Children are well looked after: there are baby monitors, bottle warmers, swimming and tennis, bikes and a games room. Mums just lie down to be pampered with massages, pedicures and Devon cream teas. The perfect combination.

k.holland@independent.co.uk

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