The #1 Hotel in the World: Best Hawaii Babymoon Ever
Ever heard of a "Babymoon?" They're all the rage now, mammacita. The idea is that pregnancy is the last time for a while that a couple can relax and enjoy luxury without juggling diapers, milk situations, and general baby mayhem... so they should vacation it up in the best fun hotels and resorts the world has to offer!
Note: We were guests of this hotel, and some links here are affiliates which provide a small commission at no extra charge to you, but all opinions are my own.
But where would we choose to Babymoon? The answer was clear the moment we booked our plane tickets for my dear friend Meg's wedding on Hawaii's Big Island: We would Babymoon-ize before the wedding at the #1 HOTEL IN THE WORLD.
Where is that? According to TripAdvisor's 2013 Traveler's Choice Awards, it is... the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Ka'upulehu (click to see availability and rates)!
Don't just take my word for it -- see the rave reviews of Hualalai on Hotels.com, or those from happy guests written on Booking.com.
We drooped off the long plane flight ragged and confused, but upon stepping foot onto the Hualalai property, fatigue melted like sea foam. A world class resort means impeccable service, and my five-and-a-half-month pregnant self so appreciated the genuine friendliness of the staff... and the immediate luggage help. Once in our luxurious room, we found not one but FOUR Babymoon welcome gifts!
The Babymoon gifts were as follows: First, the delightful beach display above, crafted of gummy sharks, chocolate stones, and raw sugar. (All were promptly scarfed.) Second, the fabulous stuffed animal and bib, pictured below. (Assuredly we will fight our baby for custody of this cutie.)
Third and fourth: a local-ingredient bread and cheese plate, and a fresh fruit bowl with local shortbread. You really can't go wrong making a pregnant woman feel special and giving her good food. Well done, Hualalai!
Throwing open the doors to our room's porch, I almost choked on my mouthful of gummy shark. The ocean was right there applauding our arrival! Next to it was one of Hualalai's FIVE pools: the most special.
What makes this pool most special, you ask? Well, it is salt water, and is stocked with 3,000 fish. Colin spent many happy hours snorkeling around that pool, (respectfully) following around the fattest fish... and the EAGLE RAYS!
At this point, our baby-to-be started pummeling the walls of his confinement, indicating, "I must have food now, parents! Feed me immediately so I can continue the development of my lungs and brain circuits!"
We bopped down to eat lunch overlooking the ocean in the following spot. (Be prepared to gasp)...
Whoa momma! It was there that we ate the best item I have consumed all year: a mango gazpacho soup so light and complex, angels must have sewn it together from clouds and rainbows. (This level of food has now finally been matched by another fancy hotel: Le Blanc Spa Resort in Cancun, Mexico. Click to see my review.)
It is at this point that I must unleash my fury. You see, when you stay at a place as awesome as Hualalai Resort, it makes it hard to return to anything that ISN'T the #1 Hotel in the World. I mean, how can any other lunch spot beat this outer view of where we dined?
And how can you find a sweeter sight to gaze at during dinner than the one pictured below? Nothing like ultra-waterfront dining with sunset views! (If you like that but are on the mainland, check out Ray's in Seattle.)
And could any breakfast be as colorful, nutritious, and delicious as this one, pictured next? With both dragonfruit and passionfruit present, this plate made our baby kick like a passionate dragon... a very happy passionate dragon.
But despite our sighs at swimming in paradise then having to leave, the joy of the experience was worth the pain of departing. Thank you, Hualalai Resort, for helping create the best Babymoon ever!
We were guests of the beautiful Four Seasons Hualalai, but all opinions, gummy shark eating, and eagle ray chasing are my own. If you enjoyed this article, please consider doing your Hawaii hotel search by clicking this link, or your Hawaii vacation rental investigating here, as it will provide great discounts to you and a small commission to support this blog at no extra cost for you. Thanks, and happy travels!
The author, Lillie Marshall, is a 6-foot-tall National Board Certified Teacher of English, fitness fan, and mother of two who has been a public school educator since 2003. She launched Around the World “L” Travel and Life Blog in 2009, and over 4.2 million readers have now visited this site. Lillie also runs TeachingTraveling.com and DrawingsOf.com. Subscribe to her monthly newsletter, and follow @WorldLillie on social media!
Did you do any special packages when you booked your trip?? Looking to stay in Hawaii for our upcoming babymoon and this looks INCREDIBLE!!!
Hi Cassie,
It was glorious! The resort has various packages throughout the year, so contact them and see. Best of luck, and congratulations!
Sold. Minus the baby. :)
Hehe :D
WOW, its amazing, i never go there. this post make me wanna go there.. thank for the post
looks so bright and beautiful! What a great babymoon!
I'd never heard of a Babymoon before, but now I have I want one for myself just so I can have the cute little bucket and spade!
Your photos are really awesome! Such vibrant images.
Thanks!
Love this idea - especially because there are gummy blue sharks.
You spoiled brat. :)
The FS Hualalai is a dream we have yet to make into a reality. Thanks for reminding me that we need to get on that!
Congratulations on the forthcoming l'il one.
Hehe yes spoiled but happy. :) YES, get on your trip planning, men!
The thought of mistaking the stuff seal to a real dog. Haha.. Those are really cute stuff they have. You can find some time relaxing before the baby comes.
Don't worry-- I've been relaxing well! :)
Wow, amazing shots! Such beautiful colors & details...very nice!
Congrats!! You are gorgeous pregnant.... That is a NICE babymoon!!
Thanks, Abby!
Now that's what I call a Babymoon! What a great way to celebrate before the before birth :)
Out of all your wonderful words, this sentence made me want to go: a mango gazpacho soup so light and complex, angels must have sewn it together from clouds and rainbows.
wow, everything is so bright and colourful, including the food!
I'd never heard of a babymoon, what a fun concept and what a beautiful resort!
Everything from mango gazpacho to dragon fruit and Eagle Rays to salt water snorkeling pool sound divine - and the location is perfect! Amazing! I have to admit, it really does sound like the #1 Hotel in the world!
And something up your alley, oh Green one: they have several green initiatives, including large refillable shampoo/soap bottles instead of little throwaway ones!
The resort looks spectacular; the food ,the room, the beach, pool and the cute cuddly seal! The Four Seasons Hualalai is on my must visit list.
Gorgeous photos – they're making me hungry! Reminds me of my time in Hawai'i – such a paradise... :)
Dill pickles a la carte.mais oui :-)
Looks fabulous; we really must get to Hawaii.
Best of luck with baby :)
Thanks! He is surely plumper and happier for this visit. :)
Looks amazing and love all the little gifts they left behind. Great touch!
At all the subsequent hotels we've stayed at, Colin and I have griped, "Where are our four gifts?!" :)
Wow.. this is fantastic..
Is it some camera trick or the sky is really that crisp blue?
Its really really a great hotel..
Glad you enjoyed your trip and very very glad that you shared with us all, it gives us all how to prepare better for our next trips :-)
Thanks
The sky was crisp blue and the weather perfect the whole time we were there! The Big Island of Hawaii is divided into a sunny side and a rainy side, and this resort is happily on the sunny side.
WOW. The pictures are enough to make me feel envious! :D
I find myself being envious of the myself of two weeks ago!