1 Hotel Hanalei Bay

I Traveled 5,000 Miles at 27 Weeks Pregnant for the Ultimate Babymoon—Filled with Rainbows, Spa Time, and Gentle Adventures in Nature

"Trading my sweatpants-and-Birkenstocks uniform for dresses and beach coverups, I arrived at 27 weeks and spent six days immersed in a serene, wellness-first escape where birds and waves woke us and afternoon rainbows drifted over waterfall-streaked cliffs. As the brand’s only Hawaiian property, it feels like a true health-and-wellness destination: locally sourced food, filtered water taps in every room, and organic, natural materials are woven through a layout that maximizes jungle-green views. The island ethos of kuleana and mālama shows up in real ways, from partnerships with Kauai’s farmers, ranchers, and fishermen to give-back excursions in the monthly programming. I eased in with a private Sacred Sound Journey—“You deserve to feel good, you deserve to rest,” our guide Rebecca encouraged—and kept returning for pregnancy-considerate movement classes where instructors had bolsters prepped for shavasana and, elsewhere, staff anticipated needs with thoughtful touches like a Frida pregnancy pillow in our room and pregnancy-safe swaps in my treatments. The spa and gym are cutting-edge and earthy at once, with Bamford’s traditional and touchless therapies, Vitality Kaua‘i med spa options, meditation pods, a float room my husband booked twice for an “out of body experience,” VO2 max testing, an infrared sauna, and even a beach gym built from invasive trees, plus options like IV infusions, hyperbaric oxygen, crystal healing, and guided hikes; I loved my hāpai massage (my therapist closed with, “I hope you’re feeling like a queen, because you are a queen”) and a personalized facial with gua sha, a quartz roller, and warm-and-cold stones that visibly improved my skin. Between sunrise movement classes held beachside or in a window-lined studio and easy beach walks, snorkeling, and paddleboarding, I left feeling restored, re-energized, and genuinely cared for, with the hotel’s nature-forward design and community-minded programs giving the whole stay a quietly spiritual, welcoming glow." - Claudia Fisher Claudia Fisher Claudia Fisher writes, edits, and strategizes for women's lifestyle publications in NYC, with a special interest in beauty and style. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines