Great Places for New Parents to go with Babies

If you're the type of couple who used to breeze off for wonderfully indulgent weekends, don't despair.

The arrival of baby doesn't mean the end of spa treatments and romantic dinners.

As couples are having children later in life, so the hippest of hotels are realising that pleasing well travelled new parents and their precious new arrival makes sense.

Babington House

Babington House (www.babingtonhouse.co.uk) in Somerset set the standard ten years ago when it came to providing for yummy mummies and their new offspring with its funky family rooms and Cowshed Spa.

Many have followed suit.

Calcot Manor

The Cotswolds is a sure bet when it comes to English weekends away.

With its honey coloured stone, Calcot Manor (www.calcotmanor.co.uk) has all the ingredients for a baby/parent-friendly break.

Travel cots are placed in sumptuous suites, baby is welcome in both restaurants, and best of all you can drop baby off at The PlayZone, a fabulous converted barn that takes babies from newborn, while you visit the award winning spa for some well earned Mama Mio post-natal treatments or relax in the sexy outdoor hot tub with the proud father and a glass of champagne!

The Elms

Over in Worcestershire, The Elms (www.elmsluxuryfamilyhotel.co.uk) is the latest baby-friendly hangout from von Essen's Luxury Family Hotel Group.

With Mamas & Papas cots, nappy bucket, changing mat, sterilizer, kettle and bottlewarmer in room, you don't have to bring anything like the amount of baby gear you expected.

There's a Bears Den crèche and a brand new family-orientated Aquae Sulis Spa.

The Elms is also pioneering a series of post-natal fitness packages for new mums.

The Aquae Sulis Spa at The Elms Hotel

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Hotel du Vin

The ever-expanding Hotel du Vin boutique chain (www.hotelduvin.com) can be relied upon to deliver a great weekend away for new parents. The latest opening is York and Newcastle and Poole are set to follow.

New mums will do gaga over the complimentary ‘Baby Feel Good' Arran Aromatics baby packs places in all cots packed with mini products that can fit inside your handbag.

High chairs are available in the Bistro or babysitting costs £10 per hour. Staff are always willing to warm up baby bottles or empty minibars so mums can store baby food or bottles.

The Bull Hotel

The Bull Hotel (www.thebullhotel.co.uk) in the Georgian market town of Bridport, Dorset, appears to be a regular boutique hotel, but owners Nikki and Richard Cooper have made sure it is unobtrusively baby-friendly.

"Having small children ourselves, we wanted to create an aesthetically pleasing hotel that is super baby and child-friendly," said Nikki. "Somewhere that parents can genuinely come and relax. We put cots and age specific toys in the room. We don't believe in having a set children's menu, you simply ask for what you want and there isn't a chicken nugget in sight."

→ Next Page: Natural Retreats

Natural Retreats

For eco-friendly villa getaways with baby, check out Natural Retreats (www.naturalretreats.com) in the Yorkshire Dales.

This cluster of 19 glamorous eco-lodges have top-notch contemporary styling and a genuinely sensitive approach to the beautiful environment around them.

There are sturdy wooden cots, highchairs and fireguards, plus everything is on one level.

There's also plenty of outdoor space for alfresco dining with baby.

Bike hire with babyseats or tag-alongs is also available for visiting all those lovely Yorkshire pubs.

Isles of Scilly

For new parents who hanker after a tropical archipelago but just can't stomach the long-haul flight with baby, the beautiful Isles of Scilly are waiting.

Head to Hell Bay (www.tresco.co.uk/stay/hell-bay) on Bryher for inspiring views, Dame Barbara Hepworths in the bar and snugly cots for baby in adjoining rooms (so you don't have to creep around once baby's asleep) with a goodie bag of duck flannel and teddy bear soap and shampoo!

Jane Anderson and Baby at Hell bay, Isles of Scilly

→ Next Page: More Bank Holiday Ideas

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