Geneva – Family Traveller

Pre and Post-Natal Spa Breaks

Whether you’re a brand new mother or expecting a baby, chances are you’re in need of a little relaxation. Look no further than our pick of spa breaks.

For expectant mothers

£££ PRINCIPE DI SAVOIA, MILAN

The Dorchester Collection’s Italian outpost has a special package for expectant mothers, costing from €1,675.00 for a two-night stay in an Ambassador Junior Suite. The price includes breakfast on both mornings, one dinner for two in the Acanto Restaurant, a test drive in a Ferrari for the father-to-be (last bit of adrenaline before he has to be sensible) and a Prémaman spa session, comprising a 55-minute Yoga lesson, as well as 30-minute soothing back and leg massage.

To book: Contact the communications department on +39 02 6230 4007, email pr.hps@dorchestercollection.com or visit hotelprincipedisavoia.com/EN/hotel-milan. The offer is valid until 31 August.

££ COWLEY MANOR, GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Country house hotel Cowley Manor has a new collection of treatments at its C-Side Spa. Collapse into total relaxation, surrounded by rolling Cotswold hills with the help of one of two full-body massages. Coming Soon and Relaxing Pregnancy Massage (£75 each) both sooth tired (read swollen) limbs and muscles. pagebreak

If you’re in need of a little brightening, opt for the Pregnancy Glow Facial, which features an oxygenating moisture mask to even out skin tone. Rooms start from £185 a night, including B&B, or there’s a £290 Repair & Restore Spa Stay package, which includes two 60-minute treatments.

To book: Call 01242 870 900, email stay@cowleymanor.com or visit cowleymanor.com

£ BROMPTON LAKES, YORKSHIRE

Misty hills dotted with tufts of purple heather, wooded valleys and picture-perfect views from all directions, you won’t need much help relaxing in the Yorkshire Dales. But if you do eco-resort Brompton Lakes will bundle together bespoke pampering treatments, professional photo shoots (à la Demi Moore, if you wish), fine-dining experiences, welcome hampers and activities such as fishing, pilates or personal training to help you totally switch off. Self-catering lodges sleep up to six people, so grab your girlfriends or NCT pals, and make a weekend of it. Prices for one lodge start from £362 for a two-night stay.

To book: Call 01748 850333; email enquiries@bromptonlakes.co.uk or visit bromptonlakes.co.uk

For new mothers

£££ LA RÉSERVE, GENEVA

Just over an hour’s flight from London, oozing crisp mountain air and on the shores of Lake Geneva, La Réserve will be just what the doctor orders. The chic five-star hotel set in 10 acres of private gardens has an award-winning La Prairie spa with 17 treatment rooms, a restaurant serving sushi, salads and juices, as well as a refreshing water bar flowing with lavender and camomile-infused drinks. It’s post-natal heaven. Book the sculpting treatment (£121), which combines a slimming and deep-tissue massage designed to unwind, restore and leave you with softer, firmer skin. While you’re enjoying all this, there’s a children’s club for your new arrival, nannies will look after babies from 6 months. Prices are from £351 for a double room.

To book: Call +41 22 959 59 59, email reservationsgeneve@lareserve.ch or visit lareserve.ch

££ ALMYRA, CYPRUS

With year-round sunshine, short flights and superb childcare, a stay at the Almyra in Paphos needs almost no planning at all. Just book your flights and flee. The five-star hotels’ Baby Go Lightly offering makes it even easier to be spontaneous, it will provide anything you could need including car seats, high chairs, buggies, sterilisers, bottle warmers, nappies, toiletries, baby carriers… ad infinitum. And the nannies will look after babies from as young as four months. Spa treatments range from relax and restore packages to weight loss and detox, as well as couples massages. pagebreak

There’s also yoga, personal training and boot camp if the birth wasn’t painful enough for you. New fathers looking to spoil wives, take advantage of the Almyra’s Personalise Your Stay proposal, surprise them on arrival with candles, rose petals and fresh strawberries (€75). Inland garden view rooms cost from €1,428 for a week, B&B.

To book: Call + 357 26 888 700, email almyra@thanoshotels.com or visit almyra.com

£ MERMAID RETREAT, LONDON

Closer to home, Mermaid Maternity Retreat in Chelsea has joined forces with skincare pioneer QMS Medicosmetics to create a selection of treatments designed for post-natal revival. There’s the Recover Your Skin Facial (£65, 45 minutes), which boosts moisture lost during pregnancy, or the restorative Foot Treatment (£75, 45 minutes) and an upper body massage. The King’s Road club is specifically for new mums, providing a relaxing environment to bond with your baby, there’s around the clock support, maternity-friendly bedrooms and workshops on breastfeeding, nutrition, and sleep routines.

Membership at Mermaid Maternity Retreat costs £300 and covers the duration of the pregnancy and six months afterwards. If you do want to stay the night, rooms cost £595 a night and includes hospital transfer, full board, baby feeding and maternity support, physiotherapy, use of 24-hour supervised Baby Zone and daily visits from a community midwife.

To book: Call +44 20 7199 3220, email hello@mermaid.co.uk or visit mermaid.co.uk

Why go? As the name suggests, Ski Verbier operates solely in the Swiss resort, providing childcare in a number of chalets. Two of the most family-friendly among them are available during February half term and the Easter holidays in 2014.

Chalet Sequoia: This six-person ski-in, ski-out chalet right next to the nursery slopes is great for one big family or two travelling together. There’s a grown-up sitting room and cosy snug for kids, which can also be converted into a bunk room to bring the room total to three. The homely chalet combines a typically Swiss look with stylish touches like kilim rugs and seriously inviting sofas. Your personal chef will serve Champagne, canapés and a four-course dinner each night.

Price: From £10,450 for a week starting on 16 February and from £7,250 over the Easter holidays.

Chalet Pegase: If you’d prefer the flexibility of self-catering, there’s Chalet Pegase, which sleeps six. Also close to the nursery slopes and three-minutes from the town centre, this is best suited to families with young children who want to make the most of Ski Verbier’s babysitting, or those with older kids who want to make the most of the ski area’s lively après ski – of which there is plenty. There are three double en-suite rooms, a well-equipped kitchen and a sitting room with DVD player, Nintendo Wii and a library of films and games. Eating options range from private chefs, to having your fridge fully-stocked, waking up to breakfast hampers or just going it alone.

Price: From £9,350 for a week starting on 16 February and from £5,750 over the Easter holidays.

Childcare: English-speaking nannies are on hand to look after your children between 8am and 8pm. They can take them to ski school or, armed with a box full of toys, hang out with little ones in your chalet, giving them lunch or bringing them to meet you at mountain restaurants. Babysitting can also be arranged after 8pm. All the chalets come with cots, high chairs, stair gates, toys, bath mats, sterilisers, bottle brushes and it is possible to pre-order nappies and formula before you arrive. Prices start from £450 for a private nanny for the week.

THE LOWDOWN:

Getting there: British Airways and easyJet both fly to Geneva. Ski Verbier can arrange private and helicopter transfers to the resort.

Travel time: The flight from London to Geneva takes 1 hour and 30 minutes. it’s then a 2 hour transfer to the resort.

More information: Call the team on +44 (0) 207 401 1101 or visit skiverbier.com.