Anyone with children will know there are three things that become almost sacred once you become a parent: lie-ins, date nights and guilt-free time to yourself. And the best way to enjoy all three? A night away from the daily dictatorship run by your tiny sleep thieves.
As a soon-to-be mum of three, an extended child-free babymoon was never going to be an option for me in the way it is for first-time parents (although thanks to Covid, it wasn’t an option for me then either. Not that I’m remotely bitter…).
So my husband and I agreed on a 24-hour escape somewhere in the UK as our final pre-baby hurrah, calling in the grandparents for babysitting duty. We considered the Cotswolds, Padstow and even the Lake District, but with so little time available, we wanted to maximise our relaxation rather than spend it travelling. And when you live in London, why not make the most of one of the capital’s luxury hotels?
So we headed to the Four Seasons Hotel at Tower Bridge – just a 45-minute trundle on the District line for us – and checked in for a blissful night to ourselves.
Why the Four Seasons at Tower Bridge?
Aside from the fact that we could get there so quickly, Four Seasons has long been synonymous with luxury. But what sets this property apart is its remarkable setting at Ten Trinity Square, overlooking both the Thames and the Tower of London.
The real draw, though? It’s home to one of the best spas in the city, making it an ideal destination for a pampering babymoon.
What to Read Next
As we pulled up outside its spectacular Grade II-listed Beaux-Arts exterior, there was an immediate sense of grandeur. The building was formerly the headquarters of the Port of London Authority, and its history is celebrated throughout the hotel. In reception, you'll find treasures uncovered during renovations, from Roman hairpins and Saxon coins to a prehistoric axe.
Yes, I’m a history nerd. I’ll get back on track now…
What makes it great for a babymoon?
Put simply, you’re thoroughly looked after here.
Not only is the service exceptional, but there’s an attention to detail that makes the whole stay feel like an occasion. When we checked into our super-luxe suite, there was already a beautiful balloon display waiting for me, alongside a bottle of sparkling tea, macarons and the most gorgeous bouquet of flowers. In short, I felt thoroughly spoiled.
The room itself was enormous – I’m fairly sure it was bigger than our first flat – as was the bathroom, complete with a huge sunken tub that comfortably accommodated my increasingly whale-like form.
Every luxury you’d expect from a five-star hotel was on hand, from electric blackout blinds to the fluffiest robes, which I immediately threw on before heading down to the award-winning spa.
Tell me more about the spa
While a spa might not be the most obvious babymoon destination – particularly if you're in your first trimester and many treatments are off limits – it’s well worth waiting until later in pregnancy to make the most of this one.
The subterranean, Roman-inspired sanctuary houses an impressive gym, a vitality pool with air and water jets, a Moroccan hammam, plus a sauna, steam room and jacuzzi that I sadly had to avoid.
Instead, I opted for a gentle zone two swim in the 14-metre pool before heading off for my pregnancy massage.
While comfort can be hard to come by in the third trimester, I was positioned on my side on a heated treatment bed with plenty of cushions for support. My brilliant therapist, Brenda, then treated me to 60 minutes of the Mother-To-Be Relaxing Draining Massage, designed to ease tension and soothe tired muscles.
If the fact that I nearly fell asleep wasn’t proof enough of how relaxed I felt, my Oura Ring stats certainly were. They informed me I’d had a more restorative day than I’d experienced in weeks. If ever there was a reminder of the importance of taking time for yourself as a mum, this was it.
What about the food?
The hotel has three restaurants: the buzzy Asian restaurant Mei Ume, the modern steakhouse Cooper’s Row and Rotunda, an all-day dining spot where a modern afternoon tea curated by cult East London baker Lily Vanilli is served under the stunning domed ceiling.
We opted for the Chef’s Menu at the latter, which was essentially a parade of decadent ingredients. Alongside the premium cuts you’d expect, including a Wagyu fillet served with pasteurised Kristal caviar, the menu also featured Scottish langoustine, Loire Valley asparagus and a Granny Smith apple tarte tatin to finish.
I naturally skipped the wine pairings, but my husband was particularly enthusiastic about the Chablis served with his starter (a 2024 Domaine Gautheron, in case you were wondering).
It’s rare to find a menu that feels this special while still being pregnancy-safe. NHS guidance confirms that shellfish is safe to eat during pregnancy provided it’s thoroughly cooked, while caviar is considered safe if pasteurised.
Combined with a couple of excellent mocktails, it felt like a genuine treat.
Breakfast the following morning, after a quick strength session in the hotel’s well-stocked gym, was a classic bistro-style affair – perfectly poached eggs and avocado on sourdough alongside a very good decaf coffee.
After 24 hours of pure indulgence, it was hard to drag ourselves home. Short, but very, very sweet.
Go there
Rates at Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge start from £620, including breakfast.
Georgie Lane-Godfrey (she/her) is Features Director at Women's Health UK, where she focuses on bringing you longer reads that explore the intersection between wellness and women’s lifestyle. With 15 years of experience, Georgie has been published in titles such as Stylist, Glamour, Evening Standard and Marie Claire. Passionate about women’s health and wellness, she’s also a Level 3 qualified PT.
Find her on Instagram @Georgie Lane-Godfrey
