Why La Réserve Paris is the perfect spot for a pampering pre-baby holiday

“What on earth is one of those?!” my husband asked when, at 20 weeks pregnant, I suggested we book a babymoon.

Though increasingly popular with parents-to-be, for the uninitiated – as he soon discovered – a babymoon is a last hurrah as a couple before you become a party of three. It’s also a chance to put your swollen, achy feet up and get pampered before life as you know it changes for good.

While many people choose far-flung tropical destinations for their pre-baby break, we were keen to keep things closer to home. I’d be entering my third trimester by the time we could get away, and after going through IVF, we were naturally a little more cautious.

We toyed with the British coast (Cornwall, perhaps?) but February weather felt questionable, and also considered Scotland, but again the weather felt like a gamble. After lots of umming and ahhing, we settled on Paris, often ranked among the best babymoon destinations, and just a short Eurostar ride away.

Paris sounds great. Where did you stay?

Located in the epicentre of the city, we holed up at La Réserve, a boutique five-star bolthole just off the Champs-Élysées – recently a Fashion week base for the Beckhams – for a slice of luxury before the beautiful chaos of parenting begins.

Set on the elegant tree-lined Avenue Gabriel, the mansion was originally built in 1845 for Napoleon III’s half brother, the Duc de Morny. After more than a century as a grand private residence, it was transformed into the intimate palace hotel it is today by the Michel Reybier Hospitality group, with bold interiors by industry darling Jacques Garcia.

The honey-toned stone façade adorned with wrought iron balconies, manicured shrubs and the hotel’s signature red door is seriously impressive – and stepping inside, it only gets better. Think ruby velvet armchairs, marble fireplaces, classical pillars, herringbone parquet floors and vintage curiosities. It feels as though you’re staying in someone’s impossibly glam home rather than a hotel. It’s très chic.

Crucially, it has everything you need for a blissful babymoon – a central location, cosseting suites, thoughtful service and a sumptuous subterranean spa for ultimate R&R.

How were the rooms?

The townhouse squirrels away just 40 rooms and suites across four floors, all impressively spacious by Parisian standards. The rooms overlooking the interior courtyard are charming, but those on the Avenue Gabriel side - with views of the Grand Palais, Jardin des Champs-Élysées and Eiffel Tower - are something else.

We were lucky enough to stay in the Presidential Suite and all I can say is wow. Our jaws almost hit the floor as we were shown inside - greeted by our own private butler, naturellement - and took in the sprawling 1,500 sq ft space.

It feels like its own palatial pied-à-terre, with a spacious light-filled living room, a separate dining room, a well-stocked bar and a bedroom well-geared for deep relaxation, complete with a cloud-like king-sized bed, plush linens, next-level soundproofing and blackout blinds (extremely helpful for daytime pregnancy naps). The bathroom, with its deep Carrara marble tub, his-and-hers sinks and a remote-controlled TV, is equally indulgent - and yes, there are even two Japanese Toto toilets to keep your derrière blissfully warm.

The jewel in the crown, though, is the suite’s floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies, which serve up scintillating views of the city’s most iconic landmarks. There’s almost no need to go sightseeing when you can see it all from your window. We certainly spent far more time inside than we ever would in a typical hotel room - and didn’t feel remotely guilty about it.

What’s the vibe?

Despite the luxe, palatial setting, La Reserve has a laidback, home-from-home feel that I immediately warmed to. It doesn’t feel stuffy and overly formal, and there are plenty of softly lit corners designed for chatting and lingering.

The service is also impeccable. The team went above and beyond to create a truly memorable stay, with thoughtful touches like a chilled bottle of non-alcoholic champagne on arrival, a pregnancy pillow in the room and even a bib and a rattle set aside for our little one. Turndown deserves a special mention, too – slippers perfectly placed, lights dimmed, the products from my spa treatment (more on that later) laid out in the bathroom, and even a bathtub drawn and scattered with petals - just the tonic my swollen pregnancy ankles were crying out for.

You mentioned a spa? Talk to me about the pampering

Given life will soon be dominated by nappies, night feeds and washing babygrows, a babymoon should make you feel thoroughly pampered. Thankfully, the spa at La Réserve, which is surprisingly spacious for a city hideaway, has plenty to offer by way of bump-friendly wellness.

There’s an indoor pool large enough for laps, a bijou hammam and three therapy rooms offering a full roster of high-tech rituals and sensory experiences from Swiss brand Nescens. There is a pregnancy-specific full-body massage on the menu, but I opted for the brand’s signature Better Aging Facial Treatment - 90 minutes of pure bliss. I fell asleep during the back massage and emerged more zen and stress-free than at any point in my pregnancy. It also did wonders for my dry, suddenly spotty skin (pregnancy glow, who?). I left feeling smooth and sculpted, with cheekbones I’d almost forgotten I had, thanks to the expert lymphatic drainage. A cup of ginger tea and a catnap on the plush poolside loungers were the icing on the cake.

The pampering didn’t stop there. On my final morning, I was treated to a mind-blowing hair treatment, which involved a shampoo, scrub and, best of all, a spine-tingling scalp massage. It was all capped off with a bouncy blow-dry, sending me out into the day feeling polished, glam and put together – not something I’ve been able to say much during my pregnancy.

How was the food?

A bold statement, I know, but I had one of the best breakfasts of my life at La Réserve. It was probably because we enjoyed it in our suite, fluffy robes on, watching birds soar across Paris rooftops as the sky turned pale pink at sunrise - but the food itself was also delicious. We’re talking perfectly flaky, buttery croissants, homemade madeleines, beautifully presented avocado toast and bowls of glossy fresh berries, alongside café au lait and pressed green juice.

For dinner, there are two restaurants – Le Gabriel – which was awarded three Michelin stars in 2024 under the direction of superstar chef Jérôme Banctel – and La Pagode de Cos, which serves refined hotel fare with a focus on seasonal produce and Japanese influences. Sample the likes of shrimp and avocado tartlet to start, beef tenderloin with mash as a main and chocolate tart to finish, with an extensive selection of wines (including some from the owner’s Bordeaux estate) and thoughtfully crafted mocktails for those, like me, who aren’t drinking.

We dined inside the cosy, atmospheric eatery, lit by flickering pillar candles and set to soft, tin music, but in the warmer months, the doors are flung open and you can enjoy a feast in the elegant courtyard, dotted with potted plants, towering ferns and warm lamps. It sounds impossibly romantic.

There’s also Le Gaspard, the hotel’s iconic bar with its double courtyard, where a chic Parisian crowd perch at bistro tables sipping chilled champagne, and the Duc du Morny Library, a wood-panelled, book-lined retreat that’s the perfect setting for a cup of chocolat chaud on a chilly Paris afternoon.

So, how does La Réserve Paris rate for a babymoon?

Top marks. As the saying goes, Paris is always a good idea and La Réserve is the perfect hotel for babymooning. It delivered everything we wanted from our last break as child-free grown-ups and more: a tranquil suite with panoramic views that made it almost impossible to leave, attentive service where nothing was too much trouble, impeccable food and soul-soothing spa treatments.

I don’t think we’ll ever get over coming back from dinner and watching the Eiffel Tower’s glittering light show from the comfort of bed, with a cup of chamomile tea in hand. It’s the stuff of bucket list dreams. Now, I’m already plotting a visit to one of the other La Réserve properties (there are four in total across France and Switzerland) - I’m thinking the Côte d’Azur sounds like a good choice for a holiday with a baby in tow…

Go there!

Rooms at La Réserve Paris start from £1565pn BOOK NOW

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