Something that is steadily growing in popularity, babymoons are meant to be the last romantic hoorah for expecting parents. Learn about one couple's story and their Babymoon experience in Nashville.
Published: March 31, 2018
By: Bethany Hunley
Steadily growing in popularity over the last several years, babymoons are meant to be the last romantic hoorah for expecting parents. When my husband and I decided to plan our babymoon, I was six months along with twin girls and already huge. We knew that we wanted to stay close to home and find a destination where most of the attractions were close by. We chose to spend our babymoon at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. This turned out to be the best decision we could have made.
The Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center sits on 47 acres in Nashville, TN. Offering over 2,800 guest rooms, including 171 suites and 5 themed presidential suites, saying this resort is enormous is an understatement. There are over 50,000 tropical plants within the resort’s nine acres of indoor gardens, and there is a quarter mile long indoor river within the resort’s 4.5 acres Delta Atrium.
My husband and I chose to board the Delta Riverboat, another enjoyable and unexpected attraction offered within the lobby. A guide whose knowledge of the Gaylord Opryland Resort and some of its very famous guests, as well as the Delta’s plant and fish life, ensures that you are both entertained and educated when you exit the Riverboat. However, if boat rides are not your cup of tea, simply walking through the Atriums, complete with waterfalls, scenic hideaways, gorgeous greenery and a dancing water fountain, is a treat in itself.
The Relache Spa spans over 27,000 square feet, making it the largest spa in Tennessee. I was given the opportunity to try the prenatal massage, and my experience was wonderful. The highly trained staff is pregnancy-friendly, and you are given a pillow with a hole on which to lay during the massage (your belly fits into the hole). The prenatal massage is only one of the dozens of spa treatments offered at the Relache Spa, and if share that you are expecting, the staff can list all of the spa treatments that are safe for you and your baby.
One of my favorite things to do while expecting our girls was to shop, particularly for them. While sightseeing inside the Delta Atrium, we began to see what looked to be a small village elevated above the greenery. We had found the Delta Island Shops. My favorite store inside the Gaylord Opryland Resort is Kids Korral. Inside this store, you will find everything from specialty toys, boutique clothing, old-fashioned toys and some of the most precious baby gear I’ve found. Kids Korral is one of those stores that seem to house merchandise that you just cannot find anywhere else.
One of the highlights of our stay was our dining experience at Ravello, an Italian restaurant inside the resort. Everything that we ate during our dinner was spectacular. My husband still swears that the steak he ordered at Ravello is the best steak that he has ever eaten.
The Gaylord Opryland Resort is within walking distance of both Opry Mills, a massive indoor mall filled with popular stores and dining options, as well as the Grand Ole Opry. We made a point to visit Opry Mills, and even though I required several breaks from walking, we found several stores dedicated to babies and mothers. You can’t be within walking distance of the Grand Ole Opry and not see one of their shows. Opened in 1925, this weekly country music show is broadcast live on the radio while the audience gets to enjoy the live show. Visitors can even take a backstage tour, and see where artists ranging from Dolly Parton to Brad Paisley receive fan mail from all over the globe. The Gaylord Opryland Resort provides a free shuttle to and from the Grand Ole Opry for guests.
It’s nearly impossible to mention the city of Nashville without also mentioning the music scene found there. Nicknamed “Music City”, Nashville is filled with honky-tonk bars and aspiring musicians. Featuring amazing live music, tasty food, and an enormous dance floor, the famous Wildhorse Saloon provides about the most fun a pregnant woman can have. Offering line dancing lessons every hour or so, everyone is encouraged to step onto the dance floor and learn a move or two.
Despite the enormity of the resort itself, my husband and I found our stay to be pregnancy friendly. Communicate with the staff from the beginning that walking long distances could be an issue, and they can make sure that your room is closer to the main hallways. Valet parking is also an available option. The Gaylord Opryland Resort is the perfect babymoon destination because so many amazing sights and activities are located right outside your hotel room. The next time you find yourself planning the perfect babymoon getaway before another bundle of joy arrives, be sure to look into staying at this incredible resort.
Learn more about The Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center by visiting http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bnago-gaylord-opryland-resort-and-convention-center/
Bethany Hunley is the web and social media editor of Birmingham Parent.