Conception Vacations - Getting Away from it All to Get Pregnant

Once no more than a story line in romance novels and naughty books, the idea of checking into a hotel in order to get pregnant or conceive is now reality. Procreation vacations are the latest marketing ploy by hotels and resorts seeking to increase the bottom line. According to some couples, procreation vacations do result in the pitter-patter of little feet.

Couples seeking to conceive have long been told to "relax and let it happen." Trying natural methods, herbs, and old time remedies in order to increase fertility is nothing new. Combining it all into a vacation package and marketing it as such is still a fairly new idea.

First launched by Westin St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands in August of 2006, the vacation concept continues to be picked up by hotels and resorts everywhere. Some customers see it as an opportunity to get pregnant in style.

Bill Thompson, of Starwood Hotels, Westin's parent company, said the idea to create a procreation vacation occurred after housekeepers were overheard praising the power of pumpkin soup in fighting infertility. Westin staff decided to incorporate island remedies and pumpkin soup as a fertility enhancer in the hotel's marketing plan.

The Westin St. John's procreation package includes unlimited bowls of pumpkin soup for wanna-be moms and unlimited servings of sea moss elixir (the island version of Viagra) for wanna-be dads. Pumpkin soup is rich in Vitamin A and beta-carotene.

Aromatherapy, reflexology and couples massage, along with romantic dinners, is also part of Westin's procreation package. The package is priced similar to other weekend packages. While it isn't cheap, it is less expensive than many other fertility treatment options available today and certainly less invasive and painful. No shots, no embarrassing questions or examinations. Just peaceful relaxation for two.

Hotels & Resorts offering procreation packages include:

> The Westin @ Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort, Grand Bahamas Island
> Westin St. John on St. John
> Beachmere Inn, Ogunquit Maine
> Martineau Bay Resort and Spa, Puerto Rico
> Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, Marco Island, Florida
> Five Gables Inn and Spa, Chesapeake Bay in Maryland
> Teton Mountain Lodge, Colorado
> Miraval Resort, Tucson, Arizona

The Beachmere's procreation package includes a fireplace in the room, champagne and oysters, aromatherapy and a luxury bath. The Marco Island Marriott's vacation package is timed to coincide with the arrival of mating sea turtles. Couples massage, fertility-promoting aromatherapy and fertility tea (clover and raspberry) are part of the package.

Five Gables Inn & Spa's procreation vacation package includes oysters and wine, a fireplace to cuddle in front of, a swedish shower, couples massage, a pair or boxers with hearts printed on them, and a Barry White CD to get couples in the mood.

Conception Cruises aboard the luxury liner Love Boat, feature tips and information from sex guru Dr. Wei Siang Yu. Dr. Yu is based in Singapore.

Procreation vacations are not meant to replace typical infertility treatments. They are offered as an alternative or added means of increasing a couple's chance of becoming parents.

Procreation vacation packages are intended to help couples relax and rediscover one another. The focus is on the sensual, hence oysters, fireside cuddles, and exotic food and drink. Some sites offer on-site sex physicians to assist couples. Hopefully, the result will be a living, breathing, life-changing, much-loved souvenir.