Go all out this Mother’s Day and thank your special lady for all her hard work over the years by treating her to a surprise getaway. Why not relax with a pamper weekend at one of the many superb spa’s in the UK or venture slightly further afield for a fashion fuelled shopping spree in one of Europe’s stylish cities. Perhaps culture is more your thing? Then why not escape to Amsterdam and explore the buzzing art scene and finally, for all the foodies out there let your taste buds take charge and indulge in the fantastic flavours of Scotland’s capital.
Read our where’s hot for Mother’s Day 2020 guide to help you decide.
UK Spa Breaks
Spend some quality time with your mum and enjoy the comfort and tranquillity offered by a spa break. With a fantastic selection of beautiful spa hotels throughout the UK there is something to satisfy everyone and their mum’s preferences. Opt for a detox style package with light lunches, cleansing treatments and relaxation rooms or go for something slightly more indulgent with an Afternoon Tea or fine dining cuisine and bubbles both in the Jacuzzi and in your glass.
Here is a selection of our favourite luxury spa hotels in the UK
The Gainsborough Bath Spa – Bath, Somerset
Originally built in the 1800s, The Gainsborough Bath Spa occupies two grade II listed buildings within the World Heritage Site in Bath. If the amazing Georgian and Victorian architecture doesn’t impress you, the exclusive access by a hotel to the natural thermal waters in their Spa Village Bath will do.
Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa – Chippenham, Wiltshire, England
Just a hop, skip and a jump away from the renowned historic spa town of Bath, The Lucknam Park Hotel is a Palladian country house, which dates back to the early 1700s. Surrounded with 500 acres of protected parkland and beautiful landscaped gardens, this is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the tranquillity of the English countryside. The Lucknam Park offers guests the highest standard of Spa facilities along with multiple indoor and outdoor swimming pools.
Blythswood Square Hotel – Glasgow, Scotland
This 5-star spa hotel is located slap bang in the middle of Glasgow, and offers a glamorous retreat whilst still being close to all the big city amenities. Commanding a whole side of a beautiful city square, the Blythswood square hotel offers 100 stylish rooms, opulent bars and restaurants , and an award-winning spa.
Check out our full UK luxury spa recommendations here
Fashionable City Break – Barcelona
Paris, Milan, London and New York are the obvious places to head to follow in the footsteps of fashion’s latest and greatest. However, TLE’s top pick is Barcelona. For high-end shopping the Passeig de Gracia is the place to find designer brands such as Armani, Rolex, Gucci and Chanel to name a few. Alternatively explore the El Born area for stylish boutiques and El Raval is the place is vintage style is your thing.
Top off the shopping spree with a carafe (or few!) of local wine and some delicious tapas – the perfect way to show your mum how much you care!
Here is a selection of our favourite luxury hotels in Barcelona
H10 Casa Mimosa
Located in a listed 19th-century building in the Catalan modernist style, and in the same block as La Pedrera, the H10 Casa Mimosa is an exclusive superior four-star hotel that opened its doors in 2016. The elegant, timeless interior combines cosmopolitan design with the building’s original modernist structure. There are 48 spacious rooms, the El Til•ler Restaurant, a lobby bar with access to a leafy garden with swimming pool and sun lounger area, as well as a stunning chill-out terrace on the top floor, El Cel de Gaudí, complete with a plunge pool and stunning views of La Pedrera. The hotel also has a meeting room located in a former coach house, enabling guests to combine business and pleasure.
The Barcelona Edition
With its own unique cabaret supper club, signature restaurant Bar Veraz, rooftop bar and bespoke cocktail bar the Punch Room, you don’t need to step out fo the front doors to experience a fantastic night out. Found on the edge of the El Born district, this 100 room boutique hotel with gym and saltwater pool is just steps away from the Santa Caterina market. Bedrooms are adorned in walnut panelling – echoing the traditional city shutters – and feature imported Anichini linens and Spanish leather headboards following a complete metamorphosis by Carlos Ferrater Studio.
Cotton House
The Cotton House Hotel, part of the Autograph Collection, is housed in the former headquarters of the city’s cotton guild – a stunning 19th-century neo-classical property. We fell in love with this hotel from the second we walked through the door. Perfect for a romantic break, it offers easy access to the city’s major attractions, 83 refined rooms including some four-poster beds, divine Mediterranean cuisine, and even its own library. The communal areas are rich in history with original features and antique furniture. The rooftop pool with a view looking out to the Sagrada Familia is stunning as is the elegant terrace dining area and cocktail bar.
Check out our full Barcelona luxury hotel guide here
Continental Culture – Amsterdam
Perhaps not an obvious choice for a mothers day getaway, however Amsterdam has many attractions that makes it a great destination choice to celebrate Mother’s Day. Steeped in history, Amsterdam boats some fascinating museums including Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk Museum and The Royal Concertgebouw, all of which are conveniently located in The Museum District. And for art lovers artistic hubs, independent galleries and antique shops dotted around the Jordaan area. The Netherland’s capital is an extremely picturesque city and with its extensive canal system and cycle paths it is very easy to get around and explore. Visitors also have the privilege of a vast and varied choice of luxury hotels too.
Here is a selection of our favourite luxury hotels in Amsterdam
Waldorf Astoria
Located on the Herengracht, the Walfdorf Astoria is the latest premier location for luxury accommodation in Amsterdam. This 93 room hotel was once 6 canal townhouses that were home to Amsterdam’s super rich and have subsequently been converted into one hotel (look out for where each house starts and ends with the gold line around internal walls in the hotel) . Rooms range from standard up to lofts and penthouses with views over the Herengracht canal and the beautiful gardens at the back.
The Conservatorium
Built on the home of what was the Sweelinck Conservatory of Music the Conservatorium Hotel opened it’s doors in 2011 heralding a new level of contemporary luxury accommodation in the city. Part of the Set group of hotels and visioned by Milan designer Piero Lissoni the building has been completely restored to it’s former 19th century beauty. Located on museum square, a stones throw from the Rijksmuseum, Vondelpark, the Van Gogh Museum and shopping mecca P.C Hoofstraat its the perfect base for exploring Amsterdam. The hotel has 129 rooms over 8 floors ranging from superior rooms up to suites. The hotel like the Waldorf Astoria blends old world with new world and the main glass atrium which houses the brasserie and hotel reception is breathtaking.
Grand Hotel Amrath
Probably one of the most spectacular examples of Art Nouveau architecture in Amsterdam, the Grand Hotel Amrath is a design masterpiece. The Shipping House was built in 1914, as the headquarters of the city’s eminent shipping companies. Together the different firms agreed upon a shared building that was to be a city landmark. The architect and designers were given surprising creative freedom, leading to construction of this remarkable building that hotel guests can now enjoy today.
Check out our full Amsterdam luxury hotel guide here
Foodie Adventure – London
The UK capital is an international hive of activity and a treating your mum to a city break here promises an endless list of things to do together. However, TLE prioritises exploring the foodie scene as an absolute must to mark this annual celebration.
With 67 Michelin Star restaurants to choose from the hardest part is deciding where to dine. Looking for something fresh, then pick one of the new etries to the guide this year, a selection of which we have listed below
La Dame de Pic, The City
French chef, Anne-Sophie Pic’s is the only female chef to put her name to three Michelin Stars and at her first UK restaurant La Dame de Pic, The City it is clear to see why. The high-end French restaurant in the Four Seasons’ hotel was awarded a well-deserved second star this year, inventive dishes that boast unexpected flavour combinations with a European influence are served for lunch and dinner.
Da Terra, Hackney.
