Stuck for a special present this Mother's Day? Why not whisk her off her feet for a weekend away instead? Carmel Thomason took her mum off to a country retreat, while Dianne Bourne found some treats in town.
1. THE CITY BREAK, IN LONDON
Where will you stay?
The historic five-star Goring Hotel, in central London – this was the first hotel in the world to have private bathrooms and central heating in every room no less.
It's just been voted London's top hotel for a fourth year running in a top travel industry mag, so you know you're on to a winner.
Choose from a selection of 71 newly-refurbished and individual rooms that stay true to the hotel's classic style. It's a bit like staying in a room in a posh English country house.
What's it like?
Perfect for treating mum like a queen. Well, it is just up the road from Buckingham Palace.
You can tell this is a family-run hotel, it's old school hospitality all the way, with doormen and staff really keen to chat, which all mums love to do of course.
The hotel has a fascinating history, including a host of royal visitors my mum was so interested in she bought a book on the place before we left.
We stayed in a suite designed by David Linley, with its own private terrace – a real haven that you wouldn't expect on a visit to hectic London town.
What's in it for mum?
The hotel is just round the corner from the Victoria Palace Theatre, where heart-rending musical Billy Elliot is playing to packed audiences – just the ticket for gaining extra brownie points from your mum.
A leisurely stroll will take you past the grounds of Buckingham Palace and then drop in at the Queen's grocer Fortnum and Mason, where a dazzling array of goodies in a wonderfully Victorian setting are sure to delight.
If you haven't got her a pressie yet, they've got some lovely one-off gifts, like a whole range of hand-painted soaps that smell divine.
Back at the hotel, If you're booking in over the Mother's Day weekend, there is a special luncheon in the hotel's recently refurbished restaurant on Mothering Sunday at £50 a head with lots of traditional fayre, like steak and kidney pudding or roast sirloin of beef with Yorkshire pud.
And the price includes a lovely box of chocolates just for her.
Mum's verdict?
My mother was most impressed with the exceptionally friendly welcome, the décor and spaciousness of our bedroom and the lovely terrace area. She also loved our evening meal, commenting on the menu's selection of traditional English dishes, cooked to perfection.
The cost…
Promotions and packages are available throughout the year, starting at £199 per night for a double room.
Luxury packages, which include full English breakfast, VAT and service, start from £265 for a double room.
For reservations, call 020 7396 9000 or see website goringhotel.co.uk.
The Goring is at Beeston Place, Grosvenor Gardens, London, SW1W 0JW.
2. AND UP NORTH, IN THE COUNTRY...
Where will you stay?
For Mother's Day, Seaham Hall And The Serenity Spa has got all those little touches and more to make your mum feel extra special.
It is a small, luxury hotel set in 37 acres of grounds with an adjacent spa linked by a magical underground walkway.
The 19 rooms are individually designed, but all are huge – the bathroom alone, with its own fireplace no less, is big enough to fit a small apartment.
The Serenity Spa, oriental in design and inspired by Feng Shui, has a very exotic feel.
The life-sized bronzed elephant in the entrance makes for a grand welcoming and once inside the experience is equally as impressive.
The swimming pool is large enough for the serious swimmer. There is a steam room, sauna and sanarium, hammam – Turkish steam room and whirlpool bath, hydrotherapy bath with massage water jets and for the brave cold plunge pools and ice fountain.
But a highlight is definitely the outdoor hot-tubs, where you can even cosily sit and enjoy the view on the coldest of wintery days.
If you are feeling more energetic there is also a full gym and exercise classes. And if you can bear to tear yourself away from the wonderful facilities to explore the nearby attractions, the hotel is just 20 minutes from Newcastle and 15 minutes from Durham city.
What's it like?
Seaham Hall recently won international acclaim, being named Luxury Spa Hotel of the Year at the GALA Spa Awards.
It was the only British hotel in the final of worldwide destination spas, so you can be sure that its five stars are shining bright in all areas, with top class facilities, treatments and service.
The staff are very welcoming and everything is tailored to make sure you are as pampered and relaxed as you can be – you even get breakfast in bed with the full silver service and crisp white tablecloth.
What's in it for mum?
There is so much on offer in the spa that you don't really need to spend extra money on treatments.
However, the treatment rooms are as fabulous as the rest of the hotel, so it's definitely worth the experience. If you are looking for a really special treat to enjoy with your mum why not try a Rasul at £75 for 45 minute treatment.
This is a traditional Arabian cleansing ritual which uses copious amounts of mud and water in a steam environment. The two of you will have your own private treatment room – it's fun, you can chat at the same time and your skin feels great afterwards too.
Lettuce leaf or lavish lunch?
You can basically take your pick? Serenity Spa has its own restaurant, Ozone, which serves Pan Asian with a western twist, tapas and a la carte dishes.
Its sunken design is visually stunning and the atmosphere informal – you can eat in your robe.
The hotel itself has its award-winning White Room, led by head chef Stephen Smith, whose eclectic style has won recognition by Harden's Restaurant Guide as one of the top 20 restaurants outside London
The cost...
The hotel is offering a 20 per cent on a two night stay, Sunday to Thursday during May and June.
Prices start from £224 per room, per night in a deluxe-escapist suite including full English breakfast, morning newspaper and use of The Serenity Spa.
For reservations call 0191 516 1410
COMING NEXT WEEK: Special spa breaks at home and away for you and your mum
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