The mother/daughter spa day is a long standing tradition. It’s a tried and tested recipe, and with good reason, but here's what a day of rest and relaxation really means for quality time together.
Mother’s Day is typically associated with finger paintings, and little children proffering dried pasta shapes and glitter in the form of a loving message, perhaps with a bouquet of flowers purchased and carefully handled by a co-parent. In essence, Mother’s Day is very much associated with small children and their painstakingly written missives to their mothers.
However, while we may be no less inclined to enjoy a little dried pasta craftsmanship as we get older, for those of us looking to show Mother’s Day appreciation from one adult to another, there are a few more options available when it comes to present giving, and chief amongst them is the mother/daughter spa day.
The mother/daughter spa day is a fairly long standing tradition. It often includes favourite features such as afternoon tea, joint mani/pedis and a glass or two of Champagne. This tried and tested recipe for quality time together is a timeless favourite for lots of reasons - offering both indulgence and entertainment alongside the space to feel your best and enjoy one another's company uninterrupted and uninhibited.
What we really want to give on Mother’s Day is our love and appreciation, but how do you really encapsulate that? The truth is that we probably can’t on any one day; it’s in all the little actions we take every day. However, we can try our best to show how much we care, and quality time together is probably the closest thing to perfect. The reason spas are so popular for showing appreciation is that they provide an environment that allows us to get the most out of time together.
First and foremost, spas are places where time has a wonderful capacity for slowing down. More often than not mobile phones are not permitted, so there’s little distraction. The environment is tranquil, so you can either simply sit alongside one another while you use the facilities or peruse a magazine, or you can spend time catching up on life, the world and the universe. In short, it creates the space for that intangible, unpurchasable commodity - time.
Even those of us who have truly awesome relationships with our mothers can descend into bickering under the pressures of daily life. Kids screaming, dog running muddy paws through the house, Sunday roasts burning - it all ramps up the proverbial temperature. However, the ability to choose to spend time in an environment devoid of those strains, and navigate towards meaningful, unadulterated time together, is an empowered one. Of course, in addition to that, spas are their core are about feeling good. From treatments to the total lack of pressure to do anything in particular, spas offer time and space to feel good, and that mindset enhances the time you spend with one another.
Perhaps one of the nicest things about a mother/daughter spa break is that there is no upper age limit on them. While many a destination may not facilitate mother/daughter time with very young children, the most beautiful spa experiences can be enjoyed at any adult age. Whether you’re 30, 40, 50 or 60, and whether your mum is 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100, there’s really no limit on enjoying a good spa treatment, beautiful accommodation, and exceptional food.
Yes, there is profound joy in seeing the gluey, glittery fingers of a toddler presenting mum with a card on Mother’s Day. However, for those of us lucky enough to have our mothers into adulthood, there is great privilege in being able to spend that extra meaningful time with these important people in our lives, especially once we’re old enough to choose a location and create a circumstance that we know we can really enjoy together.
Only a short distance from Guildford, but cosseted by 10 acres of lovely countryside, this is a hotel that feels like a retreat from everyday life and therefore, one to indulge in some spa and leisure time. At the Aqua Spa & Health Club, there’s a state of the art gym facility to work up a sweat in, as well as a swimming pool to dip into. The Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room are perfect for pre-treatment relaxing, before heading for a relaxing massage, facial or Indian head massage.
In the Cheshire countryside, Manor House Hotel is a four-star retreat in former farm buildings, complete with a contemporary spa with brand new facilities. In the spa, modern architecture lets in lots of natural light, and details have been designed with tranquility and relaxation in mind, while treatments are inspired by nature and in keeping with the rustic surroundings.
An award-winning spa and deservedly so! From the moment you enter the underground haven, you’ll be transported into a world of peace and calm with satisfyingly relaxing results. There are a number of impressive experiences to enjoy such as the Caribbean Storm and Arctic Rain showers, but the piece de resistance is the relaxation areas. Here, you can choose from discovering sleep in a hanging pod cocoon, in an ergonomic sleep chamber or a sound cancelling egg chair.
In an iconic building that was once the home of Liverpool City Council, visitors to The Municipal Hotel will now find a luxurious hotel that honours the city's heritage whilst celebrating modern style and hospitality. Complete with impressive architectural features and a state of the art spa, it is set to be loved by anyone looking for a luxury hotel experience whether it's a getaway with friends or a romantic trip.
You are guaranteed to feel glamorous on a day spent unwinding in the stylish spa at Ribby Hall Village, especially as you begin your journey in the aqua thermal facilities. Here, you can enjoy different spa experiences that vary in temperature to detoxify, relax and revitalise you - try the Rasul mud chamber or a luxury Elemis treatment. You’ll also have access to the stunning zen garden too, with its own bar and relaxation areas overlooking the Lancashire countryside.
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