Gift of Travel for the Mother-Figure in Your Life

April 13th, 2023

There are many ways to celebrate moms and caregivers in our lives. The reason why we are fans of the gift of travel is because it packs in culture, adventure, cuisine, and wellness all in one “box.” Here are seven options to consider:

A Great Night’s Sleep

The Beaumont in Mayfair, London is going through a renovation as well as an expansion by Thierry Despont. All the rooms in the existing building will be completely redecorated by early April (apart from The Terrace and The Roosevelt suites as they will be done a little later in the year). And 30 new rooms will be added to the adjacent building in late 2023. The most artful accommodation is Antony Gormley’s inhabitable sculpture, called ROOM. Designed as an experiential work of art, it is a bookable one-bedroom suite. The exterior takes on the shape of a three-story crouching man made of stainless-steel, while the interior is a dark space filled with the smell of fumed-oak, featuring only a single, all-white bed and can be taken to total darknessat the flip of a switch. While the bedroom is just 43 sq. feet, the walls tower at 33-feet high. The unique shape stems from Gormley’s belief that guests should feel cocooned in a space unencumbered by distractions.

Reaching New Heights

Adults-only private island luxury retreat, Nayara Bocas del Toro, in Panama offers two treehouses, designed by sustainability-focused, Bali-based Elora Hardy as her first project in Central America. The solar-powered treehouses are constructed from four varieties of locally-sourced bamboo and 19 varieties of reclaimed 500-year-old, partially petrified hardwoods extracted from the floor of the Panama Canal. The airy dwellings have 21-foot ceilings with a tropical yet pared-down aesthetic, floor-to-ceiling windows, and an open-air living room that look out over the canopy of the mangrove forest. Outdoor jungle showers and deep soaking tubs invite bathing en plein air, and a pulley system allows for unobtrusive room service. Water is generated from purified rainwater and power from the sun. The resort also features 16 custom overwater villas, a 70-foot freshwater pool, the 100-year-old Elephant House restaurant, and the world’s first elevated white sand beach built on stilts over the sea.

Epic Trip Gift

A 1920s Art Deco icon, Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is nostalgic of the golden age of travel with its restored vintage carriages. Each of the 17 carriages have a unique history and all of which formed part of many of the famous, historic trains of the 1920s and 1930s, including Le Train Bleu and the Rome Express. There are journeys between some of Europe’s beautiful and historic cities including Paris, Venice, Florence, Amsterdam, Prague, Vienna and Budapest. Just once a year, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express makes a five-night journey between Paris and Istanbul. Named after the cities to which the train travels, there are Grand Suite options, one of which is aptly named Istanbul to celebrate the route. Amenities include a personal 24-hour cabin steward, free-flowing champagne, in-suite dining and private transfers to and from the train.

New Hotel, New You

The White Elephant, overlooking the harbor, has been an integral part of Nantucket’s history since the 1920s. Built as a series of rustic cottages, the landmark has evolved into the island’s most timeless resort, with a collection of chic accommodations showcasing the very best of the beloved destination. In May 2023, in time with the White Elephant’s 100th anniversary, the resort will debut yet another metamorphosis, with a multi-million top-to-bottom restoration and renovation of its 66-room and -suite Harborside Hotel and 11 Cottages.

Surf-Centric Getaway

The birth of modern surfing in the Maldives can be traced back to 1980, when an Australian surfer (who was shipwrecked in the North Malé atoll in 1973) opened the archipelago’s first surf operation. Since then, the country has become one of the world’s most pilgrimage-worthy surf destinations, known for its crisp barrels, consistent swells, and an endless variety of breaks (most of which are accessible by traditional dhoni boats).  The best place to hit the waves: Gili Lankanfushi, a private island eco-sanctuary in the North Malé atoll, right around where modern surfing in the Maldives was born. The resort puts guests within striking distance of some of the country’s finest surf breaks, three of which are just a five-minute boat ride away (and many more within 20 minutes). Tropical water temperatures, consistent swells, and light crowds only add to the appeal—and in summer, the conditions are optimal. Gili also partners with the luxury surf company Tropicsurf, which offers lessons based on skill level from beginner to advanced.

French Riviera Calling

While St. Tropez has long been a glamours address for film, music and fashion icons, a 15-minute drive brings travelers to a peaceful retreat, overlooking the Cote d’Azur. La Réserve Ramatuelle is an intimate property, featuring 19 suites and 14 villas that are dotted amidst cypress and olive trees and orange groves. The 2023/2024 season will start with Jacque Garcia-redesigned accommodations. This is also an idyllic destination for wellness-minded nature lovers. The multi-day, medically-established Nescens programs are complemented with an emphasis on outdoor fitness. Think guided hikes along the coastline, swimming, and aqua cycling classes in the open-air pool. The hotel has a two Michelin-starred restaurant, La Voile, where dishes adhere to the Mediterranean diet and highlight local, seasonal seafood and fresh produce and herbs alongside healthy fats like avocado and olive oil. Chef Eric Canino doesn’t on sacrifice flavor, though – this is France, after all.

Sustainable Craftswomanship

A gloriously reimagined 19th-century hunting lodge in the Scottish Highlands, The Fife Arms takes the concept of an art hotel to an entirely new level. A passion project by gallery power couple Iwan and Manuela Wirth (of Zurich’s acclaimed Hauser & Wirth), it is a destination hotel down to its landmarked roots, beautifully weaving together art, community, learning, people, place. One extra special activity for moms is through a local weaver. Helen Jackson forages sustainable willow from the property grounds and can teach guests how to make baskets and fans. Her exquisite products (and much more) are also available at the hotel’s extensive online shop.

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