Seven Serene Spa Destinations to Spoil Mom this Mother’s Day
This year, Mother’s Day is celebrated globally on May 14 – a special day to celebrate and honor motherhood. Kids from all of the world will be brainstorming the best gifts to spoilt their mom this Mother’s Day. A great way to show true appreciation for moms is with a nourishing spa experience to relax and unwind. With nearly three-quarters (74%) of global travelers saying being together as a family is a key motivation to travel,* families can travel to a peaceful location to treat their moms to an incredible spa treatment. Whether indulging in nourishing mud baths, soothing massages, or a dip in hot mineral springs, there’s a range of treatments for everyone. With that in mind, we are sharing seven inspiring spa destinations to treat all the mothers around the world to a well-deserved break to celebrate Mother’s Day.
Budapest, Hungary
Travelers can discover the historic beauty of Budapest together with their mother this Mother’s Day and indulge their minds, bodies, and souls in the mineral goodness bubbling up from the city’s 118 springs. Whether admiring the decorative art nouveau surroundings of Gellért at the Turkish baths or taking a dip in one of the Széchenyi Thermal Bath’s 18 pools, there are many different relaxing options to indulge in the thermal waters in Budapest. Travelers can indulge in hydratherapy from the deep underground springs that offer refreshing mineral-rich waters that feature restorative powers utilised over centuries. After a calming spa day, visitors can celebrate Mother’s Day with a drink in one of the city’s quirky ruin bars and then tuck into a delicious dinner to try some Hungarian cuisine.
Where to stay: Travelers can discover the five-star Corinthia Hotel Budapest, a Booking.com Travel Sustainable property, on the Grand Boulevard in the center of the city and pamper themselves with free access to its indulgent Royal Spa, making this a perfect stay for the 33% of travelers who rate a spa as the key priority for their vacation stay.* Guests can de-stress in saunas, steam baths, and hot tubs, clear their minds with an energetic workout in the fitness room or chill out with a mud or seaweed bath. To round off Mother’s Day, guests can enjoy a lovely meal at the hotel’s divine restaurant, that mainly serves organic and locally sourced food, with a selection of cuisines, Gourmet Hungarian, Asian, and International
Pré-Saint-Didier, Italy
Located in the heart of the Aosta Valley in north-western Italy, the town of Pré-Saint-Didier is home to incredible thermal baths that reach temperatures up to 99 degrees fahrenheit (37 degrees centigrade). Rich in iron, the waters of Pré-Saint-Didier’s thermal baths are perfect for a nourishing Mother’s Day. Visitors can unwind in the outdoor pools and enjoy breathtaking views of the highest mountain in the Alps. For travelers seeking to stretch their legs, a walking tour of the local town of Aosta, which is an hour drive away from Pré-Saint-Didier, will give families the opportunity to explore the ancient Roman town and historical legends for a fun change of scenery and an invigorating day out.
Where to stay: Located in Pré-Saint-Didier, the idyllic alpine-style QC Termemontebianco boasts incredible views of Mont Blanc. Rich in iron, the waters of Pré-Saint-Didier’s QC Terme, an incredible spa hotel, are perfect for nourishing skin and aiding blood circulation, while the contrast between the hot thermal waters and the falling winter snow in the winter or the luscious green landscapes in the spring makes a stunning vacation snapshot for Mother’s Day. Moms can be treated to invigorating waterfalls, healing saunas, and hydro massages to relax amongst the mountains. Waking up feeling refreshed, travelers can enjoy a buffet-style breakfast serving croissants and pancakes and round off the day with divine local and Mediterranean cuisines serving heartwarming pasta.
Aix-les-Bains, France
This thermal spa town in the Haute Savoie area of the Rhône-Alpes region is situated on the shores of Lake Bourget, the largest and deepest natural lake in the country, and is dedicated to well-being. Renowned around the world for the quality of its thermal waters and wonderful spas that feature hammams and saunas, travelers can treat their mothers to some supportive hydrotherapy which has incredible beneficial properties such as muscle relaxation. This picturesque town has also inspired several artists and became famous by world-known writers like Xavier de Maistre, Honoré de Balzac, and Alexandre Dumas.
Where to stay: Les Suites du Lac is a charming Bed & Breakfast located overlooking the beautiful Bourget Lake and is just a stone’s throw away from the stunning center of Aix-les-Bains and the beaches. All the suites have an understated and contemporary vibe and feature panoramic views over the tranquil lake and gardens, which guests can admire from their terrace furnished with deck chairs. After a peaceful and restorative day in the thermal water, guests can celebrate Mother’s Day with a delicious meal at the stay with dishes such as beef carpaccio and rich risotto.
Hakone, Japan
Located in the Fuiji-Hakione-Izu National Park, a one and a half hour drive away from Tokyo, Hakone is an incredible destination that overlooks Lake Ashinoko and is popular for both international and Japanese tourists seeking some calm in their lives. Hakone is one of Japan’s most popular hot springs resorts with more than a dozen springs providing hot water to the many relaxing bath houses in the area. Many ryokans, a traditional Japanese Inn, open their doors and bathhouses to guests and visitors for a relaxing experience. Visitors will be spoilt for choice this Mother’s Day when it comes to baths and beautiful scenery as the town boasts crisp mountain air, stunning nature walks, and magnificent shrines to soak up the scenery.
Where to stay: Hakone Kowakien Mikawaya Ryokan is a traditional Japanese Inn that offers luxurious rooms with a private hot-spring bath and spectacular landscape views. The rooms feature minimalist, sleek Japanese interiors featuring bamboo designs where guests can enjoy a relaxing stay to treat their nearest and dearest this Mother’s Day near the hot springs for a laidback and indulgent vacation. The stay also serves delicious Japanese food after a day of pampering, from soft tofu to crunchy tempura.
Calistoga, United States
At the top of Napa Valley, Calistoga is a small city in California full of relaxing hot springs, and mud baths (a local specialty is volcanic hot ash), which are known to have detoxing properties to rejuvenate skin. A must-see for visitors to the area is the ‘Old Faithful of California’ – a water geyser that erupts every 15 minutes to half an hour and lets off steam and water that can reach up to 60 feet high (18 meters). Visitors can enjoy the exciting natural sight and enjoy lunch on the picnic grounds while enjoying the peaceful scenery until the geyser erupts of course… Calistoga is also known for its world-class restaurants and of course, the exceptional Napa Valley wines where travelers can enjoy on a Napa Valley Wine Trolley Tour with Lunch so families can toast their mom this Mother’s Day.
Where to stay: Golden Haven Hot Springs is located just a short drive away from both the Napa Valley Wine Train and the Old Faithful Geyser. The stay features rustic, simple interiors for a cozy Mother’s Day where guests can feel right at home. The resort features an incredible spa where guests can enjoy a dip in the indoor pool and hot tub or delve into the mud bath or enjoy a refreshing herbal facial. Moms can feel truly pampered at this nourishing stay and leave with muscles relaxed and their skin glowing.
Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok is a city of contrasts. Smells assault the senses, traffic buzzes all around and vendors jostle for attention at every turn. On the other hand, it’s a city with a serene soul - full of ancient temples and beaming smiles from some of the world’s friendliest people. It will also spoil travelers for choice when it comes to luxurious, decadent spas perfect to treat moms this Mother’s Day. For a once in a lifetime treatment, travelers can gift their mom and a plus one to a Couple Massage and Rooftop Dinner in the Nonthaburi neighborhood of the city. As Thailand is world-renowned for its incredible massage styles such as deep tissue, travelers can unwind and relax in the beautiful setting before a delicious cocktail and meal while admiring the magnificent cityscape.
Where to stay: Grande Centre Point Hotel Ratchadamri Bangkok is located in the city center and features a beautiful outdoor pool and an indulgent spa which have talented beauticians who specialize in nourishing manicures and pedicures. The hotel is a certified Booking.com Travel Sustainable stay and has lusciously green outdoor space for guests to relax in to enjoy the tropical climate. The luxurious rooms and suites come with modern décor and guests can enjoy a workout at the fitness center or relax in the sauna, and then venture out into the buzzing city to explore the sights.
Tulum, Mexico
For families seeking a truly magical destination featuring crystal clear turquoise ocean and stunning white sand to spoil their mom on Mother’s Day, look no further than Tulum. Located on the eastern side of the Yucatan Peninsula on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, Tulum has become a hot spot for those seeking a luxuriously relaxing trip in pure paradise - perfect for the 45% of travelers who wish to take a beach vacation in 2023*. Travelers can enjoy dynamic yoga classes, relaxing spa treatments in healing sanctuaries or beachside massage centers, or peaceful meditation on the beach. Visitors can also take part in a traditional Mayan Temazcal Steam-bath Ceremony and participate in a special purification ceremony that aims to cleanse and renew both the body and the mind.
Where to stay: The Cabanas Tulum - Beach Hotel & Spa is located on one of the most beautiful beaches in Tulum, with postcard-worthy views of the magnificent Caribbean Sea. The charming hotel’s rooms feature hammocks for guests to relax on their own private terrace. The Naj Naay Spa, exclusively for the use of hotel guests, offers massages to combat stress or energize the body and detoxing body treatments, perfect for Mother’s Day pampering. This Booking.com Travel Sustainable stay also offers tours and activities organized by local guides and businesses perfect for travelers interested in discovering the local area.
*Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of 42,513 respondents across 33 markets (2,000 from USA, 1,008 from Canada, 2,000 from Mexico, 1,000 from Colombia, 2,000 from Brazil, 1,000 from Argentina, 2,000 from Australia, 1,000 from New Zealand, 2,000 from Spain, 2,000 from Italy, 2,000 from France, 2,000 from UK, 2,000 from Germany, 1,000 from Netherlands, 1,000 from Denmark, 1,000 from Sweden, 1,000 from Croatia, 1,000 from Switzerland, 1,000 from Belgium, 1,000 from Ireland, 1,000 from Portugal, 1,000 from Israel, 2,000 from India, 1,000 from China, 1,005 from Hong Kong, 1,000 from Thailand, 1,000 from Singapore, 1,000 from Taiwan, 1,000 from Vietnam, 1,000 from South Korea, 1,000 from Japan, 500 from UAE). In order to participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, had to have traveled at least once in the past 12 months, and planning to travel in 2023 and be either the primary decision maker or involved in the decision making of their travel. The survey was taken online and took place in January and February 2023.