March 26, 2004 -- It's never too early to plan for Mother's Day weekend, whether it be as simple as serving her breakfast in bed at home or taking her on a cruise aboard the world's biggest passenger ship. Come to think of it, any celebration taking place outside the home needs as much advance preparation as you can manage.
On May 7, 2004, the Friday before Mother's Day, you could be leaving New York around 5:45 PM on the newest, largest and grandest ship afloat, the Queen Mary 2. There's a four-day/three-night cruise to out along New York's waterways on Cunard's "Queen for a Mother's Day" outing, returning early on Monday morning, May 10. Prices for standard inside cabins start from $617, for ocean view from $854, and there are four more grades above that. That's per person, double occupancy. Check this out at www.oladeals.com/c/1/1230/1783073_1230.htm. This site will gives details, but then links you to CruiseCompete for comparative rates.
Another far-off spot, the Hacienda Xcanatun in Merida, Mexico, has designed a special four-day/three-night "Mother/Daughter Package" for two, costing $1,250, though you could make it a Mother/Son or Mother/Husband package if you care to. You stay in one of the hacienda's 18 large suites, and each guest gets two massages in the resort's spa, in your suite or in the garden. Also in the package is a bottle of wine, a welcome fruit basket, chocolates, roundtrip Merida airport transfers, taxes and service charges. You'll be near the sacred Mayan cities of Uxmal and Chichen Itza, which you can see via the boutique hotel's custom-designed tour for two in a private, air-conditioned car with guide (for an extra charge). The Xcanatun (pronounced ssh-kana-toon) is a restored 18th-century hacienda with 18-foot ceilings, soaring skylights, Caribbean colonial furnishings, antiques and paintings. The bathrooms are huge, and you will have a private patio or terrace. None of the spa treatments cost more than $55 per hour, by the way, and there are yoga classes and two freshwater swimming pools. Call them at 888/883-3633 or check out www.xcanatun.com, e-mail hacienda@xcanatun.com.
The Split Rock Resort in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains has a "Mother's Day Weekend Special" costing just $358 for a couple for the two nights at the resort's Lodge. The package includes breakfasts and dinners, as well as the Sunday brunch (with flowers for Mom), use of fitness center (with two indoor pools) and daily activities. Taxes and service charges not included. If you want to stay over the Sunday night, add another $120 per couple. Children's rates available, too. Check out www.splitrockresort.com or phone 800/255-7625.
Out in San Francisco, the Pan Pacific is promoting a "Mother's Celebration Package" throughout the month of May, starting at $299 for a room for a night, with a dozen roses, Champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. Their brunch buffet on the Big Day, Sunday, May 9, runs from 11 to 4 and costs $60 for adults, $25 for children under 12 (tax and tip not included). Phone 800/533-6465 or check out www.panpacific.com.
Though not designed specifically for Mother's Day, I think a package at the Sundial Beach Resort on Sanibel Island in Florida would be an ideal way for a couple to celebrate. They have an "Island Darlings" package available April 18 - June 16, which should fit right in. Starting at $523 per couple, the package gives you two nights in "villa-style" accommodations at this spot near the Darling National Wildlife Refuge, a boat tour through the refuge, in-room couples massage, a sunset cruise, free bicycle use, unlimited tennis, welcome cocktails, daily breakfast overlooking the water, one dinner with two drinks or a bottle of wine, a conch shell, Champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, and assorted cordials. You can swim in the ocean or in five freshwater pools, play tennis on 12 courts, or look for souvenirs on the beach the resort claims has the "best shelling in the Western Hemisphere."
They do have a special for Mother's Day, but space is limited, and you must book by April 2 to get the rate, which is from $199 per night for two adults and two children, with a two-night minimum. You get the one-bedroom condo and brunch on Mother's Day overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Each Mom gets a carnation, each adult gets one cocktail. Phone them at 800/965-7772 or check out www.sundialresort.com.
