What Every Mom Wants for Valentine’s Day
Skip the flowers and chocolate and give her the gift of relaxation with a "momcation" at a local hotel.
The Beatrice hotel.
Spare us moms the flowers, box of chocolates and fancy knickers. While these gestures are all really nice, if you really want to tell your partner and mother of your children or mom that you love them, then gifting her alone time is the key to her heart. So many of us mothers have gone non-stop for nearly three years without much of a break to process what we went through during the pandemic, and then all of the pressures of life came crashing back in full force, without any time to gradually adjust to juggling busy family schedules and work, playing taxi cab, cook, housekeeper and more. I mean most moms can’t even go to the bathroom without a kid banging down the door; I know I certainly can’t.
Each day goes like this; work a full day, come home and get the kids off the bus, feed kids a snack and prep dinner, meal time, then off to dance, Cub Scouts or basketball practice, return home and make sure everyone bathes and gets to bed on time, then clean up the kitchen, wash the dishes and make school lunches. By the time most moms sit down on the couch, it’s ten o’clock and then we zonk out, usually surrounded by piles of clothes and towels that need to be put away. One day and night without personal obligations — what is now coined a ‘momcation’ — would be the ultimate gift.
The momcation is completely different from a staycation, in that she can just focus on relaxing and recharging. Book her a hotel room to relax, read, get takeout, soak in the tub and drink wine without anyone touching her, nagging her or needing anything from her. Finally finishing a book or binge-watching a TV series without any interruptions are the perfect activities, both best done in bed. No alarms will be set; she can sleep in as late as she wants.
You can’t simply leave her at home alone because she will feel the pull of her surroundings beckoning her to fold laundry, vacuum, dust the furniture or go Marie-Kondo on the kitchen. Massages and food from a fancy restaurant aren’t even necessary, though they will not be turned down if it’s part of the package deal.
I’m writing this because a lot of moms are feeling burned out — me included. We need a little respite from the world of “mom, mom, mommy, mom, mom,” feeding and bathing anyone but ourselves, shuttling to activities, bedtime rituals and making school lunches. We love our primary responsibilities as moms, but it would also be nice to take a break and return as better and more relaxed moms.
Here are some local hotels for consideration:
The lobby of the Graduate Hotel. Photo by Jamie Coelho.
Hotel Viking, Gilded Girls Getaway
A room reservation includes overnight accommodations, a welcome amenity of sparkling rose with local cheeses; breakfast at One Bellevue, a $50 spa credit and Newport Mansions admission tickets. Starting at $297 per night.
The interior of the Cliffside inn. Photo by Jamie Coelho.
A beautiful oceanside Victorian inn just steps away from the Newport Cliff Walk. Each room is individually decorated in lush bedding, patterned wallpaper and chic furniture with sitting areas, and some rooms have soaking tubs and fireplaces. Starting around $277 per night.
This trendy hotel is just far enough away from the city to get away from it all. The on-site restaurant and bar is convenient, while the rooms are equipped with comfy beds and a fifty-inch-screen television for all her Netflix binge-watching needs. Starting around $111 per night.
The Graduate suite.
Each room inside this hotel is stylishly designed in tweed, leather and plaid. The ornate gilded interior of the hotel sets the scene for a getaway, while the on-site spa will whisk her away into relaxation. Starting at $143 per night.
Feel like you’ve been transported to Manhattan inside the elegantly appointed rooms of the Beatrice hotel, located in downtown Providence. For Valentine’s Day, guests will get a bottle of Cipriani Prosecco and locally made Aura’s Chocolate bon bons upon arrival, as well as a daily $25 credit towards a meal at Bellini restaurant. Even though she might want to use the time to stay cozy, guests also gain access to Bellini’s private rooftop club for cocktails, food and a beautiful view of the city; the perfect backdrop for digging into a good book. Starting at $229 per night.
RELATED ARTICLES
Aloft Providence Downtown Hotel Shakes Up Providence’s Hospitality Scene
Cozy and Relaxing Wintertime Stays in Rhode Island
36 Fun Things To Do in Rhode Island this February
