For the Love of Mom

By Dan Howarth

Hi [HAP]ers, and importantly, all [HAP]moms!

It’s Mother’s Day this weekend (if you forgot, consider this your reminder!) so we’re celebrating the women who raised us. Our moms—or mum to me, ‘cause I’m British—deserve all the attention and love we can bestow upon them. If you’re a mother yourself, I hope you’re also suitably spoiled this weekend. And a special hug goes out everyone whose moms are no longer with us <3 

Traveling with mothers at any age can be one of the most rewarding experiences. Spending quality time together in a foreign place strengthens bonds and creates lasting memories—almost all of my own early childhood memories, and many of my favorite recent ones, are from family trips. But each dynamic is different, and the pressure of catering to someone else’s needs while in a new environment can also be stressful and intense. Not everyone travels well with their mom, and that’s okay.

This week, we’re focusing on the positive experiences that HAP writers have had, or are looking for, with their respective maternal parents. Below, Sarah Wood Gonzalez recalls her mom’s first five-star hotel experience, Lindsay Cohn shares a trip-oriented “gift guide” for all kinds of mothers, and I consider where I’d take my own mum on our first trip just us two. Don’t miss Ruby Gregg’s travel news headlines from the week, too!

Love to all moms, especially mine! D x

- Dan Howarth, HAP Weekly Newsletter Editor

By Sarah Wood Gonzalez

One time, when I was in Switzerland reviewing hotels, my mom was able to tag along and I got to witness her first (and second, and third) five-star hotel experience. Seeing these places through her eyes, I experienced everything new again. The beds were more luxurious, the towels softer. The warm cookies were the most delicious I’ve ever had—all because I could share them with my mom, a person I love so much. 

And as exotic and fabulous as all the accommodations were, it’s not the fancy bells and whistles that I remember when looking back on that trip when looking back on that trip. It’s sitting in our pajamas drinking hot water with lemon and taking long walks in the morning. It’s the hours-long train rides when we chatted about anything and everything. Sitting with nothing to do but talk reminded me so much of our road trips to Idaho as a kid. And I saw then how my parents were right all along in the way they taught us to travel growing up.

True luxury isn’t really about how expensive a place is or how fancy it feels. The greatest amenity is spending your time exactly how you want. Now, after so many years trying anything and everything I could to see the world around me, there’s nothing I want more than to have the people who make my world, around me. And for that, I’ll go anywhere. As long as we’re together. 

This is an excerpt from an article that features HAP’s inaugural print newspaper. To receive a copy, become a subscriber!

By Lindsay Cohn

Mother’s Day cards and flowers are classics, but if you—or your mom—are anything like us, travel tops the wishlist. Quality time together, paired with a trip tailored to her interests? That’s a next-level present—one that guarantees lasting memories and plenty of frame-worthy photos. Whether she’d prefer a Parisian shopping spree or a sun-soaked weekend of doing absolutely nothing, we’ve got suggestions to match every mom’s travel style. Consider this your Mother’s Day gift guide—done the Hotels Above Par way.

Read the full article.

By Dan Howarth

My mum and I have never taken a trip that’s been just the two of us. I’m incredibly lucky to be from a close family, with parents who are still happily married, and a sister, brother-in-law, husband, and mother-in-law who love each other’s company. So typically, if there’s a vacation to be had, we’ll all go together. One such trip to Greece is coming up later this year, which I’ll tell you more about when the time comes.

As a travel writer, I’ve often thought about where I’d take each of my parents on their own trip. What would they enjoy most? Where haven’t they been that I’m excited to show them? What activities could we do together? My mum is not a fan of long-haul flying, though has been forced to endure it on several occasions—mostly my fault: to visit me living in China, or to attend my wedding in Miami. Since she’s based in England, that narrows the area down to Europe. I would also love to take her somewhere she’s never been before—since that’s always more fun—and she’s a well-traveled lady, which shortens the list further.

A little more about her: She’s very active and enjoys walking and running, so isn’t afraid of a long trek or a steep incline to reach a remote landmark or a great view. She’ll happily lay by the pool with a trashy book, but would likely get restless after spending a couple of days horizontal. She loves seafood, flowers, animals, textiles, and history. And like her son, she’s partial to a cold lunchtime beer, a sunset cocktail, and a few glasses of wine at dinner.

With all of this in mind, I landed on a destination: Montenegro! It’s a manageable three-hour direct flight from London, offers very affordable food and drinks, We can hike in the hills above Kotor, enjoy the catch of the day in Budva’s old town, and relax on the pebble-sand Adriatic beaches. And where would we stay? If money was no object, the newly reopened Aman Sveti Stefan would be top of the list, obviously. But if I’m paying, Villa Geba (which overlooks the Aman), the Ananti Resort just down the coast, or La Fleur in Tivat are all great boutique options.

Now that I’ve been through this exercise, I’m eager to make this trip happen one day! And I hope this provides inspiration for any trip you plan with your own mother, or another loved one, in the future too.

By Ruby Gregg

I’m Ruby, HAP’s News Editor. Each week, I highlight the travel, hotel, and lifestyle stories catching our Editor-in-Chief Brandon Berkson’s eye—and what should catch yours too. Have an above-par piece of news? Pitch me at [email protected]

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Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel Launches “Summer of Senses,” a Seasonal Program of Culinary, Cocktail, and Garden Experiences in Paris
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Lulu and Georgia Heads to the Hamptons with a Summer Takeover at The Reform Club
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The Maven Hotel Debuts “Pillow to Peak,” a New Getaway Marking Colorado’s 150th Anniversary
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1927: Abu Dhabi’s New Film Members’ Club
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Théâtre du Parfum Reopens
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The New York Restaurant Where You Can Bid on Masterpieces from the Table

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