Mother’s Day Gift Guide: The Best Experiential Travel Gifts [For The Whole Family]

Sometimes, Moms are happiest when they get to celebrate with their whole family. A gift that involves everyone together in a new and exciting place could be perfect after so many months spent at home. Many hotels, cruise lines and other travel brands are launching vacation deals to celebrate a safe return to travel this summer. Hotels know that if they can please the whole family, Mom will be satisfied.

If you can’t get everyone’s school and work schedules aligned, don’t worry, there are other gift ideas for the frequent-flying Mom. But if a vacation is in your future, these are some of the best experiential travel gifts for the whole family.

Springtime activities at Gaylord Hotels

Like other seasons of the year, Gaylord Hotels is activating its family-friendly springtime activities around the country. All five properties will feature the colorful, “paint me a fairy tale” interactive show featuring Mother Goose bringing to life popular stories like Little Red Riding Hood, Jack & The Beanstalk and The Princess and the Pea. An art studio, spring-themed scavenger hunt and cookie-decorating station will be fun for young guests, too.

Visitors to Gaylord Palms can interact with Florida wildlife at the resort while those staying at Gaylord National and Gaylord Opryland can participate in a virtual reality wildlife experience where they track down endangered species and learn how to help protect them. At Gaylord Rockies, there are movie nights, live animal encounters and s’mores at the campfire. All of the resorts offer pools or water parks including the new Paradise Springs at Gaylord Texan with a lazy river, waterslides and private rental cabanas. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Gaylord Palms is offering the “Ultimate Upgrade Package” including an in-room chef experience, private use of a water park attraction, limo rides to Disney, theme park tickets and a pool cabana. If you’re considering a resort visit to Orlando, Dallas, Nashville, Denver or Washington, D.C., the Gaylord brand (part of Marriott Bonvoy) offers a lot for families to enjoy.

Broadway-themed Mother’s Day getaway

For a unique Mother’s Day present, Sofitel New York’s Tony Awards Terrace Suite is just the ticket. Packed with Tony Award memorabilia like show scripts, a Tony Awards songbook, invitations, Playbills from 1960 and opening-night invitations, this is a thespian’s dream. Sofitel is part of the Accor’s All Live Limitless loyalty program where members can earn and redeem points during their stay.

Urban Campout at The Logan Philadelphia

Families can experience the hotel’s urban campout package, which is a kid-friendly, in-room camping adventure. It includes goodies for both parents and children in a panoramic suite. Entertain the little ones with an indoor s’mores maker kit, pre-assembled teepee tent with kid-sized sleeping bags, star machine that illuminates the ceiling, “Rocky” style robes in homage of Philadelphia, stuffed animal, and coloring books and crayons. Even better, parents can relax with a bottle of wine. A month-long Mother’s Day package includes signature spa treatments for a little extra pampering. The Logan is a Curio Collection by Hilton property, which means guests can earn and redeem points during their stay while elite members can take advantage of special perks, too.

America’s Summer Place opens in time for Mother’s Day

This special package at The Grand Hotel, a National Historic Landmark on Mackinac Island in Michigan, is fun for the whole family. It includes breakfast and dinner each day of your stay, nightly entertainment, admission to a local art museum and a presentation by the hotel’s resident historian. The big highlight is the Mother’s Day Grand Luncheon Buffet with a champagne toast, which is also part of the deal.

Hyatt Maui for Mother’s Day package

Treat Mom or the whole family to a special three-night vacation at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa in one of the resort’s most popular suites. While the eye-popping price of $20,000 might surprise you, it covers a lot, including a stay for six people. Mom gets to enjoy a full spa day at Kamaha’o, a Marilyn Monroe Spa with a massage, pedicure and facial. The whole family is treated to brunch at Swan Court and a private, VIP table at the Drums of the Pacific Luau plus a private “fireknife” lesson for the kids. Once the sun sets, the family can enjoy a NASA astronomer-led astronomy tour to see 80 of the 88 constellations. Also included are a private tent with lawn games, Mai Tai making classes, catamaran ride for snorkeling and a family photo shoot to commemorate the special weekend. And yes, you’ll earn World of Hyatt points for the stay.

Adopt a baby goat at Gilbertsville Farmhouse

New York’s first goat yoga farm, Gilbertsville Farmhouse, is hosting several all-inclusive retreats. They include “Baby Goat and Me” where guests adopt a goat to feed, love and cuddle. There are bedtime stories and walkabouts with the baby goats as well as sessions for goat yoga with the young animals. It’s a unique Mother’s Day present for a girlfriend getaway or weekend for Moms with their daughters. Guests can choose between a glamping tent, farmhouse suite or duplex safari tent with private bathroom.

Kayaking in the Land of 1,000 Lakes

The spring kayaking package at Hyatt Centric Downtown Minneapolis (just five minutes away from the Mississippi River) is a winner for families. In addition to complimentary breakfast, guests can enjoy a day of guided water activities like kayaking, canoeing and paddle boarding, all coordinated by the hotel concierge based on your personal interests. It also includes a welcome basket of goodies to get you ready for a day outdoors with sunglasses, sunscreen, protein bars and hydration packets. World of Hyatt fans will be especially happy since they can earn and redeem points with any stay.

Posh picnics at Kimpton Palomar San Diego

A special package, perfect for Mother’s Day, includes a posh picnic and a one-night stay at the hotel. Guests can pick between a variety of locations including Ocean Beach, Mission Bay, La Jolla or Balboa and Presidio Parks for their picnic. The hotel will pack an all-inclusive picnic basket with blankets, throw pillows, fold-out table and grazing platters. Like other Kimpton properties, this hotel is one of the many IHG Rewards brands where guests can earn and redeem points for their stay.

Luxe Caribbean getaway at Hôtel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf

The ultimate Mother’s Day getaway in St. Barth does not come cheap, but it provides space for the whole family. The 4-night, $11,000 Mother’s Day package is only available to reserve during the month of May. Guests at Hôtel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf can enjoy a junior suite, private catamaran ride with a personalized lunch menu chosen by Mom, dinner at Fouquet’s restaurant (with the option for babysitter service) and family photo shoot for a keepsake souvenir. Relaxation comes easy with room service, private meditation class and massage and facial treatment in the spa.

Half-off a second room at Villa La Massa in Florence

In the hills above Florence (a convenient and free shuttle runs into town), Villa La Massa is offering a family package for guests that book a suite. The second room will get a 50% discount as long as a child under 12 is staying in it making it the perfect family getaway. The package also includes breakfast each morning and access to the hotel’s spa relaxation facilities. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World group, guests can earn and redeem Leaders Club points during their stay.

Source: Forbes