With Mother’s Day coming up May 8th it’s not too early to think about all the wonderful moms out there.  Why not treat your mom to a day or even a full spa getaway if you can afford it. Your mom is worth every penny and it’s going to be more memorable than a box of chocolates or brunch at a jam packed restaurant with frazzled wait staff.

Many spas across Canada will be offering Mother’s Day specials.  Frankly, I would say avoid them.  Don’t take your mom to a spa on Mother’s Day – more than likely you will pay a premium and it will be overcrowded.   Spas know the guilt trip.  They will create special Mother’s Day packages and add maybe a glass of champagne, flowers, or other little touches – but at a heavily marked up price.  

Forget the marketing.  Focus on your mom.  Visit the spa on a normal day (mid-week is best to avoid the crowds) and then your mom can truly relax.    And for the sons or hubbies out there – this doesn’t have to be a mother/daughter thing.  Why should males be excluded from going to the spa with their mom – go for it.  She will treasure you forever.

Depending on where you live here are a few spas located across Canada that will sure make Mom feel special and pampered.

The Wickaninnish Inn – Tofino, BC  - Popular with vacationers, Vancouver Island’s coast and nature preserve meet the refined comforts of this 75-room award-winning inn.  Your mom will enjoy The Wickaninnish Inn and its renowned Ancient Cedars Spa. Nature meets luxury with added touches featuring many local artists and artisans where their craft fills each guest room.  The spa is located on the ocean level providing a mix of privacy with a view and many West Coast nature inspired treatments.www.wickinn.com

Sparkling Hill Resort – Vernon, BC - Give Mom the crystal treatment.  Located in the stunningly beautiful and winery infused Okanagan Valley, Sparkling Hill Resort has Kur Spa - Canada’s largest spa with 40,000 square feet of therapeutic and pampered bliss.  Innovative crystal architecture meets wellness at Sparkling Hill.  If your mom likes bling this is the place - Swarovski crystal fireplaces, crystal light fixtures, starry ceilings, two-person soaking tubs next to floor to ceiling views of Lake Okanagan guarantee a crystal infused stay.www.sparklinghill.com

Fairmont Banff Springs – Banff, AB –One of Canada’s most famous hotels, Mom will love you for a stay here or visit to their Willow Streams Spa.   Everyone from British Royalty to celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Clint Eastwood has graced this exquisite Canadian jewel.   Your Mom can feel the pulsating flow of therapeutic waters in the mineral pool at the heart of the Willow Stream Spa.  This large 38,000 square foot spa has 23 treatment rooms, steam and eucalyptus rooms, indoor mineral pool and three waterfall-treatment whirlpools.  Relaxation never felt so good.www.fairmont.com/banff-springs

Ste. Anne’s Spa – Grafton, ON –Just one hour east of Toronto, Ste. Anne’s Spa is a Canadian spa icon and Mom will immediately love its country charm and quaint inn and spa cottages.   Bring Mom’s favourite bottle of wine and drink up after a day of pampering.  Stroll amongst the rolling hills and trails.  Country charm meets spa bliss at Ste. Anne’s.www.steannes.com

Miaj Hammam Spa by Caudalie Paris, Shangri-La Hotel – Toronto, ON –Give mom a taste of the exotic at the this Euro-Asian influenced Spa located in Toronto’s Shangri-la Hotel. This spa sanctuary has décor and treatment influences from Paris, Marrakech and Istanbul.  Indulge your mom with intoxicating vinotherapy treatments like a Crushed Cabernet Scrub or Wine Body Wrap.  Later head to the hotel’s popular Lobby Lounge featuring the Champagne Wall and its stock of the world’s finest champagnes.  Have a toast to your mom.  Cheers.www.mirajcaudaliespa.com

Le Nordik Spa-Nature – Chelsea, PQ –Let Mom relax in warm and refreshing thermal waters at Le Nordik Spa-Nature, a day spa located in the tiny town of Chelsea, Quebec just 15 minutes from downtown Ottawa.  Le Nordik raises the bar of the Nordic experience with beautifully landscaped grounds with seven baths (hot, cold, temperate),8 uniquely designed saunas, infinity pool with stunning views of the Gatineau Hills, outdoor and indoor relaxation areas, and restaurant and plush lounge area.  Float in Nordik’s unique indoor Källa salt water pool, only the second of its kind in the world which will purify her soul and body.www.lenordik.com

Fox Harb’r Golf Resort & Spa – Wallace, NS –If Mom is a bit more adventurous or likes a round of golf check her into the Fox Harb’r Golf Resort & Spa. The oceanside resort is located two hours northwest of Halifax in the tiny hamlet of Wallace.  Mom can show off her golf skills at the two championship golf courses or for something completely different let her try skeet and clay shooting! The spa at Fox Harb’r features many treatments combining therapeutic and pampering benefits with grand views of the Atlantic Ocean.www.foxharbr.com

it’s a day or a weekend spa getaway let Mom know you care and make it a memorable day for her.   Moms deserve it