Mother’s Day is celebrated on the 14th of May and offers an opportunity to honour maternal bonds and cherish our remarkable mothers. French literary artist, Honoré de Balzac, famously said, “A mother’s happiness is like a beacon, lighting up the future, but reflecting also on the past, in the guise of fond memories.” The landscapes of our lives are defined by thousands of moments our mothers sought to protect and provide for us. We have a deep and abiding need to celebrate that special bond, so what better way to light up a mother’s face than a rejuvenating seaside getaway, a spa sojourn, and plenty of bubbly? Even Honoré would approve!
The seaside town of Plettenberg Bay is a premier holiday destination with sweeping golden beaches, rocky peninsulas, indigenous forests, and award-winning wine estates. Plett’s remarkably moderate climate means that May days are often sun-filled and warm.
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Situated on a rocky headland with magnificent sea vistas, the Plettenberg Hotel is an ideal venue to spoil mom. This award-winning, five-star hotel effortlessly elevates the everyday, emphasising serenity, tranquillity and maximum ‘pamper potential’. The Plettenberg is one of only three “Small Luxury Hotels of the World” in South Africa and offers thirty-five beautifully appointed rooms and two family-style villas.
Treat your mother to a blissful weekend in one of the comfortable and spacious Premier Suites at the Plettenberg Hotel. Any mom will be instantly won over by the breath-taking ocean views, opulent décor, fluffy bathrobes, and luxurious Africology toiletries. The exclusive Lookout Villa is a perfect option for larger family groups, with three en-suite bedrooms and an open-plan lounge. Celebrate your unique family ties over an aperitif at the Sandbar, the hotel’s exquisite and contemporary cocktail bar. Savour the hotel’s signature cocktail, the Mermaid’s Dream, prepared by a true mixologist. Relax over a gourmet dinner at the Restaurant, where Head Chef Kyle Macaskill and his team emphasise the ocean’s bounty with innovative and sustainable seafood dishes.
Indulge your mum with a selection of sensational beauty and wellness treatments at the Fresh Wellness Spa. Escape and unwind with an indulgent hot stone massage or a time-defying Theravine facial. Relish the moment with a comforting mud wrap, where fragrant essential oils relieve the body of toxic build-up. Surrender your senses to the Rasul hydrotherapy treatment. This ancient Middle Eastern bathing ritual cleanses the body with the application of exfoliating mineral-rich mud.
Treat mom’s palate to an exquisite wine tasting at Newstead Wine Estate. Just a short drive from the Plettenberg Hotel, the Lund Family Vineyard is one of eight local wine estates on Plett’s renowned ‘Bubbly Route.’ Newstead offers an elegant wine tasting overlooking the vineyards. The estate has become a local Polo hangout and exudes laidback holiday charm. Tastings currently feature Newstead’s Sparkling Rose and Still Rose. Newstead’s Cap Classique Blanc de Blanc 2015 was named the top-scoring Cap Classique in 2020 and the best in the ‘extended ageing class’ in 2022 in the Amorim Cap Classique Challenge, boasting toasty flavours with crisp, elegant bubbles and a limey finish.
Wind up this most memorable weekend with an exquisite Afternoon Tea at the Plettenberg Hotel. Served in style at the Restaurant, with 180-degree sea views, this traditional afternoon tea spread is served on a tiered cake stand, with a selection of sweet and savoury bites. Sample smoked salmon and cheese puffs, classic cucumber sandwiches, mini fruit pavlovas, decadent chocolate hazelnut brownies and freshly baked scones. Review the weekend’s magic moments with a warming cup of tea or, perhaps, another glass of deliciously decadent bubbles.
