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While we’re wary of using the word “best” around here, rounding up the “best mother-daughter trips” was an exercise in restraint considering our list could have been a mile long to represent all the places we want to discover with our moms.
Ultimately, the type of trip that’s perfect for you and your mom—or, anyone who you consider a maternal influence on your life—is one that’s filled with time to reconnect. Whether this reconnection stems from shared experiences around food, wine tasting, exploring a city, or rejuvenating time with vacation books in hand is up to you! We’ve narrowed our list down to thirteen trips that range from East Coast road trips to adventures through the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, South America, and Asia.
NORTH AMERICA
Take a Classic New England Road Trip
Where to Stay: Ocean House (Watch Hill, Rhode Island), The Vanderbilt, Auberge Resorts Collection (Newport, Rhode Island), Chatham Bars Inn (Chatham, Massachusetts)
As a nod back to our article outlining “The Ultimate New England Road Trip,” we couldn’t imagine opening our roundup of the best mother-daughter trips without showcasing some of New England’s finest. From car snacks to delegating driver and navigator duties, a road trip evokes nostalgia at every turn. We love combining coastal Rhode Island and Cape Cod into an itinerary, beginning or ending at the iconic Ocean House. Wave hello to Taylor Swift’s neighboring home as you soak up a lobster boil on the beach, complete with a live band. Play croquet on the lawn or simply spend your afternoons devouring a beach read.
Just a short drive away, The Vanderbilt, Auberge Resorts Collection was recently renovated and shines not only for its central downtown location but also for its ability to combine historical elegance and modern East Coast glamour. End your trip on the calming shores of Cape Cod at Chatham Bars Inn for your quintessential New England escape, complete with a beachside clambake. Hop into the hotel’s boat for the perfect mother-daughter day out on the water—the Chatham team will introduce you to a pristine beach only accessible by boat where you and mom can soak up quality time together.
Be the Maine Characters
Where to Stay: Cliff House Maine (Cape Neddick, Maine), White Barn Inn, Auberge Resorts Collection (Kennebunkport, Maine)
If you’re craving a trip driving distance from Boston, just one hour north, you’ll find Cliff House Maine in Cape Neddick. Cliff House is renowned for its stunning location on the edge of the Atlantic along Southern Maine’s rocky coast. If you and your mom are golfers, the challenging course at the adjacent Cape Neddick Golf Club makes for a fun outing; otherwise, the spa and indoor or outdoor pools await. Just thirty minutes away, White Barn Inn, Auberge Resorts Collection offers the Kennebunkport stay of your dreams with its rustic charm and uncompromising attention to detail cultivated over its 150-year history. With only twenty-six rooms, this stay provides you and your mom with a cozy getaway in walking distance to the town’s fabulous shops.
New York Shopping Extravaganza
Where to Stay: Hotel Fouquet’s New York (New York, New York)
Few places are more primely positioned for a shopping-centric trip than New York City. The feminine, Paris-meets-New-York design (think: purply-pink custom wallpaper adorning your suite walls) at Hotel Fouquet’s New York makes for an ideal home base for one of the best mother-daughter trips imaginable. From its stunning rooftop open only to guests and members to preferential reservations at Titsou Bar and its accompanying brasserie, you’ll feel like chic downtown New Yorkers as soon as you check in. Plus, with its prime Tribeca address, your shopping weekend can begin with some of the city’s best stores a stone’s throw away.
Napa Valley Wine Tasting
Where to Stay: Alila Napa Valley (St. Helena, California)
For those based on the West Coast seeking a long weekend mother-daughter trip, an escape to Napa Valley offers quintessential Californian hospitality. We especially love a stay at Alila Napa Valley set amid Beringer Vineyards just minutes from downtown St. Helena. This Georgian-style farmhouse dates back to 1907 and as an adults-only sanctuary, offers the perfect setting to make memories with mom, whether they be exploring the nearby wineries, shopping, dipping into art galleries, or dining at world-famous restaurants. Your SmartFlyer travel advisor will be sure to help you score the best tables in Napa.
Getting out in Nature Admist the Canadian Rockies
Where to Stay: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (Lake Louise, Canada) and Fairmont Banff Springs (Banff, Canada)
An escape to the Canadian Rockies promises to be one of the best mother-daughter trips for the outdoor enthusiast. Fly up to Calgary to begin your journey to pristine Lake Louise before going onwards to nearby Banff. While the summer season is prime to capture the picture-perfect glacial blue of Lake Louise, the winter season offers a variety of cozy cold-weather pursuits. You and your mom can suit up for skiing, or head out for a sleigh ride, ice skating, or even a blustery hike. By staying at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, you’ll have unfettered access to the water and its surrounding trails no matter what season you opt to visit! And less than an hour’s drive away, Fairmont Banff Springs awaits ready to embrace you with prime access to stellar hiking trails and hot springs.
CARIBBEAN AND MEXICO
A Colorful Stay in Dreamy Anguilla
Where to Stay: Malliouhana (Anguilla)
Where do we even begin with the paradise that is Anguilla? This white-sand-lined Caribbean oasis can be reached with a direct flight from Miami, or by taking a private flight or ferry from neighboring St. Martin. For your mother-daughter stay, we love the bright pops of color, art-filled walls, and prime position of Malliouhana. This boutique property will have you feeling like you’re checked into your home away from home with the warm embrace of the property’s long-standing team. Whether you want to get on a boat and explore, or prefer to laze your days away on the beach, you’re set up to choose your own [turquoise] adventure. Malliouhana has direct access to two beaches: one with a more sweeping and walkable sand and the other which is a private cove where you’ll be in utter privacy.
Leila Brewster
Surf, Spa, and Sun in Punta Mita
Where to Stay: W Punta de Mita (Punta de Mita, Mexico)
Particularly well positioned for West Coast-based travelers, a mother-daughter trip to Punta de Mita has all of the makings of a perfect beach trip. Plus, a stay at W Punta de Mita means being situated on one of Mexico’s best beaches and being immersed in the incredible artistry of the indigenous Huichol peoples. In terms of ultimate relaxation, we love this resort for its 4,000-square-foot spa and seven food and beverage offerings, meaning you never have to leave. You and your mom can opt to explore the Mediation Labyrinth at the property’s expansive AWAY Spa after a day in the sun. Or, if you prefer a more active day, surfing here is prime and can be followed by a swim in the hotel’s signature beachside pool which is uniquely open 24/7. Dig further into your mindfulness practice with sunset yoga on the resort’s Huichol Walkway overlooking the ocean.
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
Belize, Please.
Where to Stay: Blancaneaux Lodge (Mountain Pine Reserve, Belize) and Turtle Inn (Placencia, Belize)
Seemingly hidden within the pristine beauty of Belize, combining stays at Blancaneaux Lodge and Turtle Inn makes for one of the best mother-daughter trips in a place you might not yet have on your radar. For more than a decade, Blancaneaux Lodge was exclusively a Coppola family (as in, the wine!) retreat before Francis opened his tropical paradise to the public in 1993. Today, Blancaneaux Lodge is a 20-room luxury hideaway where guests are invited to relax amongst waterfalls that tumble into turquoise pools above the jungle canopy. The property’s remote mountain setting allows guests to explore the ancient civilization of the Maya and to return to their own thatched roof dwelling, rich with Guatemalan décor and nestled in the foliage of the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve. Highlights of a stay with mom could include a dip in the Blancaneaux Hot Pool and a tour of the Actun Tunichil Mucnal Cave which was ranked by National Geographic Magazine as one of the “Top 10 Caves in the World.”
Enjoy one final breakfast in the pine forest before packing up and heading out to your next stop in Belize! For the ultimate arrival experience, enjoy a helicopter ride as your transfer between Blancaneaux Lodge and Turtle Inn located on the beautiful Caribbean Sea. You’ll be welcomed to the beautiful Turtle Inn resort by the friendly staff, and of course, some turtles! Enjoy your welcome cocktail with your toes in the sand and feel the relaxation come over you immediately. This 25-room seafront escape delights guests with individual thatched cottages, each naturally cooled by the ever-present sea breezes. Just steps beyond your private deck, the white-sand beach dissolves into the clear Caribbean Sea. Plus, Turtle Inn is located a short bicycle ride or walk from the charming sea-front fishing village of Placencia, where local artisan shops and dining spots can be enjoyed.
EUROPE
Lisbon City Break
Where to Stay: Sublime Lisboa (Lisbon, Portugal)
Arguably any city could serve a multitude of purposes for a mother-daughter trip, but we picked Lisbon as one of the best mother-daughter trips thanks to its diversity of experiences. A stay at the discerning Sublime Lisboa gives you and your mom a chance to be out of the buzz of Bairro Alto and instead feel like a local having your morning coffee in the heart of the Amoreias neighborhood. One day, you could get your steps in walking the city’s rigorous hills separating the shopping district from the sea, (alternatively, the trams are a fantastic workaround to save your calf muscles) and the next, you could find yourself taking a day trip to Sintra where The Pena Palace castle stands atop a hill surrounded by gardens and the most charming town. Return back to Lisbon for evenings spent checking out the city’s dynamic dining scene where seafood is a specialty.
Paris Apartment Living to Champagne House Hopping
Where to Stay: Hotel Bel-Ami (Paris, France) and Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa (Champillon, France)
As the adage goes, “Paris is always a good idea,” and this most certainly extends to Paris making one of the best mother-daughter trips on the planet. Assuming that one or both of you may have been to The City of Light previously and may have already covered many of the Right Bank classics, we’re going to hand-select a unique accommodation on the Left Bank for this trip. Mother-daughter-run Hotel Bel-Amiis located in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés for you to live out all your Emily in Paris dreams; we recommend staying in their two-bedroom apartment complete with a separate living room and kitchenette so you can truly dig into your stay like a local. Your SmartFlyer travel advisor can pair you with a knowledgeable guide for fun experiences like a croissant or macaron-making class.
For the ultimate combo, depart Paris and head to the Champagne region. A private car transfer will be arranged to whisk you to the only region in the world where the bubbly you know and love can be produced! A stay at Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa is your key to being in close proximity to all the finest Champagne houses — visits can be arranged by your advisor. Back at the hotel, you and mom can focus on getting R&R after your active time in Paris. If sleep is a priority, the property even has a special “Royal Sleep Experience” which includes a suite with blackout curtains and a Royal Sleep Kit to ensure a restful night. You’ll wake up refreshed for time exploring the region by foot, bike, or with your private guide.
Wellness Reset, South of France Style
Where to Stay: Lily of the Valley (St Tropez, France)
While you may think of a wellness-centric trip as one that needs to be centered around deprivation, the ethos of Lily of the Valley is just the opposite. The owning family of this relatively young property (you’d never know it, considering the traction it gets!) wanted to share the beauty of this region with the world after three generations of visits to the lush gardens and rolling hills that meet sandy Gigaro Beach. Today, Lily of the Valley guests can reset at the hotels’ Shape Club, a sprawling facility that offers bespoke programs, workshops, and treatments under a team guided by Dr. Jacques Fricker. There is no shortage of healthy food, personal training, treatments, and activities available, but most guests find the opportunity to rest and relax the most nourishing. For your mother-daughter trip, let your SmartFlyer travel advisor help plan fun moments like a sunset picnic at Gigaro Beach where you can sample local seafood.
SOUTH AMERICA
Luxuriate in Uruguay’s Rolling Countryside
Where to Stay: Estancia VIK José Ignacio (José Ignacio, Uruguay)
Nestled amidst picturesque valleys and sprawling vineyards, VIK stands as a breathtaking marvel, offering unparalleled 360-degree views of the surrounding 11,000-acre estate, with the majestic Andes Mountains painting a stunning backdrop. Designed to provide a holistic retreat, VIK celebrates its unique locale through innovative architecture, environmentally conscious practices, and an array of activities. A perfect mother-daughter getaway, you and mom can hit the Wine Spa, a tranquil haven where nature is honored through rejuvenating therapies that harmonize aromas, textures, and sound. If you’re inclined towards outdoor adventures, explore VIK’s many hiking trails, go for a run, mountain bike, or horseback ride through the vineyard valleys. Or venture on more challenging expeditions into the mountains for camping trips or treks to neighboring vineyards. From meetings with local artists to barbeques and picnics in the vineyard, there are endless opportunities to wholly enjoy Uruguay’s diverse offerings.
A Mother-Daughter Owned Winemaker’s House in Mendoza
Where to Stay: Susana Balbo’s Unique Stays, Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites
Few places make for a more idyllic mother-daughter trip than a property run by a mother and daughter. SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites certainly fits that fill as a family-owned property looked after by Susana Balbo and her daughter, Ana. As the trailblazer behind one of Argentina’s few women-led wine brands, Susana has created the ultimate oasis for oenophiles just outside the Andes Mountains. Days in Mendoza can be spent creating memories amongst the vines, tasting the varietals on offer, indulging at the spa, and toasting to your good health beside the fire-lit pool!
ASIA
Southeast Asia Adventure: Hong Kong to Vietnam
Where to Stay: Peninsula Hong Kong (Hong Kong), Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (Hanoi, Vietnam), Intercontinental Danang Sun Peninsula Hotel (SonTra Peninsula Danang, Vietnam) Park Hyatt Saigon (Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam)
Suppose you and mom are looking to spend your mother-daughter trip somewhere further afield. In that case, an adventure split between Hong Kong and Vietnam is sure to mark memories made while experiencing bucket list moments like tasting some of the best Peking duck you’ve ever had, island-hopping just outside Hong Kong, kayaking your way through Lan Ha Bay, and seeing the Cu Chi Tunnels up close and personal. While Hong Kong is more than just an incredible entry point into Southeast Asia, its logistical ease cannot be overlooked. We love flying Cathay Pacific into HKK before settling into the iconic Peninsula Hong Kong. For the art connoisseur, museums in Hong Kong are not to be missed! The M+ is a haven for contemporary art and is currently being compared to MOMA and the Pompidou with the largest collection of Ai Wei Wei art in the world. The Hong Kong Palace Museum features traditional Chinese treasures mainly from the Ming and Qing dynasties and is the largest outside of the National Palace Museum in Beijing.
After you’ve gotten your fill of art (and Peking duck!) in Hong Kong, hopping over to Hanoi is the start of an unforgettable adventure in Vietnam. Our 10 Day Vietnam itinerary is your perfect starting point for inspiration on how to best combine Hanoi, a Ha Long Bay cruise, Nam Hai, and Hồ Chí Minh. Your SmartFlyer travel advisor is best suited to help you pull all the details together, but rest assured that it might be the unplanned portions of this trip that provide the most excitement—being in Vietnam is all about embracing the chaos of the bike-filled streets, trying street food, and getting out of your comfort zone. We love traveling the country from north to south and observing how its complex history and modern reality intersect.