Give Mom What She Really Wants For Mother's Day - A Time Out At The Four Seasons Hotel and Spa

I remember my very first Mother's day as if it were yesterday. I had been a mom to one little boy for nearly ten months and although it's one of the very few days per year that I could be totally and understandably selfish with my desires, in true first-time mom fashion, I wanted nothing more than to spend the day with my little family- doing all of the things. Exploring Baltimore, visiting the state aquarium and wait for it- I even wanted to eat out, AT A RESTAURANT, with my husband and ten month old in tow.
  Looking back, this now seasoned mother of three little boys cannot fathom how anyone would willingly want to take their small children out to a meal on one of the busiest days of the year with the expectation of truly enjoying it. A total lapse in judgment, am I right?
As the years passed and our family grew, my desire for how I wished to spend Mother's Day has changed significantly. While I continue to appreciate time spent with my family, after all, they are the reason I am a mother, I would also very much appreciate a breather, or a Mommy Time Out, if you will.
- Let me let you in on a little secret;  So would nearly 90% of the rest  of the motherly population. -
A mother's work is never, ever done. We're on the clock working diligently to keep our families safe, healthy and happy twenty-four hours a day, 365 days out of the year. Very rarely do we get "time off" from that tireless and sometimes thankless job and if you're wondering what to get that special mother in your life for mother's day, here's the best idea anyone could offer:
- Give her the gift of TIME  and do so at the nearest Four Seasons Spa. -
I recently had the opportunity to escape to the Four Seasons Hotel and Spa in downtown Baltimore with a few of my girlfriends who also happen to be deep in the trenches of Motherhood and it was hands down the most wonderful twenty-seven hours I've had to myself in a very, very long time. 
I must admit, it felt a little strange to leave the kids at home in the capable hands of their father and hop into a car where KidzBop wasn't playing on the radio. I'm so accustomed to a daily life full of task lists, play dates, school schedules and errand-running that I truly forget what it's like to leave all of that behind and just be non-mom me.  

From the minute we arrived at the Four Seasons we felt like celebrities. Even better, we felt like the women we were before we had children. Some days I forget that I even existed prior to having babies and raising pre-schoolers, that carefree child-free life was so long ago.  It was absolutely wonderful to spend some time reconnecting with the old me. 
Think: When Stella Got her Groove Back  but with less rhythm and dancing. 
The staff and accommodations was nothing short of exceptional. Within minutes it was clear that the front desk was willing to go above and beyond to make our short stay a relaxing and memorable one. It wasn't long after we walked into our beautifully understated room with a stunning view of the harbor that our doorbell rang with a delivery of champagne glasses, a bucket of ice and a delectable cheese plate (which we all got to enjoy sitting down, with two hands, no one screaming "Mom? Mom? MOMMY? MAMA?" in the background). 
After settling in and popping one (or two) bottles of champagne, we rang the front desk to inquire about making a dinner reservation. They were more than happy to oblige and within minutes had secured us a reservation for four at Ouzo Bay, a Greek restaurant located in Harbor East. 

The food was AMAZING. Now, keep in mind that my bar for AMAZING food is rather low. I don't have to cook it, I can eat it hot AND I don't have to share bites with anyone? Immediate 5 stars all around! All kidding aside, the fare was delicious and I definitely suggest ordering the classic sampler the next time you go. The spinach pie is to die for and the baked feta was just... incredible.
While there are so many wonderful things to be said about the Four Seasons Baltimore property, one of its greatest features is its proximity to so many great attractions and shopping destinations in Baltimore. Whether you wish to take a stroll along the water, partake in a little bit of shopping (Anthropologie, Lululemon and JCREW are each a mere stones throw away) or perhaps catch a quick matinee at the nearby Landmark theater, there is something pleasing for every one. 
If you're thinking of giving Mom a Time Out, I wholeheartedly suggest there's no better way to say "thanks" and "I love you, Mom" than with a reservation at the Four Season's renown spa. All four of us girls opted for the spa's Signature Massage and it was fifty divine minutes of the perfect amount of pressure and soothing ambiance.

The amenities at the spa are not to be missed. The vitality pool, steam showers and sauna were personal favorites and I'm looking forward to scheduling my next visit for a Signature Hydrafacial, as I've heard SO many great things about it. 

That evening when we returned to our rooms after being rubbed down, relaxed and pampered in every sense of the word, we popped yet one more bottle of champagne and ordered one (okay, two) of everything from the in-room dessert dining menu. Looking back, I wish we had ordered twenty-seven warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies because they were the best treat to end our day with. 
For Mother's Day Weekend, all Moms and Moms-to-Be that book a spa reservation will be treated to complimentary Prosecco and chocolate truffles.
Available Friday May 6th through Sunday May 8th, the Four Seasons Spa has put together a variety of packages to honor mothers and I will include them with pricing at the bottom the post.
The following morning we awoke early (but not nearly as early had there been children poking our eyeballs and whispering "Mommy" 479 times while standing three inches from our side of the bed) and took our time showering and getting ready for brunch at Wit & Wisdom, the Four Season's in-house dining establishment. 
This isn't the first time I've enjoyed the buffet-style weekend brunch at Wit and Wisdom and it remains, hands down, one of the BEST brunch spreads I've been to in a long, long time. Sure it's pricey but I firmly believe the fare really stands up to the expectations and is well worth the price. I know many typically cringe when they hear the word "buffet" but trust me, there is nothing cringe-worthy about brunch at Wit & Wisdom. 
Especially worthy of noting is the attention to detail we received from the waitstaff. Naturally I ordered the bottomless mimosa and I swear I don't think my glass ever ran dry not once. From the charcuterie and oyster stations, to the crepe station and freakishly adorable kid's fare favorites table, to the dessert table piled high with confections of every shape and size, I could have stayed and eaten my entire Sunday away. 
But alas, there was shopping to do and finally, three sweet little boys to get home. 

While the amenities and accommodations truly made our stay at the Four Seasons more than we moms could have ever asked for, the real highlight of the weekend was the company. Being able to sit back, relax and reconnect with myself outside of the Mother role and without my girlfriends without having to worry tirelessly about the kids and the house and the laundry and the chores and the sports practices and the volunteer hours and the pediatrician appointments- well that in itself is just priceless. 
So give Mom the gift she really wants this Mother's Day- and that's a Mommy Time Out at the Spa at the Four Seasons. Happy Mother's Day to all of the selfless, exhausted, frazzled and haggard moms out there. I see you in the trenches and we're all in this together!  
* * * * * * * * * *  Mother's Day Weekend Spa Packages at the Four Seasons Baltimore
Mother’s Bliss 
Discover just how smooth your skin can be with the Spa’s new Chamomile Body Scrub treatment. Your body will be gently exfoliated with a soothing chamomile body polish, then revitalized with a chamomile scrub and chamomile body lotion, leaving your skin feeling flawless. - 50 minutes - $175 

The Pampered Mother (includes all of the below) 

Chamomile Body Scrub 50 minutes 
Discover just how smooth your skin can be with the Spa’s new Chamomile Body Scrub treatment. Your body will be gently exfoliated with a soothing chamomile body polish, then revitalized with a chamomile scrub and chamomile body lotion, leaving your skin feeling flawless. 

Pedicure with Honeysuckle & Chamomile enhancement 50 minutes 
Relieve stress while soaking your toes in a milk & honey bath infused with chamomile and honeysuckle flowers.  A sugar scrub exfoliation reduces hard skin followed by a shea butter mask and a massage with hydrating scented moisturizer renews and softens your legs and feet. Nail shaping, cuticle work and callous softening are all included, followed by a beautiful polish finish. 

Express HydraFacial 25 minutes 
This rejuvenating skin resurfacing treatment is designed to immediately reduce the appearance of lines, wrinkles, acne, hyper pigmentation, congested pores and uneven skin tone on the face. - 125 minutes - $470 

Mom-To-Be Massage 
Spoil yourself or an expectant mother-to-be with a soothing massage designed to improve skin elasticity, reduce fatigue and relax areas prone to tension during pregnancy. (Must be in second trimester) - 50 minutes – $ 175 or 80 minutes – $ 245 
Wit & Wisdom will also be open on Mother’s Day serving à la carte breakfast from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., and a special Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet from 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 
Chef Mills will feature breakfast favorites like scrambled eggs, bacon, breakfast potatoes and smoked salmon. A delectable assortment of additional fare includes an artisanal cheese and olive bar, fresh fruit, raw bar, crepes station, and a Chef’s carving station. 

Mother’s Day Brunch will be served from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
$69 per person, $30 per child under 12.  Prices do not include tax and gratuity. 
Live Music from 11 – 2:00 p.m. 

An à la carte dinner menu will be available from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. as well as a full tavern menu from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. 

For reservations, call (410) 576-5800. 

A special thanks to the Four Seasons for generously discounting our stay and spa treatments and truly going above and beyond to make our stay an excellent one. Thoughts expressed above are honest and my own and I look forward to returning to the Four Seasons Baltimore and other Four Seasons properties in the future!