Mothers’ Day comes but once a year, and this year it falls on May 9. So it’s time for the family to put their heads together and come up with a great day of food, fun and relaxation. To make things a little easier for Dad and the kids, or perhaps to inspire Mom, we’ve come up with the ultimate must-have list for Mothers’ Day.
Gifts
A thoughtful gift can last a life time, so if you don’t like failsafe vouchers, why not go out of your way and buy her something special. Head to the wonderfully luxurious La Perla for an elegant nightgown or robe. Or pick up an original piece of clothing from Elysee Yang.Trained in Paris, Elysee has pieces that are a fine mix of East and West. For the mom with a funky streak, check out the Original Design Circle in the basement of Sanlitun Village. Artisan jewelry, kitschy T-shirts, and sculptures that double as household items are all the rage here. If Mom loves heavenly scents and all things body-beautiful, head to Sephora or Demeter Fragrance Library.
Elysee Yang
D109, 1/F Nali Platio, 81 Sanlitun Beilu, Chaoyang District (6413 2187)
朝阳区三里屯北路81号那里花园1层
Sephora
Located in almost every major shopping mall. Try China World Shopping Mall, The Place, or Raffles City.
Demeter Fragrance Library
Daily 10am-9.40pm. SLG29, Sanlitun Village South, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区三里屯路19号三里屯Village南区地下一层SLG29
La Perla
The Malls at Oriental Plaza, 1 Dongchang’an Jie, Dongcheng District
东城区东长安街1号
Original Design Circle
Daily 9.30am-10pm. B1/F, Bldg 10, South Area, The Village at Sanlitun, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District (6415 2472)
朝阳区三里屯南路19号三里屯Village10号楼地下1层
Brunches
Food is the ultimate luxury, provided it’s served with free-flow bubbly, of course. We’ve rounded up this year’s scrumptious options, so all you need to do is make a booking.
The Schoolhouse
Champagne, roses, jazz, and kid’s activities. RMB 260, RMB 120 (children aged 4-12), Free for children under 4. 11am-3pm. The Schoolhouse, 12 Mutianyu, Huairou (6162 6506, info@theschoolhouseatmutianyu.com) www.mutianyugreatwall.net
Handbags and High Tea
For the fashionable mom: a couture handbag show by Currie Lee from D-SATA accompanies the classic Ritz-Carlton afternoon tea. RMB 228+15% per person. 3.30-5.30pm. The Lounge, Ritz-Carlton (5908 8952)
Mother’s Day Celebration at Scene a Café
Lucky draw prizes and surprise gifts are in store. Includes one glass of Champagne and free flow house wine. RMB 388 + 15% service charge. Scene a Café, China World, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District (65052266 ext. 35)
Mother’s Day Dim Sum
Eighty-eight choices of delicious dim sum courtesy of Chef Lo from Hong Kong. Ladies get a free gift and carnations. RMB 88+15%. 11.30am-3pm. Horizon, Shangri-La by Kerry Centre Hotel (6561 8833 ext 41)
Pink Bubbalicious Brunch
Rosy foods dot the usual spread, and the champers is pink Veuve Clicquot. Part of the profits go to the Pink Ribbon Foundation. RMB 368-428+15%. 11.30am-3pm. Taste, Westin Chaoyang (5922 8880)
Raffles Mother’s Day Tea
The sparkling wine has been upgraded to Moët & Chandon for the occasion, and mothers get a special gift. RMB 238+15% (for two). 2.30-5pm. Raffles Hotel (6526 3388 ext 4186)
SALT Mother’s Day Brunch
Free-flow bubbly costs extra, but moms are worth it. RMB 388 (includes two courses and free-flow champagne). Noon-4pm. SALT (6437 8457)
Mother’s Day Brunch at The Ritz-Carlton, Financial Street
Treats include a lucky draw for a private family dinner in the exclusive Carlton Suite with a butler. Each mother will be presented a beautiful cake. RMB 298+, RMB149+ (6-12 years old) includes free-flowing soft drinks, fresh juices and coffee or tea. 11.30am-3pm. The Ritz-Carlton Financial Street, 1 Jinchengfang Street East, Financial Street, Xicheng District. Dining reservations at 6629 6990.
Spas
An oldie but a goodie, spa vouchers never go out of style. Treat mom to a cleansing facial, a blissful massage, or a luxurious mani-pedi. Bodhi and Dragonfly have stood the test of time, but if Mom is looking for something new, try Kocoon in Nali Patio, or get the perfect manicure at C. de France. For special Mothers’ Day promotions, check out The Peninsula Spa by ESPA where guests who book an 80-minute Spring Rejuvenation package can bring Mom along to receive the same package for free. Alternatively, get Mom ready for summer with the Summer Essentials package from The Spa at the Hilton Beijing Wangfujing. Enjoy an Aromasoul ritual scrub and aromatic massage at the discounted rate of RMB 680 (+ 15% surcharge) until July 31.
Bodhi Therapeutic Retreat
Daily 11am-12.30am. 17 Gongti Beilu, ChaoyangDistrict (6417 9595)
朝阳区工体北路17号
Dragonfly Therapeutic Retreat
1) Daily 10am-1am. Lufthansa Center, 1/F, Grand Summit Plaza, 19 Dongfang Donglu Chaoyang District (8532 3122) 朝阳区朝阳区燕莎桥东方东路19号外交会所1层; 2) Daily 10am-1am. B1/F, Eastern Hotel, Nansanlitun Nanlu, Chaoyang District (6593 6066) 朝阳区朝阳区三里屯南路逸羽酒店1层
The Spa, Hilton Beijing Wangfujing
Daily 10am-11pm. 6/F, Hilton Beijing Wangfujing,8 Wangfujing East Street, Dongcheng District (5812 8888 ext 8560)
东城区王府井东大街8号北京王府井希尔顿6层
The Peninsula Spa by ESPA
3/F, The Peninsula, 8 Jinyuhutong, Wangfujing, Dongcheng District (8516 2888 ext 6090)
东城区东城区王府井金鱼胡同8号2王府半岛酒店三层
Kocoon
Daily 11am-9.30pm (last appointment). Rm C301, 3/F, North Bldg, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Beijie (west side), Chaoyang District (5208 6068)
朝阳区三里屯北街西侧81号那里花园北楼3层C301室
C. de France
1) Daily 10am-8pm. Nali Mall, Sanlitun Beilu, Chaoyang District (6417 3029) 朝阳区三里屯北路那里商城内; 2) 2/F, Riviera Plaza, 5 Laiguangying Donglu, Chaoyang District (8470 4639, 150 1081 6856) 朝阳区来广营东路5号香江广场2层
The Ultimate
For the mom who has everything, and we mean everything, check out the Mother’s Day Luxury Package at The Ritz-Carlton, Beijing. A day of pampering includes: Rolls Royce Phantom pick-up and drop off with champagne, bouquet on arrival, overnight accommodation for Mom and Dad in the Presidential Suite, an intimate tailor-made lunch for six people in the Presidential Suite, a deluxe 90-minute caviar and pearl anti-aging facial for mom and a one-hour Balinese massage for dad. This exclusive first-come-first-serve package has a big price tag (RMB 59,999), so better warm up your credit card. For details and conditions, call 5908 8952 or e-mail mhrs.bjsrz.pr.department@ritzcarlton.com.
