The Mother's Day Dream

Ask any mother what they would most like for Mother’s Day and, chances are, they will say “time”.
Just a guilt-free hour to flick through a magazine, go shopping on their own or have someone else prepare a meal for them – and do the clearing up – would be nice.
But, in reality, if they are at home, me-time is about as likely as finding David Beckham in their lounge, in a pinny, doing the hovering.
No, to give your mum a real treat you have to take her away, get out of town and lavish her in the kind of pampering and luxury celebrities take for granted but the average British mother enjoys once in a blue moon.
Take her to The Chesterfield Hotel in Mayfair, London.
Just one night will do - one night of sheer, five-star bliss.
How do I know? Because I am a mum and I have just spent 24 hours in this achingly atmospheric, elegant, luxury hotel where nothing is too much trouble.
I am getting a princess-and-the-pea reputation for being fussy, liking the good things in life. I confess, with age, that has occurred.
In younger days, I roughed it in Munich station, spent a night in a Rome ‘hotel’ with stomach-churning stains on the sheets and endured a Blackpool B&B room which had ashtrays full of fag ends dotted around it – when I was shown into it!
Never, ever again. Free time is precious and where I spend it has become incredibly important. That’s why I picked The Chesterfield. It’s one of a group of Red Carnation Hotels, all renowned for their excellence.
Tripadvisor rates it as the ninth best hotel in the world and the fourth best hotel in Europe.
So, what’s it like? Well, imagine rich antiques, glistening chandeliers, polished wood, marble floors, extravagant drapes, a subtly-lit bar with cosy booths and a pianist playing gentle, mood-enhancing music.
Imagine staff who can’t do enough for you, smile rather than grimace, actually enjoy the art of serving people well.
Imagine a unique room (all are different to match the
traveller) with sumptuous furnishings – all rooms have been refurbished - superb bathroom and every conceivable extra from luxury Elemis toiletries to flat-screen TV and tea and coffee-making facilities.
A hotel room should be so good you don’t want to leave it. Instead, run a warm bath, pop on the thick bathrobe and slippers (complimentary of course), choose a couple of the free magazines laid out neatly on the polished desk, Red and Woman and Home should do it, and smile broadly.
No housework, no mouths to feed, just you and sheer luxury.
When thoroughly chilled out, take a stroll around the hotel, where Sven Goran Erikksen stayed just a few days before me.
I can imagine it appealing to the quiet Swede. Like many of the best hotels in London, The Chesterfield was formerly a wealthy gentleman’s residence and has the feel of a private, exclusive, and typically English, club.
And you don’t even have to stay there to enjoy it. Its restaurant, famed for its Dover sole, is open to anyone and lunch is reasonably priced at around £20-£25 per head. Alternatively, feel like the Queen and enjoy high tea. I can certainly vouch for its pastry chef, who makes the sweet treats served. He made the most amazing birthday cake for my travelling companion. It arrived with a bottle of Champage on ice and was so gorgeous I stared at it with my mouth gaping open for 10 minutes.

It also demonstrated just how good the service at The Chesterfield is. You see, I hadn’t told them about the birthday. However, the previous year I stayed at another Red Carnation Hotel at the same time to celebrate the very same birthday. They remembered! We were both knocked out by the faultless attention to detail.

Now you can probably understand why, for 24 hours, I never wanted to leave it. I soaked up every second there.
Wrapped in fluffy robe, I did nothing more strenuous than paint my nails and order room service.
Yes, London has a multitude of entertainment on offer but for worn-out mothers it’s good, just now and then, to do absolutely nothing. The ultimate treat? You bet.

Getting there: We travelled by car and parked at an NCP car park five minutes away from the hotel but train fares to London are great value from Derby if booked in advance.
Where to stay: The Chesterfield is exceptional but the Red Carnation group also has other top-notch hotels in the Capital, such as The Milestone and The Egerton.
How much: The Chesterfield has some great weekend deals including its value Mayfair weekend package, from £310 for two. For that you and a companion enjoy a two-night stay, full English breakfast, a complimentary bottle of Champagne, high tea and a 6pm check-out. Pet lovers may also be interested to know that The Chesterfield welcomes dogs.
To find out more, visit www.chesterfieldmayfair.com or www.redcarnationhotels.com.




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