5 child-free hotspots for a Mother's Day escape

While handmade cards or a breakfast-in-bed tray featuring only slightly singed toast may have their rumpled charms, sometimes the best Mother's Day gift is to not be a mother for a day (or five).

Mom guilt has no place when it comes to a dream trip, and there's a good chance the youngsters will be equally excited about a staycation away from mom and dad's rules. 

So, if you need a break from the daily dropoff-work-homework-dinner-bath routine, text your babysitters, because we've rounded up five destinations perfectly placed for an adult-only getaway.

In modern times, Greece has become just as renowned for its paradisiacal islands as its ancient attractions, and Zakynthos (aka Zante) is truly a 21st-century Eden. This Ionian Sea retreat offers much more than cut-and-paste turquoise waters and white sands (though it brandishes those too). 

Shipwreck Beach makes a unique backdrop for amateur photographers and maritime-disaster buffs, while the Mediterranean Marine Life Centre protects the endangered Caretta sea turtle, also found swimming at nearby beaches. 

You can stroll between shops, bars, and tavernas in the town centre or take a drive to traditional villages like Volimes, Keri, and Alykes, sans the chorus of “Are we there yet?” from the backseat. To brush up on Greek history, the Archaeological Site of Ancient Olympia is an optimal spot, being the place that birthed the Olympic Games.

Where to stay: Zante Maris Suites - Adults Only is a five-star hotel with an organic take on Greek architecture—think white, cuboid buildings accented with natural wood and hardy vegetation. The large outdoor pool is heated for those rare cooler days, and the on-site restaurant dishes up fine dining with a Mediterranean slant.

Sankt Jakob in Haus, Austria may delight skiing fans, but when the snow melts, it warms up to its reputation as the sunniest village in the Pillersee Valley.

Its secluded position in the Kitzbühel Alps draws adventure lovers, with lakes for swimming and water sports and trails up mountains like the Buchensteinwand, famed for its 100-ft wooden cross and immense views. 

When you’re ready to swap your hiking boots for a dose of culture, we recommend a visit to Swarovski Crystal Worlds to view glittering indoor and outdoor installations, as well as art pieces in the Chambers of Wonder.

Where to stay: Adults Only Boutique-Hotel Unterlechner shines perennially, thanks to its prime position on an alpine slope near ski runs and dense forest. Here, you’ll find indoor and outdoor nature pools, a spa with herbal and steam baths alongside a sauna, and a private balcony or terrace for every room. The award-winning restaurant is a standout attraction, making local ingredients the star of the show in its seasonal menu. And while this is not a property for human children, fur children are very welcome.

Cancún may have a reputation as Mexico’s party capital, but the coastal city takes leisure just as seriously, evidenced by its lineup of some of the world’s best all-inclusive resorts. Picture palm trees waltzing in the warm breeze and miles of soft white sand beneath your feet, with no stray LEGOs to watch out for. 

With the Caribbean Sea stretching before you, you’d be remiss not to book a cruise. You and your co-parent could opt for a relaxed catamaran adventure to Isla Mujeres aboard a 45-ft luxury vessel, complete with a buffet lunch and snorkelling in the coral reef. 

Or, if your child-free vacation has taken the form of a sojourn with girlfriends, a rollicking boat party with an open bar and hip-hop and R&B music might be more your speed.

Where to stay: The five-star Atelier Playa Mujeres- Adults Only - All Inclusive Resort represents the pinnacle of luxury on the Yucatán Peninsula. Artful guest suites designed by Mexican creators lead onto an endless swimming pool and private beach dotted with cabanas. This remote retreat draws inspiration from the natural landscape and contemporary Mexican art. With other amenities including a golf course, spa, 13 eclectic restaurants, two coffee shops, and 12 themed bars, there’s no need to leave your tropical sanctuary—nor will you want to.

When it comes to after-dark decadence and adult-only outings, few cities are as committed to the good life as Dubai, United Arab Emirates—the Vegas of the Middle East. 

While Dubai may be more culturally conservative than the USA’s “Sin City,” it nonetheless offers a glossy roster of restaurants (14 bestowed with Michelin Stars), exclusive nightclubs, and dazzling skyscrapers, like the Burj Khalifa with its 125th-floor observation deck. 

A nocturnal lifestyle means that brunch, not breakfast, is a big deal here, typically followed by a leisurely afternoon stretched out poolside or at one of the coastal emirate’s myriad beach clubs. The city’s shopping scene also draws crowds, letting parents trade fraught visits to toy stores for state-of-the-art malls, designer outlets, and contemporary souks.

Where to stay: The W Dubai - Mina Seyahi, Adults Only is crafted with extraordinary attention to detail, prioritising a combination of rejuvenation and fun. It’s situated at Jumeirah Beach, a sought-after bit of Dubai’s coastline, and designed with subtle retro flair. A day-to-night program features attractions like DJ sets at the infinity pool, bird’s-eye views from the Japanese-themed rooftop bar, stress relief in the spa, and all-night dancing at the on-site beach club.

Costa Rica may be a small country in Central America, yet it holds around 5% of the world's biodiversity and is dedicated to environmental preservation. 

The tropical surroundings are ideal for striking a romantic mood for couples, while for solo parents, Costa Rica typically ranks among the best countries in the Americas for independent travellers and female visitors. To escape the city lights and crowds, we recommend the hidden gem of Santa Teresa.

This coastal town attracts international residents and visitors, and the beaches are a surfer’s dream. Here, you can fill long, balmy days with yoga on the sand, befriending howler monkeys in the jungle, and watching a blazing sunset with a frosty cocktail in hand.

Where to stay: Highly rated Casa Chameleon Hotel Mal Pais - Adults Only makes the most of its jungle setting, rising from the lush greenery with an eco-construction that utilises renewable materials like bamboo and volcanic rock. If you’re able to tear yourself away from your private, in-room swimming pool, you can watch chefs prepare dishes in the open-kitchen restaurant that focuses on healthy yet flavorful cuisine or sign up for adventure activities like fishing, horseback riding, canopying and tours to nature reserves.