Have you ever been on vacation by yourself? I haven’t, but for some reason this year when I was about to hit a big birthday, I wanted more than anything to celebrate alone. Head west to the Grand Tetons for a solo trek through the mountains, take some incredible photos, read, sleep, and full absorb the weight of turning 40.
Of course my wonderful husband and friends had other plans and threw me a big celebration! And though it was the party of my dreams, I still craved that time to reconnect with myself. So when The Moms asked me to join them at Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa in Mexico for a Moms Escape, I didn’t think twice about flying south. Even in the middle of basketball season when I was overloaded with work, and even though I’d miss our girls dearly.
Why do all moms need to go on vacation alone? Well I didn’t think I needed to when it came time to pack! But let me tell you, once you cut the cord and give up control over your kids schedule, it’s amazing how alive you feel. No pressure of laundry, making meals, breaking up fights. No early wake ups, or worrying about anyone but yourself. It really is uncanny how it feels to be alone and only have yourself to care for. It’s almost as if you were the same person before having kids. Almost…because your heart always thinks of them even when you’re away.
The backdrop for our Moms Escape was the luxurious Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa in Mexico on the Mayan Riviera.
A lush, dense, and green area about 80 miles southeast of Cancun. I’ve never stayed at an all inclusive resort, and wow is it heaven! No credit card needed at any of the restaurants or bars, no worrying at all. Just unpack and make yourself at home, and let the personable and professional staff pamper you!
Loved my room (and bathroom) with a view. Not a bad way to soak in the jacuzzi tub!
We were treated to Unlimited Luxury which means superior meals, snacks, and top shelf beverages, all wrist band free. The property had nine restaurants to choose from, all different cuisines from casual to formal, with no reservations required.
Tacos for breakfast? Yes please…with traditional Mexican coffee to wash them down!
The Moms Cocktail – pure heaven!
And the resort is located directly on the ocean so the views and sunrises were spectacular!
My favorite part of the weekend though was not only connecting with several other working mothers and bloggers, but the extraordinary Dreams Spa by Pevonia. It stretches nearly 13,000 square feet and was the most indulgent and relaxing spa massage journey I’ve ever experienced.
We were in a little hut in the middle of a lush forest, surrounded by bamboo and a fountain. Inside we were treated to three different types of massages over the course of 90 minutes. It’s safe to say, I would return to Dreams Tulum Resort just for the spa alone!
And if you can’t travel alone, or just don’t want to leave your little ones just yet, there is an Explorer’s Club for kids that is created to give children their own vacation adventures!
Here’s a quick video tour I made of the beautiful property!
I highly encourage all moms to book a trip for themselves for the New Year and have their own Mom’s Escape. And please consider a Dreams Resort & Spa property, you are definitely worth it!
I love your reasoning, but I will wait for my husband to come with me 🙂
My, my that sounds like a wonderful time. I need to do this!
I go away alone at least once a year. And if I can’t swing a long distance trip, I stay downtown by myself for a weekend. heaven. But the resort above.. I may have to visit!
We honestly usually do staycations. We have 3 dogs, and we hate to board them. If we didn’t have them, we’d probably stay somewhere like this.
That IS hard! And expensive!
Looked like a fabulous vacation and time alone. Seriously jealous and where do I sign up for this?! 😉
There are beds ON THE BEACH! Where do I sign up?
LOL! They are called cabanas!
I would love to go to an all-inclusive resort, but unless it was free, I wouldn’t feel right going without my husband. He’s my other half! This place looks amazing though!
This looks amazing! Happy to hear you got some time to relax!
I don’t think I could go without my family. I am weird that way LOL. The most I could do is a weekend away from friends. Looks like you had a blast though.
My little one is now in kindergarten and I am seeing how I need to give myself more time. I became in this time warp and definitely need a vacation alone.
I tell you, I dream of a vacation on my own, but wonder how long it will be before I missed my kids and family. Ha! This sure does sound like the place to go, though 🙂
Holy Shmoly! What an amazing place! Take me with you next time! I have never taken a vacation alone away from my kids ever and it’s about stinking time!! I am so glad you had an amazing time! Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos.
I want to go there! This looked amazing and I definitely would enjoy it.
How beautiful. The photos are amazing. Maybe when the kids are grown!!
I was married at Dreams Tulum in 2014. It IS a beautiful property; I would love to go on a Mommy escape there; or for any reason for that matter. 🙂
No way! That’s awesome, must have been beautiful!
I think this is pretty awesome, and I would LOVE to have a very short vacation on my own, but like only a day…. It’s all I need! But maybe in a few years!
I feel you, when they were babies, 24 hours was my max. Now…well, a weekend here or there is MUCH needed!
We as moms do need a vacation alone once and a while. Last time I went on one alone, I was such a nice mom when I got back for at least a few weeks.
I am with you. Moms just need some alone time from time to time to stay grounded. You have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others.
Couldn’t agree more!
I think this mom needs a vacation. This is such a great idea. I would definitely be checking out this spa.
The spa was awesome Stacie!
Oh my heck I need a solo vacation! I mean like seriously need one. What a luxurious resort you got to enjoy!
I know right? So lucky!
Sanity-time is so important, but it’s so hard to make the time. After reading your post though I think I have to make this happen!
I know Mary, it’s impossible to make time. Just do it!
I don’t have children of my own yet but my mother never had a chance to vacation when I was growing up and I would love to treat her to a trip like this! How nice would it be to wake up to the sound of the ocean and such pampering?
That looks amazing! So glad you got to do something for you! I hope you came back feeling refreshed.
I have never spent a night away from my kids…but someday when I do I want to do something just like this!
These photos look amazing. I would love to go on a vacation by myself. It is important to recharge our batteries. I would love to go to Hawaii.
I think it is important for Moms to take time out for themselves. This looks like it was an amazing place to stay. I would love to go to a Spa resort.
Oh wow, this sounded like an incredible trip. I’m a bit jealous! I would love to some time off at this resort.
That looks amazing but I don’t know if I could be away from my kids for that long!
Wow– I’m so jelly. Looks like an absolutely amazing time!
Sounds great! I am more for travelling with my spouse or family but, me time is always go.
Actually, it’s totally on my bucket list to do something like this. Alone.
I have traveled for business alone, but that was business. I did a blogging conference alone, but I met up with a ton of friends there, but mostly, the accommodations were terrible. So this is my dream! Especially after having kids.
I totally need a vacation too! My kids drive me nuts–it is a good thing they are cute!
Your post is fantastic, I Retweeting on Twitter too. Us moms work 24/7 even on a family vacay so I totally agree with you that we all need to go on a vacation alone and have a few of those delish tropical drinks while watching the sunset without anyone asking us to do anything.
Love your ideas! Moms all work 24/7 and even when we go on a family vacation we are working to take care of our families. So what a great idea to go on a vacation alone to enjoy tropical drinks while watching the sunset without anyone asking anything of us.
sounds heavenly! i love me some resort!
We stopped by Tulum for a day on our honeymoon and it was so beautiful. I would love to go again for a longer period of time!
Wow. This resort and spa looks amazing. I love the video. I can’t imagine three days living in luxury without much responsibility. Sounds like a wonderful weekend.
This momma could totally use an alone vacation right about now! Your trip to Mexico looks simply amazing.
I’m so jealous of that experience, right now! I’ve never gone on vacation by myself, but could absolutely see doing it now. Even if all I did was just sleep and get some easy reading done!
WOW, Kristen!! How fun is this?! It looks amazing. I love, love, love Mexico…totally going to keep this on my list of places to go when it comes time to take a grown-up vacation. It looks perfect.
I wish I could do this! Maybe when I turn 40 and my kids are a bit older than I will certainly do a mom’s escape! I could totally use one.
I love this post! It’s hard to find a tribe of moms who do this, but I go on short trips by myself 2-3x a year and it has really changed my life (I call them momventures :)). I hope you keep it up!
I did! Just got back from a meditation retreat I need to write about. Good for yoU!