As Mother’s Day Celebrates 100th Anniversary, Aruba Honors These Special Ladies with Mom-Only Extras Including Exclusive Island Discounts, Spa Credits, Complimentary Gifts & More!

Forget home, mom is really where the heart is, and in 2008 there is not a better place to honor these special women than in Aruba!  One hundred years ago, on May 10th, 1908 the first Mother’s Day celebration took place in Grafton, West Virginia.*  Now the celebration moves a little further south, to Aruba!  This May, Aruba pulls out all the stops for our maternal units in celebration of the holiday’s monumental 100th anniversary.  Through the mom-centric month of May and beyond, Aruba serves up a bevy of exclusive discounts, complimentary gifts and spa credits, sure to make mommy proud.  2008 in Aruba is most definitely the year of the moms!

Below is a sampling of specials designed exclusively as a ‘thank you’ for moms who deserve to be showered with a little unconditional love themselves:

The Mill Resort & Suites
For the entire month of May 2008, The Mill will offer all mothers home made cookies upon arrival, a special souvenir, a discount at the Intermezzo Day Spa and Beauty Salon and dinner discounts at The Garden Café Restaurant.  Moms will also enjoy $10 casino coupon, a discount on jewelry at Diamond’s International and a copy of the chef’s traditional Aruban recipe, Keeshi Yena, as good as his mom made it.  Valid May 1 – 31, 2008.  1.800.992.2015 or www.millresort.com.

The Westin Aruba Resort
Mom will receive the treatment she deserves with a $100 credit at the resort’s luxurious spa, the Spa.  To achieve an even deeper state of relaxation, this special also includes a complimentary day for the kids at the Westin Kids Club – so mom can savor some much needed alone time. Valid May 1 – August 31, 2008.  1.877.822.2222 or www.westinaruba.com.

The Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino
Both veteran mothers and moms-to-be alike, will be honored by the amazing Larimar Spa at the Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino.  Moms are invited to visit the gorgeous oceanfront spa for a tour, complimentary champagne and the chance to receive a special spa gift.  Valid each Sunday through May 31, 2008.  1.888.201.1718 or www.radisson.com/aruba.

Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
For those about to embark on motherhood, the Aruba Marriott is offering an indulgent four-night stay, with the fifth night free, a 50-minute Pregnancy Massage or a 50-minute Reflex Foot Massage at the award-winning Mandara Spa, with rates starting at $319 per room, per night. Valid May 1 – 26, 2008.  For moms-to-be looking to splurge, a “sweet and salty cravings” menu is available at an additional charge. 1.800.223.6388 or www.arubamarriott.com.  Promotional code P51.

Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Aruba
Cheers to mom!  For the entire month of May, the Holiday Inn Aruba is serving up a free bottle of wine upon check in to all moms to help them relax.  Also throughout May, adventurous moms will enjoy a 10% discount off water sports from Pelican Adventures that has an activities window located at the resort.  1-800-HOLIDAY or www.aruba.sunspreeresorts.com.

“It’s Mother’s Day every day of the year, but officially moms only get recognition on their official day, so to honor the most special individuals in our lives, we took the 100th anniversary of this holiday as an opportunity to celebrate them throughout 2008,” said Myrna Jansen-Feliciano, managing director for the Aruba Tourism Authority.  ”As a mom myself, I was happy to hear that a number of our partners in the tourism industry had jumped at the chance to celebrate Mother’s Day beyond just one day in May, and really give the island’s visiting moms a chance to stand out as some of Aruba’s most special guests.”