Hotels countrywide are set to serve up sumptuous Mother's Day afternoon teas with pampering add-ons, writes SANDRA O'CONNELL

Here’s to mothers. Be they yummy mummies, best friends or old dears, they gave birth to you, reared you, fed and clothed you and, if they had half a chance, they’d be doing it still.

Gosh, all of a sudden bringing her out for afternoon tea isn’t nearly enough.

Still, in honour of this age-old Mother’s Day tradition, it’s time to start warming the pot for options.

Anyone looking for a capital suggestion can choose either of the grand old dames of Dublin – the Shelbourne and Gresham hotels – whose afternoon teas (€27.95 at The Shelbourne and €18 at The Gresham) are institutions in their own right.

Alternatively head for the Westbury where, from €30 each, you get a selection of teas from all over the world, tea-infused jam for the clotted-cream scones and an array of finger sandwiches (yikes!).

Champagne and chocolate based alternatives are also available here. The latter includes honey ganache chocolates and lavender macaroons on a “spring garden-inspired” base, complete with chocolate honey bees and chocolate spring flowers.

In leafy Ballsbridge afternoon tea at the Four Seasons Hotel (€35 each) comes with a Spring Basket from the hotel’s in-house florist plus a glass of champagne.

Tarry awhile for its Tea and Pampering Too package (at €150 per person) includes spa treatments, plus afternoon tea, and bubbly, served poolside.

If you prefer a Mother’s Day lunch, the Cliff Townhouse on St Stephen’s Green has one that includes both bubbly and a make-up application for €130 for two, setting you up nicely for a stroll down Grafton Street.

Or head to Belfast for afternoon tea in the Titanic Suite at Titanic Belfast.

The price here is £23 (€26.60), or £29 (€33.50) with champagne, surrounded by a replica staircase of the great liner.

In Mayo, Knockranny House Hotel has afternoon tea with two and a half hours of spa treatments for €99 per person.

While in West Cork, Inchydoney Island has a Queen for a Day package from €180 pps, including overnight stay and, get this, Cleopatra Milk Bath, Diamond and Gold Skin Revival Treatment and Precious Oil masks and massages. She deserves no less.

Afternoon tea here is of the fresh-fruit-and-smoothie kind but gorgeous nonetheless.

Also in Cork, Ballymaloe House has a Mother’s Day overnighter including dinner, bed and breakfast from €160 per person plus afternoon tea for free.

Wexford’s Kellys Hotel suggests you book an overnight midweek package which bags you afternoon tea on arrival and dinner plus a night spent boogying with mum in its Ivy Room, just like you used to do round the kitchen at home.

Next day it’s down to the Sea Spa for pampering, with a little goodbye gift for mum on departure. Kelly’s Thank You Mum package costs €165 pps valid until the end of June.

For the mother of all Mother’s Day afternoon teas however and, at €12 per head the best value around, head for Hunter’s Hotel in Rathnew, Co Wicklow. No chocolate flowers and bees here but real ones, in gardens that bloom whatever the season, just like mum.

Theshelbourne.ie, Hunters.ie, Gresham-hotels.com, Kellys.ie, Fourseasons.com, Ballymaloe.ie, Doylecollection.com,Inchydoneyisland.com,Theclifftownhouse.com, Titanicbelfast.com, Knockrannyhousehotel.ie