Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. If you and your sweetie have fallen into a romance rut, a trip could be just what you need to bring the sexy back. And, single ladies, instead of staying home why not take one of these fantastic trips with your friends or spend a weekend pampering yourself? From Bali to Brooklyn, from the budget-conscious to the truly decadent, here are a few suggestions on where you can go to connect with Cupid.
Naughty & Nice: The Liaison Capital Hill (Washington, DC)
Prices start at $169 per night thru Dec. 31, 2010. Also available at Affinia Hotels in New York & Chicago. Mention offer code PASSION.
Our nation’s capitol has hosted more than its fair share of frisky trysts so why not choose Washington, DC for your romantic getaway? The Naughty and Nice romance package at the Liaison Capital Hill (an Affinia Hotel) includes a bottle of bubbly, rose-petal turn-down service, a romantic in-room movie, a box of Jacques Torres hand-made chocolates, an Agent Provocateur Strip Poker set, a "52 Ways to Stay in Love Forever" deck of cards to inspire romance, and guaranteed late check-out. Sounds like a winning combination. Better Off in Bali: Uma Ubud (Bali, Indonesia)
Starts at $665 per room, double occupancy.
Is Cupid working your last nerve? If you prefer to spend Valentine’s Day getting to know YOU, book a trip to beautiful Bali. The Ubud Escape includes trips to local villages, temples and artisans’ workshops. Get a 60-minute massage, a daily Yoga class, and a daily group guided walk. A three-course dinner at an open air restaurant next to a waterfall-fed pond is also included. And, remember, Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love) met her soul mate in Indonesia, so you never know!
All Aboard the Love Train: Heart AC (Atlantic City, NJ)
Hop the ACES train with your honey from the Big Apple to Atlantic City and enjoy a weekend of Valentine’s Day events that will stimulate all of your senses! Save 20% on rooms at Harrah's, Caesars, Bally's and Showboat. Event highlights include a champagne and chocolate tasting with Jacques Torres, concerts by B.B. King and Air Supply, a speed dating event with VH1's Tough Love hosts, and the Atlantic City Group Valentine Wedding Vow Renewal. Best of all, you can start your celebration on the train ride – ACES serves cocktails and upscale nibbles.
What’s Cooking Good Looking?: Hotel Monaco (Seattle, Washington)
Prices starts at $399
Don’t just go out to dinner for Valentine’s Day – take a cooking class together! The Little Bit of Lovin' package includes a cooking class taught by Sazerac restaurant Executive Chef Jason McClure, a 3-course meal paired with wine, a signed copy of the Savor Seattle cookbook and more! After the cooking class, get cozy in your room at the Hotel Monaco, a luxury boutique hotel that is rated one of the Top 100 Hotels in the World by Travel & Leisure. To book, call VIP reservations at (206) 516-5097
Sexy Seclusion: Ponto Dos Ganchos (Brazil)
4 night package starts at $6495 (includes all meals, non-alcoholic beverages, VIP check-in at the airport and more)
Located on a private peninsula on Brazil’s sultry Emerald Coast, Ponta Dos Ganchos is just a fifty-five minute flight from Sao Paolo. With only 25 bungalows and a minimum age requirement of 18 years, Ponta Dos Ganchos is perfect for grown-up beach lovers seeking laid-back elegance, romance and seclusion. Although Valentine’s Day coincides with Carnival, you and your sweetie can skip the mayhem and create your own magic with this special package that includes daily yoga classes, a relaxing flower bath, a special dinner and more. Be sure to book a treatment in the Christian Dior Spa.
Whatever Floats Your Boat: BargeMusic (New York City)
$57 per person.
Let the sweet sounds of Schubert and Mozart sweep over you and your sweetheart on Bargemusic - a floating barge at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge that presents chamber music. The East River and lower Manhattan skyline make for a romantic backdrop while you toast each other with your glass of complimentary champagne and chocolates. Relax & Reconnect: Rock Hall (Colebrook, Connecticut)
Rates starting at $240 per night
Rock Hall, a historic home in the Southern Berkshires, melds the essence of New England with a dash of Palm Beach. Built by famed Palm Beach architect Addison Mizner, Rock Hall is a 10,000 square foot manor house with four luxurious guest rooms. If you do decide to leave your room, there is much to do at Rock Hall, including marked hiking trails. On-site massage and private yoga classes can be arranged, as well as a horse-drawn carriage or sleigh-ride with door-to-door pick-up and drop-off. A Mediterranean-style breakfast is included. This package is available for the entire month of February.
