From Feb. 11-14, Sooke Harbour House -- a charming 28-room inn on Vancouver Island -- has a Romantic by Essence package that provides two nights' accommodations, a three-course gourmet dinner for two on the night of your choice, and two hot breakfasts for two.
Located on a scenic bluff at Whiffen Spit, each room at Sooke Harbour House is unique. Decorated with antiques and work by local artists, all rooms have water views and wood-burning fireplaces while many have deep soaker tubs, steam showers or balconies. Valentine packages start at $646.20 plus taxes. See sookeharbourhouse.com.
Romancing L.A.
Two boutique hotels in Los Angeles -- the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel, Bel Air and the Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel, Beverly Hills have romance packages.
Priced from $279 per night, the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel's Valentine's Package, available Feb. 11-15, offers suite accommodations, two glasses of sparkling rose, a $40 food and beverage credit, late check out and a 15% spa discount.
The Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel's "Love Me Lavish Me" deal is good through Dec. 30. Priced from $319, it offers accommodations, two glasses of sparkling rose and strawberries, continental breakfast for two, served in Cafe Rodeo or in-room, one complimentary in-room movie and bathtub turndown.
See luxehotelsunsetblvd.com and luxehotelrodeodrive.com. The booking code for both offers is LOVE.
We love New York
Here are some ideas for celebrating the weekend of love in the Big Apple from NYC & Co., the city's official tourism organization:
-- Spend a romantic weekend discovering Staten Island. On Feb. 12, spend the afternoon at the Second Saturday Arts Walk strolling between 16 participating galleries, restaurants and homes. See secondsaturdaystatenisland.com. Feb. 13 is Sweetheart Day at the Staten Island Zoo and admission will be two-for-one. See statenislandzoo.org. Enjoy a romantic evening -- or two -- at the Hilton Garden Inn Staten Island. Their Eat, Love, Stay special, Feb. 11-14, provides overnight lodging, in-room champagne and buffet breakfast for $179 per night. For $99 more, couples can add a romantic dinner at Lorenzo's Italian restaurant. See hiltongardeninn.hilton.com or lorenzosdining.com.
-- Nature lovers might like these events: On Feb. 12, there is a Cardinal Couples bird-watching walk to spot mated pairs in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. Gather at the Nature Center at 8 a.m. for the free event. See nycgovparks.org/events. On Feb. 13, visit Prospect Park Zoo in the Bronx for Animal Dating and Mating. Participants will learn about the courtship rituals, love lives and evolutionary biology of zoo animals, and create valentine treats for resident animal couples. You must be 21 or older to attend. Advance registration is required for the event, which runs from 2:30 to 4 p.m. and costs $20. Visit prospectparkzoo.com.
-- From Feb. 1-28, W Hotels in NYC are offering a Love Sick "cure-all." The "prescription" includes a Max Brenner Chocolate Syringe, Max Brenner Massage Oil, an in-room movie credit, breakfast in bed, a bottle of bubbly and late checkout. For additional information, visit starwoodhotels.com.
-- Apple Core Hotels' Roses and Rose package continues through Feb. 28 at its five budget-friendly properties -- Nyma, the Comfort Inn Times Square, The Hotel @ Times Square, La Quinta Manhattan and the Ramada Eastside. Along with accommodations, guests receive a bottle of sparkling rose and a dozen red roses. Packages begin at $204.99. See applecorehotels.com/promotions/roses.
-- For more ideas, see.
We love discounts
Looking for a little budget-friendly romance in NYC? Visitors who book a Gray Line New York's Night on the Town coach tour for Feb. 14 will save $20 off the regular $79 per person fare. The price includes a romantic dinner in Little Italy, a water taxi cruise with a Champagne toast and closeup view of Lady Liberty, a walking tour of the new Highline Park in the Meatpacking District, and a visit to Top of the Rock Observatory. See newyorksightseeing.com.
It's all about the chocolate
Barton Hill Hotel and Spa, in Lewiston, N.Y. has a Valentine's deal that's all about the chocolate. Prices for Feb. 12 start at $259 per room and include a room with a fireplace, a chocolate-souffle cooking class, a personally selected box of chocolates and breakfast for two. Contact 716-754-9070.
More chocolate indulgence
Mohonk Mountain House -- a historic Victorian castle resort near New Paltz, N.Y. -- has a delectable program Feb. 11-13.
During the Art of Chocolate weekend there will be cooking demonstrations (chocolate bread pudding, toasted chocolate brioche, creamy chocolate soup, etc.) chocolate sampling, chocolate and wine-pairing and a design-your-own-chocolate-bar workshop. Activities will be led by Mohonk's chefs and special guests -- Paris trained chocolatier Oliver Kita and cookbook author Lora Brody.
Rates -- from $217 per person, per night based on double occupancy -- include accommodations, three meals daily, afternoon tea and cookies and most activities. See mohonk.com.
Romancing Bermuda
Forget Valentine's Day, Bermuda's tourism department has declared February "Feel the Love Month." Events to mark the island-wide celebration will take place through Feb. 28. These include:
-- Wednesday afternoon Chocolate Tastings at the Gourmet Boutique in Hamilton.
-- The Love Train City Tour -- Wednesdays at 11 a.m. -- to showcase Hamimlton's romantic places and historic sites.
-- A Love Tales Walking Tour of historic St. George -- Saturdays at 11 a.m. -- to introduce visitors to Bermuda's greatest love stories and locally made products.
-- SalsaMania nights create some sizzle three times a week with choreographed routines, couples' instruction and Latin cuisine. Venues include the Fairmont Southampton (Thursdays), the Lido Complex, Elbow Beach Bermuda (Fridays), and Muse, 17 Front St., Hamilton (Saturdays).
-- Feel the Love Fridays at the Bermuda National Gallery in Hamilton combine performances of love songs (5:30 p.m. to 7) and complimentary wine tasting.
In addition, travellers booking a minimum three-night stay at 16 participating resorts can also receive the third night free as part of the "Compliments of Bermuda" promotion. Accommodations range from luxury resorts and boutique hotels to beach clubs and historic properties. For more, see bermudatourism.com.
More than kiss and tell
Looking for a memorable way to pop the question? Vancouver's Fairmont Waterfront has a Marry Me By The Mountains And The Sea romance package packed with experiences that won't soon be forgotten. Highlights include:
-- Flightseeing with Helijet and a landing on Grouse Mountain to pop the big question followed by ice-skating on the pond, wilderness snowshoeing or a sleigh ride.
-- A ruby red KHS Tandemania Cross tandem bike, cycling gear and a picnic basket for a romantic ride along the Seawall.
-- One night's accommodation in the royal suite with welcome Dom Perignon and canapes, and breakfast in bed for two.
-- Valentine's Day dinner for two with chocolate fondue in the private diningroom of Herons Restaurant.
-- Wedding consultation for The Fairmont Waterfront.
Available Feb. 11-14, the package is priced from $7,999 and must be booked five days in advance. For reservations or information, call the reservations manager, Sophie Mon-Kau at 604-691-1822 or e-mail sophie.mon-kau@fairmont.com.
Who ya gonna call?
Need help planning an unforgettable proposal? Starting on the Valentine's Day weekend, guests of Woodlands Inn can consult the "Betrothal Butler."
It's only fitting that Woodlands would provide help in the love department: The five-star five-diamond property near Charleston, S.C., is considered one of the most romantic hotels in the U.S.
The Betrothal Butler will give expert advice on all aspects of proposal planning, arrange delivery of the ring at the right moment, create a romantic dinner menu and capture the big moment on camera. After Valentine's Day, the complimentary service will be available year-round but guests must request the butler when booking.
The atmospheric inn, which is set in 17 hectares of parkland and listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, also has a Valentine's deal starting at $599 per night for one night's accommodation, Champagne and chocolate upon arrival, three-course dinner for two with wine, and breakfast for two the next morning (either in the restaurant or room service). The package is valid from Feb. 11-14 with special rates for additional nights, starting at $350.
Romance down on the farm
From Feb. 13-20, the five-star Farm at Cape Kidnappers in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, has a luxury Valentine's escape. Priced from $1,380 per night, the deal provides a one-night stay in a hilltop suite with views of the Pacific Ocean, welcome Champagne, a five-course dinner for two and full breakfast. Visit capekidnappers.com.
A weekend in Seattle
