Valentine's Day is just two weeks away, and hotels are hoping to help you and your special someone keep the magic alive by offering some unique romantic getaways. Nilou Motamed, features editor for Travel + Leisure magazine, shares her tips for perfect Valentine's Day destinations.
Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort, Mexico
$725/night
www.lasventanas.com
They are featuring a romance menu.
- A sophisticated hideaway along one of the most picturesque stretches of sand on the Sea of Cortes
- The Ocean Front Rooftop Terrace Junior Suites have private rooftops and whirlpools.
- Their romance menu includes fun activities and services such as setting up a private movie theater on the beach, a carriage ride for two in the desert, or leaving your handwritten love letter in the sand to be found during dinner or a sunset walk.
- They have a department of romance where someone can work with you personally to create a memorable event.
Calistoga Ranch, California
$720/night
www.calistogaranch.com
They are featuring wine-inspired activities and services.
- Modern cedar-shingled cottages tucked into a canyon overlooking the Mayacama Mountains, this T+L 500 property has lots of privacy, especially if you stay in the Oak Creek Lodges.
- The design works in harmony with the natural surroundings — floor-to-ceiling windows, outdoor fireplaces and open-air showers.
- You can take part in the winemaking process at the mountainside cave.
- At the resort's Bathhouse Spa, they offer vinotherapy treatments such as the Vineyard Crush, which uses crushed grape seeds. You can soak in the spa's outdoor mineral tubs under the nighttime sky while sipping wine or champagne together.
Royal Palms Resort & Spa, Arizona
$459/night
www.royalpalmsresortandspa.com
They actually have a "director of romance" on site to make all the romantic arrangements for you.
- Mediterranean-style resort with gardens and antiques galore. Book the second-floor Montavista Terrace rooms for balconies and views of Camelback Mountain.
- The resort's director of romance has orchestrated hundreds of romantic events, from proposals to anniversary celebrations.
- He can do a variety of things, from bringing in violinists or poem readers for your special occasion or setting up a picnic lunch in a secluded area of the hotel's grounds.
- If you decide to propose at the last minute, he advises on where to buy rings, tuxes, wedding dresses, etc. He has even arranged airplanes spelling out proposals in the sky.
Curtain Bluff, Antigua
$4,030 for two people
www.curtainbluff.com
The package for those who are making a"babymoon" out of this (for those soon-to-be moms).
- Has a collection of suites on a 140-acre peninsula framed by a white-sand beach and Bercher's Bay
- If you're expecting this Valentine's Day, they are offering a babymoon package that includes: four nights in a deluxe, ocean-front room; one pregnancy massage for mom; one destressing massage for the dad-to-be; a special "island-themed" gift for the baby-to-be; all meals (including room service and snacks); beverages (alcoholic and nonalcoholic) and activities such as snorkeling, windsurfing, tennis, yoga, Pilates and more.
Hotel Hassler, Rome
doubles from $1,015
www.hotelhasslerroma.com
Over-the-top European escape.
- Top hotel in Rome according to T+L readers
- Stylish turn-of-the-century palace at the top of Pincian Hill, above the Spanish Steps
- The hotel is offering a Roman Skyline Package that includes a helicopter ride over Rome — the first hotel in the city to offer this experience. The package includes 3 nights in a Classic Suite, helicopter ride over Rome, private round-trip limo service to the airport, daily buffet breakfast, and an exclusive tasting menu dinner at Imago, the hotel's restaurant, which has a panoramic view of the city.