Love is in the air so get your skates on and book a Valentine break away. Here’s 20 ideas of where you can take your loved one to celebrate February 14.
1. Stoke Park oozes romance. Set within 300 acres of beautiful parkland, landscaped gardens and lakes, stands an imposing white Palladian Mansion (above). The 210-year-old grand building exudes romance and luxury. Each of the 49 bedrooms and suites are individually decorated with sumptuous antiques and paintings, and offer both traditional (The Mansion) and more contemporary (The Pavilion) styles to suit all tastes.
Relax in a luxurious bedroom or suite, crack open a bottle of champagne, and enjoy handmade chocolates. Enjoy the use of the five-star amenities with use of the Health and Racquet facilities. In the evening, have a delicious menu in the 3 AA Rosette winning fine dining restaurant Humphry’s. The package includes night in a Superior room, full English breakfast and Valentine dinner. Prices from £220 per person, February 14 to 15. See www.stokepark.com
2. Olympic Holidays is teaming up with two popular five-star hotels on Cyprus to offer Valentine breaks next month. Five nights at the Almyra in Paphos costs from £395 per person (based on two sharing) to include flights, transfers and full board, that’s when flying with easyJet from Gatwick on February 9. This contemporary hotel has lovely views of Paphos’ old port and is only a few minutes’ stroll from the harbour.
At the Annabelle, a five-night break on the same basis, but this time flying on February 12, costs from £415 per person (based on two sharing). Right on Paphos’ seafront, this elegant hotel with beautiful gardens has superb views and is close to historic sites. And at both hotels, for a supplement of £73 per couple, guests can also enjoy a special Valentine’s package that includes a room upgrade (with a Valentine’s surprise on arrival), candle-lit dinner for two, discounts on treatments in the hotels’ spas, free use of the hotels’ sauna, steam room, indoor pool and gym and late check out on departure day. See www.OlympicHolidays.com
3. To celebrate Saint Valentine’s day this year, Puma Hotels Collection is offering special offers on stays throughout February. Guests can enjoy a stay at any of the 21 properties in the collection from as little as £99 per night, including dinner, bed, breakfast and a bottle of sparkling wine. With properties ranging from beautiful country houses in the West Country to grand Victorian landmarks in the Peak District, as well as everything else in between, Puma Hotels has a property to suit every couple and make the perfect setting for a starry-eyed retreat.
The Valentine offer includes a one night stay for two people, a three-course dinner, a full English breakfast, as well as a bottle of sparkling wine. Prices are based on two people sharing a double or twin room. Offers include The Old Ship (above), Brighton, from £99 a night; The Majestic Hotel, Harrogate from £111 per night and Combe Grove Manor Hotel, Bath from £147 a night. See www.pumahotels.co.uk
4. Visit the town of chocolate, Bruges, for a Valentine break with three nights at the three-star Novotel Brugge Centrum. Priced from £289 per person to include London – Bruges and return by rail. See www.fredholidays.co.uk
5. Keep the spark alive this Valentine’s Day and treat your love to a once-in-a-lifetime trip to see the Northern Lights in Lapland, with the chance to stay in an igloo. Transun’s three-night Northern Lights package starts from £409 per person – a saving of up to £500 per person. Couples on the trip will stay in the village of Karesuando on the border of Sweden and Finland, on the official route of the Northern Lights. Guests can even opt to spend a memorable night snuggled up in an igloo for an additional £120 per couple per night.
The three-night Northern Lights trip is based on flights departing East Midlands on February 13. A seven-night version of the trip also departs from Gatwick on February 13, from £819 per person. See www.transun.co.uk
6. Slope off with your Valentine. Ski Solutions has Valentine breaks to ski destinations. Head to Courmayeur in Italy for four nights where guests can spend Valentine’s Day in the spa before enjoying their free glass of bubbly over a delicious meal. Or, speed off to Pila in France where loved-up guests can enjoy a Valentine’s meal with their loved one as well as free spa access. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Ski Solutions offers four nights half-board at the three-star Hotel Pilier d’Angle in Courmayeur from £839 per person. Price includes return flights from Heathrow, private transfers and free spa entry and glass of champagne with Valentine’s dinner. Departing February 13-17. Based on two adults sharing. Or, four nights’ half-board at the three-star Hotel La Chance in Pila – a six-minute walk from the slopes – from £965 per person. The boutique hotel has fantastic spa facilities and a superb restaurant. Price includes return flights from Heathrow, private transfers, spa access, Valentine’s dinner, a bottle of Prosecco and fresh flowers placed in room. Departing February 13-17. Based on two adults sharing. See www.skisolutions.com
7. Kuoni has Valentine breaks including five nights B&B at the five-star Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa, Essaouira, Morocco, in a superior room. The price for February 10 from Heathrow is from £599 per person, saving of up to £268 per couple.
Cyprus – from only £779. Depart Heathrow on BA, staying seven nights B&B at the five-star Four Seasons Hotel Beach Resort (above). The price for February 12 from £779 per person, includes a saving of up to £64 per couple.
Lake Garda, Italy – from £839. Depart Gatwick on BA, staying five nights B&B at the five-star Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda in a prestige junior suite. The price for February 10 and 12 departure includes a saving up to £244 per couple.
Malaysia – from £1,199. Depart Heathrow on Malaysia Airlines, staying seven nights room only at the five-star Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa in a Kinabalu Mountain view room. The price for February 10, 11, 12 includes a saving of up to £369 per couple.
Mauritius – from £1,629. Depart Gatwick on Emirates, staying seven nights half-board at the five-star Long Beach, Mauritius in a standard sea view room. The price for February 10 departure includes a saving of up to £655 per couple. See www.kuoni.co.uk
8. Celebrate Valentine’s Day in style with the ‘Harbour Romance’ package at Wyndham Grand London Chelsea Harbour. As well as an overnight stay, the offer includes a complimentary bottle of red wine, chocolate truffles and chocolate-dipped strawberries, and a full English breakfast. Prices start from £288. See www.wyndhamgrandlondon.co.uk
9. With the coastal town of Sheringham in Norfolk becoming trendy thanks to its chic shops, stunning coastline and arts and culture programme, treat your loved one to a Valentine break at The Dales Country House Hotel. With views out to sea, National Trust Gardens and coastal vistas, the hotel provides the perfect escape to get away from it all. Plus, spend the evening savouring the food over a candlelit dinner in the hotel’s two AA rossette winning restaurant and add on romantic extras such as flowers and champagne on arrival. From £79 per person per night based on a two-night break for two with B&B and dinner or £105 per person per night based on one night. Flowers and champagne can be booked as extra. See www.visitnorfolk.com
10. New York oozes romance – with carriage rides in Central Park, ice skating at the Rockerfellar Center or even a proposal at the top of the Empire State Building – it certainly ticks all of the boxes for a loved up weekend. Hayes and Jarvis has a four-night Valentine’s break to the Big Apple with prices from £649 per person. Departing on February 12, the trip includes four nights’ room-only at the four-star Millennium Broadway Times Square (above). This deal also includes a 10 per cent accommodation discount and return flights from Heathrow with United Airlines. See www.hayesandjarvis.co.uk
11. Wine and dine your loved one at the stylish, four-star Macdonald Berystede Hotel & Spa, in the Thames Valley near Royal Windsor, Berkshire over Valentine’s weekend. Two-night packages include a tempting four-course candlelit dinner on February 14 in the AA rosette Hyperion Restaurant and a Valentine’s Ball on Saturday 15th plus full English breakfast both mornings and use of the Spa and Leisure Club facilities. Prices from £349 per couple in a Classic room; or just stay on Valentine’s night only at £189 dinner B&B for two sharing. See www.MacdonaldHotels.co.uk/Berystede
12. Pride of Britain Hotels are offering Valentine breaks at various locations across the UK. They include: A stay at Dormy House in the Cotswolds. The new House Spa (open from February 4) is made for relaxation, with its chic Scandinavian-inspired decor, elegant infinity pool and a comprehensive range of over 50 indulgent treatments. There is even a couple’s treatment room for enjoying massages, mud baths or rejuvenating body scrubs together. The Valentine’s weekend package costs £500 per room (two sharing) including two nights’ accommodation, full Cotswolds breakfast and free use of the House Spa.
Or, how about tasting the MasterChef menu at South Lodge, Sussex Downs. Among acres of sprawling parkland and woodland, South Lodge is a luxurious five-star retreat with views towards the South Downs. An upgrade to a traditional junior suite adds that little bit of extra pizazz to a Valentine’s celebration, and provides the perfect place to rest your head after five delicious courses at The Camellia Restaurant, cooked by the man of the moment: MasterChef: The Professionals 2013 champion, Steven Edwards. The Valentine’s Day package costs £399 per room (two sharing) including a glass of Nyetimber sparkling wine on arrival, five-course menu in The Camellia Restaurant, coffee, petit fours and a gift for the ladies, overnight accommodation in a junior suite and full English breakfast. See www.prideofbritainhotels.com
13. Love is in the air with Four Pillars Hotels’ Valentine breaks this February. With six distinctly different hotels in some of the prettiest parts of the country – Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds and Gloucestershire – there is something to suit all tastes. Packages include a Valentine’s Dinner Disco at the Cotswold Water Park Four Pillars Hotel (above) from £175 per couple. One night’s B&B on February 15 at the lakeside property, a sparkling wine and canapés reception and a five-course meal with background music from a harpist followed by a disco. There is also the fantastic ‘Spa 6’ with a range of Decléor treatments available for those looking for a really relaxing break (bookable and payable separately). See www.four-pillars.co.uk
14. Whisk your Valentine away this February to the beautiful city of Prague from £132 with Jurys Inn. ‘Czech in’ to Jurys Inn Prague, based in the heart of the city, and enjoy a two or three night break with breakfast from February 1-28. Couples can enjoy an early check-in, welcome drink on arrival and a four-course dinner with wine at the hotel’s stylish restaurant. Late check out is also provided.
Impress your loved one with views of the Charles Bridge, overlooking the Vltava River. Then visit Laterna Magik, for an evening of entertainment like no other. Housed in a unique glass structure, this non-verbal theatre offers shows combining dance, film and black theatre. See www.jurysinns.com/deals
15. Sweep your loved one off their feet and onto the piste this Valentine’s Day with a romantic seven-night stay in the pretty village of Saas Fee, Switzerland. Saas Fee is perfect destination for a scenic romantic break boasting perfectly groomed slopes for beginner and intermediate skiers, beautiful winter walking trails and the world’s highest revolving restaurant with magnificent views and the perfect spot for a romantic Valentine’s Day lunch.
Inghams is offering seven nights half-board at the three-star Hotel Park from £549 per person, saving £340 per person, departing February 8. Price includes return flights from Gatwick to Geneva and resort transfers. Flights also available from Manchester (+£39), Birmingham (+£29), Exeter (+£29), Bristol (+£29), Leeds-Bradford (+£39), Newcastle (+£39), Glasgow (+£59) and Edinburgh (+£49). See www.inghams.co.uk
16. Premier Cottages have romantic Valentine breaks including Old Lanwarnick in Cornwall. It’s set in 34 acres of unspoilt Cornish countryside – ideal for a romantic getaway. On site there is a woodland walk plus ‘The Place on the Hill’ – an elevated south facing setting, perfect for stargazing! There is also a hot Tub barn, mini-gym and guests can also choose from range of pampering holistic treatments. Well behaved dogs are welcome free of charge, as are horses and ponies, with stabling and paddocks available.
Old Lanwarnick is offering three nights, Honeypot, sleeping two for £300, arriving on February 14 and saving £140 or two nights in the same property for £275, saving £85. Guests will also receive a bottle of champagne, flowers and chocolates on arrival plus a welcome hamper of eggs, bacon, scones, jam, bread, butter and milk. See www.premiercottages.co.uk
17. Cruise away with your loved one. Fly to Barcelona on February 10 to embark NCL, Norwegian Spirit for a romantic 10-night Canary Islands cruise. The package costs from £539 per person in an inside cabin and includes flights and full-board cruise. You’ll sail from Barcelona and call at Funchal, Arrecife, Malaga before returning to Barcelona. See www.jetlinecruise.com
18. P&O is also offering a Valentine cruise further afield. Swap the dreary local restaurant and spend February 14 with your loved one toasting mojitos in St Maarten and relaxing with a couple’s massage on an island hopping adventure round the Caribbean. It’s the winter sun holiday, which can be renamed as the most romantic gesture ever!
A 14-night Caribbean cruise departing February 7 on Azura starts from £1,399 per person for a Getaway Fare with return flights. Starting from and returning to Barbados, ports of call include Grenada, St Lucia, Dominica, St Kitts, St Maarten for Valentine’s Day, Tortola, Curacao and Bonaire. For added romance, book a couple’s massage in the Oasis Spa or sample British/Indian fine dining in Sindhu restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar (cover charge applies). See www.pocruises.co.uk
19. Lake Vyrnwy Hotel & Spa in North Wales, has created a two-night Valentine break package, costing from £398 per couple. Arrive on February 14 to find a red rose and handmade chocolates on the pillow, plus an ESPA gift from the hotel’s Spa. A glass of champagne and canapés are served in the bar before a five-course dinner in the award-winning Tower Restaurant.
On Saturday morning enjoy ‘the full Welsh’ breakfast before exploring Lake Vyrnwy and its impressive surroundings on the edge of Snowdonia. Prices start at £398 per couple sharing a garden view room, rising to £498 per couple when sharing a premier lake view room, which has superb views of the lake. (And if a Proposal is in the offing, the hotel can help set the scene with flowers, champagne or a tailor-made surprise.) On Saturday evening, couples are free to eat in the pub-style Tavern beside the hotel, or make a different choice from the Tower Restaurant’s menu (dinner tonight not included). On Sunday morning, couples can linger over breakfast before checking out. See www.lakevyrnwy.com
20. DoubleTree by Hilton, one of Hilton Worldwide’s 10 market-leading brands, has a selection of decadent and romantic packages. Whether couples are looking for a London love-in, a Valentine’s Ball in Bristol or even a candlelit swim in Sheffield, DoubleTree by Hilton’s hotels have a variety of creative Valentine’s getaways to choose from. And, of course, what Valentine’s Day would be complete without chocolate? Every guest will receive the signature DoubleTree by Hilton chocolate chip cookie upon check in. See www.doubletree.com
