Fancy getting away for Valentine’s Day? We’ve selected some of the most romantic breaks both in the UK and abroad. Here’s our pick of the best.
Snuggle up close to home
Chic love nest: as well as great beaches, cosy pubs and its own Tate gallery, St Ives is home to the ultra-chic Sail Lofts apartments: 4 nights in Driftwood from February 12 costs £194 pp including a welcome hamper. Extra touches: pre-book a local chef to whip up dinner in the privacy of your apartment (from £30 pp).
Cosy cottage: romantic Stove Cottage has all the requisite ingredients for a cosy weekend in the country, not least a sumptuous four poster bed, log burner and sexy panelled bathroom with roll top bath. It’s within easy driving distance of Suffolk’s glorious heritage coast, and costs £240 for 2 nights from February 12 with CV Travel.
Urban chic in the country: with its “groovy grand” interiors and romantic grounds, a night with dinner and breakfast costs £385 per couple at The Grove, Hertfordshire. Add on a 2-hour treatment for 2 with lunch in the Sequoia Spa (£400) or a 2-ball round of golf with lunch (£230). Extra touches: hand-made chocolates and a copy of ‘Love Letters of Great Men’.
Head across the water
Gourmet indulgence: head for The Hambrough, a 7-room seafront boutique hotel in Ventor, Isle of Wight. Departing February 13, champagne breakfast, dinner in the Michelin-starred restaurant and a bottle of champagne costs £230 pp including Wightlink ferry crossings. Extra touches: Chef’s pulling out all the stops with his 6-course Valentine’s tasting dinner - oysters, langoustines, roast duck, wild strawberry mousse.
More gourmet indulgence: overlooking stunning St Ouen’s Bay on Jersey, The Atlantic Hotel has 2 nights B&B for £260 pp from February 12 including a 3-course dinner and 5-course gourmet Valentine’s dinner in the Michelin-starred Ocean Restaurant. Fly or take the ferry. Extra touches: a half bottle of Taittinger, handmade chocolates and car hire.
Chocks away: take the helicopter from Penzance to the Isles of Scilly for 3 nights at the über-romantic 16th century Star Castle Hotel (Great Britain’s Island Hotel of the Year 2008/2009 in the Cesar Awards). £349 pp half-board including helicopter transfers (10% off the usual rates).
European romance
Sheer indulgence: wave goodbye to Luton as your own private jet whisks you off for lunch in the Michelin-starred Château Les Crayères, Reims in the heart of France’s Champagne region. Not cheap but jaw-droppingly romantic at £3,400 each with private jet experts, Jeffersons. Extra touches: private tasting at a prestigious Champagne house.
Roman Romance: The so-called ‘city of light’ has all the ingredients for the perfect romantic break. 3 nights of amore in the 4-star deluxe Hotel d’Inghilterra with Kirker Holidays costs from £710 pp including flights and private transfers. Extra touches: 3 nights for the price of 2 - you’re saving £175 each.
Natural wonder: cruise through the Lofoten Islands and cross the Arctic Circle as you look out for the Northern Lights on Hurtigruten’s special Valentine’s sailing. Departing February 11, 4 nights full-board costs £845 pp including flights from Heathrow.
Winter warmers
Dubai Desert - escape the city’s big lights and head for the newly-opened Banyan Tree Al Wadi. Four nights departing throughout February costs from £1,050 pp (saving £450 pp) in a Deluxe Pool Villa, including flights, taxi transfers and accommodation with breakfast. Extra touches: a falconry centre on site.
Fine dining in Tenerife - Sovereign Holidays is offering 5 nights from February 11 for £989 pp at the 5-star Hotel El Mirador, overlooking Tenerife’s Playa del Duque beach. Extra touches: free upgrade to half board.
