13 Outrageously Romantic Beach Getaways for Valentine's Day
Love is in the air, what with Valentine's Day just a few weeks away. Make your beloved (or beloved-to-be) the happiest ever with one of these hot getaways to gorgeous beach destinations. And what I love about these is that most of these deals are for the whole month of February... so you can pen a promissory note into that heart-shaped card. Here are 13 of my favorites:
A Week of Romance at Harbour Village Beach Club, Bonaire
This intimate and luxurious small resort on one of my favorite Caribbean islands has a glorious, one-week package where you can combine scuba and certified boat-dive excursions, or just luxuriate in a beachfront hammock for two and fill your glasses with Épernay Champagne. You'll have a torchlight dinner courtesy of La Balandra Beach Bar & Restaurant on the powder-white sands of a private beach, plus aromatherapy massages from The Spa at Harbour Village Beach Club and unlimited access to fitness, kayak and paddle board amenities. "Romance Package” books from anytime now through Feb. 29, 2016, with rates starting at $4,850 for seven nights (based on double occupancy); 1-800-424-0004 or harbourvillage.com.
Castaway Experience at Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort, Antigua
The good news is this: it's not just for Valentine's Day. Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort on its own little private island nestled just off the coast of Antigua, has created the Castaway Experience, a unique spa treatment that goes outside the traditional spa walls with a private sailing excursion on the resort’s yacht, followed by a side-by-side massage on a deserted island. In addition to that castaway massage of a lifetime, you'll enjoy a made-to-order picnic created from fresh, local ingredients followed by a champagne toast as you make your way back to Jumby Bay. The cost is $800 for a five-hour excursion. For more on Jumby Bay, go here.
Magical Mahekal Experience at Mahekal Beach Resort, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
If I could marry a country, I might marry Mexico. It's the best suitor: romantic, beautiful, and just the right amount of mysterious. So it's a natural that I fell for this sweet retreat on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan that's just for the Valentine's weekend... so get booking! Emerging from a multi-million dollar reimagining, Mahekal has put together a romantic getaway in its charming palapa-style bungalows with private plunge pools, hammocks and terraces, along with amenities worth more than $1,600--food, drink, spa, diving, tours, and more. Viva Mexico! Viva romance! Rates are $477/night, for stays Feb. 12-14, 2016; 877-235-4452 or www.mahekalbeachresort.com.
See why this resort is one of our 31 Warm Weather Getaways for 2016, here.
Elbow Beach Stole My Heart at Elbow Beach, Bermuda
No better color match for Valentine's Day than a pink beach, right? So head to Bermuda for this getaway for two at Elbow Beach resort, which includes an assigned personal assistant to service every need, a 50-minute couple’s massage, an intimate Valentine’s Day dinner at Cafe Lido, a rose petal turndown service and prosecco and chocolate-covered strawberries. Starting at $845 a night (Valentine’s Day nightly rates without the package start at $227 a night); 800-223-7434 or www.elbowbeachbermuda.com.
We've got the inside scoop on Bermuda's secret beaches, here.
Love, French Style at Hotel Barrière Le Majestic, Cannes, France
Want a French Valentine? Who doesn't? Jet off to the glorious Cote d'Azur for this cosmopolitan escape in the heart of sexy Cannes. Dine in a classic French brasserie with special menus by three-star Michelin Chef Pierre Gagnaire, and sip your complimentary glass of rosé Champagne while enjoying stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. Valentine’s Day package starts at $430 and includes overnight accommodations, breakfast daily, choice of dinner at Fouquet’s Cannes on Feb. 13 or lunch on Feb. 14 and one glass of rosé Champagne per person at the Bar du Fouquet’s Cannes; + 33 (0)9 70 82 09 00 or www.majestic-barriere.com.
Love, Island Style at Little Palm Island, Florida
Not gonna lie... this fabulous private-island resort has romance in every thatch of its rustic-chic roofs. If you aren't planning a proposal yet, put this destination on your map for it. In addition to three nights accommodations in an Island Bungalow—complete with candlelight, rose petals, hand-selected roses, and a chilled bottle of Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle Champagne—you'll also enjoy complimentary private dining at Palapa Point or Harbor Point Beach, a relaxing sail across the Keys, and more. “Love, Island Style” package, available Feb. 1-29 and starting at $7,185/per three-night stay. To book, go to www.littlepalmisland.com.
Read about a dream getaway to Little Palm Island, here.
Romance on the North Coast at Brewery Gulch Inn, Mendocino, California
I adore the pairing of Mendocino's understated elegance with a pure once-in-a-lifetime package of Gold-Rush-level luxury at one of my favorite North Coast inns. Check it out: This over-the-top package includes three nights at the Cottage at BGI's Serenity Point, a private car and driver, Roederer L'Ermitage and two commemorative champagne flutes, private horseback ride through the redwoods, private winery tour and lunch, ensuite massage, all kinds of special meals (one of those is a private 5-course dinner with wine pairings), and a diamond pendant and earring set from Old Gold Jewelry. It's $20,000, but you're worth it, right? Read more and book, here.
Read why we named Mendocino one of our Dream Towns for 2015, here.
Champagne Wishes at LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, Naples, Florida
Go luxe with your love with this package that combines three nights in deluxe beachfront suite digs with a day on a 48' private chartered yacht, a welcome magnum of Veuve Cliquot in two Swarovski crystal flutes, intimate dinners and more Champagne at your personal cozy fire pit, and much more. “Champagne Wishes” escape, available now through Feb. 29, 2016, starting at $18,000/three nights. To book, call 239-597-3123 or www.laplayaresort.com
Nick's Loves Love at Nick's Cove, Marshall, California
It starts with oysters not because of old cliches, but because oysters are the most astonishing food, and Nick’s Cove Restaurant, Oyster Bar & Cottages is at the epicenter of oyster world on glorious Tomales Bay. I adore this little enclave of awesome waterfront cottages and pure Northern California wonder, plus a great little restaurant and classic bar, and am supremely jealous of all of you who join the fun in Nick’s “Nick’s Loves Love” package, which features their famous barbecued oysters delivered upon arrival, local wines, in-room massages and plush accommodations. A special prix-fixe dinner (featuring additions such as those incredible local bivalves) is available on Valentine’s Day only, but their romantic package is available for $445 per night throughout February, on Sunday-Thursday nights. Get all the details here.
Beneath the Clouds and Between the Sheets at The Gates Hotel, Key West, Florida
It's a bit like something out of The Bachelor (I'm in love with Sean!)... Hop in your helicopter for a soar over the Keys and then come back to this darling boutique hotel for some special rum drinks (provided you've snapped a selfie while airborne) and soak in the vibe (and in the pool) of this utterly unique place on the globe. Where love always wins. The Gates Hotel’s "Beneath the Clouds and Between the Sheets” package is available for Valentine's Day weekend, Feb. 12-16, only. Book now through February 5. Rates starting at $399; www.gateshotelkeywest.com
Check out our favorite night in Key West, and why, here.
Month of Love at Lark Hotels, Various Locations
I've always loved the spirit of fun (and flirting) at Lark Hotels--a family of design-forward boutique hotels on both coasts. So you can imagine that I'm digging Lark's Month of Love package at the following hotels: Gilded or The Attwater (shown here!) in Newport RI, The Break in Narragansett RI, Pomegranate Inn in Portland, ME, Captain Fairfield Inn in Kennebunkport ME, Ale House Inn or The Hotel Portsmouth in Portsmouth NH, or The Merchant in Salem, MA, for a Valentine-esque celebration any time in February other than Valentine’s Weekend! Stay two or more nights and you'll receive a delicious box of truffles from Black Dinah Chocolatiers and a book of Pablo Neruda love poems – all complimentary. Hurry... because if you book before January 31, you'll get an automatic room upgrade (if available at time of check-in). Learn more and book it, here.
Check out our visits to The Break, here, and Gilded, here!
Rustic Romance at The Little River Inn, Mendocino
This charmingly romantic escape is inspired by Little River's "Kissing Benches," so get ready to smooch the weekend away with this package that includes a two-night stay in an Ocean View Room, a romantic dinner for two, a map to the Kissing Benches, two hand-knit hats to keep you warm on your adventure, and a pair of souvenir backpacks with kissing supplies, including water bottles, John Masters Organics Lip Calm, breath mints, and just the right amount of Little River Inn decadent fudge. Kiss Travel is now officially a trend. You read it here first. Packages for two begin at $535; add a one-hour massage for each of you for a total of $735, exclusive of tax and gratuity. More luxurious rooms are available for an additional price. Advance reservations are required for booking, and the package is available all weekends in February with the exception of Presidents' Day Weekend; 707-937-5942 or www.littleriverinn.com.
See why we fell in love with Mendocino, here.
Romance On The Beach at Pelican Grand Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
I love how easy this is to get to (you listening, last-minute romantics?), and includes oceanfront suite-style digs, a three course dinner for two at Fort Lauderdale’s only waterfront restaurant, OCEAN2000, chilled Champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries turndown, and an intimate breakfast on your private patio. “Romance on the Beach” books from anytime now through Feb. 29, starting at $879/per night; 954-568-9431 or pelicanbeach.com.
We've been to Fort Lauderdale and loved it! See why, here.
In the mood for love?
Check out this underwater wedding in Bora Bora.
