Whether you are looking for a UK staycation or a far-flung adventure this Valentine’s Day, we have rounded up our favorite places to spend the day of love. From adrenaline junkies to spa obsessives, there is a romantic getaway to impress everyone this year…
Escape to the charming Victoria Inn, Holkham
Escape to the north Norfolk coastline and enjoy a romantic Valentine’s staycation at The Victoria Inn, Holkham. Situated within the privately owned 25,000-acre Holkham Estate and surrounded by beautiful North Norfolk countryside, with one of England’s most stunning stretches of coastline, the Victoria is the perfect base for romantic strolls and discovering the seaside villages nearby. Couples can hole up in one of the twenty bedrooms, which are all individually designed and decorated with an emphasis on comfort, quality, and classic elegance. Exclusively on the 14th February, couples can celebrate the special day with the National Nature Reserve’s Shorelarks and Snow Bunting Walk, where couples can explore the salt marshes, beach and sand dunes in search of the specialist bird and wildlife species that inhabit the reserve, all in a romantic, wistful British countryside setting.
One of London’s Most Romantic Hotels, The Bloomsbury
This Valentine’s Day, guests can treat their loved one by booking The Bloomsbury’s exclusive Valentine package, including an overnight stay in a beautifully appointed suite, where they will be greeted upon arrival with handmade macaroons, created by the hotel’s patisserie chefs and a bouquet from renowned florists Wild at Heart. Before dinner, guests must not miss out on a cocktail or two at The Coral Room, a stylish love-colored spot, with floor to ceiling coral walls and live jazz music that creates an intimate setting. Included in the package is a candlelit dinner with two glasses of Perrier Jouet, which will be enjoyed at the sought-after Dalloway Terrace, a hot ticket for the day of love. Commonly referred to as one of London’s ‘most Instagrammable restaurant,’ lovers will dine under a canopy of seasonal décor, staying cozy with fur throws and hot water bottles.
The Romantic Alpine Town of Megeve, Home to the iconic Les Fermes de Marie
Escape to the Alps and surprise your special someone with a romantic ski and spa retreat at Megève’s most classic hotel, Les Fermes de Marie – a collection of traditional farmhouses and chalets carefully restored by the Sibuet family and converted into a 70-room hotel. After a day on the slopes, couples can relax and unwind together at Les Fermes de Marie’s Pure Altitude Spa – the award-winning spa concept from Maisons & Hotels Sibuet. The recently refurbished spa is considered one of the largest (over 10,000 sqft) and best in the Alps, offering couples the chance to de-stress and harness the power of the mountains, through an array of alps-inspired wellness treatments aimed at rejuvenating and restoring the body’s balance and energy. Valentine’s treats include La Ferme de Bacre – a romantic alpine outpost where guests can snowshoe under the starry Megeve sky up to their private celebration feast, and indulge in the finest French cuisine, making the perfect retreat for romantic dinner on 14th February.
Retreat to Deplar Farm on the remote troll Peninsula, Iceland
Go off the grid this Valentine’s Day and spend time with a loved one at the unique Icelandic lodge Deplar Farm, set on the remote Troll Peninsula. Experience a romantic retreat uninterrupted by the real world, as you escape into the depths of remote Iceland. Surrounded by 3,000 ft snow-dusted mountains, guests can have unrivaled access to over 1,500 square miles of untouched mountain terrain, offering an unparalleled adventure experience that allows couples to truly reconnect with nature and each other. With more hours of darkness than light each day, February is the optimal time to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights from the geo-thermally heated outdoor pool, witnessing the extraordinary Northern Lights dance across the sky, filling the backdrop with waves of pink, blue and green. This unique property offers a range of world-class facilities for couples looking to relax and unwind after an active day outdoors, including an extensive wellness area, Nordic-inspired cozy and stylish interiors, a resident mixologist and private chef to serve local Icelandic delicacies.
Sleep Under the Stars on a Private Sandbank at Milaidhoo Island Maldives This Valentine’s Day
Couples staying at Milaidhoo Island Maldives over Valentine’s Day can opt to spend the night as castaways under the stars on their very own private sandbank. Transformed with the luxury facilities of a Milaidhoo Villa, the sandbank comes with a canopied four-poster bed draped in muslin and a private yacht anchored nearby, complete with a dressing room and bathroom with all the amenities guests would expect to find back at the hotel. The castaway experience kicks off with a romantic sunset dolphin cruise aboard either a luxury yacht or a traditional Maldivian sailing boat with champagne served by a private butler. After arriving at the secluded sandbank, cocktails are served, followed by a four-course dinner specially created for the castaways. After dinner, as the crew sails away, couples are left to enjoy post-dinner drinks by the fire before heading off to sleep under the stars surrounded by candles and lanterns that have been scattered across the sandbank. A phone is provided with direct access to personal butler should couples need anything throughout the night. As the sun rises, couples can kick-start the day with the Milaidhoo Yogi, who will take them through a sunrise yoga session before the butler arrives to serve a freshly prepared breakfast.
A Wow-Factor Valentine’s – “Out of Africa” Experience for Couples
This Valentine’s Day, look to Kenya with destination experts Mavros Safaris for a romantic sleepout with a twist. The NAY PALAD Birds Nest in Laikipia, Kenya, offers couples the unique concept of nesting and sleeping like a bird – set above the ground, with a 360-degree birds-eye-view of this beautiful wilderness. Built totally above ground, this unique retreat is part of the Segera Retreat, a 60,000-acre wildlife sanctuary. After an exhilarating game drive or bush walk, couples are brought to the Birds Nest just before sunset. The nest is lit up with lanterns, with champagne and culinary delights laid out on the open-air nest and inviting beds (either open-air or within the shelter of the first floor) prepared with luxurious linens and hot water bottles, ready for the night ahead. From the cozy comfort of the Birds Nest, couples will enjoy a magical African sunset, feast on a picnic-style dinner, and can fall asleep under the African sky. The following morning, a picnic breakfast will be delivered while watching elephants, giraffe, and other wildlife gather at the river. The Birds Nest is a collaboration between Segera and NAY PALAD who, together with architect Daniel Pouzet’s imaginative approach to design, has created an inspiring space unlike anything else in the world. Traveling with Mavros Safaris, couples can add on stays in Nairobi, Samburu, and the Masai Mara.
Treat your Princess or Prince to a Stay in a Real-Life Palace
Dating back to 1835 and formally the home to the Maharaja Jai’ Swai Man Singh II of Jaipur and his beautiful Queen, Maharani Gayatri Devi, Rambagh Palace offers a luxurious stay in a relaxing environment away from the city center. Couples traveling to the newly anointed UNESCO City of Jaipur for Valentine’s Day can opt for the Live Like a Maharani package, to experience unique Tajness offerings and delve deeper into the Pink City. Guests will arrive at the palace in a vintage car and will be showered in rose petals as they ascend the steps of the palace. From the moment couples arrive they will hear the Indian classical musicians playing on the verandahs, creating a wistfully romantic ambiance. Accommodation is in The Suryavanshi Suite (Grand Presidential Suite) – boasting opulent textured drapes and fabrics, chandeliers, arched windows and embellishments creating an ambiance of sheer luxury and decadence. Couples will also be treated to a bespoke private dining experience on the grounds of the palace with local folk dances, live instrumental music and arrival to the dinner in a royal horse-drawn carriage.
The Ultimate “Blow-the-Budget” Valentine’s Day at New England’s Finest Hotels: Ocean House, Watch Hill & The Inn at Hastings Park, Lexington
The iconic Ocean House, perched high on the bluffs of Watch Hill, Rhode Island, and The Inn at Hastings Park, is offering a collection of lavish Valentine’s Day packages that spare no expense for a memorable and romantic celebration. Whether a luxurious hotel-hopping adventure, a proposal for the ages, or an intimate wedding ceremony, each package will ignite sparks and ensure a memorable Valentine’s experience. The ‘Route du Bonheur’ package offers an unforgettable four-day, three-night trip taking in the award-winning Ocean House and Weekapaug Inn on the scenic Rhode Island Atlantic cost, followed by The Inn at Hastings Park in Massachusetts’s historic Lexington and Concord area. It includes one night in the Penthouse Suite at Ocean House, one night in the Osprey Suite at the waterfront Weekapaug Inn, and one night in the Barn Suite at the historic Inn at Hastings Park.
A Starlit South Africa for Nature-Loving Couples
From bush to beach, South Africa’s ever-changing scenery offers nature-loving couples an incredibly diverse landscape to explore together this Valentine’s Day. Specialist luxury tour operator, Ampersand Travel has launched a two-week Starlit South Africa itinerary which transports travelers through the country in true style. The journey begins in the vibrant city of Cape Town, where travelers can spend beach days watching waves crash at Cape Head viewpoint or take a hike through the Table Mountain Nature Reserve. Three hours from Cape Town, nestled in the foothills of the Cedarberg Mountains, is Bushmans Kloof – a retreat of unparalleled beauty and a refuge for body and soul. Couples can spend Valentine’s Day reconnecting here with guided tours and hike scenic coastal walks surrounded by wildflowers and explore the ancient San rock art sites, which has earned the reserve the accreditation of a South African National Heritage Site. The romantic adventure will end in the country’s sought after private Sabi Sands game reserve for a bucket-list safari experience where wildlife sightings are plenty. Guests will enjoy this rich African landscape at Dulini Private Game Reserve, where they can expect secluded stone thatched casitas with private pools overlooking the humming African bush and forward-thinking service where your every whim will be catered for.
