THE infestation has begun. There are mountain ranges of them on our desk, terabytes of them in our inbox. Valentine’s Day hotel deals – if we had a dime for every hotel that offered one, we could buy our own. Happily, not all are created equal, and it’s always fun sifting through the dreck and finding the handful we’d book ourselves. Here, six standouts.
BLISS OUT IN TAHITI
The private island resort of Le Taha’a isn’t just where Bill Gates woos his nerd queen. Diplomats, Arab sheiks, pro football players and anyone else who doesn’t leave home without a black card have all set foot on this Polynesian island paradise. You too can join the ranks.
Couples who book an overwater bungalow here Feb. 14-17 will also enjoy private transfer from the airport in Raitea, dinners by the lagoon, breakfast, chilled champagne, a private catamaran cruise – even a wedding ceremony if you want to renew ($2,635/couple for 3 nights, includes all meals, use code Valentin WW; letehaa.com).
DO IT LIKE A STAR
The number of celebrities that frequent The Setai is so high, you can’t even bring a camera to the pool without being harassed by security. There’s good reason while you’ll catch the stars trying to get some R&R here: this resort is the ultimate in Miami Beach indulgence.
The Setai’s two-night “Indulge Her” package includes a four-and-a-half spa afternoon with all the facials and body polishing one can take, plus a specially prepared in-suite dinner beginning with oysters, leading to lobsters, ending with truffles. Available for the nights of 2/13 and 2/14. (starts at $7,980 for a one-bedroom suite; setai.com).
AWAY TO SANTA FE
If you can’t find romance in one of the country’s most magical little cities, then ask for help at Santa Fe’s Eldorado Hotel & Spa. They’re offering a Cupid Day escape package that includes a $750 turquoise necklace, signature spa treatments (natively named, like Golden Center Mud Wrap), imported cheese and wine and a 3-course meal at the Old House restaurant. The price is high, but the math works out; available 2/4-2/17 (from $3,333 per couple, eldoradohotel.com).
QUICK ESCAPE
Rush off to Connecticut’s famous Mayflower Inn & Spa for a little luxe this Feb. 14 when the resort is offering its “Shakespeare In Love” package, which includes dinner, a bouquet of roses and champagne (from $800/couple; mayflowerinn.com).
BLING IN ST. BARTS
The island every other island wants to be is in the mood for love come Feb. 14. Overlooking Gustavia’s harbor is the luxurious Hotel Carl Gustaf. Book the Sizzler package and you get four nights in a one-bedroom suite complete with plunge pool, champagne, a 3-day car rental, 1-hour body massage for two, a chilled bottle of Laurent Perrier champagne brought to your room on the 14th, and bathrobes you can (legally) keep. Travel 2/11-2/17 ($4,700/couple; hotelcarlgustaf.com).
HEAD TO HAWAII
Who says you have to celebrate love at the same time as everyone else? Everyday is V-Day at the Four Seasons Resort Lana’i at Manele Bay in 2008. Through Dec. 18, pay for four nights and get a fifth free. Breakfast for two in Hulopo’e Court is included. Happy savings (from $495/couple; fourseasons.com).
MY STARS!
THE Napa Valley village of Yountville, Calif. has six Michelin stars within four square miles now. That’s the largest concentration of culinary stars per capita on Earth, eh? Celebrate food Mar. 22 with the annual “Taste of Yountville,” when area restaurants and wineries show off the goods (yountville.com).
* BURNIN’ UP
THINGS got a little too exciting on the Las Vegas Strip this past week when the Monte Carlo resort caught fire. Everyone’s okay; the building is still being checked. Reservations are no longer being accepted, and at press time, the re-opening had not been announced (montecarlo.com).
* GET SLIMED AT SEA
HERE’S a new one (literally): Nickelodeon and Royal Caribbean have announced the first Nick Cruise ever, departing Miami for the Western Caribbean, Aug. 10 on Freedom of the Seas. On deck (har!) are game shows (with goo, of course), SpongeBob, Dora The Explorer and more (nickfamilycruise.com).
* LOVER OR LONER? HAVING
somone to snuggle up to isn’t the only thing that separates singles from couples on Valentine’s Day. The two groups travel differently, too. Cheaptickets.com reveals that for romance, singles head where the action is -Miami, San Francisco and Washington, DC. Wait, what’s that last one again? compiled by staff