Valentine’s love nests
Love is… escaping with your partner for a few days (not just on Valentine’s Day) to show them how much you care. Here are ten top spots for a romantic mini-break…
1 POP THE QUESTION IN THE CITY OF LOVE
How about a one-bedroom Paris penthouse with stunning views over the capital of romance and of the Eiffel Tower just 90 metres away? Guests have been inspired to propose on the balcony, apparently. From €340 per night, airbnb.co.uk/rooms/827062.
2 SNUGGLE UP IN A HIGHLAND HIDEAWAY
Reached by water taxi, Knoydart Hide, near Inverie in the Scottish Highlands, has a terrace with hot tub, sauna, wood-burner, doubleended bath, kitchen and bed looking out to sea. From €1,650 per week, sawdays.co.uk.
3 A REALLY COOL LOVE SHACK
It isn’t cheap, but Sweden’s IceHotel in Jukkasjarvi is unforgettable. This year’s artistic ice suites include Wandering Cloud – you sleep within a frozen cloud-shaped bed. Sleeping on ice isn’t that cold, but it’s a good excuse to snuggle up… Three-night break with flights from €1,310pp, discover-theworld.co.uk.
4 LOVE YURTS...
Enjoy glamping at The Country Yurt in Carmarthenshire, Wales. The hideaway has a hot tub, pizza oven, hammock and an oak king-size bed. From €96 a night, minimum two nights, thecountryyurt.co.uk.
5 ENJOY A BIG SCREEN ROMANCE
Chic, eco-friendly retreat Areias do Seixo is an hour from Lisbon, surrounded by trees, dunes and sea. Catch your own seafood supper, watch a romantic film in the cinema room, or unwind in the Turkish bath. From €260 per night, room-only, i-escape.com.
6 SHARE SOME SPANISH PASSION
Beach picnics, horse-riding and massages await at The Stables, a 20-minute drive from Cadiz in Spain. The cottage, within the grounds of the Casa la Siesta hotel, offers the privacy of a holiday home with the facilities of the hotel. From €500 per night, including breakfast, casalasiesta.com.
7 LONDON CALLING
Whisk your loved one off on a romantic getaway to one of London’s top luxury hotels, – The Landmark. After a delicious breakfast, spend the day sightseeing and shopping in one of the world’s great capital cities. One night B&B in a Superior Room from €396 (9-18 February). Includes Champagne, Spa gift set. www.landmarklondon.co.uk.
8 PUSH THE BOAT OUT
The best way to a lover’s heart is through their tummy, so go all out with a sensual foodie stay in the five star Claris GL Hotel & Spa in Barcelona, which boasts a magnificent Michelin-starred rooftop restaurant. Valentine’s Spa Lovers package includes evening at La Terraza del Claris restaurant, B&B for two in King Suite or Grand Suite Duplex, 50 minute massage, plus other delights. From €899 a night. www. hotelclaris.com
9 ADD A LITTLE COLOUR TO YOUR RELATIONSHIP
Your budget won’t run to an exotic holiday in Zanzibar, Vietnam or Japan? The brilliant three-star Welcome Hotel in Brussels is the answer, with its 17 countrythemed rooms decorated with authentic colours and artefacts. Rooms €103 per night, hotelwelcome.com.
10 TRULLI, MADLY, DEEPLY
Looking like something from The Lord Of The Rings, trulli are the cone-shaped stone houses found around Cisternino in Italy. Trullo Edera comes with all mod cons and separate bedroom.
From €61 per night, airbnb.co.uk/rooms/432044.