Destinations

Okay, so if you’re like me you didn’t plan for Valentine’s Day again this year. Well, I have a few suggestions for last minute celebrations that will make your partner fall in love with you all over again (or at least get you out of the doghouse).

Hotel Packages

1. Ritz Carlton San Francisco - Celebrate a magical, memorable Valentine’s Day with your choice of luxury accommodations in a deluxe or Club Level room, an opulent in-room couple’s massage, champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries and breakfast for two. If Thursday, February 14 does not work for you, the next three weekend days also offer this most romantic Valentine’s experience. Available February 14, 15, 16 or 17, 2008, starting from $1,100 per night.
2. Mandarin Oriental San Francisco - The city of love, the city of romance, San Francisco is one of the most spectacular of the world’s great cities, especially when viewed from the heights of your accommodations at the Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco. With panoramas of the Golden Gate Bridge to the San Francisco Bay, and the sparkling lights of the City at night, what setting could provide a more wonderfully romantic mood for celebrating Valentine’s Day. Their “Touch of Romance” Valentine Experience is available beginning at $899 and includes accommodations for 2, welcome bottle of Gloria Ferrar champagne and a dozen long stem red roses, full American breakfast for 2 daily, turn down amenity (port, truffles and smoked almonds), a $100 food/beverage credit for the Silks restaurant, and valet parking.
3. L’Auberge Carmel - Ideally located in the heart of quaint Carmel, one block from Ocean Avenue on Monte Verde Street at Seventh, and a pleasant four block walk to famous Carmel Beach, L’Auberge Carmel has created a fairy tale romance package for couples traveling to the popular Village-by-the-Sea. Their “Lovers’ Carmel Escape” package starts at $1,559 and includes a two night stay, champagne welcome amenity, couple’s massage in the room, dinner and wine pairings in their restaurant, steaming scented bath service, CD of romantic music, truffle turndown service, and daily European style breakfast. And, if you can’t make it this weekend, the package is available until the end of the year.

Restaurants

1. Incanto in Noe Valley - The chef was a featured participant in the Food Network’s Iron Chef competition and serves up his Italian fare. It’s a beautiful dim lit restaurant with superb food and an excellent wine menu. Incanto’s rustic Italian setting, with its handcrafted stone, antique brick and woodwork, 16th century Latin parchments, and private dining room dedicated to poet Dante Alighieri, provides a uniquely warm and inviting dining environment.
2. Foreign Cinema - This French bistro and movie house serves up a changing California/Mediterranean-inspired menu. Foreign and independent films are screened outside on the covered patio.

Share your Valentine’s Day suggestions with us - leave your comments below!

The Kahala is located on the other side of Diamond Head on a secluded beach. I love the location, because you feel like you are on an outer island, yet are minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. The Kahala Resort is still under renovation and the room I stayed in had been renovated, however, the bathroom had not been. The room was absolutely beautiful! When we walked in I believe we audibly gasped. The colors are a very soft light yellow and light blue and the room is very large. We had an ocean view room, which you could also view the dolphins from.

As beautiful as the guest rooms are, my favorite thing about this hotel is the service, which was impeccable! The employees at the Kahala make their guests feel very welcome, with genuine Hawaiian greetings and the Aloha spirit at every turn.

For those travelers who like to avoid the hotels with lots of children, this may be a good choice for you. Although children are certainly welcome, we saw very few during our stay. The pool is relaxing and quiet with wonderful pool side service. We enjoyed sitting in the lounge in the evenings, sitting on comfy sofas and listening to the piano player. The spa at the Kahala is outstanding and if you ever stay there please do not miss a swim with the dolphins!

Two people in the travel industry with very high standards have told me this is their favorite hotel in all of Hawaii, so my expectations were very high ~ but I was certainly not disappointed!

The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa is a wonderful hotel for families and young couples, with a very cool multi-level pool area and enough restaurants to please everyone.

We had a very nice dinner in their Tidepools restaurant which is in a very unique setting. It’s an open air thatched hut with waterfalls and koi-filled lagoons, which create a quiet and romantic atmosphere. There were so many wonderful fish dishes offered, I had a difficult time choosing! We enjoyed the Stevenson Library each evening, sitting in their living room like seating arrangements and enjoying fresh sushi and sashimi made to order.

The service at the Grand Hyatt Kauai was very good, from the check in, to the wait staff, to the valet people. The pool service was almost non-existent, however, since this area covers so much ground, I can see why they can not service everyone. The rooms were recently renovated and looked very fresh. There was a bit of a motel feel in the bathrooms due to the rubber shower mat and plastic shower curtain, but overall, I would recommend this resort for families and for people not spoiled by properties like the Four Seasons and the Ritz Carlton. For older people or those who have difficulty walking, you should request a room in the main building as the walking path is uneven and can be wet walking from one building to the other.

View more photos here.