Romantic island inns

by Brenda Yun on

With Valentine’s Day approaching, the internet is teeming with romantic getaways. Forbes.com recently came out with an article about America’s most romantic places to visit, and now Coastal Living writer Steve Millburg some of his own advice about where to spend a romantic island holiday. Unfortunately, I find Millburg’s “Top 10 romantic island inns” list rather disjointed and not fully comprehensive enough to qualify as an accurate Top 10 list.

These are the places Millburg identifies in the top ten:

  1. Petit St. Vincent, Grenadines
  2. The Inn on Peaks Island, Maine
  3. The Inn at Mama’s Fish House, Maui, Hawaii
  4. The Collier Inn, Useppa Island, Florida
  5. Hotel del Coronado and Glorietta Bay Inn, Coronado Island, California
  6. English Country Garden Bed & Breakfast, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia
  7. Casita de Maya, Cozumel, Mexico
  8. MacKaye Harbor Inn, Lopez Island, Washington
  9. A Water’s Edge Retreat, Kelleys Island, Ohio
  10. Jekyll Island Club Hotel, Jekyll Island, Georgia

I understand that as a magazine intended for American readers interested in coastal living, the list may need to be limited to destinations within arm’s reach of the mainland and it appears to cover the important regions in the U.S., but I would like to think this list would try to be as realistic as possible too. Starting with an inn in the Grenadines, however, Petit St. Vincent at $675 a night doesn’t just qualify as a “splurge,” but a costly investment I imagine few readers can or will be able to afford. The rest of the destinations cost within $150-300 per night.

While I’d like to think that seven of the world’s most romantic islands are in the United States, I’m almost POSITIVE that there are much more noteworthy romantic island hideaways that Millburg doesn’t account for here. I mean, if Maui qualifies as an romantic island, then what about the Maldives, St. Kitts, Bora Bora, Sardinia, Corsica, Korcula, Bali, or New Zealand while we’re at it!

The more I read these kinds of lists, the more I realize how little readers are able to expand their horizons with the content they are given. I would love to see travel writers like Millburg stretch the reader’s imagination by going global rather than staying local and regional.

Canadian Valentine’s Day packages for under $300

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Need some last minute ideas for Valentine’s Day? Consider our neighbors to the north. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has put together some fantastic packages that are sure to do better than the box of candy you have tucked under your arm.

The Fairmont Empress in Victoria, British Columbia is a 100 year-old castle. Right away, that sets the scene for you. The Lovers’ Escape package consists of a night at the hotel, three-course dinner for two in the Empress Room, a special chocolate treat from Bernard Callebaut and breakfast in bed the next morning. For $250, it’s actually cheaper than flowers and dinner (at least where I live).

In Montreal, the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth‘s “Do not Disturb” package will set you back $229, but it delivers a night in a plush guestroom, dinner for two at Le Montrealais restaurant … and a late checkout. You’ll need it. Further north, the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu in Charlevoix includes a four-course dinner, buffet breakfast and access to a heated outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi. Book a room for February 14 at $279, and you’ll be called a romantic for the rest of the year.

France is romance at Valentine’s Day

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Put your economic woes an ocean away with a trip to France on Valentine’s Day. Concorde Hotels & Resorts is offering great deals from February 13 to February 16 at its Parisian hotels, with rates starting at $172 a night. They’re sweetening it with a daily buffet breakfast for two, a 50 percent discount on the second night and a special surprise gift that they wouldn’t even reveal to me (ugh).

Or, if you prefer the French Riviera, check out the Hotel Martinez in Cannes. The property is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year and wants to bring you in on the festivities. A two-night stay on February 13 and February 14 or February 15 and February 16 starts at $271 for the first night and only $103 for the second! You’ll get a VIP welcome (which you deserve) and in-room or buffet breakfast. Also, they’re giving complimentary fitness center and sauna access … but you probably don’t want to tell your significant other to hit the treadmill on Valentine’s Day!

[Photo via Concorde Hotels & Resorts]

Cool off while heating up your love life

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Hotel Jerome, a RockResort hotel in Aspen, CO, wants to put the flame back into your relationship. Enjoy the cold slopes until things get hot in the evening for Valentine’s Day or through April 12. The hotel’s “Fire & Ice” package starts at $1,295 a night but delivers plenty of value.

Stretch your travel dollar with this program, which includes two nights in a one bedroom suite, a bottle of champagne, chocolate covered strawberries at turndown on the first night and daily breakfast, either at the Jacob’s Corner restaurant or room service. To top it off, you and your lover will get 50 minute in-room massages.

If your travel plans are keeping you close to home, take advantage of the many discounts airlines are offering for travel within the United States, and make this Valentine’s Day one to remember!

[Photo via RockResorts]

Bet on a bargain at Mohegan Sun

by Tom Johansmeyer on

When even the loosest of slots can’t get you up to Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is ready to up the ante. Its “Bets & Bites” deal is designed to lure you and that big jar full of change on your bedroom floor to the casino … of course so you can win big.

For $129 a person (for two people), you’ll get a one-night stay at the casino’s hotel. When you’ve drained your cash at the tables, use a reservation at Todd English‘s Tuscany, Bamboo Forest or any of the other reservations on the property – made a bit easier by the $100 meal credit which will be applied to your room. The chef will even stop by to see how you’re doing.

After you bring your signed copy of Under the Sun: A Celebration of Cuisine & Culture, Mohegan Sun’s cookbook, back to your room, head back downstairs for one last bet. Mohegan includes a $10 play as part of the package. When you book this getaway, mention code PTFBV to take advantage of the deal.

And, there are more. See a full list after the jump, including some great ideas for Valentine’s Day!Here are a few more for you to consider!

Rest and Relax – Zen (starting at $219 per person for two people)

  • A one-night stay in Mohegan Sun’s luxurious hotel
  • Your choice of two 50-minute massages or one 50-minute couples massage at The Elemis Spa at Mohegan Sun
  • Whole fruit delivered to your room
  • An Elemis Spa gift bag
  • A bonsai tree to take home

Mention code PTSPA when booking.

A Pregnant Pause (starting at $189 per person for two people)

  • A one-night stay at Mohegan Sun’s luxurious hotel
  • A 50-minute massage for the mother-to-be at The Elemis Spa at Mohegan Sun
  • A gift for mom and baby including Elemis Spa milk bath products
  • A credit for Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, located in The Shops at Mohegan Sun

Mention code PTBAB when booking.

“In Like” Package (starting at $109 per person for two people)

  • A one-night stay at Mohegan Sun’s luxurious hotel
  • A half-dozen chocolate covered strawberries and bottle of champagne delivered to your room
  • One complimentary in-room movie

Mention code PTRML when booking.

“In Love” Package (starting at $219 per person for two people)

  • A one-night stay at Mohegan Sun’s luxurious hotel
  • VIP Hotel Check-In at Aquai
  • A dozen chocolate covered strawberries delivered to your room
  • Two complimentary martinis at Leffingwells Martini Bar
  • A couples massage at The Elemis Spa at Mohegan Sun
  • One complimentary in-room movie

Mention code PTRMH when booking.

No Boys Allowed (starting at $239 per person for two people)

  • A one-night stay at Mohegan Sun’s luxurious hotel
  • VIP Hotel Check-In at Aqaui
  • A martini mixing station delivered to your room
  • Two martini-themed manicures and pedicures at The Elemis Spa at Mohegan Sun
  • Two complimentary martinis at Leffingwells Martini Bar
  • Two complimentary breakfast buffets at Seasons Buffet
  • One $10 free bet per person

Mention code PTGRL when booking.

You Could Use Some Sun (starting at $99 per person for two people)

  • A one-night stay at Mohegan Sun’s luxurious hotel
  • A $25.00 food and beverage credit applied to your room
  • One $10.00 free bet per person

Mention code PTSD when booking.