Thinking a trip to the islands might be fun this time of year? Had enough with the snow and ice storms in the east coast? Fortunately, several hotel specials on the island of Kauai make it easy to imagine a tropical trip.

Kauai Beach Resort

photo courtesy of Kauai Beach Resort

Kauai Beach Resort, on Kauai’s eastern side, offers a Valentine’s Chocolate Package, which includes 2-night stay in an ocean view room; daily breakfast buffet; and a bottle of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries. Continuing on the theme, in the onsite Naupaka Terrace restaurant, enjoy a chocolate dessert buffet along with a special Valentine’s Day dinner. Before dinner, book a holiday spa treatment, cocoa facials, chocolate massages or a couples massage escape with champagne and strawberries.

For room reservations, call Kauai Beach Resort direct at 808-246-5517 or toll free at 1-888-805-3843 or book online at www.kauaibeachresorthawaii.com.

Waimea Plantation Cottages

Photo courtesy of Aston Waimea Plantation Cottages

At the Aston Waimea Plantation Cottages, save up to 20% on a Hidden Romantic Getaway from $234. Escape to these private seaside cottages on a historic 27-acre coconut plantation adjacent to Kauai’s famous Napali Coast and Waimea Canyon. Special winter rates are reduced from $293, now starting at $234 for a 1-Bedroom Garden View Cottage. With an onsite spa, swimming pool and private chef services, this is truly a dream vacation.

For room reservations, visit www.AstonHotels.com or call toll-free 1-877-997-6667.

Aston Aloha Beach Hotel

Photo courtesy of Aston Hotels

The Aston Aloha Beach Hotel’s wedding and romance package makes bridal dreaming easy. The romantic experience begins with a lei greeting at check in, room service breakfast for two, and discounts and free activities via Aston’s Aloha Book. The beachside gazebo is complimentary for the wedding ceremony and becomes the private dining spot for the complimentary, 4-course, champagne dinner for two. Onsite wedding coordinators are available to assist with any additional arrangements needed for the ceremony. The package is based on a 3-night stay in an ocean view room, a junior suite, cottage or one bedroom suite.

For more information visit www.AstonHotels.com or call 1-866-774-2924.

February is a great time to visit California, so says VisitCalifornia.com – the state’s official tourism marketing agency.

Romantic hotels in California

The organization’s President & CEO Caroline Beteta says it’s not just about the weather and romantic destinations, but also the travel deals.

To help couples get away from it all and celebrate their love in style—and at great value—they have put out a huge list of Valentine’s Day romantic packages from hotels in California.

Here’s the best of the lot, categorized by region.

1. Southern California
2. San Francisco Bay Area
3. Central California
4. High Sierra
5. North Coast Area (Sonoma/Mendocino)

Read More »

It’s not often that one gets to see a list of Valentine’s Day hotels under ‘Today’s top stocks’ and ‘Inflation.’ If you want to know what stock analysts have to say about romantic hotels, here’s a list of beloved romantic standards and hidden standouts in major cities across the country, courtesy The Street.

Erotic Literature room at Library Hotel, New York

1. New York: Standout – The Library Hotel; Standard – The Plaza Hotel

2. Las Vegas: Standout – Mandarin Oriental; Standard – The Bellagio

3. Boston: Standout – XV Beacon; Standard – Copley Plaza

4. Los Angeles: Standout – Maison 140; Standard – The Beverly Wilshire

5. Washington, D.C.: Standout – The Jefferson; Standard – The Willard InterContinental

6. San Francisco: Standout – Hotel Vitale; Standard – The Fairmont Hotel

The Library Hotel in Midtown Manhattan is an especially good suggestion, given that it is a luxury boutique hotel built on a a landmark 1900 brick and terra cotta structure. It’s also won a Fodor’s Choice Gold award as a romantic hotel.

More relevant here is the fact that it is a themed hotel where each of the 60 rooms on floors 3-12 are modeled after one of the 10 categories of the Dewey Decimal System (Social Sciences, Literature, Languages, History, Math & Science, General Knowledge, Technology, Philosophy, The Arts and Religion).

Where does romance fit in, you ask? In the Erotic Literature Room on the eighth floor (800.001),  the romance language room on the fourth floor (400.002) and the Love Room on the eleventh floor (1100.006).

Also, the hotel has a honorary librarian who can insert a choice selection of love books into any room you choose under the ‘The Cupid’s Pink Romance Turndown’ package.

They also have an ‘Erotica Package’ which packs a powerful punch with a Kama Sutra ‘Love Essentials Package’ and pocket guide, erotic dice (you can take it home), a book of exotic chocolates, chilled bottle of Prosecco, a dozen red roses, strawberries and a bowl of whipped cream.

Photo – Library Hotel

More info: 299 Madison Avenue at 41st Street New York NY 10017; (212) 983-4500

The Ravella at Lake Las Vegas (formerly The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas), opening on Feb 11, 2011 is offering an affiliate style social media promo.

Ravella at Lake las Vegas

You can contact them to get yourself a unique promo code and peddle it in your tweets and facebook posts. If people start booking using your code, it could earn you a free stay, breakfast, dinner and a free upgrade.

First thing to note is that anyone who books using your twitter/facebook code gets a 30 percent discount on room rates. Second, the more bookings you provide, the more free facilities you get during your free stay. Here’s the lowdown:-

The personal codes are valid until Feb 28, 2011, meaning you can’t peddle them after that.

Travel agents cannot participate. If you get a free stay, it has to be used before Dec 31, 2011 and will be subject to hotel availability. If you get a free dinner, you can’t spend more than $150 for two people. If you’re interested, get your own personal code by contacting the hotel on twitter @RavellaVegas.

For travelers interested in a romantic Las Vegas escape, this is the perfect place. It’s not a Ritz in name, but the location, facilities and services are all the same. Maybe even better, because… Read More »