The Westin Maui Resort and Spa offers four romantic ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day or any special occasion in your life. Which will you chose for your romantic trip?

View of the beach from the Westin Maui Resort & Spa

1. Romantic Spa

Throughout the month of February, the resort’s Heavenly Spa is presenting a 50-minute Chocolate Massage using a specialty chocolate oil with a choice of essences – chocolate mint, chocolate cake or chocolate cherry. Yet another delectable spa choice includes the Chocolate Covered Strawberry Pedicure with a chocolate foot soak, followed by a sweet strawberry scrub, a marshmallow mask for the feet and calves, then moisturizing with vanilla foot and calf massage and finishing with perfect polish.

Raise your hand if you think your husband/partner-of-the-male-persuasion would go for a marshmallow mask on his feet and calves. Snicker. But I would definitely be happy, and dear husband knows that rule #1 is to make me happy.

You can also treat your beloved with the Romance Me Package which includes 50-minute couples chocolate massage and 50-minute heavenly couples facial for two for only $470 (regularly price $530). The full-service spa also offers year-round couple’s spa services such as a 50-minute Heavenly Massage for two within the pampering comforts of its couple’s spa room, followed by a private whirlpool bath for two.

Weddings at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa

2. Romantic I Do’s

Now that we have been married for a while, my husband and I talk about what we would have done differently with our wedding. Oh sure, we had a great time planning and experiencing our wedding day, but I think we both agree that if we were to get married now, we would do it on the beach in Hawaii.

Fortunately, Westin Maui Resort and Spa offers a package for just this kind of romantic voyage. The Celebrations of Aloha Center can help any couple plan the Hawaiian wedding of their dreams, from coordinating the location and photographer, to handling the reception details. I think the only thing they probably cannot do is guarantee an award winning sunset. But I bet you they would try!

Preset wedding packages start at $1675, with beautiful extras to make your day even more special. The Westin also offers a bridal registry and can plan an extravagant wedding reception to boot.

3. Romantic adventure

Some couples thrive on romantic dinners and massages; others need to feel the thrill of excitement to get their heart racing. The Westin Maui Resort and Spa has a special thoroughly enjoy the “Rip It & Relax It” package which includes a surf lesson packed with water action along with a 50-minute massage for the perfect Hawaiian experience.

In addition to surf lessons, Island Style Adventures also offers stand-up paddle lessons and kayaking off the famed Ka’anapali Beach and mere steps away from the resort. We tried stand-up paddle on our last trip to Hawaii, and around Black Rock, you can usually spot turtles!

Other fun activities offered for couples include Aqua Poker at the Adults-Only Pool situated at the uppermost level of the resort’s 87,000 square-foot aquatic playground. Relax amidst pampering comfort in cabana chairs designed for two along Ka’anapali Beach or head out for a spectacular sunset cruise on a catamaran sail that docks right up the beach facing the resort. Oh, and did I mention that the Westin has an awesome water slide. So awesome.

4. Romantic honeymoon

If the wedding is behind you, and you are embarking on your honeymoon, the Westin Maui Resort and Spa is a wonderful destination to relax and unwind after the excitement surrounding your special day. Located right on the strand in Ka’anapali, the Westin is ideally situated to enjoy all that West Maui has to offer.

An idyllic renewal awaits couples with the Honeymoon Package offering Westin-inspired accommodations for five nights, champagne and strawberries upon arrival, Hawaiian lei greeting, daily breakfast for two at ‘Ono Bar & Grill and $250 spa or resort credit. It is the perfect dream paradise for couples to begin their new lives together!

Related post: Top Ten Best Food and Drink in Maui

Photos courtesy of Westin Maui Resort and Spa. Visit westinmaui.com for more details on all these romantic offers including pricing.

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 »

I consider myself “lucky” to have had the opportunity to stay at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, NV. Granted, I was 5 months pregnant at the time with my first baby, so I was happy to be anywhere before the baby arrived. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a STELLAR place to stay. Locate within the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Resort property is the modern-day, luxurious (but not-over-the-top) THEhotel.

Over-sized one-bedroom suites populate the 43-story hotel right on the south end of the Las Vegas Strip. With the access to all of the amenities of Mandalay Bay including the Shark Reef Aquarium and Mandalay Bay Beach, guests can escape to the luxury of their 725+ square foot suites. On-site at THEhotel is The Bathhouse, a European-style spa with elite clientele. The Bathhouse spa is adorned with slate walls, exotic baths, and the ultimate in relaxation services.

The Bathhouse Spa at THEhotel, Las Vegas, NV

Current room rates start at just $120/night, suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows, separate living and bedrooms, and 42″ plasma televisions. Bathrooms are decorated with marble-top counters and separate tubs and showers.  These well-appointed rooms are perfect for couples looking for a romantic getaway in Sin City, staying on the Strip with access to all of the best amenities of a large resort.

3970 S Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89119

Photo courtesy: THEhotel

My brother-in-law and his wife are expecting their first child at the end of May. It’s the first grandchild on both sides, so the whole family is pretty “over the moon” about it.

The happy couple have been talking about a different kind of moon — a babymoon, which is an often romantic trip that expectant parents take near the due date (although not too near!) You could call it a last hurrah before the baby arrives and distracts them from everything else, including each other, for the next 18 years.

Of course they asked me for hotel recommendations, and of course I had some! Here are my top 5 ideas for a fabulous Northern California (no flying so close to the due date) pre-baby weekend getaway, moving from South to North: Read More »