Valentine's Day 2017: the best last-minute holidays
Five great places to take your significant other - or your pals
Totem Hotel, Madrid
Right in the heart of the exclusive Salamanca neighbourhood lies Totem hotel, which is home to a popular 1920s-inspired cocktail bar, headed by one of the city's top mixologists. The Spanish capital has been developing a name for itself as a culinary hotspot over the past few years and the hotel's restaurant, Hermosos y Malditos (The Beautiful and Damned) "looks set to become a favourite of well-heeled locals as well as Madrid regulars", says the Daily Telegraph.
Package: the hotel doesn't have a package available, but from £145 per night, based on two people sharing a deluxe exterior room, you get access to the chicest district of one of Europe's coolest and least appreciated cities.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Cost: £145 per night
Valid: all year
To book: i-escape.com/totem-hotel or call +34 914 260 035
Blue Sky Luxury Villas, Barbados
Fancy staying in a three-storey townhouse with spectacular sea views and private access to a white sandy beach for lazy paddles or snorkelling along the reef? All this can be yours if you have a bit of cash to splash. Perched on the west coast of Barbados, Mahogany Bay is just a few minutes drive to Holetown’s restaurants and shopping. If you would rather just stay in your own romantic bubble, you can simply take a dip in your own private plunge pool or ask the resident cook to rustle up some tasty local fare to be enjoyed by candle light.
Cost: from $920 (£727) per night, five night minimum stay
Valid: throughout the year
To book: visit blueskyluxury.com or call 0800 088 5574
The Chatwal, New York
This luxury boutique hotel in New York, which regular guests refer to as "the jewel of Manhattan" fuses old world Art Deco charm with contemporary 5-star service. As anyone who has visited knows, New York is a big, noisy city, so it is surprising to find such a peaceful sanctuary in the beating heart of the city that never sleeps.
The Chatwal's 'Celebration of Love' package which can be booked any time from this Sunday 5 February to Sunday 19 February 2017 priced from $785 per night, based on two guests.
Package includes:
- A bottle of Champagne on arrival
- Beautiful red rose bouquet
- Breakfast in bed curated by renowned Chef Geoffrey Zacharian, served in the privacy of your own suite
- Complimentary use of the Mercedes Benz House Car
- Complimentary upgrade subject to availability
- Special Gift from The Red Door Spa
Cost: $785 based on two guests
Valid: Sunday 5 February to Sunday 19 February 2017
To book: thechatwalny.com or +1 866 716 8136
Penolva by St Mawes Retreats
Bah humbug to romance! If you fancy a weekend break but the very words Valentine's and Day make your skin crawl, Penolva's The Great Mate Escape may be for you. Penolva is inviting friends to escape the commercial chaos and retreat to the cosy village of St Mawes, where you can celebrate your friendship at a luxury property with breathtaking coastal views. St Mawes Retreats' bespoke concierge team can also help you plan the perfect group getaway, from a three-course meal cooked by a private chef to a pampering spa treatment to help you unwind.
Package: tailored to your requirements
Cost: on request
Valid: throughout the year
To book: stmawesretreats.co.uk or call 0800 088 6622
W London, Leicester Square
Also rebelling against Valentine's Day is W London – Leicester Square, which has unveiled the ultimate packages for singles this February, featuring its new 'Mega Bar' service.
The Mega Bar is a bespoke cocktail bar that comes complete with a barman to shake up cocktails, wireless in-built speakers and a signature disco ball. The hotel's 'Extreme-Wow' suite features a giant revolving chesterfield sofa and DJ booth. For a total party package, W London also offers a designer wardrobe room service, plus hairstylists, manicurists, make-up artists and a DJ on request.
Package:
- Three cocktails or glasses of Perrier Jouet champagne per person
- Five canapés per person
- Dedicated barman for two hours
- Add hairstylist, manicure, make-up artist or DJ (price on request)
Cost: prices start from £700
Valid: February onwards
To book: wlondon.co.uk/megabar
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The magician who secretly smashed the Magic Circle's glass ceiling
Under The Radar Sophie Lloyd lurked in the all-male society by posing as a teenage boy for nearly two years, but was expelled after revealing her true identity
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Kate Summerscale's 6 favorite true crime books about real murder cases
Feature The best-selling author recommends works by Helen Garner, Gwen Adshead, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Team of bitter rivals
Opinion Will internal tensions tear apart Trump's unlikely alliance?
By Theunis Bates Published
-
The Biltmore Mayfair review: a quintessential slice of luxury London
The Week Recommends This swanky retreat in Grosvenor Square blends old-world glamour with modern comforts
By Caroline Dolby Published
-
Langdale Chase Hotel: a cosy nook in the Lake District
The Week Recommends This Victorian villa has breathtaking views and expansive gardens
By Natasha Langan Published
-
Ramdane Touhami's Hotel Drei Berge
The Blend A passion project in the Swiss mountains sees creative visionary Ramdane Touhami achieving new heights
By Delilah Khomo Published
-
Timeless hotels for old-school elegance
The Blend From Jamaica to Rome, we check into incredibly atmospheric landmarks
By Delilah Khomo Published
-
Hoteliers who host
The Blend Sublime design gets personal at these luxury properties with personality
By Delilah Khomo Published
-
The Count of Monte Cristo review: 'indecently spectacular' adaptation
The Week Recommends Dumas's classic 19th-century novel is once again given new life in this 'fast-moving' film
By The Week UK Published
-
Death of England: Closing Time review – 'bold, brash reflection on racism'
The Week Recommends The final part of this trilogy deftly explores rising political tensions across the country
By The Week UK Published
-
Engel Ayurpura: a boutique Ayurveda retreat in the Dolomites
The Week Recommends The tranquil Italian hideaway offers an array of specially tailored wellness programmes
By Ann Lee Published