Looking for luxury, romance and relaxation for a Valentine's break? Try one of my favourite romantic spa hotel retreats
Barnsley House, Gloucestershire
A beautiful Grade-II listed manor house set amongst 11 acres of breathtaking gardens designed by renowned gardener Rosemary Verey. Cosy sitting rooms with roaring log fires and the intimate Potager restaurant make for the ultimate romantic spa retreat in the heart of the Cotswolds.
The Garden Spa at Barnsley House, is nestled at the back of the magical gardens and has an outdoor hydrotherapy pool with countryside views, five treatment rooms, sauna, steam and a delightful candle-lit relaxation area.
The Deal: An overnight stay with breakfast and dinner in The Potager restaurant
£90 spa voucher
Full use of the spa facilities
Starts from £385 per room
Lucknam Park, Wiltshire
The stunning 17th century grey stone mansion set amongst parkland, rose and lavender gardens gives the feel of a backdrop to a romantic period drama. Opulent Georgian-inspired drawing rooms with chesterfields, open fires and huge floral displays makes Lucknam Park one of the grandest retreats in the country. Perfect if you're looking for a touch of Downton romance.
The Lucknam Spa is housed in a walled garden through a rose trellised walkway. State-of-the-art facilities include an indoor swimming pool with fire-feature wall, a saltwater hydrotherapy pool, outdoor Jacuzzi, thermal cabins, nine treatments rooms and indoor and outdoor relaxation areas.
The Deal: The Ultimate Valentine's one night package, from £245 per person inclusive of the following:
One night's accommodation with full English Breakfast
Red rose and half a bottle of pink Champagne waiting in your room on arrival
A gourmet dinner in the Michelin starred restaurant, The Park
Full use of the award winning Spa facilities
Ockenden Manor, West Sussex
Hidden in a picture postcard village in the middle of the rolling Sussex countryside Ockenden Manor is a charming, cosy Elizabethan house coupled with a state-of-the-art spa. Their candle-lit Michelin starred restaurant is the perfect setting for a romantic feast!
The Ockenden Spa is set in a wonderful 'wood and glass' eco building and features a part-outdoor pool and hot tub, steam and sauna rooms, a manicure and pedicure suite, eight candle-lit treatment rooms and indoor and outdoor relaxation areas.
The Deal: Midweek Spa Break
Dinner in the Michelin Starred Restaurant
Overnight accommodation with full English breakfast
£30 Spa voucher towards the treatment of your choice
Full use of the Spa facilities
From £149.50 per person per night
Splash out further afield...
Le Meurice, Paris
Hop on the Eurostar and spend a night in the most romantic city in the world. Housed between Place de la Concorde and Musée du Louvre and overlooking the beautiful Tuileries Garden, the 18 century Le Meurice Hotel is a home from home for well-heeled romantic Parisians. Their Michelin starred restaurant is renowned for elegant romantic dining.
Spa Valmont opens onto a delightful terrace overlooking the gardens. Facilities include three treatment suites and one couples suite, two Bissaza, mosaic hammams, a sauna and two relaxation areas with an ice fountain!
The Deal: Romance in Paris, Accommodation and daily American Breakfast.
Rosé champagne
Pink petit fours
Bouquet of roses
Upgrade upon availability
Late Check-Out at 4pm upon availability
Free access to sauna, Hammam and fitness center
Rates are from €840 per night for a Superior Room.
The Greenwich, New York
For the ultimate Valentine's break jet out to New York and head to Robert De Niro's uber-cool, downtown, TriBeca hotel. Cosy sitting rooms with roaring fires, vibrant sofas, Tibetan rugs and eclectic antiques surround a beautiful, secluded Tuscan-style candle-lit courtyard. The adjacent restaurant Locanda Verdi is perfect for relaxed, romantic Italian dining.
The Japanese-inspired Shibu Spa is hidden in the basement of the hotel with a stunning décor of seagrass, stone and reclaimed bamboo. Featuring a serene latern-lit swimming pool, four treatment rooms, a steam room and Sake bar.
The Deal: Three nights in New York with Virgin Holidays + Hip Hotels, including Virgin Atlantic flights and accommodation at The Greenwich Hotel on a room only basis, starts from £1,089pp.
Prices are based on departures 13 Feb 2013.