Goodbye Dry January and Veganuary, hello February! With thoughts drifting to the 14th and Valentine's Day, you'll no doubt start to wonder where to take your loved one. Need some help? Here at Cool Places we have an enticing array of romantic retreats to choose from, with all manner of Valentine’s deals. Read on for 17 of our favourite places to spice up your love life.
Abbots Lodge
Billed as a B&B, this Herefordshire spot is more than that, it's a stylish, bright, beamed apartment, complete with its own patio, where owners John and Janet will cook you up a delicious evening meal and bring it to your door. In terms of Valentine's? John tells us they'll be a candle-lit dinner served to your private dining table, beside a roaring log-fire – what could be more romantic?. Prices start from £108, based on two people sharing, including breakfast. If you're after an extended Valentine's break in a romantic bolthole, take a look at their other property, Cruckbarn.
The Painswick
Nestled in the South Cotswolds, the 16 rooms of this polished and luxurious country house hotel are all individually designed. Throughout February they're offering the 'Hygge Hibernation', where you can treat your nearest and dearest to a night's stay for £149 (based on two people sharing, including breakfast, Sunday to Thursday). It's not a Valentine's package per se, but coupled with a meal in their excellent restaurant (with its recently revamped menu) it is sure to be a great way to treat your partner. Check out sister place Calcot Manor, another romantic option.
The Windmill Suffolk
For a quirky and unique Valentine's experience, The Windmill Suffolk is the place for you. Stylishly converted, this is the perfect rural escape. Offering a romantic package over the period (an additional £295 per couple with any stay), you'll be able to indulge in a massage, sup on champagne, and gorge on chocolate and a decadent hamper. To round things off, gaze up at the stars from the fourth floor balcony with a glass of fizz.
The Angel
A stylish coaching inn with a Modern British restaurant (AA Rosette awarded), the Angel in Bury St Edmunds is where traditional blends with contemporary. Their special Valentine's Dinner, Bed and Breakfast package includes a bottle of bubbly and runs from February 10th to the 18th. Enjoy this from £260 per room, based on two people sharing.
Lord Crewe Arms
Head to the Durham/Northumberland border for the Lord Crewe's 'Winter Hideaway' (offer on rooms throughout February, from just £129 per room, per night, based on two people sharing) and spend Valentine's hunkered down in front of a roaring fire. With the accolade of 'Inn of the Year ' (Good Pub Guide), this 12th-century lodging is full of history, and country-chic in style. Enjoy a night away and a Valentine's meal in on-site restaurant Bishop’s Dining Room, a foodie's dream. For an option down south, click over to their cousin Barnsley House.
Artist Residence Oxfordshire
A well placed country inn set in the Oxfordshire countryside, this 5-bedroom retreat manages to be cosy and luxurious at the same time. Awarded 'Most Romantic Hotel' (Sunday Times Top 100 British Hotels), this is the place to be over Valentine's. We're told there will be some romantic touches running through the hotel rooms, and the dinning room of the excellent restaurant. Rooms start at just £150, based on two people sharing.
The Idle Rocks
Housed in a beautiful Edwardian waterfront building, the Idle Rocks in Cornwall has a 2-night Valentine package (Friday 9th and Saturday 10th), including a 6-course tasting menu with Cornish fizz. Experience the 'Hidden Cinema', before turning in for the night in one of their stylish harbour-view rooms. Stay with them from £390 per person, based on two guests sharing. There are similar romantic offerings at sister property, St Mawes Hotel.
Ffynnon
This is a small 6-bedroom boutique hotel in Snowdonia National Park's Love Lane (how aptly named!), with a great restaurant (usually closed on a Wednesday, but open this year on Valentine's Day) serving up glorious seasonal Welsh dishes. Each bedroom has bags of personality, and owner Bernhard has a romantic break promotion running over the period. Enjoy a two-night break in one of their luxury rooms, a three-course dinner, Prosecco, locally sourced chocolates, and a dip in the hot tub, from £399, based on two people sharing. Sounds appealing doesn't it?
Brooks Country House
A relaxed, 22-bedroom Herefordshire Georgian manor, this is an ideal option for Valentine's Day. To celebrate, they're offering the 'Month of Love', which includes dinner, bed and breakfast and a few romantic added extras for £65 per person. If you're after something a little different, they have three fabulously appointed horseboxes available as a luxury glamping option. Either way, this is a fine place to escape the city for a little romance.
Strattons
Contemporary and quirky, Strattons is the definition of a British boutique hotel. Serving up delicious food in their restaurant, this Norfolk getaway will fulfill all of your Valentine's needs. There's a special menu (£48 per person) featuring sharing dishes – think braised pork shoulder, apple and mustard pithivier, parsnip puree and black kale. Rooms start at £118 per night, based on two people sharing, including breakfast.
The 25
Recently voted one of the Top 10 B&Bs in the World on Tripadvisor, we love The 25 – an adult-only, ultra-stylish, award-winning B&B in Torquay, Devon, and the good news is they are offering a 10% discount for all of February. Prices start from just £108 and are based on two people sharing.
Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa
The
excellent Stoke by Nayland hotel in Suffolk is a great place to treat
yourself on Valentine's Day, and they're offering an
amazing-value 'Month of Love' dinner, bed and breakfast package for
February. For £85 per person you can enjoy an overnight stay, a 3-course
dinner in the Lakes restaurant, a bottle of Prosecco in the room, plus use
of the pool, spa and all the other hotel's facilities. It's very handy
for London too.
Roulotte Retreat
Could there be a quirkier or more romantic place to stay than one of these traditional hand-carved wooden caravans in the heart of the Scottish Borders? Our friends at Roulotte Retreat are offering a 10% Valentine's discount exclusively to Cool Places readers, making a 2-night stay just £243 for two! Could this be the Valentine's surprise you've been looking for?
Budock Vean Hotel
Sweep your loved one off their feet with a romantic Cornish getaway at the Budock Vean resort hotel near Falmouth, where for £194 per person you can enjoy a two-night dinner, bed and breakfast stay that includes a delicious four-course meal and champagne and chocolates on arrival – not to mention use of the lovely pool, the spa and all their other facilities.
Howard's House
Savour some quality time with your loved one at this picture-perfect country house and fab restaurant in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside. They're currently offering luxurious one or two-night dinner, bed and breakfast stays from £300 for two, including a delicious seven-course tasting menu, champagne and canapes.
Middle Stone Farm
Who says parents can't enjoy Valentine's Day too? Our friends at Middle Stone Farm have combined their Valentine's Day offer with half term to help out couples, kids and families. Stay in either their Deckhouse or Stable Cottage and you will be treated to both fizz and flowers and pay from £250 for a three-night stay (£420, Feb 12th to 16th). Relaxing in their lovely hot tub is the perfect way to unwind!
Longlands
Looking for the perfect last-minute Valentine's Day gift? You'll save £100 by booking a stay at Longlands, whose beautiful canvas glamping lodges are situated in 17 acres of rolling North Devon countryside close to Exmoor and not too far from the sea. All you have to do is book before February 14th.
