10 of the world’s most luxurious Valentine’s Day experiences

Forget the obligatory roses and box of chocolates for Valentine’s Day. Instead, splurge a little (actually a lot in some cases) and consider these Valentine’s Day travel gifts that include the world’s most finely crafted car, private helicopter rides and packages that range from $8,000 to almost $90,000.

Ocean House, Westerly, Rhode Island

Discerning guests of the beachfront Ocean House will receive a 2019 Mercedes-Benz SLC 300 Roadster, purchased and delivered to the resort upon guest arrival. If that’s not lavish enough, guests will also receive a vintage sailboat pin with diamonds, a two-night stay in the Penthouse Suite with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean, daily in-room breakfast for two with endless mimosas and dinner for two at Coast Restaurant with wine pairings.

For the most over-the-top proposal, book the Ultimate Engagement Package – at $36,500 couples receive a 2.5 carat diamond engagement ring along with a professional photographer to record the proposal, spa treatments and a dinner in the new Fondue Express Gondola.

How much: Starting at $89,650

Nobu Epiphany Palo Alto Hotel, Palo Alto, California

Indulge in a romantic Northern California Valentine’s Day special with the “Napa the Nobu Way Package.” This includes top-floor suite accommodations with expansive views, Matsuhisa Private Collection wine upon arrival, a private helicopter ride to and from Napa, an exclusive Wine Country Kit, two private vineyard experiences at Domaine Carneros and Adler Deutsch. When you get back to the hotel that evening a grand finale Omakase dinner at Nobu will be waiting for you. Nobu

Palo Alto will be featuring a specialty eight-course Valentine’s Day menu with standouts like Negitoro Caviar, salmon with truffle and Nashi pear and grilled A5 Miyazaki Wagyu with Jerusalem Artichoke Puree.

How much: The all-inclusive package costs $11,500 for two guests.

The Weekapaug Inn, Westerly, Rhode Island

Located on the Rhode Island shoreline overlooking Quonochontaug Pond and the Atlantic Ocean just beyond, Weekapaug Inn offers quintessentially New England accommodations. The Weekapaug Inn is offering a special “Love is Inn the Stars” Valentine’s Day Package. It includes private star-gazing experience and opportunity to name a star with the Inn’s naturalist, Mark Bullinger; a winter outerwear wardrobe courtesy of Hunter Boots (two sets of Hunter Boots, two insulated parkas and two backpacks); curated trip to the famous Watch Hill Rhode Island lighthouse with a bottle of champagne; a two-night stay in a Fenway Suite; 60-minute massage for two with beach rose infused oils in the OH! Spa; a five-course candlelit dinner.

How much: starting at $8,300

Helena Bay Lodge, Northland, New Zealand

Located on two miles of pristine private coastline and built to host no more than five couples on property at a time in luxurious oceanfront villa accommodations, the Lodge provides an idyllic destination for an intimate couples’ getaway this February.

This is what upmost privacy looks like and with 54 staff members available, guests will be pampered with the highest level of service in addition to world-class cuisine. Throughout Helena Bay Lodge, couples can find antique Persian rugs, a gallery of Eastern European paintings, an intimate yet opulent spa suite featuring a beautifully tiled Turkish sauna and more. Also find an outdoor fire pit for where evening cocktails and canapés can be served or couples can cozy up to star gaze. Rates include nightly pre-dinner drinks and canapes, gourmet dinner and daily breakfast.

How much: Junior Suites: $1,490 per night (single occupancy) and $1,835 per night (double occupancy) Villa Suites: $2,760 (single) and $3,100 (double occupancy).

Villa Royale, Palm Springs, California

Palm Springs is the perfect place for couples to enjoy one another especially with Villa Royale’s “Picnic on the Peak Package.” Guests receive two Aerial Tram tickets (includes picnic fixings and a bottle of champagne), plus roundtrip transportation, and can also treat themselves to an upgrade with a helicopter ride and picnic for two, plus roundtrip transportation to and from the property. This package comes with a bottle of rose poolside and dinner for two at Del Rey.  T

How much: $835 (weekday), $995 (weekend). For helicopter upgrade: $2,119 (weekday), $2,279 (weekend).

Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach, Clearwater, Florida

The ultimate girls’ getaway — the Galentine’s Day Experience – includes: a luxurious two-night stay in the 3,000 square-foot bi-level Presidential Suite for up to eight guests; butler service throughout stay; in-suite dinner prepared by the chef for up to eight guests; brunch and mimosas served on the Gulf Front Patio; champagne and chocolate covered strawberries upon check-in; one massage service and salt therapy treatment per person in the Pallavi Spa; reserved beach or pool loungers. The Presidential Suite comes with a dining area, full kitchen, private balcony, elevator and separate living room. It’s the property’s only room that offers guests views of both the Gulf and the Intracoastal. Book now through Feb 23 for stays Feb 8 – Feb 24.

How much: $15,000

The Resort at Pedregal, Cabo San Lucas

The majestic Resort at Pedregal lies on Cabo San Lucas’ most coveted parcel of land at the southernmost tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. The exclusive haven, accessible only by the private Dos Mares tunnel, is now offering couples a brand new over-the-top “Timeless Romance Package”.

The ultra-luxe package includes such indulgences as a three-night stay in a Beach Casita, a candlelit rooftop dinner location and menu hand crafted by Executive Chef Gustavo Pinet complete with a solo violinist, five dozen roses, a fireworks display and a jewelry collection featuring his and her Piaget watches, heart shaped earrings and a heart pendant necklace for her. Also included is a romantic turndown including a bottle of Krug Reims Rose nightly along with sunrise standup paddle boarding to The Arch and Lover’s Beach with breakfast for two.

How much: $89,000

Mountain Shadows, Paradise Valley, Arizona

Mountain Shadows, around four miles from downtown Scottsdale, is surrounded by the beauty of the Sonoran desert and you can see it wherever you are, sunning by the pool or on the golf course.

Couples can escape to the Paradise Valley’s upscale boutique resort rooted in 1950s modernism and indulge in the brand new “Bath Butler Experience” boasting an over-the-top bath setup including a full-sized Herbivore Coconut Milk Bath Soak, bubble bath, tea, light candles, a full-sized resort copper candle and chocolate-dipped strawberries paired with a full bottle of wine.

Guests celebrating romance on February 14, 15 or 16 can indulge in a perfectly prepared, three-course dinner at Hearth ’61 and bottles of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label. Guests joining for dinner can book an Immerse Guestroom at a special rate of $299 and add the Bath Butler experience for $150.

How much: Rooms from $389 per night

Four Seasons Resort Lanai, Lanai City, Hawaii

The Four Seasons Resort Lani is a sophisticated gateway offering luxury and comfort, elegant dining where you can relax on the beach, go sailing, play a round of golf and tennis or exhilarating rides on UTVs or horseback on a 90,000-acre (36,000 hectare) secluded island.

Lovers can indulge in a gorgeous couples’ suite at Hawanawana Spa where the first part of the experience starts with the Salts of the Earth Body Scrub, an aromatic, hydrating and grounding 90-minute Oceanic Stone Lomi Lomi Massage, as well as scalp and foot masks for top-to-toe relaxation.

The dining experience begins as guests are escorted to a secluded oceanfront location, complete with dazzling sunset views overlooking Hulopoe Bay one of the most beautiful beaches in Hawaii. Tuck into a personalised five-course menu and wine pairing created especially for two following a consultation with chef the day prior.  Watch the evening stars over dessert and coffee – there’s no rush, the table is booked for the evening. You can even create your own music playlist, get a solo musician and even a hula dancer.

How much: A stay starts $1,100 per night. The spa experience lasts 2hours and costs $830 per couple. Dine Under the Starts starts from $995 per couple.

Belmond El Encanto, Santa Barbara, California

Relax, revitalize and rejuvenate with the perfect spa break at Belmond El Encanto. Located in the American Riviera, the hotel is Santa Barbara’s only Forbes Five-Star resort. This iconic early 20th-century property, which recently celebrated its centennial, is situated atop a commanding hillside, offering ninety-two quintessential, California-styled bungalows and terraced grounds featuring seven-acres of gloriously landscaped gardens with sweeping views of Santa Barbara and the Pacific Ocean.

Original architectural features have been lovingly restored, including the historic, trellised-lined Arbor and Lily Pond. Modern additions to the expansive outdoor swimming pool and a new beautifully appointed boutique spa enhance the Belmond El Encanto journey for today’s luxury-seeking guest. Sumptuous contemporary cuisine will also delight with organic and locally sourced ingredients.

Their romantic retreat at Belmond El Encanto includes a welcome bottle of champagne, a couples massage per stay, a candlelight and rose petal turn down and full access to ‘The Spa’ and gym facilities

Home much: A stay on Valentine’s day: £722 per couple.