10 romantic hotels for your Valentine’s escape

Rekindle the flames of your relationship with that special someone by spending a weekend at a romantic hotel. Whether you prefer sipping champagne at a candlelight dinner for 2 or toasting marshmallows beside a cozy fire, this curated collection of accommodations will set the mood for a relaxing and memorable rendezvous. Celebrate Valentine’s Day—or any day—in style at these 10 distinctive lodging options.

Unwind at the hotel’s spa and dine at the Chateau Grille, which serves a popular Sunday champagne brunch. During warmer months, take a free shuttle to the private dock on Table Rock Lake, where you can rent a boat, fish, go tubing, water ski, and ride a personal watercraft. Hotel rates start at $179.

Fun-loving couples will find a host of diversions in and around Branson. Ride the Branson Ferris Wheel, explore Marvel Cave at Silver Dollar City theme park, see a musical performance, watch a choreographed light show at the fountains in Branson Landing, hike at the Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, and sample the bounty at several Ozark wineries.

The 139-room Bottleworks Hotel pays homage to its former life as a Coca-Cola bottling plant through its name and decor. Glamorous art deco architectural elements complement modern amenities at this gem that opened in late 2020.

The historic nature of this AAA Four Diamond hotel means each room configuration is a bit different, but none skimp on space. Room features might include original terrazzo-tiled floors, a velvet sofa, or an open-air terrace. The pet-friendly hotel is a stylish stay, from the billiards table in the lobby to televisions that are at least 65 inches and well-stocked minibars with local favorites in guest rooms. Rates start at $329.

For some old-school entertainment, you can play at Pins Mechanical Company in the Historic Bottleworks District. Order a libation and spend the evening bowling or playing pinball, foosball, table tennis, boccie, and more. When you’re hungry, head for the Garage Food Hall, which has live music and more than 20 options for dining and drinks.

Pops of purple, brass fixtures, original artwork, and high ceilings create cocoons of modern comfort at the 21c Museum Hotel in downtown Kansas City. When making a reservation at the AAA Four Diamond hotel, opt for the Romance Package. You’ll get late checkout, treats by local chocolatier Christopher Elbow, and a bottle of sparkling wine.

The boutique property with a contemporary art museum juxtaposes nicely with The Savoy at 21c restaurant, so named because the hotel encompasses the former Savoy Hotel and Savoy Grill. Famous patrons like Harry S. Truman and John D. Rockefeller once dined in the historic space. Hotel rates start at $189.

Exploring Kansas City’s dynamic downtown is easy and free on the KC Streetcar. The line runs from River Market to Union Station and has 16 stops. The Library stop is less than a 5-minute walk from the hotel.

Snuggle up at the Moonrise Hotel, a pet-loving boutique hotel that’s never boring. A man-made rotating moon adorns the top of the building. While this AAA Four Diamond property is quirky, it caters to upscale tastes with a full-service restaurant and 2 rooftop bars, one of which is open seasonally. Guest room amenities include upscale bath products and Starbucks coffee. Suites are named for famous people with ties to the city such as Vincent Price, Josephine Baker, and Tennessee Williams. Rates start at $149.

The hotel is only 8 blocks from Forest Park, a beautiful urban park with walking trails, a history museum, an art museum, a zoo, a science center, and more. Three concert venues—The Pageant, Delmar Hall, and The Duck Room inside Blueberry Hill—are within walking distance of the hotel.

The marriage of classic architecture and a modern 22-story glass tower create the luxurious LondonHouse Chicago. Located near the Magnificent Mile, the AAA Four Diamond hotel provides captivating views from inside and out.

Spend an intimate afternoon indulging in curated sweets during a nontraditional High Tea in the Bridges Lobby Bar. You’ll have views of bustling city streets, Chicago River boat traffic, and neighboring skyscrapers. The magnificent 1923 beaux arts–style structure’s crown jewel is the Tri Level Rooftop Bar. Hotel rates start at $199.

Use the hotel as a base to experience the Windy City’s urban vitality, from world-class museums to live theater. There’s always something new to experience

Nature enthusiasts paddle the rivers, hike the trails, and bike around Little Rock. Climb the landmark Pinnacle Mountain for a bird’s-eye view of the city or walk along the Big Dam Bridge—one of the world’s longest pedestrian/cyclist bridges, which rises 90 feet above the Arkansas River.

After a day outdoors, unwind at the boutique Burgundy Hotel, which features a Whirlpool Suite with a fireplace. Dine at the award-winning Table 28. Inventive American dishes range from meatloaf to a spiced Peking duck breast. Save some room for a decadent dessert.

End the evening under the stars cuddling up by the poolside outdoor fire pit. You can even surprise your sweetie with a rose petal heart decoration on the bed ($25) or chocolate-covered strawberries ($20). Rates start at $179.

It rarely snows in Alabama, but cool February temperatures and amazing views along the Gulf Coast offer the perfect environment for cuddling in places like The Lodge at Gulf State Park, a Hilton Hotel. Snuggle up with your sweetie at a warm fireplace in the lobby, which has a wall of windows that faces the beach.

With a focus on sustainability and environmentally friendly operations, the hotel has 350 guest rooms and suites that provide views of either the Gulf of Mexico or of Lake Shelby and Gulf State Park. You don’t have to venture far from the lodge, which is nestled at the 6,150-acre park’s west end, to encounter nature. Bike or hike some 28 miles of trails and boardwalks, and fish off the 1,540-foot-long pier. If you feel adventurous, rent a banana boat or go parasailing. Hotel rates start at $129.

Set on 550 acres of natural beauty and dating to 1847, the Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa drips with Southern charm. Once the site of a Civil War hospital and World War II training operations, the resort blasts a cannon every afternoon in a nod to its rich military history. The AAA Four Diamond resort underwent extensive renovations in recent years that put a polish on this gem that has welcomed the likes of Colin Powell, Margaret Thatcher, Dolly Parton, and other VIPs.

Overlooking Mobile Bay, the resort’s lush grounds brim with moss-draped oaks, blooming flowers, and ponds inhabited by ducks. Hit the links on 2 meticulously maintained courses and soothe aching muscles afterward during a couple’s massage at the hotel’s spa. Other diversions include bicycling, tennis, kayaking, and catch-and-release pier fishing.

The regionally-sourced menu changes seasonally at the resort’s farm-to-table Southern Roots restaurant, but the lovely bay views and chic-yet-casual ambience never fluctuate. It’s one of the resort’s 9 dining and bar options. Following dinner, toast your relationship in the 1847 bar or take a moonlight stroll along the bay. Hotel rates start at $349.

Dining and drinks are only an elevator ride away. Two James Beard Award–winning chefs, Alon Shaya and Donald Link, helm the restaurants. Miss River serves New Orleans favorites in a whimsical space, while Chemin à la Mer specializes in coastal dishes with river views. Hotel rates start at $395.

When not nestled in the hotel, there are plenty of ways to spend your days. Stroll through the sculpture garden at New Orleans City Park, admire grand mansions from inside a historic streetcar, roam antique shops on Royal Street, sip cocktails while listening to jazz, or ride a carriage through the French Quarter.

Fine dining is steps away at Cora’s Restaurant & Bar in the lobby. Sip on an Old Fashioned while ensconced in a private booth. Specializing in Gulf Coast cuisine and seasoned steaks, the restaurant also serves a bountiful weekend brunch. Hotel rates start at $139.

Married for more than 40 years, Barbara and Jim Twardowski are freelance writers from Mandeville, Louisiana.