7 romantic West Virginia couples’ getaways

In a Valentine’s Day rut? While cards, flowers, and dinner are nice, traditional ways to celebrate, they’re perhaps ... a bit ordinary. With a little creative planning, you can arrange a romantic February getaway that may be remembered as a key moment in your relationship.

First, get away. Leave home. Leave everything “everyday” and “ho-hum” behind. Find a new place to stay and explore, to reconnect with a loved one and rekindle the passion that drew you together. Indulge in some pampering. Sleep late. Soak in a hot tub under the stars. Have a spa treatment. Ignore cellphones and TV and focus on each other.

And focus on West Virginia, where unique romantic escapes come easy. Here are a few, most of which will up the romance with flowers and champagne—and many of which have pet-friendly options.

“It’s easy to fall in love here,” says Heather Antolini, the new co-owner of Country Road Cabins, a forested enclave east of the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve. Many of the 18 log cabins have wood-burning fireplaces and private hot tubs. In February, take advantage of the Valentine Special: Book 2 nights and get the third 50% off, along with champagne or apple cider on request.

Lodging choices also include 2 octagonal yurts (each with a heart-shaped Jacuzzi tub) and 3 treehouses. Like the cabins, the offbeat accommodations have heat, kitchens (stocked on request), flat-screen TVs, hot tubs, and gas grills. A tree occupies the middle of cozy Holly Rock, an aerie 15 feet off the ground. Tuscany Treehouse is a bit larger, and the new Moonshine Treehouse is a dome with copper sinks, mason-jar lights, and local art. Rates start at $180.

Located southwest of New River Gorge, the 10 cabins and 2 treehouses at The Cabins at Pine Haven are tucked into the edge of woodlands around a lodge used for family gatherings and small conferences.

The Wild Wonderful Treehouse is just 306 square feet, but it’s heated and has a mini-kitchen (microwave and fridge), full bath, flat-screen TV, and hot tub. The 470-square-foot Grandview has similar amenities. Staying in a treehouse is inherently special but becomes even more so with romance packages that include roses, champagne, or sparkling cider. For active couples, Winterplace Ski Resort is minutes away. Rates start at $169.

Ready to go off the grid and make tracks in virgin snow with your soulmate—but with creature comforts at the end of the day? Curious about those “tiny houses” in the news?

Satisfy both desires with a stay at Lost River Vacations, 2 houses located on 22 private acres near Lost City, Lost River, and Lost River State Park. Both eco- and dog-friendly houses are comfy, warm, and well appointed (with Wi-Fi but no cell service), perfect for 2 people. If you can navigate the mountain road, you can charge your electric vehicle. Rates start at $199.

Coopers Rock State Forest and Cheat Lake are iconic attractions near Morgantown, the home of West Virginia University. Located in Bruceton Mills, Mountain Creek Cabins are near all 3 attractions but offer blissful seclusion, especially in winter.

Enjoy a walk along deserted forest trails at Coopers Rock and take selfies at overlooks of the spectacular Cheat River Gorge. (Note: Coopers Rock State Forest main gate is closed from December 31 through April 1. The forest is still accessible, and the main overlook is roughly 3 miles from the day-use parking area.)

Back at one of the 8 log cabins, throw a couple of steaks on the grill and slide into the hot tub. All the cabins are well furnished, with kitchens, hot tubs, grills, central heating, and electric fireplaces; a few are completely “unplugged,” sans cable and satellite. Rates start at $209.

Set atop a secluded ridge, each of the 9 cedar North Bend State Park Cabins has a fireplace, central heating, and a fully equipped kitchen. Stock up on your favorite foods for a romantic dinner or visit an atmospheric restaurant in Parkersburg, 35 minutes away. The resort’s restaurant also has an extensive menu.

For active couples, the park provides access to several hiking trails, including the midpoint of the North Bend Rail Trail. This major hiking/biking path features 11 tunnels and 32 bridges along its 72 miles. Rates start at $75.

Despite easy access off I-79 south of Weston, Roanoke’s Stonewall Resort is a blissful escape from everyday stresses, especially in winter. Reminiscent of a 1920s Adirondack lodge, the 195-room hotel is a warm space with stone fireplaces, wood-beamed ceilings, and windows overlooking the lake. The lodge, which is the centerpiece of a 1,900-acre state park with a golf course, marina, and 2,600-acre lake, also has 3 restaurants, a spa, and an indoor-outdoor pool.

As charming as the lodge rooms are, the most romantic accommodations are the lakeside cottages with vaulted ceilings, gas fireplaces, and comfortable furnishings. Enhance your stay with February packages that might include a couples massage, a romantic dinner at the resort’s Stillwaters Restaurant, and a fancy dessert delivered to your cottage. Cottage rates start at $249.

Staying in the alpine chalets at the AAA Four Diamond Bavarian Inn, Resort & Brewing Company is like visiting Europe without the air travel. Private balconies overlook the Potomac River and the bridge linking Maryland with historic Shepherdstown, West Virginia’s oldest settlement. Home to Shepherd University, it has college-town energy and a picturesque main street.

Across the bridge lies the scenic C&O Canal Towpath, a popular hiking/biking trail, and the Civil War battlefield at Antietam. You can also catch nighttime thoroughbred racing at the nearby Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. But it’s hard to leave your stateroom’s gas fireplace and whirlpool bath, especially if you’re enjoying romantic touches available in February.

A family-owned fixture for more than 45 years, the resort now has a brewery and pub to complement the German and American cuisine served in the Rathskeller and the Potomac Room. Chalet rates start at $190.

West Virginia resident Dale Leatherman is a past president of the Society of American Travel Writers.