January 10, 2007

Valentine's nears: NYC's romantic hotel packages

Update: See the 2009 list of Valentine hotel packages.

With Valentine's Day on the horizon, the hotels are rolling out the champagne, chocolates and strawberries hoping to woo couples looking for romance in New York City. Only a handful are going the extra mile, offering goodies like tickets to the Museum of Sex, a Mile-High kit, massages, or a "Romance Sommelier."

Some of the packages are good only right around Valentine's Day, others are valid for a few months or all year. Almost all leave you on your own to fend for Valentine's Day dinner reservations. (It's on a Wednesday this year.)

New York Valentine's Day hotel packages:
Ritz-Carlton, Battery Park - The Sugar and Spice Valentine's romance Package is offered weekends in February from $735. It comes with a city-view room, hour-long massages for two and access to the 14th floor "Chocolate Bar" - an all-you-can-eat gourmet chocolate buffet.

Shoreham - Cupid's Delight, from $599, comes with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, two tickets to the Museum of Sex, $50 credit at the Shoreham Restaurant and a Continental breakfast in bed for two. From Feb. 9 through 18.

The Peninsula - From $610, the room comes with a dozen red roses, chocolate-covered strawberries, Roederer Champagne and Continental breakfast for two in the Gotham Lounge or through room service. Valid Feb. 9 through 18.

Ritz-Carlton, Central Park - The Be My Valentine special is good throughout February and offers Champagne and strawberries in a deluxe room, rose petal turndown, two la prairie massages and American breakfast in bed. From $1,190.

Omni Berkshire Place - The Sparkling Encounter package comes with a bottle of Moet & Chandon White Star Champagne, Teuscher Chocolates’ Champagne truffles, Champagne-scented bath salts, massage and body oil and body cream. From $344 nightly.

On the Ave - You can get the penthouse suite or a loft for $400 on February 14 only.

New York hotel romance packages:
Library Hotel -- With the Erotica package, you get to choose your themed room (including the Erotic Literature Room or the Love Room,) which will be outfitted with a dozen red roses, Champagne, strawberries and whipped cream, erotic dice, two plush bathrobes, Kama Sutra Love Essentials Package, a Kama Sutra Massage Therapy Kit, a Tantric massage video, a book of exotic chocolates from Vosges Haute-Chocolat, and another book to choose from, including the Kama Sutra.

70 Park Ave - The "In the Mood" package comes with a bottle of Champagne, breakfast in bed, and the use of a "Romance Sommelier" to coordinate whatever else you may need.

Hotel Gansevoort -- The Indulgence Escape Package gets you a deluxe room or suite, the Sensual Traveler's Mile High Kit, chocolate body frosting, Moet and Chandon, strawberries, roof-top pool access and a free beverage, a free movie, Godiva chocolate with your turndown service, Continental breakfast and late check-out.

Gramercy Park Hotel - The $4,000 romance package includes a suite overlooking the park, Champagne, chocolate-dipped strawberries, a dozen long-stemmed roses, midnight in-room couples massage by Aerospa, a picnic lunch to enjoy in exclusive Gramercy Park prepared by the Executive Chef of Gramercy Park Hotel, breakfast in bed and late check out.