Your guide to the best spots around the country for that ultimate Valentine's weekend away.
DUBLIN
In the capital itself, try the Love Potion 09 cocktail of raspberry vodka, raspberrycello, Baileys and cream, have a five-course menu in Citron brasserie and stay overnight in the Fitzwilliam hotel, with late checkout, from €135 per person sharing.
www.fitzwilliamhotel.com
The Hilton Kilmainham Hotel has a night's stay, complimentary sparkling wine, homemade chocolates, access to a complimentary massage therapist, and three-course dinner in the Paris-themed restaurant with live French music and food from French Chef Frederic Souty. Each couple will be entered into a draw to win flights and two nights in Hilton Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Cost is €185 per person sharing.www.dublinkilmainham.hilton.com
Dublin's Westin Hotel has two packages, which both include chilled champagne and strawberries in your room on arrival, a full Irish breakfast (in bed, if you like) and, subject to availability, complimentary late checkout at 4pm.The second package features a candlelit dinner in the Exchange restaurant and a special Valentine's cocktail in the Mint Bar.
The first, You Love Me, package is available for €289 per person sharing and the You Love Me More package is available at €359 per person sharing, minimum two night stay.
www.westin.com/dublin
The Radisson SAS Royal Hotel Dublin features in-room chocs and champers and a special meal in the hotel's Brasserie de Verres en Vers. A one night package is available for €150 per person sharing or stay for two nights for €225 per person sharing.www.royal.dublin.radissonsas.com
Or head to beautiful Carton House near Maynooth, start the night with a glass of champagne then spend a romantic evening in the Linden Tree Restaurant before you treat yourself to cocktails in the Kitchen Bar. Two nights' stay from €190 per person sharing.www.cartonhouse.com
Down in Wicklow, the award-winning BrookLodge Hotel and Wells Spa has romantic deals from €110pps with dinner in the Armento Italian taverna (€140 if dining in the organic Strawberry Tree restaurant.www.brooklodge.com
Splash out in style at Wicklow's Powerscourt Ritz Cartlon, enjoy champagne and chocolates on arrival in the suite and dine in Gordon Ramsay's restaurant. Prices from €340 per room per night.www.ritzcarlton/powerscourt.com
Love is in the air, too, at Mount Wolseley Spa and Golf resort in Tullow, Co Carlow. Its package comprises of a relaxing Rasul treatment for two, a 30-minute traditional Swedish massage or 30-minute facial and a rejuvenating Dry Flotation experience. The package is available throughout February Monday to Thursday for €185 (normal price €369). Complete your day with a delectable five-course meal in Fredericks restaurant for €55 per person. Weekend breaks available from €249pps.
www.mountwolseley.ie
UP NORTH
Belfast's five-star Merchant Hotel has deals from £160 (€174) per night with dinner, bed and breakfast, while the four-star Malmaison has a night's stay in a suite with champagne on ice, chocolate-dipped strawberries, aromatic oils and candles and champagne breakfast. Other deals for all price brackets available through the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. www.discovernorthernireland.com
FURTHER AFIELD
Enjoy two nights in a deluxe room with a full Irish breakfast each morning, a romantic, candlelit dinner on one evening in the award-winning La Cascade restaurant, a dozen complimentary red roses and a chilled bottle of champagne in your room for €445 per person (€285 for one night). www.sheenfallslodge.ie
Monart, Ireland's first purpose-built, adults-only destination spa in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, is offering two nights' accommodation, with balcony or terrace overlooking the private woodlands; breakfast; candlelight dinner for two from a special Valentine's menu; full access to the spa; and an optional horse-drawn carriage ride (€35 a head extra) for €395 pps.www.monart.ie
SOUTH WEST
Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa in West Cork has a Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend package, incorporationg the new Diamond Body Treatment.If it leads to diamond rings and the happy couple gets engaged while at the hotel, they will receive complimentary chocolate, flowers, fruit, a Diamond Skin Peeling Cream and a 10pc discount on their wedding at Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa.
The package costs €190 per person sharing and is available up to the end of February 09.
www.inchydoneyisland.com
Kerry's Brehon Hotel package includes two night's B&B with an evening meal and relaxation time in the Vitality Suite of the Angsana Spa for €149pps, available from Sunday, February 8 to Friday, February 13. Book a couple's massage from an additional €180. www.thebrehon.com.
- Mark Evans
