Grouse Mountain

Love is in the air. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and cosmopolitan Vancouver is an ideal locale for a romantic escape. Book a couple flights to Vancouver, grab someone special and take them on a getaway filled with amore.

Spend the day in Stanley Park: If you are looking for some outdoor fun without having to leave city, bundle up and either bike or stroll the seawall in Vancouver’s Stanley Park.   Gaze at the yacht’s (and daydream about owning one), marvel at the beauty of the totem poles, and enjoy the park without the hustle and bustle that dominates the warm weather seasons. Wind down the day with a special Valentine’s Day dinner at the Stanely Park Teahouse with a special $39 pre fixe menu or for something truly unique, experience the Vancouver Aquarium’s Hugs and Fishes Sleepover which is designed to take guests on a “Sea-fari of Passion.”

Woo her with a hotel stay:  Several area hotels have put together packages to commemorate the holiday, such as the Renaissance Vancouver Harbourside. Whether you aim to make an amazing first impression or just rekindle some romance on weekend getaway to Vancouver, the hotel has a special Valentine’s package designed to make you look like the king of romance. For a first date that is sure to impress, enjoy a three-course meal with wine pairings and chocolate fondue for $100 a couple at p2b bistro, the hotel’s new upscale restaurant.  If you think a night away will take her breath away, the romantic escape is for you. It features that same sophisticated three-course dinner as well as a night in one of their newly upgraded harbor-view rooms and breakfast in bed for two for just $259.

Enjoy a romantic meal at Vancouver’s best new restaurant: Named the top new restaurant in Vancouver and the second best new restaurant in all of Canada by Air Canada’s Enroute Magazine, Hawksworth Restaurant features contemporary Canadian cuisine with locally sourced food and organic items.  Their special Valentines menu starts with sunchoke pannacotta, Dungeness crab salad, and a red kuri squash ravioli in brown butter and sage followed by an entrée of either roasted sablefish in shellfish emulsion or beef tenderloin with black truffle and red win jus. The meal is finished with a dark chocolate praline for two. Now, wipe that drool off your screen and make reservations!

Enjoy “snowmance” on Grouse Mountain:  There is no need to head all the way up to Whistler to enjoy a little snowy fun. Grouse Mountain is a short drive from downtown and has romantic views to put anyone in the mood, whether they are from the massive ice rink, a diamond ski run, or The Observatory atop the mountain. Speaking of The Observatory, from February 12th through the 14th a 6-course dinner will be served in this intimate mountaintop setting in honor of Cupid’s favorite holiday. So, ski, skate, dine, and then snuggle up with that special someone by the lodge fireplace.

Romance at the spa: If you are looking for relaxing and indulgent way to spend Valentine’s Day with your significant other, how about a couples spa day? Recognized as one of the top spas in all of Canada, Spa Utopia inside of Vancouver’s Pan Pacific Hotel is offering three great couple’s packages this winter, including the Retreat, Recharge, and Reconnect package. For $575, couples will enjoy an overnight stay, welcome gift, spa lunch and $225 gift card for spa services.  Absolute Spa inside the Century-Plaza Hotel & Spa is offering the Absolute Romance package for $440 which includes a couple’s massage, pedicures, strawberries, champagne and a four piece gift. C’est romantique!

Photo: Steve Gregory