Whichever City you are in this Valentines weekend, we have the low down of all the best places to spoil your true love.
We highlight where to find the best blooms in town, where to shop for amazing gifts, the scrummiest places for a romantic dinner and some glorious places for a valentine’s stroll.
If you are lacking with surprise ideas or feeling uninspired, then feast your eyes on all of Absolutes solutions below.
Top Weekend Retreats
Ghyll Manor Hotel & Restaurant.
http://retreats.csmaclub.co.uk/hotels/ghyll/index.php
High Street, Rusper, Horsham West Sussex, RH12 4PX.
This stunning 17th century country manor house located in the heart of the Sussex countryside has 29 idyllic and beautifully designed bedrooms perfect for your weekend stay. The restaurant boasts private dining, an extensive wine list and afternoons teas.
Hotel Du Vin.
Brighton: 2 Ship Street, BN1 1AD
This February, Hotel Du Vin and Bistro have a special seasonal offer for two courses and a bottle of wine for two people for just £39. Their Valentines offers include dinner, wine and bed and breakfast for £144 or the special Valentines Over Night Package of a four course dinner, room, bed and breakfast with champagne from £273. Brighton’s Hotel du Vin and Bistro, with its sumptuous surroundings and super seafront location makes this the ideal romantic weekend break and perhaps the perfect place to the pop the question to your true love should fancy take you… P.S they also cater for weddings, civil ceremonies and civil partnerships too!
My Hotel.
Brighton: 17 Jubilee Street, BN1 1GE
London: Chelsea – 35 Ixworth Place, SW3 3QX. Bloomsbury – 11-13 Bayley Street, WC1B 3HD.
As well as the array of sleek standard double rooms on offer at My Hotel Brighton, to make your Valentines weekend special check-in to one of their Studios – Jade, Bamboo or Heaven. Each has individual designs and luxurious décor, with carefully chosen artworks and great views over Brighton town. Studio rooms from around £140 depending on availability.
Blanche House.
Brighton: 17 Atlingworth Street, BN2 1PL
This boutique hotel is a gorgeous Georgian terrace, tucked away just off the coastal road Marine Parade, a stone’s throw from the seafront and Kemp town. Prices for one of the boutique and individually designed en-suite bedrooms range from £105 to £255 per night. Contemporary and chic with its own glamourous bar serving decadent cocktails, and award winning breakfasts. Blanch House can also host weddings, civil ceremonies, civil partnerships or private parties.
The South Place Hotel.
London: 3 South Place, EC2M 2AF.
See the full report for this chic and glamorous city hotel in the London Lifestyle Pages – Hotel Report special and visit their website for the latest Valentines weekend break offers.
Dream Places for Chocoholics
Hotel Chocolate.
Brighton: Duke Street
London: Borough Market and Covent Garden among others.
A chocolate hamper is the perfect gift packed full of treats including champagne body butter and an array of decadent chocolates in an assortment of flavours to suit all palettes. For the super choosy you can design your own hamper ensuring that they love everything. Prices start from £50.
Choccy Woccy Do Dah.
Brighton: Meeting House Lane
London: Fouberts Place
Having its very own TV show makes this chocolate shop infamous. Walk past their windows and feast your eyes on the magnificent window displays. This Valentines buy chocolate filled loves hearts and cherub cakes.
Romantic Walks in Brighton & London
Brighton: The South Downs and Devils Dyke
Wrap up warm and go for a valentine’s stroll over Devils Dyke and the soak up the views of South Downs. With rolling country side in one direction and the sea in the other, it makes for a wonderfully exhilarating walk with brilliant views over Brighton and Sussex. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/devils-dyke.
London: Primrose Hill and Hampstead Heath
Catch the Northernline northbound from London Bridge and venture up to North West London. Take a romantic stroll to the top of Primrose Hill for unrivalled views of the City (nearest tube Swiss Cottage on the Jubilee line and Camden Town on the Northern line. Nearest mainline over ground station Kings Cross St Pancras). For a great pub walk, catch the tube to Hampstead Heath and visit The Flask pub, www.theflaskhampstead.co.uk and The Holly Bush pub www.hollybushhampstead.co.uk. Walk up over Heath for more brilliant views of London and pop into The Spaniards Inn, www.thespaniardshampstead.co.uk for a gorgeous roast lunch.
Sparkles and Gems
Hatton Garden.
London: Hatton Garden, EC1
This area of London is a labyrinth of over 55 jewellery shops. It’s London’s jewellery quarter and the UK’s diamond centre. Nearest train station is Farringdon and City Thameslink and the nearest tube Chancery Lane on the Central line. This is the perfect place to search for engagement rings and other fine jewellery at competitive prices.
Jeremy Hoye and House of Hoye.
Brighton: 22A Ship Street, BN1 1AD
Contemporary, unique and iconic designs and collections. The British designers’ beautiful jewellery emporium has been based in the Brighton Lanes since 1994.
James Ross Jewellers.
29 Portslade, BN41 1GB
A family run business with perfect gifts from watches to jewellery and an engraving service.
A great Valentines night out
The Crazy Bear.
London: 28-26 Whitfield Street, Fitzrovia, W1T 2RG.
Enjoy a Asian inspired Valentines weekend set menu (£49 – £69) in the restaurants plush surroundings with an opulent cocktail bar in the middle of West London
Beaconsfield: The Old Town Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, HP9 1 1LX.
This 15th century coach Inn has been transformed in to an immaculate 32-bedroom boutique hotel, with two restaurants, cocktail bar, gorgeous terrace and a Thai massage spa. Join The Crazy Bear Valentines party on Saturday 13th, £79 per ticket, for a sumptuous three course menu and live entertainment. Crazy Bear Members go free and for information on how you can join the Club visit: www.crazybeargroup.co.uk/members-club/
Flowers with Power
Ginger Lily Floral Designs.
Brighton: 93 Preston Drove, BN1 6LD
Buy red roses for your other half this valentine’s day and look no further then Ginger Lily with their wide selection of beautiful hand tied bouquets.
Nikki Tibbles Wild at Heart.
London: 30A Pimlico Road, SW1W 8LJ
Founded in 1993, the main flagship store is based in Pimlico Road and a concession can be found on the ground floor of the Liberty’s entrance on Great Marlborough Street. Original and stunning designs to suit every occasion using locally grown and seasonal flowers.
Charlie Carter