Sweetheart Deals

For a bargain-hunter or anyone with a low tolerance for clichés, Valentine's Day is a lousy time to take a trip. Hotels and tour operators trumpet specials that are often just an excuse to jack up rates in the name of "free" so-so champagne and a box of heart-shaped treats. We say, bring your own chocolates! But not to be humbugs, we've dug up 14 indulgent Valentine's packages that deliver a little extra for whatever tickles your fancy.

If you're in the mood for snuggling on cold nights....

Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado, $316 per person
The ski resort's annual "Romance in the Rockies" celebration returns with a line-up including a couples' massage workshop ($25 per couple), a romantic film festival ($13), a Sweet Hearts dance ($13 per couple), moonlight ski and snowshoe excursions ($12, $55). A four-night stay with a three-day lift pass starts at $316 per person When: Feb. 10 - 19, 2006 Details: Additional hotel taxes of 12%. Contact: Gunnison-Crested Butte, 800/814-8893, gunnisoncrestedbutte.com

Iceland, $699 per person
Airfare from Baltimore/Washington, DC, New York City, or Boston, airport-hotel transfers, buffet breakfast daily, an evening Blue Lagoon tour, admission to the NordicSpa, a two-day Reykjavik free admission and discount card, and a three-night stay at the Nordica Hotel. When: Depart Feb. 8 or 9, 2006 Other Gateways: Orlando (add $218) Details: Additional airport taxes and surcharges total roughly $135 per person. Contact: Icelandair Holidays, 800-779-2899, icelandairholidays.com 

Napa Valley, $229 per room
One-night stay in a superior room with a fireplace and river view (balconies on request), chocolate-covered strawberries, a bottle of Champagne, and breakfast in bed or from the bakery When: through Mar. 31, 2006 Details: $229 rate is based on double occupancy and Sun. - Thurs. night stays; Fri. - Sat. nights are $259. Additional hotel taxes of $25 (12%) per night Contact: Napa River Inn, 707/251-8500, napariverinn.com

New York City, $117 per room
The modern Bentley Hotel, whose rooftop bar boasts river views, is offering a special $117 Valentine's rate for online bookings. Complimentary 24-hour cappuccino bar onsite. When: Feb. 14, 2006; weekend rates start at $197. Details: Additional hotel taxes of 13.375%. Contact: Bentley Hotel, 212/644-6000, nychotels.com Alternative: For something truly intimate, try to snag one of the seven themed rooms at Second Home on Second Avenue, located in an East Village 1900s townhouse. The Peruvian owner promises Budget Travel readers a 10% discount on already reasonable rates: from $80 for a shared bath, from $165 for a private bath (212/677-3161, secondhomesecondavenue.com)

If you're in the mood for sipping umbrella drinks on the sand...

Grand Bahama Island, $279 per room
One night in a junior suite at Old Bahama Bay on a private beach, a private candlelit dinner on the beach prepared by the resort's top chefs, a bottle of champagne, and flower petal turn-down service. When: Feb. 1 - 28, 2006 Details: Additional hotel taxes of 12% and a $12 fee per room per night Contact: Old Bahama Bay, 800/572-5711, oldbahamabay.com

Hawaii, $899 per person
Airfare from Los Angeles or San Francisco, a five-night hotel stay at Radisson Prince Kuhio Hotel with an ocean view room, five-day compact car rental, dozen roses and box of chocolate delivered to your room on Valentine's morning, fuel surcharges, hotel and airport taxes included When: Feb. 10 - 15, 2006 Other Gateways: Phoenix (add $30); New York City ($300) Details: Additional car taxes total roughly $20. Very limited availability remaining Contact: Panda Travel, 800/303-6702, pandaonline.com

Miami, $398 per person
Roundtrip airfare from New York City, Chicago, Providence, Atlantic City or Washington, DC and a three-night hotel stay at your choice of The Howard Johnson Dezerland, Greenview South Beach, Dorchester South Beach, or Ramada Marco Polo. When: Through Mar. 31, 2006; rates drop to $299, Apr. 1 -- Dec. 21, 2006 Other Gateways: Houston (add $89); Los Angeles ($149) Details: Hotel taxes are about $50 per person and airport taxes and fuel surcharges total an additional $50 per person. Lowest rates are based on midweek travel. Add an extra night for $75 per person. Upgrades to posh South Beach hotels available for $199 per person Contact: ELeisureLink, 888-801-8808, eleisurelink.com 

Seven More Sweetheart Deals