With the thick of winter upon us and Valentine’s Day around the corner — smack in the middle of Presidents Day weekend, no less — you might be dreaming of an impromptu getaway with the one you love. But where will you go?
If youre on a budget, your options might seem limited. But dig a little deeper and you’ll find a ton of cheap and easy options that are both romantic and budget-friendly. Depending on where you live, you might want to give these ideas a whirl. Just remember that taxes and additional fees may apply, and that you should always read the fine print.
The Cheap Beach Retreat
Is there anything more romantic than the waves crashing at your feet? Or sitting on a beach balcony sipping champagne by moonlight? Sounds like it would be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. If you want to save, get creative.
Instead of going for the traditional hotel experience, browse Airbnb or HomeAway for a vacant condo, bungalow, or apartment you can rent on or near the beach. Not only will you get more room and character than you would from a hotel, but you’ll also have a kitchen at your disposal — so you can save money by preparing a few meals at home instead of dining out for every meal.
For example, check out this oceanfront apartment in Satellite Beach, Fla., complete with hammock, for $159 a night. This luxurious studio in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, Calif., starting at $139/night, is just down the street from the beach and has a pool and romantic outdoor fireplace.
Off-Season Culture
During the cold winter months, most folks are hitting the ski slopes or packing up for warmer climates. Going against the grain can help you score great prices in popular cold-weather cities such as New York, Boston, or Chicago. After all, while the cold temperatures will keep the crowds away, the world-class restaurants, theaters, and museums in these cities don’t shut down just because it’s chilly out.
- New York: A night in the Big Apple can make you feel like you’re living in a movie. Check out Hotels.com for epic deals at a wide range of New York properties — rooms in Times Square can go for as little as $85 per night.
- Chicago: Hotwire.com offers the best deals at hotels in downtown Chicago, with rooms on the magnificent mile and right downtown starting at just $80 per night.
- Boston: Groupon has plenty of hot (and romantic) deals on hotels in downtown Boston, including a stay at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel for just $99 per night. Meanwhile, rates at the historic Omni Parker House in the heart of downtown Boston, where John F. Kennedy held his bachelor party, start at just $109 per night.
- Toronto: What’s more romantic than whisking your partner away and out of the country? Booking.com lists a ton of Toronto hotels featuring hot deals for these cold weather months. For example, rooms at the Holiday Inn Tortonto Downtown Centre start at just $87 per night. What’s more, the favorable exchange rate means everything is priced at a built-in discount.
The restaurant, theaters, and nightlife in cold-weather cities like Boston don’t shut down just because it’s cold out – but they are cheaper to visit in the winter. Photo: Jason Corey
The Caribbean Without a Passport
If you’re itching for something tropical but don’t yet have a passport, consider a cheap romantic getaway to the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. Not only will you save an average of $125 per person by not splurging for a passport, but you’ll avoid the hassle of customs and find affordable (often nonstop) flights from many East Coast airports.
Puerto Rico is a haven for both lovebirds and adventure-seekers. With bioluminescent bays to kayak, amazing white sand beaches, lush green mountains, and the only tropical rainforest on U.S. territory, the island’s landscape is as diverse as the people who call it home.
Some Puerto Rico hotels and resorts are offering upscale deals for those of us looking to get away for something both affordable and romantic. The Copamarina Beach Resort & Spa, for example, features an affordable couple’s package that includes lodging, daily breakfast, chocolate covered strawberries and sparkling wine, a one-hour kayak ride, a couple’s massage, and an on-site dinner for two with rates starting at $288 per night.
If you’re willing to bend your definition of affordable a bit for a truly luxurious experience, W Retreat & Spa Vieques Island offers special discounts for lovebirds including a Romantic Rendezvous Package that includes daily breakfast and a three-course dinner for two at Sorce Restaurant, plus a champagne toast and a complimentary room upgrade based on availability. Rates start at $500 per night, but keep in mind, this is a luxury resort on a historic and secluded island off the Puerto Rico coast.
The All-Inclusive Couples Getaway
If you already have your passport in hand, an all-inclusive trip to the Caribbean is just a plane ride away. All-inclusive resorts are like other resorts, except for one huge detail: Your meals, drinks (usually even alcohol), tips, snacks, and entertainment are all included for one price. This can lead to huge savings if you take advantage of everything an all-inclusive resort has to offer, and it certainly makes your trip easier to budget for.
What really surprises people is just how affordable all-inclusive resorts can be. If you’re willing to book in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, or Mexico, for example, you might see prices as low as $900 per week per person –including the cost of your flight.
CheapCaribbean.com is an excellent place to shop around for the best price, as is Expedia.com. For an example of the deals that are out there, consider this four-night trip with air to the Riu Montego Bay for $659 per person. That rate includes airfare from a number of U.S. cities, plus on-site entertainment and all you can eat and drink. Heck, it even includes supervised daycare at the on-site kid’s club.
If you want to go adults-only to set the mood for more romance, you can do that too. Consider this cheap romantic getaway to the adults-only Barcelo Bavara Beach property in Punta Cana. The four-night, all-inclusive trip with air includes lodging on the property with unlimited food, drinks, relaxation, and romance.
Remember, sometimes all-inclusive trips are the most romantic of them all. A week without cooking? It doesn’t get any hotter than that.
A Romantic Cruise
Cruises are one of the most affordable getaway options out there, and some of the shorter itineraries can be both affordable and romantic.
For example, a three-day Carnival cruise to the Bahamas can cost as little as $159 per person plus taxes, gratuities, and port fees. When you consider the fact that cruises include most or all of your lodging, food, and entertainment, that’s one heck of a value.
This Carnival cruise departs from Orlando and docks at Nassau, Bahamas for one romantic day on land. Prices start at $269 per person for an interior room, which works out to only $135 per night. You can even depart on a Friday and dock back in Orlando Sunday afternoon, fitting this entire romantic getaway into one quick, amazing weekend.
Since most of your expenses are included, cruises offer a great way to enjoy your loved one without breaking the bank — or going over budget. But if you’re looking for the best deals, make sure to shop around. In addition to other online booking sites, VacationstoGo.com offers huge discounts on dozens of cruises that haven’t sold out. You can even save up to 82% on last-minute cruises with the 90-day ticker.
Prices vary depending on where you live – and which cruise port is closest to your home. The good news is, the vast majority of Americans live close enough to a cruise port to drive, and that could mean additional savings on airfare.
The Winery Weekend
You can find wineries in all corners of the U.S., including some unlikely places like Upstate New York or Michigan. For example, Finger Lakes Wine Country in New York offers several packages that include lodging, breakfast or lunch, and access to an area winery. Prices start at $200, and discounts increase steadily the more nights you stay.
Meanwhile, Chateau Chantal in Northern Michigan offers several wine-themed getaway packages for couples for as little as $30 on top of the standard room rate.
If you live near the West Coast and want to try something different, the Napa Valley Wine Train offers all-inclusive overnight stays to a number of the region’s wineries. For example, its Hilton Garden Inn “Wine, Dine and Dream” vacation package includes one- or two-night stays at the Hilton Garden Inn, a gourmet lunch on the train, and two-for-one tastings at select wineries with the “Taste of the Valley” pass. Prices start at $399 per night per couple.
The Outdoor Escape
You may live near a state or national park, but that doesn’t mean you’ve ever been. A cheap weekend in a cabin, camper, or tent may not invoke the idea of romance to you, but it will definitely get you away from the distracting hustle and bustle of everyday life. And if you’re looking for a cheap romantic getaway, well, getting away on the cheap is two-thirds of the goal. There’s no reason you can’t add the romance part yourself.
If you or your spouse are the outdoorsy type, look for winter deals in the mountains. Sure, the big ski resorts are expensive, but there are less pricey ways to have fun in the snow.
For example, the Appalachian Mountain Club in New England offers winter deals in their mountain lodges, where you can enjoy free winter sports like cross-country skiing or snowshoeing; they also offer lodging and skiing packages. Minnesota’s Lutsen Mountains area offers “Ski and Stay” packages for as little as $139 per person for two nights.
If you live out west, a trip to skier’s paradise Jackson Hole, Wyo. may even be in order. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is now offering “Ski Free, Stay Free” packages that include free lift tickets, discounts on lodging, and even savings on airfare if you need it. If you want to check out the weather and ski conditions first, check out one of the resort’s live webcams for a nonstop view.
What is your favorite cheap romantic getaway?
Related Articles:
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- Stop Suffering From Vacation Deprivation
- 10 Frugal Ways to Say ‘I Love You’
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