St Valentine's Day might be over for another year but that doesn't mean that romance is dead until next February. And, let's face it, an unscheduled outing à deux is bound to win more brownie points than sticking to the schedule.
So, with the usual host of bank holidays coming up in May, now seems a good time to start thinking about booking a romantic weekend away somewhere. If you're stuck for choice, look at the Room For Romance Guide (Freeway Media) or the Mr and Mrs Smith Guide (Spy Publishing).
If you fancy a few days in Scotland, head to Castle Venlaw in Peebles, which has created special "romantic rooms". As well as four-poster beds, each bedroom has two bathrooms. One has the usual facilities while the other features a sumptuous large bath for two, under-floor heating and built-in Champagne chiller. That way, even if it rains, you'll still have something to do.(B&B from £70 a night; £25 supplement for romantic room.)
Holbeck Ghyll in Cumbria overlooks Lake Windermere and the Langdale Fells, and has a Michelin-starred restaurant to boot. There's also a miniature spa (try the hot stone therapy), sumptuous decor and sizzling fires. For extra impact, try the Peter Rabbit honeymoon and anniversary suite, with four-poster bed and two-person bath. (B&B from £90 per person per night.)
If chintz is not your thing, head to Babington House in Somerset. It's a stylish reworking of the traditional country house with a relaxed and unstuffy atmosphere and rooms designed with naughty weekends in mind. There's a renowned spa to indulge the senses, a cinema, and hammocks on the lawn. (Rooms from £215 weekdays, £250 weekends.)
Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 07 April 2005