As Valentine’s Day approaches, men all over the country grow anxious over finding just the right gift for their wives or sweethearts. Roses usually do the trick, but they wither and die. Candy is devoured and forgotten. Even jewelry is usually relegated to the bottom of the jewelry box after a while. Luckily, this year a number of resorts in Florida and across the Caribbean are offering Valentine’s Day packages guaranteed to delight your special someone and create warm memories that will last a lifetime.

Eau Spa Couples Villa at The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach, Florida

At The Ritz-Carton, Palm Beach, Valentine’s Day is all about pampering. The resort’s signature Eau Spa is offering the Let Us Love You package for couples, which includes exotic passion fruit cocktails with irresistible chocolates, champagne bubble baths in a private Garden Spa Villa furnished with indoor and outdoor soaking tubs, and 90-minute Iridescent Pearl Shimmering full body gloss massages. This exclusive Valentine’s Day treatment is available February 6-21, 2010 and is priced at $785 for two people. For more information or to book, visit www.EauSpa.com or call (561) 540-4960.

After a day of indulgent pampering, retire to a private couple’s cabana, where you’ll enjoy a four-course gourmet dinner featuring Seafood Ice starter (Florida stone crab, citrus poached shrimp, Wianno oysters, and American caviar); Farmer’s Dream salad (local heirloom tomatoes, buratta cheese, and opal basic and aged balsamic drizzle); Land & Water Delight main course (wood-grilled dry aged filet mignon, horseradish crust fennel glazed Sea Bass, champagne buerre blanc herbed parmesan polenta, jumbo asparagus, and roasted porcini mushroom sauce); and Cupid’s Heartbeat dessert (strawberry chocolate Kit Kat bar with strawberry sorbet), complete with two premium cocktails, two glasses of Champagne and choice bottle of wine for $500 per couple.

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The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach
100 South Ocean Boulevard
Manalapan, FL 33462
Phone: (561) 533-6000
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Kura Hulanda Lodge, Curacao, Caribbean

To really heat up the romance, spirit her off to the tropics. Hotel Kura Hulanda Spa & Casino on the southern Caribbean island of Curacao features five nights in a deluxe room, a chilled bottle of champagne, a box of chocolates, roses upon arrival to set the mood for romance, two complimentary drinks of choice under the stars at Jacob’s Bar & Terrace with live jazz, breakfast in bed on morning of choice, and dinner al fresco at Jaipur Restaurant. The price is $360 per night per couple, valid February 1-28, 2010. To book the package, call (877) 264-3106 or e-mail the hotel directly at reservations@kurahulanda.com and request the Valentine’s Day Package.

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Lodge Kura Hulanda & Beach Club
Playa Kalki 1 Westpunt
Curaçao Netherlands Antilles
Phone toll free from USA: 877-264-3106
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Beach at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort

The Valentine’s Day Package at St. Kitts Marriott Resort & Royal Beach Casino includes a spacious Garden View room, a bottle of sparkling wine, a selection of Petit Fours, and a chocolate bubble bath prepared on arrival night by personal bath butler. Prices start at $199 per night per couple and the promotion runs February 6 – 18, 2010. To reserve the package, call 800-228-9290 or book online and request promotional code SPJ.

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St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino
858 Frigate Bay Road Frigate Bay,
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Phone: 869-466-1200
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Oceanfront pool at the San Juan Marriott, Puerto Rico

Share an unforgettable weekend with the Luminescent Love Package at the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino in Puerto Rico. The promotion includes an upgrade to an ocean front room, one 50 minute couples massage per stay, one bottle of house champagne upon arrival, daily buffet breakfast for two at La Vista Restaurant, and a tour for two of Fajardo’s Bioluminescent Bay. Prices start at $509 per night per couple and the offer is valid through Feb 28, 2010. To reserve, call toll free at 800-228-9290 or book online and request promotional code P53.

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San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
1309 Ashford Avenue
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00907
Toll-free: 888-817-2033

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Jacuzzi at the Aruba Marriott Resort

For the man who has already popped the question, the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino has created the Tradewinds Club – Honeymoon Package. The package includes a 30% discount on Tradewinds Club room rates; champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries upon arrival; couples massage at Mandara Spa; exclusive access to a private lounge and secluded beach area; five complimentary gourmet food and beverage servings throughout the day; open bar daily from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; deluxe amenities such as a pillow menu, free internet access, and pressing services; and ocean view accommodations with spacious private balcony. The honeymoon package starts at $380 per night per couple and in addition to Valentine’s Day, it is available through November 11, 2010. To reserve this package, call 800-228-9290 or book online and request promotional code HZP.

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Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
L.G. Smith Boulevard # 101
Palm Beach, Aruba
Toll-free: 800-223-6388
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Sandestin Resort's romantic Baytowne Wharf

The most impressive Valentine’s Day promotion of all may be that of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. This 2,400-acre resort, located in Destin on northwest Florida’s Emerald Coast, features more than seven miles of sugar-white sand beaches; four championship golf courses; 15 world-class tennis courts; 19 swimming pools; a 98-slip marina; a fitness center and spa; and The Village of Baytowne Wharf, a pedestrian village featuring boutique shops, casual and fine dining restaurants, and nightlife venues.

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, the resort has created the Sandestin Sparkle 2010 Package for the man who wants to pop the question to the love of his life in a most spectacular way. The package includes beautiful penthouse accommodations for two nights and three days; private viewing of your own personal fireworks show on the beach during dinner; a bottle of Dom Perignon champagne; a dozen roses; dinner for two at Finz Beachside Grille, personally prepared by Chef Phillip Robles; and a stunning emerald and diamond ring. The price for this package is $10,000, but hurry, reservations need to be made by February 7 for personal fireworks and delivery of ring to size. Call 800-622-1922 to make your reservation or visit www.sandestin.com.

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Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
9300 Emerald Coast Parkway West
Destin, FL 32550-7268
Phone: 850-267-8000
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All photos courtesy of the respective resorts.

Article by Barbara Weibel of Hole In The Donut Travels