Area hotels offer romantic escape for Valentine's Day
There are some real sweetheart deals available for those looking to treat their significant other to a memorable Valentine's Day.
Pittsburgh-area hotels, bed-and-breakfasts and inns are offering a variety of special packages that include amenities such as rooms with Jacuzzis, champagne, roses and massages.
Interestingly, many of these packages aren't being booked for Feb. 14, but rather for the weekends preceding and following the holiday. This is not uncommon when Valentine's Day falls in the middle of the week, according to hotel representatives.
"When Valentine's Day falls on a Thursday, like this year, it's not a strong night for overnight packages. People have to go to work the next day or get the kids out for school, so they wait until the weekend," says Dan Pleskach, food and beverage manager at the Holiday Inn Airport Hotel.
"We don't expect to sell out on Valentine's Day, but we'll be busy the 15th and 16th," says Bill Engel, director of sales and marketing at the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel, Downtown.
No matter when they celebrate, romantics have numerous options.
The Marriott City Center's Romance Escape Package is one choice for those who want to get away from it all while staying in the heart of the city. The Downtown hotel's Valentine's weekend package ($159 per night, plus tax) includes a king room or an upgraded junior suite complete with champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. Guests also have the choice of a breakfast in their room or in the hotel dining room.
"The Romance Package works well for someone looking for a Valentine's escape," says Pam Perlow, director of revenue for the hotel.
The Pittsburgh Hilton has two packages. The Cupid's Package ($139 per night, plus tax) includes overnight accommodations for two, champagne and a $30 hotel restaurant credit, while the Romance Package ($149 per night, plus tax) includes all of the above, plus a full American breakfast the next day.
For many people, few things would be as romantic as celebrating Valentine's Day at a grand old Downtown hotel. The Omni William Penn fits the bill with its Cupid's Package ($159 per night, plus tax), which includes a deluxe room, room service or dinner for two in the Terrace Room, bed turndown with a rose on the pillow, complimentary breakfast the next morning and complimentary parking.
The Cupid's Package can be upgraded to a suite for an additional charge.
"We expect a fairly busy weekend. It always happens when Valentine's Day is on a weekday. … The following weekend is a busy time for packages," says Bob Page, the William Penn's director of marketing.
The Renaissance Pittsburgh, Downtown's newest hotel, is celebrating its first Valentine's Day weekend with three packages.
The Renaissance Rendezvous ($139 per night, plus tax) features a deluxe room, two glasses of wine in the hotel's Prelude Wine Bar, a buy-one-get-one-free breakfast in the hotel's Opus restaurant, a 3 p.m. late checkout the next day and a discount on a one-hour massage. The Sweetheart Serenade ($159 per night, plus tax) includes overnight accommodations, dinner in Opus, a bottle of sparkling wine, chocolate rose turndown service and breakfast the next morning.
"If guests would want to attend the theater or another event, our concierge will help with tickets," Engel says.
The Renaissance Ultimate Romance ($625 per couple, plus tax) promises just that. This package, limited in availability, includes a suite, dinner for two served in the suite by a butler, chocolate rose turndown service, breakfast for two, two half-hour massages and one dozen long-stemmed roses.
"Each Ultimate Romance suite will have its own butler to serve dinner and attend to the couple. What could be more romantic than that?" Engel says.
"We are trying to get our guests to experience the whole hotel," he says of the Renaissance, located in the renovated former Fulton Building.
The Wyndham Garden Hotel University Place in Oakland is offering a Love Package ($139 per night, plus tax) that includes overnight accommodations and dinner with champagne in its Terranova restaurant.
Those seeking the perfect location for that romantic rendezvous should consider a bed and breakfast, which can offer the ultimate in coziness, according to Avery Abrams of Sunnyledge.
Located in Shadyside, Sunnyledge is a restored 1886 Victorian mansion with eight luxury rooms and suites ($99 to $129 per night, plus tax) with Jacuzzis, tubs and wet bars. Those who don't want to stay overnight can opt for a candlelight dinner in Sunnyledge's dining room.
"We offer a Valentine's package similar to the one we offer for New Year's Eve. … People can make reservations for a dinner or room or both," Abrams says. "It has become a tradition that a lot of people get engaged here on Valentine's Day."
Sunnyledge's Valentine's Day packages are available from Feb. 14 through 16. Those staying over will also receive champagne in their rooms. A special Valentine's menu, with entrees ranging from $17 to $40, includes choices such as filet mignon and lobster tails and a romantic dessert.
"We sell out quickly for Valentine's Day, because we have limited space," Abrams says. “There are two seatings for dinner.”
For those looking to spend a romantic weekend away from the city, the Mountainview Inn in Greensburg might be the place. The 91-room inn has overnight packages available throughout February.
"No two of the rooms are alike, and (the inn) includes some with four-poster or canopy beds," says Ann Nemanic, director of marketing.
Overnight packages range from $216 to $400 per night and, in addition to the room and dinner, include a variety of extra romantic gifts, such as champagne and goblets, sweetheart candles, oils, soaps and a stuffed animal on the pillow.
Those in a mood to splurge can book one of the seven Garden Suites on the Mountainview Inn's top floor. The different suites, which include the 1,200-square-foot Giverney Suite, come with amenities such as Jacuzzis, fireplaces, dining rooms, living rooms, dens and galley kitchens.
The Mountainview Inn's Garden Suites also boast an extra feature that adds quite a bit to the romantic mood of the season.
"They offer a wonderful view of the Chestnut Ridge Mountain," Nemanic says, "which is perfect for someone who wants to impress."
