Valentine's Day Getaways in RVA

Nothing says “I love you, my Valentine!” like spending a few bucks -- okay, maybe more than a few -- on a memorably romantic getaway.

A night away from home allows you and your honey to not only get pampered and spend some quality time alone, but also escape the environs of domesticity than can often drag us down on a day-to-day basis.

Valentine’s Day is your special day after all -- the one day of the year you get to officially, clearly and undeniably, celebrate your love for another -- so spend it wisely. With that in mind, check out some of these dreamy getaway places-to-stay in and around the Richmond area.

The Jefferson Hotel (101 West Franklin St.)
When you utter the words “We are staying at The Jefferson. . .“, prepare to have your girl (or guy) leap into your arms and kiss your face non-stop. There is no better place to stay on Valentine’s Day, so take advantage of the Jefferson’s special holiday rates when their superior rooms go for $169 and deluxe rooms are $189. Or, upgrade your stay with the “TJ's Valentine's Day Dinner Package,” which includes a three course meal at TJ's Southern Bistro (located inside the Jefferson) and room service breakfast for two the next day. By the way, the Jefferson was recently featured in a “3-Day Getaways” segment on the NBC Today Show -- a fun fact with which to impress your loved one.

William Miller House (1129 Floyd Ave.)
The William Miller House, a bed and breakfast in the Fan District, offers some tantalizing packages perfect for Valentine’s Day. Their “Bubbles and Chocolates” package comes with a complimentary box of Gearhearts Chocolates and Virginia Barboursville Brut sparkling wine, while the “Movie Date Night Weekend” package includes tickets for two at BowTie Cinemas and the Byrd Theatre. A planning heads-up: Valentine’s weekend brings cinema-goers the action movie “The Eagle” with Channing Tatum, the romantic comedy “Just Go With It” with Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler, the animated movie “Gnomeo and Juliet,” and Justin Bieber’s “Never Say Never” documentary.

Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa (12042 West Broad St.)
Travel to “downtown” Short Pump’s newest hotel, the swank Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa, where you can choose from four different Valentine’s Day packages running from $149 to $429. With the “Forever Yours” package, for example, you and your sugar-pie can stay in the hotel’s deluxe guestroom where champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries await. Dinner for two at in-hotel restaurant Shula's America's Steak House also comes with the package. Of course, the best shopping you can find is right next door at Short Pump Mall, so head over there after dinner and drop a hint about how nice it would be to have that new watch you’ve been eyeing at Nordstrom.

Wedmore Place (5810 Wessex Hundred)
Yeah, there are plenty of places to escape with your loved one right here in Richmond, but why not spice it up and take a trip somewhere? You don’t have to go too far, though. Consider Wedmore Place at the Williamsburg Winery, just a stone’s throw from the James River waterfront, which offers a Valentine’s Weekend package that includes a two night stay in their “tradition room,“ where you can cozy up in front of the wood-burning fireplace and enjoy a complimentary bottle of French-sparkling wine and tray of chocolate-covered strawberries. Later, take a tour of the nearby winery, samples some wines, and dine at the hotel’s Café Provencal restaurant. This package will set you back $715 (plus taxes), but isn’t your beloved worth it?

Super 8
In spite of the previous suggestion, we are just coming out of a recession, and some of us are still watching our wallet. One word of advice if you opt to select a more low-cost accommodation: get completely out of town. There’s nothing romantic about spending a night at a budget hotel in your own backyard. So take your special lady or man on a trip to aforementioned Williamsburg, truly underrated for its romance factor. Then, save some bread and check in at the Super 8 so you can splurge a little on dinner at the Blue Talon Bistro. Afterwards, take a hand-in-hand stroll around Merchants Square and wrap the night up at Aromas Coffee & Café. Or head west to Charlottesville, chow down in the soft light of Mas Tapas in Belmont, traipse along the downtown mall arm-in-arm, and stop at the Blue Light Grill for a nightcap.

Super 8 Williamsburg: 304 Second St.
Super 8 Charlottesville: 390 Greenbrier Dr.

Jennifer Pullinger is a freelance writer in Richmond, VA. Visit her at ww.jenniferlpullinger.com.