1. A MOUNTAIN ESCAPE
If the thought of Valentine’s Day makes you want to run for the hills, we’d suggest hiding out at Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort, Oman’s beautiful mountainside retreat. Located on the fabled Green Mountain, it is one of the world’s highest luxury resorts and even has a canyon-view platform where Princess Diana once stood. The hotel’s Short-Break Special package is perfect for a whistle-stop visit, with two nights’ accommodation, daily breakfast, upgrade to the next room category, a signature cocktail, late check-out until 4pm, and 20 per cent off dining and 20 per cent off a 90-minute oil massage. Enjoy the peace and quiet!
2. A SERENE SEASCAPE
The Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort is GHM’s first hotel in Qatar and what a beauty it is. Mirroring the country’s spectacular dynamism whilst honouring its storied past, the hotel is the perfect blend of old and new, tradition and modernity, both noble and magnificent. Overlooking the Arabian Sea, it is flanked by a private beach, a pool that has phenomenal views in every direction, and rooms, suites and villas that blend two magnificent cultures in their design, Mughal and Ottoman. Be one of the first stay in this Doha gem, and call a Katara Beach Suite your home, whilst enjoying additional Chedi Club benefits throughout your stay.
3. A HOLIDAY FIESTA FOR FOODIES
Known for its impeccable cuisine offering, Mandarin Oriental Jumeira in Dubai is the perfect pit-stop for a culinary tourist. This elegant, beach-based contemporary hotel is home to one Michelin-starred Tasca by José Avillez, Netsu by Ross Shonhan, Sublimotion, Beluga Bar, The Bay (and more) – all well-worth securing a table at. Book the Luxury Breaks offer, with a stay of two nights or more, and enjoy daily dining credit of Dhs185 per day, or Dhs367 if you book a suite, making your dinner reservations taste all the more sweet.
4. A DESERT IMMERSION
If you want to get away from it all in search of a little romance and respite, escape to Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa. Arguably the most picturesque property in the UAE, here you will be surrounded by nothing but sand dunes, palm groves and emerald canopies, where wandering oryx promise to be your only interruption Book the Desert Romance offer for a stay in a private suite with full-board, inclusive of desert activities and spa treatments, and an exclusive deck dinner experience. Soak up the sun, sand and serenity.
5. LOVE IS IN THE AIR
Experience Arabic hospitality in a lavish beachside resort at The Chedi Muscat in Oman. Book the Couple’s Retreat package for an immersive retreat centred around romance. Enjoy a three-night stay with an exclusive three-course private beach dinner, two sessions of 60-minute Ancient Balinese Massage and a bottle of bubbly complements of the hotel. With the majestic Al Hajar Mountains as your backdrop, this garden oasis is as pretty as they come. Contemporary but with roots in traditional Arabian architecture, for an elegant old world-meets-new kind of vibe. The perfect place to fall in love all over again.
6. A SECRET WORLD OF WELLNESS
Why not shift the focus of Valentine’s Day gift-giving to a little self-love this year? One&Only The Palm, Dubai, has the perfect package for those wanting to hideaway in, say, a stunning spa setting. The Guerlain Suite & Spa Experience will allow you to unwind in the lap of luxury for five whole nights, with daily breakfast for two, one complimentary health or beauty treat per day (choose from spa, beauty or hair-styling treatments), complimentary use of the fitness and tennis court facilities, private beach and pool access, and one complimentary Aquaventure Waterpark ticket.
7. ROOMS WITH A VIEW
The beautiful, landscaped gardens of Park Hyatt Jeddah - Marina, Club & Spa are a tonic to the soul, with their air of urban privacy and tranquillity. Throw in views over the Red Sea and King Fahad fountain from its Jeddah Corniche positioning and you’ve found one of the prettiest and calmest spots in the city. Eat your way around the world with Mediterranean cuisine at Nafoura, Spanish cuisine at Andalusia, exquisite Middle Eastern à-la-carte at Dardasha – the restaurant at Evania Ladies’ Spa – or indulge in pastries galore at The Lounge. Spend your day by the Aquamedic pool or soaking up the benefits of the Turkish hammam, then curl up in the cosy-but-contemporary Prince Suite or Royal Suite. World of Hyatt members can avail up to 10 per cent with Member Rate when booking directly through the website, which is the cherry on the cake.