Valentine's Day is just around the corner and, if you're still deciding how to celebrate, why not carve out a little downtime with your beloved and enjoy a change of scenery on a romantic staycation?
Hotels across the UAE are offering various packages this February, all of which are geared towards couples in love.
There are options to spend an evening on the water, indulge in a romantic dinner for two or snuggle up for a movie marathon. And with overnight stays ranging from Dh600 to Dh12,000, there's something for everyone, no matter the budget.
1. On 'Cloud 9' with The London Project and Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai
If you're looking to seriously impress your partner, then the Cloud 9 Valentine's package from The London Project and Caesars Palace Bluewaters might be just what you need.
The day starts with a limousine pick-up and couples will be driven to a waiting helicopter that will whisk them away for a romantic 15-minute trip over Dubai.
After that, they will be driven to The London Project, where a five-course sharing menu inclusive of house beverages and sparkling drinks awaits.
Then, it's off to Caesars Palace Bluewaters Resort for an overnight stay. The next morning, bubbles and breakfast are served in bed, accompanied by amazing views of the Arabian Gulf from your hotel suite.
The package is only available on Sunday, February 14; Dhs8,888 per couple; thelondonproject.com
2. Romance in the desert at Al Maha Desert Resort, Dubai
Endless desert dunes, free-roaming wildlife and a beautiful star-filled sky make Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai, one of the emirate's most romantic escapes and, this Valentine's Day, it's pulling out all the stops.
Check-in for a two-night stay on a full-board basis and, as well as having your own private tented villa, each couple will receive a bottle of sparkling to celebrate.
There's also a sunset camel trekking experience for two, followed by sundowners on the dunes. Couples can enjoy an hour-long spa treatment. For an intimate dining experience, staff will set up a multi-course meal on the wooden deck of your villa, overlooking your private pool and with a backdrop of endless dune-lined vistas.
Rates from Dh9,500 (plus tax) per couple; ongoing; al-maha.com
3. Love is in the air at the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah
Love is quite literally in the air at the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah this Valentine's weekend, as it rolls out a package that includes a personalised message being flown across the sky.
The palatial resort is welcoming couples on February 14 with a glass of bubbles, a bouquet and a romantic dinner prepared by the hotel chefs. Opt to dine on the beach, by the pool, or in a private cabana with a choice of four set menus: Asian, American, Middle Eastern or seafood dishes.
A private butler will be on hand to ensure everyone is well taken care of and to let couples know when it's time to look up and see their personalised love note flown through the air via helicopter.
Upgrade with an overnight stay in a king room at the resort, inclusive of breakfast the next morning.
Love is in the Air package costs Dh2,800 and must be booked 48 hours in advance, air message is weather dependent; available only on Sunday, February 14; overnight stays, including breakfast, from Dh1,285; hilton.com
4. Blow the budget in a villa stay at Nikki Beach Resort & Spa, Dubai
The effortlessly cool Nikki Beach Resort & Spa is gearing up for romance this Valentine's Day with a hideaway staycation that comes with good food and relaxation guaranteed.
If you have no budget in mind, book a night in the luxurious one-bedroom beach villa. Couples will get exclusive access to a private patio and terrace area, plus amazing views over the Arabian Gulf from the balcony and a swimming pool that's perfect for cooling off in any time of day.
Enjoy a five-course set menu cabana package inclusive of house beverages on Valentine's Day, followed by a private in-villa breakfast for two the next morning.
Rates from Dh12,000; ongoing; dubai.nikkibeach.com
5. Spend quality time together at The Abu Dhabi Edition
Couples can enjoy a staycation at The Abu Dhabi Edition this February. The hotel's Darling, Stay With Me package includes an overnight stay in a deluxe room that comes with marina views, a gloriously comfortable bed and Le Labo amenities.
Enjoy dinner at chef Tom Aiken's Oak Room, where you'll feast on a five-course Valentine's menu and enjoy Alba Terrace's limitless breakfast for two the next morning, best enjoyed al fresco.
Meanwhile, unwind at the Edition Spa, where an hour-long couples' massage, designed to help you both relax and reconnect, is also included.
Rates from Dh2,280 per couple; available from Thursday, February 11 until Sunday, February 14; editionhotels.com/abu-dhabi
6. Go glamping with Bnbme in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah
A staycation doesn't have to be in a hotel. Make your next romantic adventure a glamping package from Bnbme. Just take your pick from a desert or beachside set-up in Dubai or Ras Al Khaimah and let the team take care of everything else.
Couples will be picked up from home for a limousine transfer to their secluded tent set-up with the Dine Under the Stars package. There, a candlelight dinner and rose petal-strewn bed await, as well as a butler to serve up a delicious barbecue dinner.
As romantic music plays in the background, indulge in some stargazing via the provided telescope. You can also both enjoy a head massage, to help you unwind.
To up the ante, the Exclusively Us package includes all of the above, plus a bottle of sparkling, a musician to serenade you as you dine and a couples' full-body massage. The team will also set up a romantic film on a projector screen for you to watch after dinner.
Rates from Dh3,000 (Dine Under the Stars) and Dh5,000 (Exclusively Us) per couple; ongoing; www.bnbmeglamping.com
7. Take a catamaran cruise at the Hilton Garden Inn Ras Al Khaimah
Head to Ras Al Khaimah and the Hilton Garden Inn, which is offering couples a special Valentine's evening aboard the hotel's Freedom Catamaran. Set sail from the jetty of the harbour-front hotel for a four-course dinner served under the stars.
There are limited slots available for the experience, which can be booked as a sunset cruise at 5.30pm or a dinner cruise from 7.30pm. Take your pick from one of two four-course set menus, each accompanied by a bottle of sparkling per couple.
Climb aboard the luxury catamaran to enjoy amazing views of the mangroves and Hajar Mountains backdrop. Afterwards, retreat to the hotel for an overnight stay in a waterfront-facing room.
Rates start from Dh1,250 per couple for the catamaran cruise; available to book from Friday, February 12 until Sunday, February 14; rooms from Dh229; hilton.com
8.Sail on an abra at Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
If food be love, then the Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri has all you need for a romantic staycation. The Abu Dhabi hotel is running a Valentine's gourmet experience for couples.
The deal includes a one-night stay in an Arabian-style deluxe room, where the hotel team will set up a private dining experience on the balcony. Couples can choose from three set menus from either Shang Palace, Hoi An or Sofra and then dine al fresco while enjoying waterside views and a backdrop of the illuminated Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
A ride around the hotel's waterways on a traditional abra is also included for couples, as is breakfast at Sofra the next morning.
Rates from Dh1,090 per couple; ongoing; shangrila.com
9. Romantic dining at Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, Fujairah
For a loved-up escape on the east coast of the country, Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort in Fujairah is offering couples an overnight stay that includes a romantic four-course dinner for two.
Located about two hours from Dubai, the hotel is a great pick for when you really want to feel like you've escaped the big city. It also has the biggest free-form swimming pool on the east coast, complete with a swim-up bar.
Superior rooms come with ocean or Hajar Mountain views, and the hotel also has its own stretch of pristine shoreline. A Valentine's dinner is being served in Gonu's, alongside a beach breeze. It includes a romantic set-up, four courses and a bottle of sparkling per couple.
Rates from Dh1,590, plus taxes; ongoing; lemeirdien-alaqah.com
10. Get set for a movie marathon at Remal Hotel, Ruwais
If a romantic movie night and a complete getaway sounds like the perfect plan, then Ruwais's Remal Hotel has you covered.
The boutique four-star hotel, located 240 kilometres from Abu Dhabi, offers a change of scenery and a selection of classic romantic films for couples checking in over the Valentine's weekend.
Guests will enjoy a four-course dinner, set up and served in the privacy of their own room and featuring dishes such as lobster, Norwegian salmon and red velvet cake.
Afterwards, take your pick from the curated film selection and get set for a movie marathon. Snuggle up under a blanket and tuck into the snacks and popcorn provided by the hotel.
Rates from Dh600 per couple, including breakfast; available from Thursday to Sunday, February 11 to 14; remalhotel.ae
