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Real Deals

For days of wine and roses, a month of specials

Email|Print| Text size + By Richard P. Carpenter
Globe Correspondent / January 14, 2007

Any time is a good time to be in love, but there is something special about February. As cold settles in, billing and cooing abound, and not just on Valentine's Day. Throughout the month, there are lovers' getaways, most of which cost less if booked for a date other than Feb. 14. So pucker up and consider these possibilities:

The Glen Oaks Inn in Intervale, N.H., has a two-night Romantic Getaway Package that features lodging, dinner for two at the award-winning Thompson House Eatery in Jackson, a full country breakfast each morning, an afternoon beverage, chocolates, and a bottle of sparkling cider. Rates range from $310-$380 for the year-round package.

Call 877-854-6535 or visit glenoaksinn.com .

The Loews Regency Hotel on Manhattan's Upper East Side draws upon "Alice in Wonderland" for its offering. Woo Her in Wonderland, New York Style pairs a one- bedroom suite with a seven-course dinner for two, including Veuve Clicquot champagne, at the whimsical Alice's Tea Cup restaurant. The Valentine's Day package, which costs $1,100 per couple per night, also includes long-stemmed roses and a basket of scones served with clotted cream and fruit preserves.

Call 212-759-4100 or for hotel information visit loewshotels.com .

The Emerson Inn by the Sea in Rockport was a favorite summer retreat of Ralph Waldo Emerson, the poet-author-philosopher, so maybe its aura will help you find the right words to say to your loved one. In any case, its Valentine package, offered Feb. 14 or 17, is worth reading about. Couples stay in a deluxe king-bed , ocean-view room, have a five-course dinner, plus an arrival gift and chocolate-covered strawberries. Rates are $354-$682 per couple, including taxes and tips.

Visit emersoninnbythesea.com or call 800-964-5550 .

But what if you're going to be alone ? The Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort says a Valentine's Day shopping spree is the cure. Because Saks Fifth Avenue is nearby, the new resort has concocted a Saks on the Beach package that comes with a one-bedroom ocean-view suite, one $150-value gift certificate to Saks at The Galleria Mall with transportation and a shopping consultation, daily breakfast, one 50-minute spa treatment per person, and airport transfers. The offer starts at $770 per person per night, based on single occupancy, and $500 per person, double occupancy with a two-night minimum stay. The offer is available through April.

Call 800- 445-8667 .

A recovering lover could take advantage of the Breaking Up Is So Very Hard to Do, But I'll Get Over Him package at the Avenue Inn Bed & Breakfast, near the French Quarter in New Orleans. This package features three nights in a quaint room that will accommodate you and a platonic friend in two beds, along with two pints of Ben & Jerry's ice cream , a voodoo doll with pins , and a permanent marker to inscribe the name of your ex. A copy of "He's Just Not That Into You" by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo (Simon Spotlight Entertainment, 2004) is included along with shopping coupons, massages, the Southern Comfort Cocktail tour, and other the-heck-with-him amenities.

Call 800-490-8542 or visit avenueinnbb.com . For more Valentine and un-Valentine offers, go to bedandbreakfast.com and look for B&B Specials on the left.

Colby Hill Inn in Henniker, N.H., calls its Valentine offering Hearts Afire. Along with a night in a deluxe room, couples get a three-course Valentine's dinner with tip included, "house-made" cookies , a bountiful breakfast, and hand made truffles. Rates range from $269 to $379 .

Call 800-531-0330 or visit colbyhillinn.com .

In Boston, the Hotel Commonwealth believes in sweets for your sweetie. The Chocolate Romance Package includes deluxe accommodations for two in an oversized guest room; champagne upon arrival; a decadent welcome amenity by Temper Chocolates including a 20-ounce tin of MarieBelle hot chocolate, two mugs, a mini whisk, the recipe book "Hot Chocolate" by Michael Turback (Ten Speed , 2005), a jar of chocolate hazelnut spread, and two Chapon chocolate bars; chocolate martinis for two at Great Bay; a chocolate amenity at turndown; and valet parking. Rates begin at $289 per room per night and, because love knows no season, the package is available all year.

Call 866-784-4000 or visit hotelcommonwealth.com .

Let us end this lovefest in style with the Valentine's Package at the Pierre in New York. Accommodations are in an apartment-like Grand Suite with a private bar, pantry, and large living area. Chilled champagne will be waiting in your room, and dinner for two will be at the Café Pierre. But most exciting of all, the couple will receive his and her Cartier love bracelets, which require a tiny screwdriver to close them . Such an extravagant package comes with an extravagant price tag: $8,000.

Call 800-743-7734 or for hotel information, visit tajhotels.com .

Snow galore
New Englanders may be finding it difficult to think snow, but western Canadians are having no such problem. Whistler, British Columbia, has received more than 26 feet of snow, breaking records and boosting the ski business. Deals include the Monday's Free package starting at about $340 US for four nights' accommodations and skiing, providing the offer is booked before Jan. 31 for at least four nights including a Monday.

Visit whistler.com or call 800-9447-8537.

Web world
If you have the patience to play the rebate game, Hotels.com is offering up to $100 off on rooms booked for travel through March 31. Stay two or three nights and get $25 back , four to six nights and receive $50, or seven or more nights for a $100 rebate. Bookings must be made before Jan. 31.

Visit hotels.com/savemore or call 800-246-8357.

Join the Revolution
TNT Vacations has teamed with the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer as the team visits Bermuda and Cancún for preseason games. The Bermuda trip, Feb. 16-24, starts at $999, including a charter flight from Boston, rooms at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess , airport transfers, transfers to games, one breakfast and one dinner with the Revs, and other Revolution-related amenities, including a meet-and-greet session. There will be two departures to Cancún, March 9 and 10, with seven - night, all-inclusive charter packages starting at $1,649 and including air from Boston, a junior suite at The Gran Caribe Real , airport transfers, transfers to games, all meals, beverages, taxes, tips , and activities, in addition to autograph and other sessions with the team.

Call 888-468-6846 or visit tntvacations.com .

When not included, hotel taxes, airport fees, and port charges can add significantly to the price of a trip. Most prices quoted are for double occupancy; solo travelers will usually pay more. Offers are subject to availability and there may be blackout dates. Check boston.com Monday-Friday for a Web-only New England Real Deal. Contact Richard P. Carpenter at carpenter@globe.com.

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