Our selection of sites for thoughtful Valentines, whether you're planning a weekend away or a night in.
You could be in one or two camps, embracing the kitsch that Valentine's Day now represents with its commercial side, or perhaps you prefer to celebrate quietly at home, avoiding restaurants where loving couples are serenaded with song and roses. Even the smallest of gestures can go a long way, so here are some recommendations where you can go the whole hog or just find an apt quote to make the heart melt.
First off, though, don't forget our select edit of Valentine's gifts where we've got some great offers.
AIRBNB
Stay somewhere unusual and look to the hundreds of quirky properties online at Airbnb. There are treehouses, a luxury cowshed or a boatel (a hotel boat, get it?) to choose from. Check out the awesome aluminium pod with views across the Sound of Mull in Scotland.
APPLEYARD LONDON
The right selection of blooms, the arrangement, the quality of the flowers themselves, their origins and finally the art of the packaging, not to mention the speed of delivery, Appleyard London's selection of Valentine's Day flowers are spot on. Order in London and you can get same day delivery. Designed by Lauren Probert, who was head florist for the London 2012 Olympics, these roses are sure to impress.
GREAT BRITISH CHEFS
Save money and cook a special meal at home. Great British Chefs is our go-to site for recipes from top chefs and they have put together a mouth-watering selection of recipes for Valentine's Day, that are easy to cook and sure to please. Worth taking a moment to peruse their list of top food trends for 2018 – food tech, anyone?
MR AND MRS SMITH
Fancy getting away for the weekend? The experts at Mr and Mrs Smith know exactly what it takes to make a romantic weekend with a portfolio of country retreats, sophisticated city hotels both in the UK and abroad. When you book through them, you'll receive also free extras and a price match guarantee. The site differs from competitors like Booking.com as it’s a travel club – with long-term interests for members - rather than simply an online booking platform.
WIKILOVE
The world's largest database about love, where you'll find all manner of definitions, quotes, songs, imges, videos and more. Time to get scribbling in your card.
HINGE
And if you're still looking for the love of your life, take a look at Hinge, the dating site where shared interests come in handy when perusing your love interest of choice. Hinge widens your social network by targeting all those friend of friends of friends floating out there in the ether. The larger your Facebook following, the larger the pool. The app just launched a new feature to reduce ghosting and lets users decide who makes the first move, and reminds users when its their turn to respond.
URBAN MASSAGE
Bring the spa treatment to your home and book a side-by-side couples massage through Urban Massage, a great site that operates in Birmingham, London and Manchester. The site uses cutting edge technology to link their expert mobile therapists to users so they can be with them within an hour. This is mobile therapy at its best offering wellness services accessible to those living in a busy urban setting.
Updated January 2018
First off, though, don't forget our select edit of Valentine's gifts where we've got some great offers.
AIRBNB
Stay somewhere unusual and look to the hundreds of quirky properties online at Airbnb. There are treehouses, a luxury cowshed or a boatel (a hotel boat, get it?) to choose from. Check out the awesome aluminium pod with views across the Sound of Mull in Scotland.
APPLEYARD LONDON
The right selection of blooms, the arrangement, the quality of the flowers themselves, their origins and finally the art of the packaging, not to mention the speed of delivery, Appleyard London's selection of Valentine's Day flowers are spot on. Order in London and you can get same day delivery. Designed by Lauren Probert, who was head florist for the London 2012 Olympics, these roses are sure to impress.
GREAT BRITISH CHEFS
Save money and cook a special meal at home. Great British Chefs is our go-to site for recipes from top chefs and they have put together a mouth-watering selection of recipes for Valentine's Day, that are easy to cook and sure to please. Worth taking a moment to peruse their list of top food trends for 2018 – food tech, anyone?
MR AND MRS SMITH
Fancy getting away for the weekend? The experts at Mr and Mrs Smith know exactly what it takes to make a romantic weekend with a portfolio of country retreats, sophisticated city hotels both in the UK and abroad. When you book through them, you'll receive also free extras and a price match guarantee. The site differs from competitors like Booking.com as it’s a travel club – with long-term interests for members - rather than simply an online booking platform.
WIKILOVE
The world's largest database about love, where you'll find all manner of definitions, quotes, songs, imges, videos and more. Time to get scribbling in your card.
HINGE
And if you're still looking for the love of your life, take a look at Hinge, the dating site where shared interests come in handy when perusing your love interest of choice. Hinge widens your social network by targeting all those friend of friends of friends floating out there in the ether. The larger your Facebook following, the larger the pool. The app just launched a new feature to reduce ghosting and lets users decide who makes the first move, and reminds users when its their turn to respond.
URBAN MASSAGE
Bring the spa treatment to your home and book a side-by-side couples massage through Urban Massage, a great site that operates in Birmingham, London and Manchester. The site uses cutting edge technology to link their expert mobile therapists to users so they can be with them within an hour. This is mobile therapy at its best offering wellness services accessible to those living in a busy urban setting.
Updated January 2018
