Valentine’s Day is a special day. It’s a day reserved for lovey-doveyness, where lovers declare their love by buying lavish gifts—like Jaguars and Ferraris—and doing romantic things—like flying to Paris just for breakfast.
OK, so you’re not Bill Gates, or any old billionaire for that matter, but that doesn’t mean a bouquet of cheap flowers will get you through this holiday. You’re still going to need to think up something sweet for your special someone because believe it or not, Cupid isn’t going to drop out of the sky and shoot your cutie in the butt with an arrow of everlasting love.
That’s right, you’re on your own with this one. So how do you keep your love in love? Lucky for you, Long Island is buzzing with romantic Valentine’s Day gift ideas—-I’m not talking about the candy aisle at CVS— that will leave you smelling like roses. Here are a few of THE BEST options on Long Island for every budget:
Under $200
No one appreciates chocolate more than on Valentine’s Day. It’s a classic gift. But instead of picking up a corny red heart shaped box full of cheap chocolates, head to The Melting Pot in Farmingdale to treat your love to a real fancy chocolate experience.
The Melting Pot was just voted “Best Place to have a Rehearsal Dinner on Long Island” by the Long Island Press and is hosting a special Valentine’s celebration. “Grab your sweetie and join us for a romantic four-course fondue dinner on Tuesday, February 14th,” reads The Melting Pot website.
The celebration consists of a first course that features a cheese fondue, a second course of fresh salad, a third course featuring succulent cold water lobster tails, tender filet mignon, white shrimp, lemon basil chicken, BBQ pork tenderloin and butternut squash ravioli, and a fourth course that includes delicious dark chocolate raspberry or white chocolate Crème Brule Fondue (or choose any of their decadent chocolate fondues).
Additionally, all guests will receive a Champagne toast with dessert, a commemorative photo in a Melting Pot frame and a Melting Pot Teddy Bear.
Under $500
So, you’re not a superstar and you don’t have a ball to head to or a red carpet to walk down with you’re special someone, but that doesn’t have to stop you from going glamorous this holiday.
For something fancy-shmancy, head to Oheka Castle in Melville. It was just voted “Best Reception Site on Long Island” and “The Best Wedding Reception Site With Accommodations on Long Island” in the Best of Long Island program and will be hosting an exciting Valentine’s Day event.
The historic mansion is hosting a special Valentine’s Day Dinner and Dance. The all-inclusive evening will include a 6 p.m. cocktail hour and a 7 p.m. 4-course dinner featuring a special Valentine’s Day menu. The special menu includes choices like Vegetable Voi-Au-Vent, Valentine’s Day Bouquet Salad, Raspberry Sorbet Heart, Trio of Meats, Roasted Swordfish, and All Natural Chicken Wellington. Top if off with ‘Dessert for Two’ ranging from Red Velvet Cake to Cake Pops.
And then there’s the dance floor, which will be the place to be for the remainder of the night with music provided by Good Clean Fun.
Under $1,000
If you want to go all out for your lover, opt for the Viana Hotel and Spa. The Feng Shui hotel won 2nd place for “Best Wedding Accommodations on Long Island.” This year, the hotel is hosting an exclusive Spa Valentine’s Day Package that makes for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift.
“The Valentine’s Day Package includes superior room accommodations with rose petals scattered throughout,” said a Viana Hotel employee. “And a 50 minute Swedish couple’s massaged, dinner for two with a prefix menu.”
And don’t forget the bubbly, the package also includes one bottle of champagne, and chocolate covered fruit. The next day, enjoy complimentary breakfast.
Want an upgrade? The employee noted that there’s an optional Jacuzzi room with a price of $560.
