Last-minute Valentine’s Day getaways to save your skin and keep the love alive

THE love gods at Escape present the best last-minute Valentine’s Day deals to get you off the hook for at least another year.

Daydream Island Resort and Spa in The Whitsundays. Picture: Supplied

GOT roses? No. Chocolates? Not yet. A big plush novelty teddy bear? Nope. Candlelight supper? Probably best to employ a professional chef for that one.

If you’re like many blokes, it’s only now beginning to register that it’s Valentine’s Day on Friday, and that your future wellbeing, long-term sustenance, and the organisation of your sock draw relies on getting this one right.

What to do? Thankfully, you’re in luck.

There are a whole host of last minute getaways perfect for extending Friday into a long-weekend of love.

What’s more, you don’t have to spend a bomb and you’ll come up smelling of roses in your better half’s eyes — rather than having to give them away.

Here the love gods at Escape present the best Valentine’s Day deals to get you off the hook for at least another year.

*All deals are available for booking on February 13 unless stated otherwise or sold out first.

QUEENSLAND:

SNAP up a three-night stay this Valentine’s weekend at the 4.5 star (AAA rated) Peninsula Boutique Hotel, Port Douglas and receive a free suite upgrade and bonus return coach seat transfers. Priced from $1110 per stay, this deal includes accommodation in a one bedroom king suite featuring a twin bath and large private balcony, plus buffet breakfast daily and a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine, chocolates, fruit and an Appelles Spa Box on arrival. To book, visit: lastminute.com.au/deals.

HEAD to Port Douglas for a weekend getaway with a two-night stay at the four-star Rendezvous Reef Resort, staying in a one bedroom Deluxe Villa with buffet breakfast daily for two adults and free Wi-Fi.

Priced from $195 per person, twin share. Valid for sale until February 15, 2014, for travel over the Valentine’s Day weekend. For bookings, phone Student Flights on 1300 019 130 or visit www.studentflights.com.au for more information.

Rendezvous Reef Resort, Port Douglas. Picture: Supplied

GET two nights accommodation in Cairns at the Kewarra Beach Resort and stay in a Deluxe Bungalow with complimentary cocktails on arrival and free Wi-Fi.

Priced from $259 per person, twin share. Valid for sale until February 15, 2014, for travel over the Valentine’s Day weekend. For bookings, phone Student Flights on 1300 019 130 or visit www.studentflights.com.au for more information.

FOR a weekend city escape, score a night at the Hotel Urban Brisbane from $149 per night. The ‘Breakfast Special’ deal includes accommodation, a bottle of bubbly on arrival, breakfast, plus late check-out. To book, visit: http://www.wotif.com/hotelW313

GET a two-night accommodation package for the Gold Coast and stay at the four-star Phoenician Resort in Broadbeach in a one-bedroom apartment.

Priced from $195 per person, twin share. Valid for sale until February 15, 2013, for travel over the Valentine’s Day weekend. For bookings, phone Student Flights on 1300 019 130 or visit www.studentflights.com.au for more information.

STAY two nights at 4.5-star Mercure Gold Coast Resort with breakfast daily and free internet access. Priced from $629 per person, twin share. Valid for sale until February 15, 2014, for travel over the Valentine’s Day weekend. For bookings, phone Student Flights on 1300 019 130 or visit www.studentflights.com.au for more information.

STAY on the Sunshine Coast this Valentine’s Day with a two-night accommodation package for the four-star Beachside Mooloolaba hotel.

Priced from $315 per person, twin share. Valid for sale until February 15, 2014, for travel over the Valentine’s Day weekend. For bookings, phone Student Flights on 1300 019 130 or visit www.studentflights.com.au for more information.

FOR an island getaway, the ‘Wotdeal Garden Balcony’* at Daydream Island Resort and Spa comes with daily buffet breakfast, sparkling wine, chocolates and late check-out at 12pm. From $300 for a two-night minimum stay. To book, visit:http://www.wotif.com/hotel/View?hotel=W2823 (*only available until 7am AEST, 13 February 2014).

NEW SOUTH WALES:

GET a Sydney Harbour cocktail cruise with Captain Cook Cruises this Valentine’s Day weekend with this two nights stay in a Superior Room at the four-star Mercure Sydney.

Priced from $349 per person, twin share and also inclusive of breakfast daily. Valid for sale until February 28, and available for travel over the Valentine’s Day weekend. For bookings, phone Student Flights on 1300 019 130 or visit www.studentflights.com.au for more information.

Enjoy a Sydney Harbour cocktail cruise with Captain Cook Cruises. Picture: Supplied

NAB a last-minute romantic break at the 4.5-star (AAA rated) The Gateway Inn, Mayfield. Priced from $270 per night, per room, this deal includes accommodation in a Spa Suite featuring a kingsize bed, breakfast for two and complimentary chocolates and a bottle of wine on arrival. To book, visit: lastminute.com.au/deals.

STAY in a cottage at Barrington River Hideaway in charming Gloucester, NSW with a bottle of sparkling wine and chocolates from only $200 per night (available 14-15 February only). To book, visit: http://www.wotif.com/hotel/View?hotel=W509136

ACT:

THIS Valentine’s Day weekend, enjoy champagne and chocolates on arrival as well as a bonus three course dinner for two when staying overnight at the Statesman Hotel, Canberra. Priced from $168 per room, per night, this ‘Hot Summer’ deal includes accommodation for two in a king room, featuring a spa bath and balcony. To book, visit: lastminute.com.au/deals.

VICTORIA:

STAY overnight in a king room at the 4.5-star Parkview Hotel Melbourne and receive bonus champagne and strawberries on arrival, a three course dinner for two, full buffet breakfast, free parking and a 1pm check-out. Prices start from $254 per night, per room based on twin share. To book, visit: lastminute.com.au/deals.

IF you’re looking for a getaway right in the heart of Victoria’s spa country in Daylesford, try a weekend escape from $275 at Avala Accommodation in a spa suite — it includes a light breakfast, chocolates on arrival and unlimited mini golf. To book, visit: http://www.wotif.com/hotelW393816

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

ENJOY a bonus bottle of local wine, breakfast hamper and a 2pm check out when staying two nights this Valentine’s Day weekend at the 5-star (AAA rated) Riverview Rise Retreats, Mannum. Priced from $1030 per stay, this ‘Executive Spa Villa’ deal includes accommodation for two in a king bed, spa, laundry, fully appointed kitchen and private BBQ deck. To book, visit: lastminute.com.au/deals.

Riverview Rise Retreats, Mannum. Picture: Supplied

WA:

STAY overnight at the 4-star Hougoumont Hotel, Perth, located within walking distance of the Fremantle Markets. Priced from $199 per night, per room, this deal includes accommodation for two in a Superior Cabin, free wine and cheese hour, in-room Nespresso coffee machine and free wifi. To book, visit: lastminute.com.au/deals.

FOR a seaside getaway in WA with views over Roebuck Bay, the ‘Be Wooed by WA’ deal at The Mangrove Resort Hotel is a great pick from $159 per night — you’ll be upgraded to a Superior Pool Side Room and get continental breakfast daily, a bottle of wine on arrival and late check-out at 12pm. To book, visit: http://www.wotif.com/hotel/View?hotel=W47223

STAY two nights at the 4.5-star Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa, Broome, in a Garden View Studio, and receive a glass of sparkling on arrival and return airport transfers.

Priced from $259 per person, twin share. Valid for sale until February 14, 2014, for travel over the Valentine’s Day weekend. For bookings, phone Student Flights on 1300 019 130 or visit www.studentflights.com.au for more information.

Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa in Broome, Western Australia. Picture: Supplied

NORTHERN TERRITORY:

FOR a luxury Valentine package in Alice Springs with buffet breakfast, 24 hours of unlimited movies and a bottle of sparkling wine from $199 per night, stay at Lasseters Hotel Casino. To book, visit: http://www.wotif.com/hotelW9768