Marsha’s post from yesterday got me to thinking about what others were planning for Valentine’s Day – I would love to say that I am hitting the road, pack on my back, to explore an exciting far-off destination. Turns out the best I can do is a date with my husband while my kids eat pizza with their favorite babysitter. Let’s see what my options might have been:

Erica at Blissful Travel pointed us over to Maybourne Hotel’s Truly Madly Deeply promotion. Luxury accommodations for Valentine’s Day, and looking at the deal, it goes through the end of February, so those of us slow on the uptake can book it as a post-holiday celebration. Valentine’s Day is amateur night* anyway, right?

Sheila from GoVisitHawaii tells us that we could have renewed our vows in Waikiki at the Outrigger Hotel. How romantic would that have been to renew our vows Hawaiian style? Maybe next year, sounds like sign ups begin in January.

Over at the Luxury Travel Blog, Paul highlights deals from One&Only, Sherman Travel, and Kimpton Hotels, including a romantic getaway to Venice. These would be the kind of gifts I like to give – the ones that benefit both the giver and receiver.

Sadly, I should have been reading Rick Seaney’s blog last month when he posted information about the Air France deals to Paris. What is more romantic than Paris?

Are you sensing a theme yet? All these would have been possible with a little planning! For those of you who are stuck for last minute ideas, Outdoorzy posted 5 gift ideas for the outdoorzy woman in your life, including a smashing pink bathrobe. And last (but not least) Viator has pulled together the ultimate list of gift ideas for the traveler. Its a beautiful post with very romantic suggestions for expressing your love for your partner, while traveling!

How are you celebrating tonight? If you are a planner, what’s on the agenda? If you prefer to fly by the seat of your pants, do you have an intended destination? Whatever you decide, we wish you a happy Valentine’s Day!

*Amateur Night – Valentine’s Night is the often the worst time to go out to dinner – the restaurants are packed, expectations are high, the food is sub-par (think warming tables) and they are eager to get you in and out, to make way for the next diners. Piece of advice, if you have not already made reservations, pick up a burrito (for two), grab your favorite movie (romantic or not) and a bottle of wine and spend the evening at home!

From guest blogger, Marsha Takeda-Morrison, of Sweatpantsmom.

My husband and I have never been known as ‘plan ahead’ kind of people. We’re usually the ones who breeze into town without hotel reservations and then try to explain to our kids that we’ll have to keep driving for another two hours because who knew there’d be a Tupperware convention hogging all the rooms?

So Valentine’s Day has always posed a problem – without reservations and some stealth planning skills you’re likely to be stuck spending the night in a truck stop off Highway 5. (I realize that may scream romance to some of you, but try and keep that to yourselves.)

Which is why we love the W Hotel. Reservations are recommended, but, its location in a residential area on the edge of Westwood Village means it isn’t as crowded as some other high-profile L.A. hotels. Still, it’s hip enough to attract the likes of Lindsay Lohan, Reese Witherspoon and Britney Spears, who, coincidentally was recently hospitalized at the UCLA Medical Center psych ward which is a short walk from the W. File that under ‘Fascinating Travel Trivia.’

Getting away for a romantic, kid-free weekend is rare, and I like the experience to be as adult as possible; no child-latches on the toilet and nothing resembling a chicken nugget on the room service menu. The W fits the bill – it’s sleek and modern, and the rooms definitely not kid-friendly; glass tables with sharp edges and even condoms for sale in the mini-bar. That’s right – I like my hotels begging for a visit from Child Protective Services.

The W has one of the most stylish bars in the city, Whiskey Blue which is owned by Rande Gerber (Mr. Cindy Crawford!) On our last visit my husband and I lounged here, sipping martinis and snacking on calamari in the late afternoon. When we returned from dinner the place was packed – it’s a big late-night hangout for the Hollywood scene. But we pushed right past the bouncers by flashing our room key – you don’t have to be Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie if you’ve got that little piece of plastic with the magnetic strip.

Although the W also boasts a first-class restaurant, there are three excellent establishments within walking distance: The Palamino, Napa Valley Grille and my favorite sushi bar, Tengu. Order the drink made with mint, cucumber and vodka and it’ll be your favorite place, too.

Breakfast at the W is served poolside and is incredible, but if you’re willing to drive for fifteen minutes you’ll arrive at one of the most popular breakfast spots in the city: Broadway Deli on the Third Street Promenade. I swear they have French Toast the size of a doormat. And excellent coffee, which for me is the perfect ending to a romantic weekend.

The best part? With Valentine’s Day only forty-eight hours away I still see plenty of rooms available on the W online site. But better hurry, before the Tupperware convention gets here.

What is your favorite last-minute Valentine’s plan? We promise if you share we won’t all try to make reservations!