Said the Giving Tree.

Valentine’s Day, in case you didn’t get the memo, is all about romance. It’s about couples courting and expensive ways to say I love you. Also, scoring.

Hey, I’m a romantic.

Turns out I’m not the only one. In a very unscientific study conducted by the bloggers of UpTake we surmised that more wedding proposals take place on Valentine’s Day than any other day of the year. Possible runners-up included Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Birthdays and the Super Bowl. Last on the list were Arbor Day and April, 15.

We, and by “we” I mean “I” because everyone else went on with their lives, decided to make a list of the most romantic spots in America to propose on Valentine’s Day. There are no numbers to back this up and the ranking is based solely on my idea of what everyone else should be doing. I have lots of lists like this.

That said, here they are:  Read More »

... is all you need!

That’s right, I said deals. As in more than one.

If you’re thinking about getting away this Valentine’s Day with that special someone, here are some romantic hotel and spa deals for you: Read More »

Don't let that last petal fall!

While Valentine’s Day is all about romance, that doesn’t mean that you can’t celebrate with the whole family.  Little known fact, kids like candy, too.

Nobody knows this better than the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, and the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, their cupid has arrows for everybody. Also, churros, which are like nature’s candy, where nature is a hot oven parked on Main Street.

Many of the restaurants in both locations have special menus for the day, specifically those in one of the many resort hotels. The hotels also allow their guests an opportunity that a lot of parents may not know about: privacy.  Yes, privacy in the form of Disney’s activity centers for kids (reservations are strongly encouraged), which are found in a handful of Disney World Resorts as well as the Grand Californian Resort and Spa at Disneyland.

Another romantic idea, which at this time is only available at the Walt Disney World Resort hotels, is a “Beauty and the Beast meets Tinkerbell” Disney floral arrangement that you can have delivered right to your room. That’s right, tell her you’d trap her in a castle all over again.

So, you may ask, this Disney romance is sounding a lot like regular romance, but with mice. Where do the family activities come into play? How does one combine a date with a playdate?  To which I respond: Duh? Did you see the rides and the parades and the characters and the stuff? That’s where families play. That’s where hands are held. There’s a lot of love in the park(s).

But don’t take my word for it:

This one is probably fake, but it’s still awesome:

Photo from the Disney Parks Blog

Lobby or gallery? Both.

Thinking about visiting Oregon for your romantic Valentine’s Day getaway? We’ve got the spot for you. The Hotel Lucia in downtown Portland features amenities and service that set it apart from the competition. It is classy without being stuffy, and the personalized attention makes guests feel totally pampered. And then there is the artwork.

The lobby, hallways and hotel rooms are adorned with the Pulitzer-prize winning photographs of David Hume Kennerly. It’s enough to make one consider knocking on the suite of a stranger just to continue the tour of Kennerly’s work. However, on behalf of the other guests we ask that you control yourself.

The Hotel Lucia is currently offering a Valentine’s Day special called “Turning Up the Heat” that starts with rose petals and ends with breakfast in bed. What you do in the meantime is none of our business.

When my wife and I were guests of the hotel it was in the summer. We wore shorts and spent our days walking through the city. We sweat a lot. We were afraid that we might not fit in at the Hotel Lucia. However, unlike other boutique hotels that seem above such things, the Lucia never batted an eye. They just opened the door, invited us in or wished us well, and they always called us by name. That’s a nice touch.

The city of Portland is very walkable and friendly. However, if you desire a faster mode of transportation the public offerings are safe, clean and efficient.

If you’re hungry and/or in need of a drink, the Typhoon! Restaurant and Bo Bistro are both run by Chef Bo Kline, who is something of a hotshot in the culinary world. One bite and you’ll know why.

Turning your Hotel Lucia stay into a Valentine’s Day treat is as easy as being there. The lavish offerings and attention to detail surround you.  The food and drink set the perfect mood.  A walk in the city, whether browsing paperbacks in the gigantic Powell’s Books, shopping in one of the many fine stores or standing in line for two hours at Voodoo Donuts, is exhilarating (well, once you get the actual donuts).

All that’s needed for romance is you. And your date.

Follow the Hotel Lucia on Twitter (and UpTake, too!).

To learn more about Portland and the Pacific Northwest, listen to The Life Cascadia on PDX.FM. I show up there now and again.