Unique Valentines breaks in the Great Lakes of North America

Secluded lighthouses, romantic sleigh rides though the snow and what we can only call a ‘real’ chocolate extravaganza - yes we’re talking Valentine’s with a difference this year.

If you have already done the flowers, chocolates and romantic European city breaks time and time again, why not put the unexpected back into a relationship with a unique Valentine’s to remember with a trip to the Great Lakes of North America.

With return flights departing London from as little as £318*, whisking a loved one away doesn’t have to be a costly expense. We’ve rounded up some of the more unusual experiences available for loved up couples within the stunning Great Lakes region….

Big Bay Lighthouse
Not many people can claim to have stayed in a lighthouse so for a true romantic getaway, the north shore of the Upper Peninsula in Michigan is where you will find the Big Bay Lighthouse; a remote hidden inn located in a former lighthouse overlooking the impressive Lake Superior, the largest of the five Great Lakes.

The 1890’s red brick structure boasts a 60-foot tower that welcomes guests to 14 intimate rooms within this secluded cliff top retreat. During the day visitors can take advantage of some of the romantic winter activities such as an afternoon winding through the snow drenched forest nestled together in a cosy dog sled, while the evenings lend themselves to quality time spent tucked up in front of the fire with views across the glistening lake.

Rooms start from $175 per night and to coincide with Valentines, the Sweetheart Special package, offered February 12-13, costs $387 and includes a two-night stay, a romance basket, flowers, and dinner at the nearby Thunder Bay Inn. For further information visit bigbaylighthouse.com.

The Hotel Hershey
Why give chocolates when you can experience the heart of them. Legendary US chocolate-makers, Hershey, originate in Pennsylvania so why not whisk your loved one to where it all began - the Hotel Hershey. Not just an elegant hotel, this chocolate haven has hints of the tasty treat throughout with a Cocoa Beanery serving delicious chocolate pastries and treats, a turndown service with Hershey’s kisses for the sweetest of dreams, and it even has its own decadent Chocolate Spa offering tasty treatments that sound good enough to eat such as the Whipped Chocolate Bath and Chocolate Fondue Wrap.

Prices for a double room start from $249, and if the chocolate element alone wasn’t enough to tempt visitors, from February 12, the Hotel Hershey will be launching the Chocolate Chef’s Table, a one of a kind five course chocolate-themed dinner experience with the head chef for $75 per person – a must-do for any chocaholic. For more information on the Hotel Hershey, visit thehotelhershey.com.

Cottagewood Resort
This Minnesotan resort consists of individual self catering log cabins spread across 20 acres of woodland - so it really is your own private retreat. The icing on the cake is that each cabin has its own sauna and guests can create their own wood burning fire to see the evenings in. A masseuse is also available for treatments within each lodge.

By day visitors can take a romantic walk or snowshoe though the Natural Environment Lake and Creek or for some fun on the water, visitors can hire a canoe or peddle boat.

The Valentine’s Romance Package includes two nights with a special sauna basket and scented kindling – a bouquet of flowers, sticks and scented items for the fire, starting from $458. For further information visit cottagewoodresort.com.

La Quinta Inn and Suites
Take your loved one’s breath away, quite literally, with a visit to the top the tallest building in the western hemisphere and Dare to stand out on the glass Ledge, 1,353 feet over the Windy City! This unforgettable experience is being offered with a one night Love on the Ledge stay at La Quinta, just steps away from the Skydeck Chicago.

The Love on the Ledge package is $195.00 and includes a one night stay in a King Plus Room, buffet breakfast, chilled bottle of champagne with two keepsake Champagne flutes, chocolate covered strawberries, and two tickets to the SKYDECK Ledge. For availability and reservations visit laquinta.com.

The Kingsley House Bed and Breakfast
This second property is another gorgeous Victorian home located in Saugatuck, Michigan. This boutique property is reminiscent of a traditional American mansion with a large wrap-around porch standing prominently in a charming garden. The eight luxurious rooms consist of four chambers and four suites featuring handmade aromatherapy soaps, a double Jacuzzi tub and personal fireplaces for visitors to kick back and embrace some of the finery from the local vineyards.

Rooms start from $139 per night, and for a unique winter experience for loved up couples, each two night stand includes a complimentary horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snow (offer available until February 28, 2010). If you are really looking to pull out the stops, the Valentine’s Romantic Getaway Package, costing $199, includes a dozen red roses, a gourmet chocolate sampler tray and two one hour in-house massages to ensure you feel relaxed and ready to explore the beautiful surroundings. Further special offers can be found at kingsleyhouse.com.

Hotel Metro
This eco friendly hotel is continuously awarded some of the highest accolades from the travel industry. Recently voted ‘One of the Top Hotels in the World’ it is not hard to see why – as one of the Historic Hotels of America, this boutique art-deco hotel incarnates historic architecture with character and luxurious glamour. Centrally located, the hotel is a great base for exploring the beautiful city of Milwaukee with a number of restaurants, bars and entertainment complexes on its doorstep.

The Romance Package includes a selection of finest handmade chocolates, a bottle of champagne and gift certificate for the sumptuous hotel restaurant, Metro Bar and Café. Packages start from $249.
hotelmetro.com.

The Inn and Spa at Cedar Falls
Take a step back with seclusion nestled in one of the Great Lake’s national parks at the Inn and Spa at Cedar Falls, a collection of 1840’s styled cabins located in the Hocking Hills,Ohio. Spend three nights at the inn for an extended Valentine’s holiday weekend.

From the 12th to the 15th February, the Inn and Spa at Cedar Falls is opening it’s doors to loved-up couples with each of the cabins adorned with rose petals romantically placed. With smouldering chocolate aromas from the candles, guests can take advantage of the Couples Massage at the spa, and foodies need not go hungry, upon arrival guests will be greeted with their very own Gourmet Picnic Basket filled with enough goodies to satisfy any guest’s dinner cravings, and on the final evening guests are invited to join Chef Anthony for a delectable Valentine's Day Dinner. This three night package costs $799 per cabin with the Cottages available with the same Valentine’s package for $999. For further information on this hideaway visit innatcedarfalls.com.

The Peninsula
Taking luxury to another level, the multi-award winning 5 star, 5 diamond Peninsula hotel located in Chicago’s Magnificent Mile just oozes opulence and decadence, and that’s without even stepping into one of the dazzling bedrooms!

Following a multi-million pound renovation, the 339 luxurious guestrooms and suites feature the finest carpeting, beautiful thick drapes and sheers and luxurious Pratesi hotel bed linens for a perfect night’s sleep. The Peninsula has also splashed out on the finest mod cons with each room featuring a 42” plasma television encased in a customised hand-crafted cabinet, with an extended 50” plasma high definition television for the suites, complete with iPod docking stations and memory card input.

The Peninsula Spa by ESPA is also worth a visit alone, with a menu offering a varied selection of body, facial and holistic treatments with the option to join these with the more comprehensive spa journey – a half or full day use of the fitness, swimming and relaxation facilities accompanied by a Naturally Peninsula spa lunch.

Whether visitors are after an overnight stay or a simply paying a visit to the spa, this is THE place to impress.

Turning up the heat for Valentines, the Urban Retreat package, $795, includes a one night stay in one of the hotel’s deluxe rooms with in-room breakfast, ESPA goodies in your room and an enchanting 60 minute couples massage. For further information on this luxury resort visit peninsula.com/chicago.

For further information on the Great Lakes of North America and some of the excellent locations within the region, visit greatlakesnorthamerica.co.uk.

* Flights departing London Heathrow to Chicago start from £318 with American Airlines. Flights departing London Heathrow to Chicago start from £329 with Virgin Atlantic.