Warm breezes and white sand beaches are the perfect backdrop for a Valentine’s Day escape. Holiday Inn Resort Aruba offers this and more at the right price. Rates start as low as $163 per room per night double, minimum two-night stay, or go upscale with a suite or lanai room. At this popular resort on famous Palm Beach, couples can do much more than sun bathe. Enjoy the Intermezzo Day Spa, fitness center and shopping arcade during the day. Try your luck in the Excelsior Casino at night. When booking, mention Promo code 150 to get this special 50%-off rate.  www.caribbeanhi.com/aruba

Candy hearts are so passé. Do it up right this year with a combination Valentine’s Day/Chinese New Year celebration in midtown Manhattan! The brand new Distrikt Hotel, just opened Feb. 1, put together a Cupid package covering both events. At $289 per room per night (2-night minimum required), it includes a red rose and stuffed tiger upon check-in, bottle of champagne and chocolate covered fortune cookies delivered to your room, a Chinatown area map marked with places of interest and New Year celebration schedule, plus a $47.08 food and beverage credit to use for room service or in Collage Bistro and Bar.  www.distrikthotel.com

Can any place be more romantic than Paris? Cover your significant other in delicate reds with the La Vie en Rose package at Le Meurice, a member of the Dorchester Collection of hotels. Located on Rue de Rivoli, between Place de la Concord and the Louvre, Le Meurice puts the two of you in a Superior room with American breakfast daily, rose champagne, pink petit fours and a bouquet of roses. A special surprise gift is added, and an upgrade on availability…just for asking. Available Feb. 5-28. www.lemeurice.com

If chocolate is a must for your Valentine, the sweetest experience for her is a Chokolate Delight Treatment at Qua Baths & Spa, located in Caesars Atlantic City hotel. Geared to sweet-toothed couples from head to toe, the decadent experience includes a moor mud chocolate wrap with deep scalp massage, followed by anointment with a choice of chocolate-scented oils: chocolate raspberry, chocolate cherry, chocolate mint or chocolate cake…all with no worry about calories! $450 per couple. www.quabathsandspa.com

A romantic Valentine’s getaway to a Caribbean island is sure to win favor big time. One perfect spot is Grenadine House on St. Vincent. The hotel’s two-night Deluxe Romance package welcomes you with a bouquet of roses, superior Garden or Bay view room with private balcony or terrace, daily continental breakfast overlooking the picturesque bay, and a romantic dinner for two in the historic Sapodilla Room, accompanied by live jazz. Available Feb. 13-15, this two-night package costs $349 per couple. Stay over for $140 per couple per night up to 7 days prior to or following Valentine’s Day weekend.  www.grenadinehouse.com

What can be more romantic than a cruise for you and your Valentine from eCruises.com, and it won’t break the bank. All rates shown are for two sharing a stateroom.
Feb. 13 – Norwegian Gem leaves New York for 7 nights to Orlando and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas, from $1798 for two.

Feb. 14 – depart on Holland America’s Westerdam for 7 nights to The Bahamas, Aruba and Curacao from $1798 for two.

Feb. 14 – board Norwegian Cruise Line’s Jade for a grand 12-night cruise from Barcelona to Rome, Athens and Ephesus in Greece, Cairo, Valletta and Malta. Rates from $1618 for two.

Feb. 15 – set sail from Miami onboard Celebrity Cruises’ Century for 5 nights to Key West and Grand Cayman. $590 for two.

Feb. 18 – Go ‘down under’ for 8 nights on Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas, from Sydney to Melbourne, Burnie and Hobart, Tasmania. Rates from $1938 for two.  

If a cruise is not an option around the big day, present your special Valentine with a cruise gift certificate, good for booking on all major lines including Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess and more. Gift certificates come in $250 denominations and are valid for two years from date of issue.  www.eCruises.com