Instead of the usual wine-and-dine formula for Valentine's Day, more couples are opting for "staycations" instead this year.
Ms Celeste Chan, a corporate marketing manager at Naumi Hotel in Seah Street, said: "Why stop at a dinner? A staycation can provide a totally different experience and getaway for couples."
For couples seeking a romantic getaway but cannot find time for an overseas trip, staycations are a practical alternative.
Mr Ivan Lim, business development director of Link Hotel, agreed. "Staycations are more affordable than overseas trips, and also spare people the hassle of travelling on flights or coaches which could be tiring."
As Valentine's Day falls on a Friday this year, Link Hotel, a boutique hotel in Tiong Bahru, has seen a 15 per cent increase in weekend room bookings for two nights.
It helps that Valentine's Day this year falls on the same day as chap goh mei, also known as the Chinese Valentine's Day.
Ms Wang Zhiling, marketing and communication manager of Wangz Hotel, foresees a higher occupancy level than last year.
"The convenience and ease of booking a staycation makes it a preferred choice for guests who do not have the time to plan ahead," said Ms Tan Chew Yen, a public relations and marketing communications manager at the Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore. Room bookings for Valentine's Day at the Ritz-Carlton are almost full, according to Ms Tan.
Indeed, staycations have become bigger and better, with hotels trotting out Valentine's Day packages that do not stop at simply offering a room.
In addition to a one-night stay at a suite, The Ritz-Carlton's Valentine's Day package includes a romantic butler-drawn bath alongside champagne and strawberries.
For the first time, it is also organisng Movies under the Stars, where hotel guests will enjoy classic romance films while sipping drinks with their Valentine under the moonlit sky.
Over at the Fullerton Hotel, their My Sweet Valentine package includes a four-course in-room dinner for the couple, Guided Heritage tours and shuttle services to the Orchard Road and City Hall shopping belts.
The exclusive Capella Resort's Be My Valentine: Moonlight Sonata package - it is only available for seven couples - comes with an in-villa spa treatment, a champagne breakfast and a photoshoot.
Not to be missed either are boutique hotels like Naumi Hotel, which also has an extravagant Valentine's Day package, with a complimentary pickup from your home to the hotel, a private rooftop and a butler service during dinner.
For more stories on Valentine's Day, go to our Big Story at www.straitstimes.com/valentines-day-2014
