Sarah Feldberg
Forget what Virginia has been telling us since 1969. Come to think of it, forget what Las Vegas has been telling us for just over the last decade. This shimmering oasis in the desert isn't just an escape from adult responsibilities set to a soundtrack of ringing slot machines. It's not simply a glowing bulb of legal sinfulness that bachelor partiers and 21st-birthday celebrants flock to like flies. Despite the city's well-earned reputation for recklessness and debauchery, with Valentine's Day just around the corner, it's time to face the truth: Las Vegas is actually quite romantic.
Lower those eyebrows and bear with me for a moment. Sure, Vegas doesn't have the cobblestone streets of Florence, the quaint cafes of Paris (though it does have its own Eiffel Tower) or the rhythms of Buenos Aires. Sprawling oak trees don't grow in the desert, and good luck finding any Spanish moss.
But if the tourist hub lacks some of the traditional hallmarks of love-inducing destinations, it offers its own ample charms in the form of luxurious hotels, expansive spas, memorable vistas and once-in-a-lifetime dining. Throw in a show and perhaps a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon or the Strip's sparkling lights and you've got the recipe for an incredible couple's weekend.
Start with the hotel. For a more secluded stay, consider the gaming-free Vdara or Mandarin Oriental, where soaking tubs come with views of the Strip skyline through floor-to-ceiling windows. At the Nobu Hotel inside Caesars Palace, the decor is minimal yet elegant, and a Nobu-designed room service menu means breakfast in bed will be extra special. When it comes to over-the-top opulence, Vegas does high-end as well as anywhere. There's a suite, villa or penthouse to fit any whim, whether you're after a private plunge pool or your own bowling alley.
The Strip also boasts a high concentration of spas in its 4-mile stretch, and many of them offer couples' experiences so you can unwind alongside your significant other. At the Spa at Encore, the Couples' Retreat includes an aromatic bath, body polish and massage, while Spa Bellagio serves up an educational experience where you and your partner can learn massage techniques in the warm waters of a private therapy pool.
The candlelit dinner for two is well-worn cliche, but with or without the flickering flame, there are few places better equipped to provide a memorable meal than Las Vegas. From Joel Robuchon's epic tasting menu at the MGM Grand that stands testament to the enduring brilliance of French cuisine to intimate molecular adventures inside Jose Andres' e at the Cosmopolitan, date night is serious business on the Strip.
The cherry on top of a romantic weekend could be front-row seats to Celine Dion, a Cirque du Soleil spectacular, a helicopter flight to the Grand Canyon, a remarkable bottle of wine from the Rio Wine Cellar & Tasting Room or just a good night's sleep in a really comfortable bed. Which you can stay in all weekend if you want, since Las Vegas is for lovers.