Paris may be the City of Love and Venice known for its grand gestures like gondoliers serenading couples in the canals. But when it comes to romance, Colorado isn’t the square that maps make it out to be.
Here, we’ve got The Rally Hotel’s rooms perched at precisely 5,280 feet and a cheeky package that leans into that Mile High designation, as well as other lovely staycation itineraries for sweethearts, like a heart-shaped hot spring pool in Glenwood Springs and a suave boutique hotel, The Ramble in RiNo, that’s inspired by the French salons of the 17th century.
Since Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14) and President’s Day (Feb. 17) bookend a long weekend this year, here are some Cupid-approved staycations for Coloradans looking for a short (but definitely sweet) getaway.
The Rally: Hotel Stay on the Mile High Floor
With a sultry ambiance, rooms on the eighth floor of The Rally Hotel depart from the hotel’s design scheme and boast a color palette inspired by Colorado sunsets (think: shades of purple and orange). The Rally’s Lovebird Package includes a stay on the romantic Mile High floor, plus a bottle of bubbles, a floral arrangement, chocolate-covered strawberries, and late checkout. At some point in the evening, pop into the lobby-level bar, Call Me Pearl, for martinis and caviar. Guests also have access to a year-round heated pool and hot tub on the rooftop, which shows off downtown views.
The lovebird package runs from Feb. 1 to Feb. 28, and the average cost is $329. 1600 20th St., Denver; therallyhotel.com
Ritz-Carlton Beaver Creek: Rent out a Grotto
After hitting the slopes in Beaver Creek, retreat to the Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, a luxury ski-in, ski-out resort, to enjoy cozy amenities like a stone fireplace and outdoor whirlpools. For the ultimate splurge, couples can rent out the warm-lit, rock-lined private grotto at the spa (the minimum cost is $400) or book the Romance Spa Package that comes with a couple’s massage, soaks in a copper tub, and champagne for two.
The resort is also offering a new full-moon snowshoe tour on Feb. 12, weather permitting.
Rate for a king guest room is currently $1,934. 130 Daybreak Ridge Road, Avon; ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/whrrz-the-ritz-carlton-bachelor-gulch
The Ramble: Sushi Night In
Madame Rambouillet’s French salons of the 17th century were the design muse for The Ramble, a 50-room boutique hotel with sparkling chandeliers, rich jewel tones, velvet touches and handsome leather seating that match the shade of whiskey cocktails served at Death & Co Denver.
In February, couples can book the “Sushi With Your Sweetheart” package that comes with a romantic room service dinner (best enjoyed in robes) from neighboring restaurant Uchi. The package also comes with champagne, caviar, and a token to the hotel’s mezzanine-level photo booth.
The Ramble Hotel’s Sushi with your Sweetheart package starts at $499 for a king room and is available for overnight stays from Feb. 1 to Feb. 20. Average nightly rate is $300; 1280 25th St., Denver; theramblehotel.com.
Glenwood Springs: Soak in a Heart-Shaped Hot Spring Pool
Denverites have a different take on what it means to have hot tubs in our backyards. Here, the tubs — bubbling geothermal hot springs — come courtesy of Mother Nature, and the snow-capped Rocky Mountains to the west serve as our backyard. For a steamy Valentine’s Day getaway, head to Glenwood Springs and spend your weekend soaking at two unique hot springs.
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort is home to the world’s largest mineral pool, the Yampah Spring-fed Grand Pool, which is larger than a football field, as well as some newer pools that opened last spring, including a hot spring pool with a waterfall feature and an infinity pool.
At Iron Mountain Hot Springs, visit the WorldSprings adults-only section that opened in June 2023 that features pools with mineral blends from around the world. Definitely slink into the heart-shaped pool that’s inspired by the Vichy Waters in France. The team at Iron Mountain that researched bathing traditions around the world says Gallo-Romans enjoyed restorative soaks in the healing Vichy Waters during the third century A.D. and dedicated the hot springs to Venus, the God of Beauty.
For a long weekend stay, book a room in Glenwood Springs: Hotel Denver recently unveiled an extensive renovation and is now the Hotel Maxwell Anderson. The historic hotel kept nostalgic touches like exposed brick walls, antiques and a telephone booth, but received a beautiful makeover with bullion fringe chairs, plaid headboards, a new lobby fireplace and more.
More information: Adult day pool passes at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort range from $34-$50, and pricing may vary with peak times; 401 N. River St., Glenwood Springs, hotspringspool.com.
WorldSprings Access at Iron Mountain Hot Springs includes three hours of soaking and access to all 32 pools. Rates start at $61. 281 Centennial St., Glenwood Springs; ironmountainhotsprings.com
The Maven: Romantic Movies and Heart-Shaped Pizzas
The Maven Hotel, a boutique stay on the Dairy Block in LoDo, is offering fun Valentine’s packages for couples, Galentine’s and even has a “Puppy Love” getaway for those who want to celebrate with their pets.
The Maven’s Pizza is Our Love Language package (starts at $200 per night) includes overnight accommodations and an in-room, heart-shaped pizza delivery from the Denver Milk market, plus a bottle of bubbles.
Or, snuggle under the covers and enjoy the “Love Like the Movies” package (starts at $250 a night), which includes winter cocktails, movie snacks, and a cozy night in watching romantic hits like “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” “The Proposal,” “The Notebook,” and “Titanic.”
“The Pugs & Kisses: Puppy Love for Your Fur-Ever Valentine” comes with an “I Ruff You” dog treat and Valentine’s Day-inspired toy ($65 extra) and can be added to an overnight stay.
The Maven’s Valentine’s offers are available through February, but you can sync your stay up with fun themed events like a Floral Pop Up in the lobby from 4 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 14 and Feb. 15 featuring bouquets made by Dark Spur Floral. Bouquets start at $15 and vases start at $25.
The Dairy Block is also hosting “Love Notes” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 14, when local poet Abigail Mott will be typing up free custom poems on a vintage typewriter.
More information: To book a package, visit themavenhotel.com/special-offers/date-night. 1850 Wazee St., Denver; themavenhotel.com