Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, but there’s still time to plan an unforgettable escape! Whether you’re dreaming of a romantic retreat, a best-friends getaway, or a luxurious winter-to-spring family adventure, award travel makes it easier than ever to turn points and miles into extraordinary experiences. As a family award travel expert, I’ve explored the joy of these destinations firsthand – with my family and my closest friends, so I know how overwhelming last-minute planning can feel. But here’s the good news: incredible redemptions are still available if you know where to look.
Let’s dive into 5 last-minute Valentine’s Day travel destinations that deliver romance, adventure, and unforgettable luxury without the stress of paying full price.
1. Bora Bora, French Polynesia: Overwater Villas & Family-Friendly Lagoons
Nothing says romance like an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora. But this dreamy paradise isn’t just for couples – families and friend groups will love snorkeling excursions, catamaran adventures, and world-class dining in one of the most breathtaking destinations on Earth.
During our stay, we booked a full-day private tour with a local guide, and it was hands-down one of the highlights of our trip. The experience included hotel pickup, swimming with baby sharks and stingrays, water activities, and a beachfront lunch on a secluded private island, which is a truly unforgettable way to explore Bora Bora’s natural beauty.
Where to Stay:
- Conrad Bora Bora Nui
We stayed at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui, a stunning resort with plenty to offer for every type of traveler. We indulged in wine tastings, rum-tasting classes, and mixology experiences, while the other families appreciated the kid-friendly activities designed to keep little ones entertained.
- Standard Room Award Rate: 120,000 Hilton Honors points per night (cash value: $1,401 per night). The standard award rooms are widely available throughout February – including Valentine’s Day!
- Maximize “Fifth Night Free” perk: Hilton Honors members can stretch their points further with the “Fifth Night Free” benefit. You pay the full award rate for four nights, and your fifth night is completely free.
- Hilton Resort Credit: If you have the Amex Hilton Honors Aspire credit card, you’ll also receive a $200 resort credit semi-annually, which can be used toward dining, spa treatments, or other on-property experiences in Conrad Bora Bora Nui.
How to Fly:
- Two to four direct business class award seats are available from Seattle (SEA) to Papeete (PPT) on Air Tahiti Nui, which can be booked by using Alaska Airlines award miles in the weeks of February – starting 60,000 miles each!
2. Kyoto, Japan: Cherry Blossom Romance & Cultural Family Fun
Whether you’re strolling along the Philosopher’s Path or immersing yourself in a traditional tea ceremony, Kyoto feels like stepping into a living postcard. Families will love hands-on experiences like renting kimonos, savoring delicious street food, and exploring the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine. We spent six unforgettable days in Kyoto, experiencing different sides of the city – from the serene luxury of Park Hyatt Kyoto, to TripAdvisor top-rating local ryokan – Shiraume, to the elegant Ritz-Carlton Kyoto along the Kamogawa River. One of the best parts? Kyoto is incredibly walkable, making it easy to soak in its charm at your own pace.
Where to Stay:
- Ritz-Carlton Kyoto
- Standard Room Award Rate: from 98,000 to 100,000 Marriott points per night around Valentine’s Day.
- 💡 Pro Tip: Use an 85,000 Marriott Points Free Night Award, and top up with up to 15,000 points to book standard award rooms.
- You can earn 1 annual Free Night Award worth up to 85,000 Marriott points after your first year with Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant credit card.
How to Fly:
- Book Japan Airlines business class award tickets from the West Coast (like Seattle) for 60,000 miles via Alaska Airlines.
- 💡 Pro tip: Use married segment logic to improve your award searches. This strategy can be a game-changer, especially for securing seats on Japan Airlines. I’ve written a full post on how it works – be sure to check it out!
3. Napa Valley, California: Wine Country Indulgence And More
Think Napa Valley is just for wine lovers? Think again! While sipping world-class wines might be the first thing that comes to mind, Napa is surprisingly family-friendly with vineyard tours, olive oil tastings, breathtaking scenic drives, and interesting visit like Old Faithful Geyser of California.
Foodies, take note! Napa is home to Michelin-starred restaurants and farm-to-table gems, but for a truly unique experience, book a table at Gatehouse Restaurant. Run by students at the Culinary Institute of America, this hidden gem offers an unforgettable dining experience. We enjoyed an incredible three-course dinner with wine pairings, all while having deep, meaningful conversations with the students – future chefs and hospitality pros passionate about gourmet cuisine and fine dining.
For our last Valentine’s Day getaway, we took advantage of a free night stay at Alila Napa Valley back when it was a Hyatt “Category 7” property. Nestled in the heart of wine country, this luxurious retreat (now as Hyatt “Category 8” property) is perfect especially for those living in San Francisco and the Bay Area looking for an easy yet indulgent Feb. 14th weekend away.
Where to Stay:
- Alila Napa Valley
- Standard Room Award Rate: from 35,000 to 45,000 Hyatt points per night. The cash price is from $950 per night per room. The availability through February is strong for standard award rooms.
- It is an adults-only hotel.
- 💡 Pro Tip: If you have the Globalist status, you will enjoy complimentary breakfast, waived resort fees for your stays. Free parking when you booking award stays.
- Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection
- Valentine’s Day isn’t all about the couples. If you look for something with the kids, Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection is perfect for families; kids under 17 stay free when sharing existing beds.
- 💡 Pro Tip: Use the annual Amex Platinum $200 Hotel Credit for Fine Hotels + Resorts (It must be prepaid booking!) program to enjoy the benefits like free breakfast, a $100 resort credit, and guaranteed 4 PM late checkout. This hotel comes with complimentary parking which is a great perk for more saving. On top of that, you earn 5x Amex Membership Rewards (MR) points when you prepay for the room.
4. Sausalito, California: Night Kayaking & Coastal Romance
Picture this: Gliding through the water on a bioluminescent night kayaking tour, with the San Francisco skyline glowing under a full moon. Whether you’re planning a romantic escape or a fun adventure with friends, this experience is pure magic. For families looking to add even more adventure, consider a hike in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area or a scenic ferry ride into the city – the perfect mix of nature and urban exploration.
Where to Stay:
- Cavallo Point Lodge at the Golden Gate
- Cavallo Point Lodge is a stunning retreat just across the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts and can be bookable with Choice Privileges points!
- Standard Room Award Rate: 71,000 Choice Privileges points per night on the historic building. With cash rates often soaring past $700 on long weekends, using points can save you at least 20% out-of-pocket, which is a huge win for luxury travelers who love smart redemptions.
- 🔥 Deal alert! Choice is back with another buy points promotion, offering up to a 40% bonus – but hurry, this deal ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on February 6, 2025!
- 💡 Pro Tip: The booking website is separate from Choice Hotels. Book via Choice Hotels Preferred Partner
5. Queenstown, New Zealand: Adventure & Romance In The Remarkables
If you crave adventure, Queenstown, New Zealand is the place to be! Couples can indulge in helicopter wine tours, while families will love scenic fjord cruises and thrilling jet boat rides through stunning landscapes. We chose a charming boutique hotel in the heart of Queenstown, offering breathtaking views of the Remarkables. Waking up to golden-pink sunrises over the mountains? It was absolutely magical. The hotel hosted nightly happy hours, where we met fellow travelers from the U.S. and Down Under, swapping travel stories over local wines and craft cocktails.
With just three nights in Queenstown, we made the most of it by booking a Milford Sound Tour by Plane, including a breathtaking cruise. This was the perfect way to experience one of New Zealand’s most iconic destinations without the long drive! We also took advantage of a 20% Rakuten rebate on this activity, meaning we earned while we spent, which is a win-win!
Where to Stay:
- Queenstown Boutique Hotel
- 💡 Pro Tip: Use the American Airlines (AA) Hotel Portal to book and pay with a Citi AAdvantage Executive credit card for 10x miles per dollar.
- Use Hotel.com to book the accommodation. Stack with Rakuten for extra rebates, from 1% to 10%.
- Further Reading:
How To Fly:
There are strong close-in award availability on business class from Los Angels to Auckland directly in February, especially week of Valentine’s Day. You can book through American Airlines.
More Tips For Planning A Luxury Valentine’s Getaway:
- ✅ Use Seat.Aero for premium flight award searches.
- ✅ Leverage MaxMyPoint for hotel availability tracking and redemptions.
- ✅ Utilize welcome bonuses from credit cards, free night awards and award miles / points sales from airline / hotel programs
- ✅ Double-dip on shopping portals like Rakuten for extra points / cashback.
Credit Cards To Earn The Points For Your V-Day:
- Amex Hilton Honors
- Amex Hilton Honors Surpass
- Amex Hilton Honors Aspire
- Chase World of Hyatt
- Chase World of Hyatt Credit Business
Final Thoughts
It’s not too late to plan the perfect Valentine’s getaway! Whether it’s a romantic escape, a besties’ adventure, or a family-friendly retreat, these destinations are easy to book with points and miles. Happy Valentine’s Day planning! 💕
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