A Romantic COVID Getaway

You can accomplish this with a bit of research and planning. For example:

• Look for close destinations to minimize stopping along the way.
• Focus on destinations that have relatively low coronavirus rates and reasonable mitigation measures.
• Find lodging that offers room service or a kitchen so you can avoid dining out.
• Opt for a cabin in the woods and take on some outdoor activities.

It might be too frosty for a romantic stroll or dining in the open air, depending on where you live. And indoor dining and entertainment might not be available – or advisable – either. But don’t let that spoil your Valentine’s Day. Here are a few specific ideas for taking your partner on a romantic COVID getaway that’s safe for lovers of all ages.

Bed-and-breakfast with COVID-19 safety measures

You might think that a bed-and-breakfast stay would not be the best option for a romantic interlude during a pandemic. But many of these establishments have taken steps to ensure the safety of their guests and the health of their businesses. And as for a romantic escape, some of these should be at the top of your list. Here is a prime example:

The Bridgeton House in Upper Black Eddy, Pennsylvania

The Bridgeton House B&B overlooks the Delaware River and the scenic Upper Black Eddy-Milford Bridge. Some rooms offer a fireplace, riverside porch, or whirlpool tub. The location allows for spacious accommodations with limited interaction and shared spaces with other guests and staff.

After the pandemic arrived, the owners began limiting occupancy and blocking nights in between to allow for deep cleaning and disinfecting between guests. Other precautions include:

• Self-check-in and check-out
• A breakfast basket delivered to the door each morning
• Provisions for hot beverages placed in the room before arrival
• Daily housekeeping service put on hold to minimize contact
• Staff members available by phone 24 hours a day

Hotels, a traditional option, improved for the season

Find a hotel nearby and book a room for your romantic COVID getaway. Although the coronavirus is primarily spread in indoor areas with inadequate ventilation, some hotels have gone to great lengths to improve ventilation and provide services that avoid the need to congregate in tight spaces.

For example, many hotels offer no-contact check-in, check-out, and payment, along with digital key entry. Some rooms contain a medical-grade air purifier, while others provide housekeeping around their guests’ schedules to avoid unnecessary contact. Some hotels in warmer climates feature outdoor bars and restaurants for a safer pandemic experience. Also, choosing a first-floor room will help you avoid the elevators. Or if you’re able, take the stairs and get a bit of exercise in the process.

Related: Tips for pandemic travel and road trips

Before making reservations, check the hotel’s safety policies, such as these at the historic, grand Jefferson Hotel in Richmond. This can help ensure beforehand that you agree with the policies – whichever way your preferences lean.

Get recommendations from other travelers. You can ask friends or browse online, such as this list of COVID-safe hotels, across the U.S. and beyond the borders, according to pandemic guests. One or more of them might work for you.

Consider glamping for a safe and romantic COVID getaway

If you’re not familiar with the term, “glamping” is short for glamorous camping. And since our days of “roughing it” are well behind us for many of us, glamping may be the ideal answer to getting into nature with some of the comforts of home. It’s also a way to avoid the crowds that make some of the other romantic destinations a bit riskier during the pandemic. State parks around the U.S. offer a wide diversity of cabins and other comfy accommodations.

Related: A natural pandemic getaway at Virginia State Parks

Many older adults prefer to stay in a deluxe cabin with a private bathroom and kitchenette. Depending on the weather, you can plan a romantic evening in front of a fire or bundle up and do some stargazing.

Other glampers choose yurts, a variation on the tent with many comforts of home such as heating, plumbing, electricity, and windows. Yurts are popular in a growing number of North American campgrounds. And, as with the other options mentioned here, they can provide a romantic environment that’s free of the worries of a pandemic.

Any love life necessary requires plenty of opportunities to bend and flex. Let your romantic COVID getaway provide you with rich memories and a deeper commitment.