If you happen to be churlish enough to be travelling in Asia on Feb. 14, thousands of miles away from your loved one, you might want to stay at a Ritz-Carlton Hotel. The chain's properties in Hong Kong, Seoul, Osaka, Shanghai and Kuala Lumpur are placing complimentary Valentine's Day postcards in all guest rooms on Valentine's Eve and Valentine's Day. After writing a tender or grovellingly apologetic message, guests drop off the cards at the concierge desk for complimentary airmail delivery. A less expensive Manhattan alternative in On the Ave in the Upper West Side, near Lincoln Center. Since this hotel is near Lincoln Center, you might want to pick up tickets for the Metropolitan Opera, which still has seats available for Rossini's effervescent L'Italiana in Algeri on Feb. 14.
Couples arrive the evening before for an intimate dinner and a cozy evening in front of the fire.
They are free to spend the next morning at their leisure and then spend the rest of the day with Todhunter in their fireplace room. That night dinner features local produce such as lamb, bison, pickerel and trout. If you want to take advantage of some bargain transatlantic air fares and see some plays in London's West End, London's largest privately-owned hotel group, Radisson Edwardian Hotels, claims to be playing Cupid for the entire month of February, offering a special Vanderbilt Valentine package. Also included are full English breakfast daily, all service charges and taxes.