We asked one of our resident romantics, Travelocity Gnational Gnomad Ava Roxanne Stritt of the blog Spa Travel Galto help us design the perfect last-minute couple’s weekend. We think she may know a little bit about romance. She just celebrated her 28th wedding anniversary with her husband. Try a few of her planning tips below for your own perfect couple’s weekend.

Couple’s Weekend by Ava Roxanne Stritt of Spa Travel Gal

So you have finally found a weekend to get away with your loved one. You want to make the most of your time together and plan something extra special, without a lot of stress. As you ponder what to do, consider these five tips on how to plan the perfect last-minute couple’s getaway.

Timing Counts

LEED Hotel The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte – photo by Ava Roxanne Stritt of Spa Travel Gal

First, look for a three-day weekend and plan your trip around that. With only a regular, two-day weekend, you’ll be spending one day getting there and one day returning, so you never really get a full day of relaxation. With a three-day weekend, you get one complete day to unwind at the pool or just about anywhere and somehow it makes the vacation feel so much longer.

So pick a great city like Charlotte and head out with your loved one as soon as you have a Monday or Friday off.

Do Not Over-Schedule

The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte Pool Level – Photo by Ava Roxanne Stritt of Spa Travel Gal

One of the biggest mistakes people make for a weekend getaway is planning too much. Especially if you’re trying to make the vacation extra special and meaningful, it can be easy to overthink your weekend getaway and over-schedule your time. Although it may sound exciting on the planning end, it can make the getaway feel exhausting and you will head home feeling like you need a post-vacation vacation. That’s not what you want for your couple’s weekend.

Instead, keep your days flexible and open. Sleep in. Go for a long walk. Relax by the water. Unless it is a relaxing spa treatment at a great spa like The Spa and Wellness Center or dinner reservations, leave the day to serendipity.

Plan a Good Meal

BLT Steak – photo by Ava Roxanne Stritt of Spa Travel Gal

Sitting together to enjoy an evening meal is an ancient tradition, and it’s still one of the most romantic and meaningful experiences a couple can share. Look for a special restaurant that not only serves great food, but also provides a romantic and elegant atmosphere.

If you’re in Charlotte, try the BLT Steak restaurant, with over-the-top service and food that’s fit for a king. This acronym is much finer than a “bacon lettuce tomato” sandwich. It stands for Bistro Laurent Tourondel, which pays homage to the classic French cooking techniques used in the kitchen.

BLT is located inside The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, which already sets the standard for luxury and customer service. You don’t have to walk through the hotel to get there, though. You can also find a separate entrance off the street.

Here, you and your loved one will enjoy prime cuts of beef, seafood and mouthwatering desserts. Imagine a romantic French bistro, complete with a wine room, but with American favorites and more.

Can’t get enough of this bistro? It also serves an exquisite Sunday brunch.

Dedicate Relaxation Time

The Relaxation Lounge – photo by The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte

One of the most important parts of a couple’s weekend is plenty of downtime to bond and unwind. A spa provides the ideal atmosphere for this. But you don’t necessarily have to make an appointment to indulge.

If you stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, you can stretch out in the co-ed relaxation lounge any time you want. Pick a private corner and hold hands by candlelight or meditate together. Sometimes you don’t need words to speak to each other.

This lounge is located near the Ritz’s wonderful spa and amazing pool area. Unschedule a day while you are in town, grab a great book, like “The Woman in Cabin 10” by Ruth Ware, and create your own zen. Detaching from media is the new luxury.

If you want to go even deeper, book a couple’s treatment at their remarkable spa. Or work up a sweat together in the state-of-the-art fitness center. Access to the gym and the Aqua Lounge are also included in your stay to make it a spa travel experience. 

Try Something New Together

The Punch Room – photo by Ava Roxanne Stritt of Spa Travel Gal

Be it a cocktail or a tandem bike, get spontaneous and head into the day or night with a new outlook on life. The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, gives its guests a ton of ideas for a 72-hour layover. Create your own perfect three-day couples weekend with these tips and be creative.

The perfect cocktail lounge is the new speakeasy-inspired Punch Room. Behind what feels like a secret door lies a intimate area known for punch recipes that were not in the last punch bowl you saw, for sure. Imagine a scientist creating something that will amaze and awe your palate. The renowned mixologist Bob Peters is behind the handcrafted creations here.

The atmosphere itself is glamorous (with wingback chairs and rich leather) and intimate, with a mere 37 seats. It feels like you’ve stepped back in time to an upscale, 19th-century lounge. Time-travel with your loved one, share a unique drink and toast to your perfect couple’s weekend.

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