Give the Gift of Experience This Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day has evolved beyond heart-shaped boxes and predictable dinner plans. If you’re experiencing gift-and-gadget fatigue, why not opt for something you can’t gift wrap: an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re after a private helicopter tour of snow-spangled mountains or a romantic home-cooked meal, we’ve rounded up a list of unique ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day that require zero packaging — but still include champagne.
The Old-World High Tea Experience: The Windsor Arms
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Trade champagne for high tea at the Windsor Arms Hotel, a Toronto tradition since 1927. The historic hotel is nestled on a quaint side street near Yorkville’s designer shops and Michelin-starred restaurants. The lush chairs, jewel tones, and grand chandeliers transport you to La Belle Époque in the Parisian-inspired tea rooms, where you’ll enjoy tiered trays of delicate pastries, finger sandwiches, and freshly baked scones served with house-made preserves and clotted cream. Sip fine teas, or upgrade to champagne — either way, you might be inclined to book a room.
The Private Culinary Tour of Italy: TOCA
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When you reserve the chef’s table at TOCA — the lively Italian restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton Toronto — you’ll notice other guests craning their necks as the front of house staff whisk you through the dining room to your private table nestled in an alcove in view of the roaring kitchen. This exclusive experience gives you a front-row seats to some real culinary magic. With a personalized tasting menu pairing seasonal Italian delights with regional wines, the evening unfolds with theatrical flair. Don’t forget to scribble your names on the wall besides the signatures of past chef’s table diners (an exclusive club that includes countless notable names.) To cap off an extraordinary meal, you can tour the restaurant’s cheese cave, digestif in hand.
The Indulgent Home-Cooked Meal: Seared Scallops with Jammy Cherry Tomatoes
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Sometimes the most romantic plans don’t involve reservations — just a little heat in the kitchen. When you cook for your partner on Valentine’s Day, you set the mood and the menu. This recipe for seared scallops with jammy cherry tomatoes feels fancy but won’t keep you chained to the stove while it simmers. It’s the perfect way to flex your culinary skills without overcomplicating things. Think golden, buttery scallops, burst tomatoes, and plenty of fresh herbs, best served with candlelight and a chilled bottle of white. Staying in is sexy, too.
The Partier’s Paradise: Evangeline
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Who says Valentine’s Day is a private affair? Spread the love (literally) at Evangeline, the rooftop bar at Ace Hotel Toronto, which transforms into a louche lounge for Hearts in the Sky, a Valentine’s Day soiree. Mingle by the fireplace with the bar’s signature Ace Martinis in hand before grooving to Afrohouse with fellow love drunk revellers, all while overlooking the glittering skyline.
The Mountaintop Helicopter Tour: Whistler, B.C.
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Take your love to new heights — literally. Soar over the Coast Mountains in a private helicopter tour organized by Four Seasons Resort Whistler. Pause for a private mountaintop moment to sip hot cocoa with uninterrupted views of snow-covered peaks and valleys, then explore Whistler’s charming downtown.
Looking for More Inspiration? Check Out Our Previous Valentine’s Day Picks
Much like we said last year, the modern era of Valentine’s Day gifts is a different animal altogether in 2023. In this “new normal”, or so-called post pandemic era, the broader outlook on what brings a couple together is varied, Some people still prefer tangible and physical gifts like a Cartier bracelet, or a new Rolex, for example. For others, it’s all about the experience — not just dinner and a movie. Think bigger. Spa days, cocktail creations, an overnight stay, perhaps? Our gift to you is the gift of ideas. We’ve thought about it so you don’t have to. Now go make your experience-loving special someone happy. You can thank us later.
The Coziest Vacation Spot — Jasper Park Lodge, Alberta
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You don’t need to be a complete snow bunny or avid skier to appreciate Jasper in the wintertime but it certainly helps. There’s been some heavy snow accumulation in the Rockies this year, so it’s a good time to get out there. Immerse yourself in the Canadian Rockies and soak up everything it has to offer — specifically Fairmont’s Jasper Park Lodge, located amid the mountains of Jasper National Park. Put on a pair of fuzzy socks or slippers — and get ready to relax fireside — and/or mountain side, all weekend long at this luxurious and ultra-cozy hotel.
The Most Relaxing Spa — Strom Spa Nordique
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Nothing says romance quite like the gift of utter relaxation. Gift your partner the ultimate Zen experience at none other than Strom Spa Nordique — particularly their scenic Old Quebec location. With an extensive service menu, a rejuvenating thermal experience, and even special offers when you pair gastronomy and treatment packages, your partner is in for a real treat no matter what you choose. Get ready to let out a big, and necessary sigh of relief — a testament to your newfound relaxation, coupled with the feeling of satisfaction that comes with picking out the perfect gift. Ahhh.
The Wine Lover’s Lessons — Accredited Wine Courses from WSET
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Should both yourself and your beloved be wine aficionados with a thirst for knowledge, a thorough introductory course to the world of winemaking is an unorthodox yet clever gifting option. There are plenty of options out there, though our outlook has long been that if you’re going the route of education, it’s best to be trained by an organization that is nationally or internationally accredited. WSET is one of the few standards in North America when it comes to sommelier training, and their one-day Level One class covers all of the essentials. You’ll learn about tasting notes, pairings, different varietals, and other fundamentals of the wine world.
The Tastiest Cocktail Recipe — Rose Gin Negroni
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Maybe, between hectic work schedules and other life events, a grand adventure isn’t in the cards right now. Sometimes a quiet night at home with one’s partner, relaxing, throwing on a movie, and enjoying a well-crafted cocktail is all that’s really needed to say “I love you”. If that’s this year’s angle of approach, Dillon’s Small Batch Rose Gin brings a little hint of traditional Valentine’s Day vibes to the table. There are a few good ways to mix it, but we’d start out with this delicious Rose Gin Negroni:
- 1 ounce Dillon’s Rose Gin
- 1 ounce Dillon’s Sweet Vermouth
- 1 ounce Aperitivo (you could use Select for this if you want!)
- 2-3 dashes Dillon’s Ginger Bitters
- Orange peel, for garnish
- Dried rose petals, for garnish
- Add all of the ingredients to a mixing glass. Add ice and stir for 20 to 30 seconds.
- Place a large cube in your rocks glass and strain cocktail into the glass.
- Garnish with either a large orange peel or dried rose petals (or both).
The Sexiest Ski Getaway — Sun Peaks, B.C.
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Sun Peaks became Canada’s second-largest ski and snowboard destination in 2015 after a 200-hectare expansion on two of its three mountains. And its resort village has everything in the way of accommodations, restaurants, shops, and more in a convenient layout that’s also incredibly picturesque. For the ultimate V-day experience, be sure to stay at the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel & Residences — with three outdoor hot tubs and an indoor entrance to a heated outdoor pool (and tons of dining options), there’s no sweeter place to après-ski.
The Diner’s Delight — Drifter’s Solace
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Sure, everyone’s immediate thought surrounding Valentine’s Day date nights involve a cozy table for two in a swanky little bistro somewhere, but we’re bringing something different to the table today. You see, what makes a fantastic dining experience is not only the food and the ambiance, but also the company and memories shared with others. That in mind, Chef David Salt’s private chef’s table is available for bookings of six to eight people, and delivers a culinary journey unlike most others available in Canada these days. Typically offering somewhere around eight courses, and are available with wine pairings selected by Master Sommelier Bruce Wallner (who owns Grand Cru Deli and The Sommelier Factory in the same building). Why crowd into a busy restaurant, when you have a private dinner with a handful of close friends, prepared by a chef whose resume includes residence as head chef of Michelin-starred Club Gascon in London?
The Ultimate Nature-Inspired Staycation — 1 Hotel Toronto
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With sustainability and nature at the forefront of everything they do, 1 Hotel Toronto offers a cozy and rejuvenating oasis in the heart of Toronto. With delicious dining options on-site (don’t forget to check out the Valentine’s Day specials at their 1 Kitchen) plus an incredibly chic and earthy lobby bar, they have everything and more needed to create a perfectly romantic night. Just wait until you see their guest rooms.
