With Valentine's Day coming, inns and resorts across the Southeast are playing Cupid with packages that offer special romantic touches. Here are some of the best.

CHARLOTTE B. TEAGLE/AJC (ENLARGE)
Cypress Inn and Crady's of Conway team with Coastal Carolina University for a Feb. 14 offer that includes a concert.
EMAIL THIS PRINT THIS MOST POPULAR

GEORGIA

Linger at Lanier

If the best way to a loved one's heart is through the stomach, the four-course Sweetheart Dinner at Emerald Pointe Resort at Lake Lanier Islands on Saturday should do the trick.

A cocktail cruise aboard one of the resort's excursion yachts will precede the dinner, which includes Pommery Champagne or wine with each course and live entertainment. The menu includes a choice of petit filet of beef with California red wine sauce or grilled shrimp with lemon garlic. Cost is $149 per couple.

Make a night of it with the Sweetheart Package, which pairs the dinner with accommodations and breakfast for two. Cost is $258 per couple.

For dinner only, call 678-318-2048. For the overnight package, call 770-945-8787.

Meanwhile, across the lake, Renaissance PineIsle Resort & Golf Club is offering a package Friday through Feb. 14 that includes a deluxe room with champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, dinner and breakfast for two in Breezes Restaurant, and a massage for two in Great Restorations Day Spa. The cost is $349 per night for a spa room with private patio; $299 for a standard room.

Reservations: 1-800-327-7409.

At play at Callaway

Callaway's Valentine's Day Dinner Dance on Saturday begins with light hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar, followed by a four-course dinner in the Mountain Creek Inn ballroom.

Music will be provided by American Flyers, a six-piece Atlanta band whose repertoire features a variety of styles.

The dinner-dance package is $214, with accommodations in the Mountain Creek Inn. Special rates in Callaway's cottages and villas are also available. Add Friday or Sunday night lodging for $114 and receive two coupons (one per person) good for a round of golf, tennis court time or a bike rental.

Callaway is offering a dozen boxed roses and a bottle of red wine for $65. Ask the reservation agent for more information.

Reservations: 1-800-225-5292, http://www.callawayonline.com.

Lakeside leisure

Lake Blackshear Resort and Golf Club in Veterans Memorial State Park near Cordele lights the fires of romance with the Valentine's Day Celebration on Saturday.

The package, at $198 a couple, includes accommodations in a lodge or villa room; five-course dinner at the resort's restaurant, Cordelia's; and a gift from the hotel.

Reservations: 1-800-459-1230, http://www.lakeblackshearresort.com.

Amore in Americus

The castlelike Windsor Hotel in Americus will be host for two Valentine's Day dinner dances — one Saturday and another Feb. 14.

Guests will dine from a buffet featuring steak Diane, pecan-encrusted salmon and chicken chipotle as well as appetizers, soup and salad, and desserts such as the Windsor death by chocolate, strawberry shortcake and New York-style cheesecake. A DJ will provide music.

The dinner buffet, including one glass of wine, is $35 per person. Overnight packages at $184.93 are available on both nights and include the buffet for two, entertainment and a night in a Windsor Chamber Room.

Reservations: 229-924-1555, http://www.windsor-americus.com.

TENNESSEE

Choose Chattanooga

Splurge on the Grand Romance package at $1,000 at the Chattanoogan in Chattanooga. The deal includes accommodations in a mountain view suite; a bottle of wine or champagne upon arrival; strawberries and chocolate served in the suite; his and her massages in the Chattanoogan Spa; a four-course dinner at the Broad Street Grille or in room; tickets to a Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra performance at the historic Tivoli Theater; and breakfast in bed. It also includes taxes and gratuities.

For the less indulgent, there's the $169 Romance package for two that includes accommodations; breakfast in the Broad Street Grille; a gift basket with champagne, candles, chocolate truffles, scented soaps and oils; and service charges.

A special four-course Valentine's menu will be offered Friday through Feb. 14 at the Broad Street Grille for $98 per couple.

Reservations: 1-877-756-1684, http://www.chattanooganhotel.com.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Conway getaway

A concert by violin virtuoso Joshua Bell is the highlight of a package in Conway, S.C.

The Cypress Inn and Crady's of Conway have partnered with Coastal Carolina University to offer the Feb. 14 package for two. The package features a four-course dinner at Crady's, the Bell concert and accommodations at the AAA four-diamond inn on the Waccamaw River. The cost starts at $295.

Dinner will feature an appetizer of shrimp and grits or seared scallops with braised cabbage and caviar; a salad of mixed greens; an entree of filet of beef with portobello and blue cheese cream, cashew-crusted grouper with champagne cream or phyllo-wrapped pesto stuffed chicken; and a flourless chocolate torte with raspberry coulis and whipped cream.

Information: 843-248-8199, http://www.acypressinn.com.

NORTH CAROLINA

All aboard for dining

Ride the rails to romance from Dillsboro, N.C., as the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad presents Valentine's gourmet dinner trains Friday, Saturday and Feb. 14.

The three-course dinners served in vintage dining cars include an appetizer of lobster bisque followed by a portobello mushroom Napoleon and freshly baked bread. The entree choices are chicken breast Florentine, prime rib au jus served with Yorkshire pudding and smoked salmon lasagna. Dessert is Deep South Bread Pudding With Rum Butter Sauce. Champagne will be served. Before boarding, there will be a wine and cheese reception.

The price is $64 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

Reservations: 1-800-872-4681, http://www.gsmr.com.

Pinehurst passion

Pinehurst in the Village of Pinehurst, N.C., lures lovers with the Valentine's Romance Getaway package Friday through Feb. 14. Couples can sip champagne and sample chocolates each night, with turndown service, including a bedside red rose. The package includes accommodations, dinner and dancing, late-night cabaret and breakfast in bed for $355 per night, per couple.

Reservations: 1-800-487-4653, http://www.pinehurst.com.

Head to Highlands

Old Edwards Inn and Spa in Highlands, N.C., has a two-night Valentine's package that includes a Friday night dance, in-room champagne upon arrival, continental breakfast for two each morning and turndown amenity each evening. The rate is $579 inclusive. More nights can be added.

The Valentine's dance at the Farm at Old Edwards Inn features dancing to the Class Act Band, heavy hors d'oeuvres, roses for the ladies and a cash bar. The cost is $150 per couple for those who do not purchase the package.

At an additional charge of $300 is a five-course Valentine's dinner at Madison's that includes a bottle of Dom Perignon and a box of chocolates. The menu, offered Friday through Feb. 14, is based on cultural beliefs and myths pertaining to food and love. Reservations required.

Reservations: 1-866-526-8008, http://www.oldedwardsinn.com.

Always, in Season's

Season's restaurant at Highland Lake Inn — A Country Retreat in Flat Rock, N.C., is courting couples with dining specials and lodging packages.

The regular menu will be offered Friday and Saturday and the Sweetheart Sunday Brunch is Feb. 13 ($23.95 per person). On Feb. 14, a four-course dinner for two will be served at romantically decorated candlelit tables while soft music plays in the background. Ladies will receive a rose. Cost is $125 per couple. Reservations: 1-877-696-9094.

The Sweetheart Special (Friday and Saturday only) includes a romance bouquet, chocolates, champagne (or wine or sparkling cider) in room upon arrival and dinner for two at Season's. The cost is $165 with any lodging reservation (room rate and taxes are additional).

The Valentine's package (Feb. 14 only) includes a four-course dinner for two at Season's, breakfast on Feb. 15 morning and Sweetheart's Surprise in room upon arrival (romance bouquet, chocolates, champagne). Cost is $195 with lodging reservation (room rate and taxes not included).

Information: 1-866-303-9611, http://www.hlinn.com.

ALABAMA

Grand gesture

The Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club and Spa on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Point Clear, Ala., offers its Grand Romance package from Monday through Feb. 20.

The package, with rates from $279 a night, includes a deluxe bayside room, champagne on arrival, dinner each evening of the stay, breakfast each morning, nightly turndown and afternoon tea.

Reservations: 1-866-472-6350 (ask for rate code HNMB); http://www.marriottgrand.com.

FLORIDA

B&B memories

The circa 1915 Casa de la Paz Bayfront Bed & Breakfast in St. Augustine, Fla., is bedandbreakfast.com's "most romantic B&B in the country," as determined by 16,000 inn-goers who cast votes.

To celebrate, Casa de la Paz is indulging guests with complimentary heart-shaped gourmet chocolates through 2005.

Also, a romance package, Sweet Memories, will be offered all year, with a private horse and carriage ride through romantic and historic St. Augustine, dinner for two at one of the city's finest restaurants, a dozen pastel roses, a bottle of champagne or wine, chocolate-dipped strawberries and a heart-shaped keepsake picture frame.

The cost is $275 per night in addition to the room rate. Rates range from $130 to $500 depending on day of week and season.

Information: 1-800-929-2915, http://www.casadelapaz.com.

Going for the Gulf

Edgewater Beach Resort in Panama City Beach, Fla., is offering the Pillow Talk Package, including breakfast in bed each morning in an oceanfront suite and a champagne toast on a private balcony. Rates through March 1 start at $119 per night.

Hot tubs hidden under thatch tiki huts are ideal for canoodling couples while sun worshippers lounge side by side on a half-mile of private beach. The 12 pools scattered throughout the property inspire impromptu splash sessions.

Reservations: 1-800-874-8686, http://www.edgewaterbeachresort.com.

Bay watch

Bay Point Marriott Resort & Spa, currently undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation, is offering couples an Ultimate Romance package that includes accommodations overlooking St. Andrew's Bay in Panama City Beach, Fla.

The price is $350 per night, plus tax. Included in the package, through Feb. 28: a $100 dinner certificate valid at 30 Degree Blue or in-room dining, a bottle of champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, a $100 spa gift certificate, a late checkout time and a basket with bath/shower gel, lotion and bath crystals.

Reservations: 1-800-644-2650, http://www.marriottbaypoint.com.

Riverside relaxation

Steinhatchee Landing Resort's romance package, available through April 15, is $600 for two nights in a villa-style honeymoon cottage with a glass-enclosed fireplace that can be enjoyed from the oversize spa tub.

Upon check-in, guests will receive a bottle of wine, and a continental breakfast basket will be delivered to their door the following morning. During the day, guests can relax in the riverfront swimming pool; play tennis or work out in the fitness center; and experience the Steinhatchee River with a romantic one-hour pontoon cruise.

Information: 1-800-584-1709, http://www.steinhatcheelanding.com.

Amelia Island luxury

Two resorts on Amelia Island, 29 miles north of Jacksonville, have couples packages.

The AAA four-diamond Amelia Island Plantation is offering a Valentine's Day package Friday through Feb. 13. The package includes luxury ocean-view accommodations at the Amelia Inn, a bottle of champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, breakfast each morning (excluding Sunday brunch), and 50 percent off on-property recreation including golf, tennis, nature programs, bicycle and island hopper rentals. The price is $314 per night, double occupancy with a two-night minimum.

Reservations: 1-866-213-8045, http://www.aipfl.com.

The Valentine's Day Romance package at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, is offered Thursday through Feb. 14 and includes a coastal view room with private balcony, tuxedo strawberries and champagne upon arrival, complimentary valet parking, daily breakfast for two in Cafe 4750 or in the room. The rate is $279 (ask for code RXPF).

Reservations: 1-800-241-3333, http://www.ritzcarlton.com/resorts/amelia_island.