More romantic possibilities
than box of chocolates:
Bamp;Bs can be great getaway
By Monique Cole

Business Report Correspondent

If you're stumped over what to give your sweetheart for Valentine's Day, consider a stay at a local bed and breakfast inn.

A romantic getaway could be right in your backyard, with the variety of unique inns in Boulder County, Denver and the foothills.

quot;The nice thing about giving a stay at a B and B is that it's an entire evening's experience,quot; said Ray Schultze, owner of the Inn on Mapleton Hill. quot;Obviously, it has a lot more romantic possibilities built into it than a box of chocolates.quot;

Many inns are located in historic buildings and furnished with antiques. Upscale guest rooms often have special features such as whirlpool bathtubs, fireplaces and private balconies. Plus, you don't have to make breakfast in the morning after a long night of romancing. Most inns serve hearty home-cooked fare for their complimentary morning meal, not a meager Continental breakfast.

quot;Many people prefer Bamp;Bs (over hotels) for romance,quot; said Meredith Lederer, manager of the Boulder Victoria and Earl House Historic inns. quot;The atmosphere is more intimate and romantic.quot;

A frivolous night out in your own hometown can be a different way to celebrate a special occasion (not just Valentine's Day) with your loved one. quot;You can get away from the kids and away from familiar surroundings; that's what makes things more memorable, refreshing and romantic,quot; Schultze said.

Only a block away from restaurants and galleries on Boulder's Pearl Street, the Inn on Mapleton Hill is located in a beautiful and quiet historic neighborhood. The Cottonwood suite is the best bet for romance with its four-poster queen bed, claw-footed antique tub, and private sunroom, library and deck overlooking downtown and the Flatirons. Granola and other goodies baked fresh each morning by owner Judi Schultze are the highlight of the generous breakfast.

The Boulder Victoria and Earl House inns are running a Valentine's weekend special. If you pay for Friday and Saturday nights, you get to stay for free Sunday night in these charming historic inns. A half-bottle of champagne and fresh flowers are included in the package price, which runs $218-$358, depending on which guest room you choose.

For a mountain getaway, consider the honeymoon suite at the newly remodeled Cedarridge Lodge at Wondervu in Coal Creek Canyon. It has a fireplace, a whirlpool bathtub, and a private redwood deck with a hot tub and sauna. The $250 nightly rate includes champagne as well as breakfast. Other, less-expensive rooms in the lodge have aspen log canopy beds and handmade quilts. And the communal hot tub has great views of the Continental Divide.

To mix relaxation with romance, the Dakota Ranch has a special couple's package that includes a night's stay, a massage for each person, unlimited use of the mineral pool, a candlelight dinner by the fireplace and breakfast for $250 per night. Situated in a quiet rural setting 10 miles north of Boulder, the Dakota Ranch has great Front Range views.

You also can get a massage and a wide range of other spa treatments at the beautiful Gold Lake Mountain Resort near Ward. Along with complimentary breakfast, overnight guests staying in the luxuriously appointed log cabins are treated to lakeside hot pools, an indoor hot tub and sauna, and mountain activities such as ice skating, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing (equipment provided). Romantics on a budget might find the evening escape attractive -- it includes a three-course dinner at the resort's Alice's Restaurant and soaks in the lakeside hot pools (towels and robes provided) for $45 per person.

If dinner and dancing in the quot;big cityquot; is more your style, several Denver inns offer elegant accommodations in historic buildings that recall the glory days of the 1880s when mining barons built extravagant homes. Perfect for the urban romantic, the Capitol Hill Mansion has fireplaces, jetted tubs, balconies, soothing music, fresh flowers and an option for breakfast in bed.

Similar amenities, along with a complimentary two-hour wine service, are offered at the Queen Anne Bed and Breakfast Inn located within walking distance of Capitol Hill, the 16th Street pedestrian mall, Larimer Square, and a host of theaters and restaurants.