Forget the Chocolates and Roses – Couples Prefer Romantic Dinners and Hide-Away Trips for Valentines Day

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A survey conducted recently by WORLDHOTELS, the hotel group with a unique portfolio of independent hotels, has found that 75% of travellers – both male and female – celebrate Valentines Day, and that those aged between 35 and 45 are the most romantic, with the largest percentage of those that show admiration each year to their partner coming from this age group.

The survey has also revealed that love letters are a thing of the past. Instead romantic dinners and hide-away trips are the number one choice for couples to show their admiration for each other. The survey, conducted amongst the readers of WORLDHOTELS’ newsletter “E-mail Club” and via worldhotels.com, provides an early warning for hoteliers that they should be prepared for Valentines Day 2009, when February 14 will be on a Saturday, with special weekend packages to help modern romantics celebrate in style!

Key findings of the survey are:

• Book dinner at a favourite restaurant – 44% of male and 40% of female participants said this was how they would surprise their loved-one on Valentines Day
• Book a romantic trip abroad – 52% of male and 48% of female participants chose this as their preferred way to celebrate Valentines Day if it falls on a weekend
• Escape for a romantic hide-away trip – even if it falls during the week 30% of male and 22% of female participants are inspired to spend Valentines Day somewhere special with their lover
• Buy a small gift as a token of your love – this is the preferred Valentines surprise for 15 % of male and 26% of female participants

With 500 hotels in more than 300 destinations and 70 countries worldwide WORLDHOTELS offers a huge choice of individual accommodation options across three distinct collections – Deluxe, First Class, and Comfort. Depending on their needs lovers around the world will find the ideal WORLDHOTELS property, whether for sightseeing trips in vibrant cities or a relaxing romantic hide-away in a country-side location. More information can be found at www.worldhotels.com.