Valentine’s Day in Victoria will be a little saucier this year.
Businesses and organizations are offering everything from a midday “get lucky” hotel stay and a mating-themed night at the museum to pink-lit snuggle spots around the city and the official line of 50 Shades of Grey sex toys to coincide with the film’s release.
“We’re definitely trying to leverage the romance thing. Victoria has a lot of accolades in that department,” said Paul Nursey, chief executive of Tourism Victoria.
For the second consecutive year, Victoria has been named the most romantic city in Canada by Amazon.com. In 2014, USA Today named the capital city as the third most-romantic in North America.
Tourism Victoria has built a campaign around romance, part of a series to promote off-season tourism. The online campaign features an assortment of Valentine’s Day specials, events and even low-budget ideas.
Nursey said the city is on board with an idea to light up romantic snuggle spots around town, such as park benches and viewpoints, with pink lights.
But some businesses are taking the "most romantic" theme a step further to offer some more suggestive options.
“We’re trying to shake things up a bit. That’s who we are,” said Mandy Farmer, chief executive of Accent Inns, which owns Hotel Zed on Douglas Street.
The quirky, vintage-themed hotel is offering a two- to three-hour midday “get lucky” special on Friday, Feb. 13, as part of its Valentine’s Day specials. It’s called the nooner.
“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. I know my husband would be pleased,” said Farmer, who noted the one-time special does not indicate any intention to rent rooms by the hour.
She said guests are encouraged to take advantage of the hotel’s playful, retro experience that includes ping-pong, old typewriters, a waterslide and hot tub.
“When you’ve been married or in a relationship for a long time it’s nice to do something different,” Farmer said.
The Royal B.C. Museum will focus on the naughty side of nature with an adult-oriented Valentine’s Day event.
“Museums are generally a great date place but this event will also explore fun, naughty tidbits of information about natural history,” said Kim Gough, adult learning team lead.
The Night Shift: Wild Romance program will include sex talks and mating facts with botanists and biologists, a photo booth, snuggle spots, cocktails, a playful improv performance and hip hop interpretive dance about love and sex in the wild kingdom.
“It will be very light-hearted and playful. People will have conversation topics to entertain their friends for months,” Gough said.
A major theme is bound (pun-intended) to be the kinky book and film franchise 50 Shades of Grey. The movie, based on the wildly popular erotic novels, premières on Feb. 12. Fans, or not, can capitalize on the excitement with the official 50 Shades of Grey line of floggers, riding crops, kegel balls and more at the Romance Shop on Douglas Street.
