Valentine's Day means indulging in hearts, flowers and chocolates. But, frankly, you can't do much with paper hearts, flowers wilt and chocolate goes right to the hips. How about pampering your loved one with a special spa trip instead? In most cases, chocolate is included -- although not necessarily eaten.

Villagio Inn & Spa

If luxury and pampering are what you're after, the Villagio Inn & Spa in Yountville is the place.

"We want to provide personalized service for the ultimate spa experience," said Stephen Andrews, director of sales and marketing for Villagio Inn & Spa. "We encourage guests and locals to spend more time at the spa to enjoy their individualized treatments."

The 4,500 square foot facility has a men's and women's changing room and includes robe and sandals, co-ed dry sauna and steam rooms, outdoor hot pools and a 40 foot lap pool, all of which are available to clients receiving spa treatments. For couples that don't want to be apart, Villagio offers couples' massages.

As a Valentine's Day special through the end of March, Villagio combined several of their most popular treatments into an overnight package. The Suite (Sweet) Spa Escape includes accommodations for two in a deluxe suite, two spa treatments per person--a 100-minute Chocolate Decadence massage and Chocolate Decadence pedicure--a selection from their in-room five-plate romantic candlelit dinner for two called the Tuscan Carpet Picnic, champagne breakfast buffet and a complimentary bottle of wine. The price for this luxury escape is $1,035. Without the overnight stay, the Chocolate Decadence massage is $200 and the pedicure is $85. A rosewater soak is $105.

"All of us here love chocolate," said Leslie Wolski, spa manager. "The products smell so good, they make us hungry."

Chocolate that wouldn't make me fat was too good to pass up, so I accepted an invitation to experience this chocolate fantasy. First up, the rosewater bath in the Tuscan deep soak tub. In a darkened room with scented candles and long-stemmed roses around the tub along with a glass of complimentary sparkling wine, the setting was romantic--although the sit-down tub is just large enough for one person.

The soak was followed by a "Wellness" massage using hot oil infused with chocolate, which indeed smelled delectable.

A chocolate pedicure came next, starting with a foot soak of cocoa powder mixed with warm water, a chocolate salt scrub and a foot massage with chocolate almond shea butter.

I left the spa feeling warm and smelling faintly like a European chocolate bar.

Amadeus Spa & Salon

Located at the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel, Amadeus Spa encompasses 8,000 square feet and includes a full hair salon, workout room, seven massage and three facial rooms. Spa visits to the four-year-old facility include unlimited use of the spa and fitness center, personal locker, robe and sandals, shower amenities, separate eucalyptus steam rooms and heated whirlpools for men and women and a lounge with fireplace. Amadeus Spa has a couples massage room.

Amadeus Spa manager Victoria Boscarino invited me to their Valentine's Day indulgence of a "Mint Chocolate Scrub & Wrap." Lying on a padded bed protected by plastic sheets in the hydrotherapy room, a five nozzle "Vichy Shower," pulsed warm water down my body. At first the sound of the water drowned out the soothing new age music piped into the treatment room, but after a few minutes the water became rhythmic and relaxing.

A cooling mango lotion was applied first, followed by a salt and a mint essential oil mixture buffed over my skin. After rinsing and drying, the therapist rubbed chocolate sauce into my skin and wrapped me in a warm blanket. After marinating in the sweet brown sauce for a while, I was rinsed again, patted dry and slathered with a hydrating lotion.

The 60 minutes decadence treatment is $120

In honor of Valentine's Day, throughout the month of February, Amadeus Spa also offers "A Valentine Indulgence," a romantic escape package for two. Included are a 50-minute massage, a signature 65-minute facial, sparkling wine and aromatherapy. While offered all year long, in February each person will receive a complimentary add-on, such as an aromatherapy scalp massage, aromatherapy neck wrap or an exfoliating foot scrub (a $25 to $35 value each). This treatment is $550 per couple.

I felt great after the treatment, full of energy. "Besides being full of antioxidants, chocolate is a natural invigorator," explained Boscarino.

As a special treat, anyone receiving spa treatments on Valentine's Day may have his or her personality read by Boscarino. "I tell clients their personality traits by the shape and flavor of chocolate they choose. It only takes about five minutes and is amazingly accurate."

Health Spa Napa Valley

In St. Helena, this spa has 10,000 square feet of space and includes a fitness facility and 25-yard outdoor pool and whirlpool. It is located across the courtyard from the Inn at Southbridge.

"For Valentine's Day, we're offering a bubbles massage, and a bubbles massage for two," said Eric Chesky, managing partner. "What better way to celebrate the most romantic day of the year? We set the stage for an intimate and romantic experience in our Couple's Room."

Clients select the type of massage, classic Swedish, therapeutic deep tissue or healing hot stone and then enjoy Mumm Napa Valley sparkling wine.

"Bubbles will be served throughout the day on Valentine's Day for all our clients that purchase spa treatments," said Chesky.

Massages for one are priced from $95 to $145; prices double for couples.

Napa Day Spas

Local day spas are also featuring special Valentine's Day treats.

At Amanda's Massage and Body Care on First Street, owner Amanda Lewis offers a private massage lesson for two. This one and three-quarter hour lesson is individualized for each couple and includes a handout and lavender massage lotion to take home for $150.

"This is something from our regular menu, but it gets more popular this time of year," said Lewis. "We share realistic ways to integrate massage in your regular life. This means that we'll show you how to massage your partner even when you really want to keep watching TV, or how to give a massage while waiting at the airport without looking too weird. Several of our massage therapists are available for the lessons. Each time I do one of these lessons, it's always different depending on the couple. One thing stays the same, we always have fun."

Gloria Curry Skin Care Clinic on McKinstry Street has organized a "Valentine's Day Gift of Total Luxury." "The spa treatment begins with an aromatic foot bath, a glass of bubbly champagne, delicious chocolates and a rose to take home with you," said Curry. "From there we go to a special European facial that includes deep pore cleansing, a special Hydrating Treatment Masque, hand and arm exfoliation, hand and foot massage and a paraffin dip to totally hydrate."

This one and one-half hour facial is $95.

Also at Gloria Curry, massage therapist Patricia "Pete" Sebbelov has "The Ultimate Valentine Gift," 120 minutes of pampering, including a full body exfoliation and an organic rose massage for $125.

Avanc Day Spa on Coombsville Road has a three and one-half hour "Ultimate Gift," an Eminence Organic Chocolate and Cherries Jubilee facial, Swedish massage with paraffin hand treatment and a Raw Earth pedicure for $195. They also have an "Express Package," a petite facial, neck and shoulder massage and a pedicure. This two and one half hour treatment is $135.

Auberge du Soleil

During February Spa du Soleil at the venerable Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford is offering a unique couples treatment program called "Sole Mates," which comes with a 30-minute lesson from a massage therapist on giving a great foot massage, a private outdoor aromatherapy bath, champagne and chocolate covered strawberries and 60-minute side by side massages.

Couples also get a parting gift with everything needed to give each other foot massages

The 120 minute treatment costs $325 per person.

Also, just for the week of Valentine's Day, couples can indulge in a special Valentine's Day "Shared Plates" menu created by Executive Chef Robert Curry at the Auberge restaurant.

All the spas offer gift certificates.