A Guide to Getting Valentine’s Day Right with Bond Street

Cupid’s bow is set to strike, which means Valentine’s Day is nearly upon us. A festival of love, and a moment to truly appreciate your special someone, when it comes to displaying your affection there’s an art form to nailing the gift-giving. Of course, you can never have too many roses, but how best to truly showcase your doting pangs of love for your partner? A trip to Bond Street. Whether you’ve been dating for a minute or are celebrating a half-century of companionship, discover some of Bond Street’s best delights to keep the love alive. By Scarlett Baker.

We all know the value of a card sometimes means more than the actual present. And Van Gogh and Cézanne might just agree with you. Spotlighting 77 works on paper, from the canon of leading Impressionist and post-Impressionist artists, head to the Royal Academy’s Impressionists on Paper: Degas to Toulouse-Lautrec exhibition (and its attendant card selection) to discover the power of paper, not just the canvas, as the ultimate expression of the heart.

In a twist on the age-old expression: couples that monogram together, stay together. Why not opt for Smythson's Portobello notebook with crocodile-embossed calf leather, and make your mark with the hand-stamped addition of your loved one’s initials–or your own. If lovers’ tiffs over who “borrowed” whose notebook have ever caused trouble in paradise, then this is the ideal romantic gesture, complete with the gift of inherent conflict resolution. The key to lasting romance.

Nestled beneath the hubbub of Mayfair’s busy streets, retreat with your loved one for an hour or two to enjoy Claridge’s epicentre of wellness and healing. From heady incense aromas to a relaxing synthesis of flowing water and energy-cleansing music, indulge in a moment of respite with the perfect massage or facial. You’ll struggle to believe that you’re mere minutes away from Bond Street’s shopping haven.

A holiday begins the minute you’ve started packing–after all, there’s no reason why your romantic escape should only get glamorous once you’ve touched down at your destination. And lest we forget, airport chic deserves its own red carpet. Venture afar in style, with Rimowa’s Classic Cabin suitcase, in the brand’s hallmark aluminium alloy. The bonus? It’s the perfect size to fit in the overhead compartment, which means less time queuing, more time sipping champagne.

True love withstands the test of time, and what better way to mark this than by gifting your beloved with a watch that does the same, with Piaget’s Polo Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin watch. Offering the day, date, month and moon phase up until the year 2100, and including leap years, this 42mm 18ct rose-gold timepiece is an elegant encapsulation of high-end watchmaking for everyday wear.

Sure, everyone loves to receive jewellery. But jewellery and a watch combined? This is the true thief of hearts (and wrists). Pass through the decadent doors of Cartier on Bond Street and discover the Baignoire de Cartier, whether it's for yourself or your loved one, and try on for size this mini model in rose gold. Resting like a bangle on the wrist, its dainty oval shape has adorned wrists since 1973, a love letter to timeless French chic.

If you can’t make it out to Latin America for Cupid’s Day, then there’s no reason why it can’t come to you. Taste the Amazon with Amazonico’s unique dishes, a fusion of Asian and Mediterranean culinary elements, employing vibrant ingredients and featuring the freshest seafood, such as that used in its Peruvian sushi. Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate – let Amazonico do the talking for you.

Valentine’s Day needn’t be about popping the “big question”– and not every ring comes with a set of vows. At Pomellato, the only vow the ring comes with is the promise to love its jewels forever. If you’re scratching your head struggling to remember your partner's preferred stone, opt in for the whole rainbow with Pomellato’s Classic Iconica Colour ring, with oval and square-set tourmalines, orange sapphires, tsavorites, tanzanites and amethysts.

Is there such a thing as the perfect scarf? The sumptuous neck wear at Loro Piana certainly comes close. Partner up with your paramour by giving the gift of fine cashmere this Valentine’s Day. Simple, yet classic, the Grande Unita comes in myriad colourways and there’s even the option to inscribe four letters of your choice–‘♡YOU’ might just fit the bill.

The currency of love isn’t just about gifting. It’s about sharing experiences too. Cosy up at The Beaumont’s relaxed Colony Grill and let your taste buds traverse the Atlantic with this New York-inspired escape on Bond Street. From sizzling steaks to grill classics, The Beaumont brings decadent, old-school glamour to a meal with the one who means the most.

Celebrate love in the most opulent fashion at Sketch’s three-Michelin-starred restaurant, The Lecture Room & Library. Offering an intimate five-course menu, along with performances by London Festival Opera to be enjoyed by all, you are promised a night filled with great music and even greater food. Sketch has also left no stone unturned by ensuring your beloved will be greeted with a personalised handwritten note upon arrival. Your table awaits…

This Valentine’s Day, enjoy a specially curated 3-course meal for two at Claudette at AllBright Mayfair. Delight in the exquisite dining experience accompanied by the soulful acoustic sounds of British Singer-songwriter, Elle Massimo. It has been said by many that music is the language of love, so allow yourself to get whisked away by the romance for a truly unforgettable evening.

Scarlett Baker is a writer and editor, specialising in fashion and watches. She previously was the Editor of Man About Town and Editor-in-Chief of The Next Hour.