For a Rendezvous

BY ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA
LOVE is in the air. And, you shouldn’t be left out of the celebration. Give your soulmate some special treat. That leisure spot in your neighbour that you hardly give a second look beckons. But just in case you are not interested in the local, familiar hang-out, nevermind, here is a checklist of places that you can try out. It sure promises to be fun:
Checklist of fun spots to visit
Lagos
Eko Hotel and Suites
For a sumptuous treat, the place to visit is the Sky Restaurant where a six course meal and special chef delight await diners with a glass of champagne and live entertainment set in the colourful atmosphere of the restaurant. Other eateries to visit in the hotel include Food of Sun Restaurant; Case Chianti; the Steak House and Ocean View Restaurant.
Federal Palace Hotel and Suites
Savour a blend of natural ambience and special treat from the chef. A welcome drink and cocktail would also form part of the special offerings.
Lagos Sheraton Hotel
The Cockpot and Phili and Phili are places to check out for those with good appetite ready to treat their dates and spouses to a delightful Valentine dinner.
Mainland Hotel, Ebuta Metta
A Valentine buffet dinner with live music, discounted room rates are among the special package of the season.
La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort
Nature, Sea and Love Festival is on for three days beginning from Friday evening when guests would enjoy a boat ride to the resort with bouquet of Roses for each person.
A stopover at Bolakeja bar for drinks and music will lead to an all night party featuring three DJs performing simultaneously at three different sites within the resort. Bonfire and fireworks will spice the scene till the next morning when breakfast is served at 6am on the beach.
There will also be various competitive acts such as romantic kiss and the longest kiss winners will enjoy a weekend treat at Calabar, Paris and La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort.
Lunch would be served on the big stage of the resort buffet style while Saturday night will indeed capture the essence of love with all night gig starring May Seven, Afe and Yemi Juju.
Sunday the last day of the fiesta is tagged a dedication day with picnic and music all through the day. The fees for day visitors is N8, 000 for couples and N5, 000 for singles while those seeking a safari experience can rent a tent for N25, 000 per night.
The regular accommodation — Labalaba, Oso and Holiday Homes are also available for use during the three days festival.
Beach party, picnic, boat cruise, a hydro bike, safari and wilderness experience and other water related leisure activities form part of the special presentation of the resort.
To ensure that patrons have a delightful and memorable time, the resort is offering a chopper ride from the mainland to the resort ground in Lekki - Epe. The helicopter ride also affords a romantic flight at the resort with your Val overlooking the breathtaking beauty of the Atlantic Ocean.

Love Bananas @ LTV
Top entertainers — musicians, comedians, dancers — will rock it out at the Valentine Love Bananas on Sunday, February 15 at the Lagos State Television (LTV) Main Hall, Agidingbi, Ikeja. Buchi and Gordons, the two major acts during the maiden edition of the show in 2007 will also return to the seasonal love show. Also performing is Koffi, who thrilled audience at last year’s show held at the MUSON Centre, Lagos.
Other popular artistes on the show, which is billed to start at 4pm include Jedi, World to God, Xplicit, Charlo, Edge, G-House and the group BNG.
Speaking on preparation for the show, Olisemeka Obi, executive director of Edensquire Entertainment Ltd, noted that they are building on the successes of previous editions.
The 2007 editions played host to such stars as Buchi, Julius Agwu, Gordons and the dance group, Peace Makers. The 2008 edition was heralded by the likes of Koffi, Wamilele and duo of Tosin Martins and Segun Obe.
Obi said that Love Bananas offers families — the young, old, single and married, the opportunity to revitalise relationships while enjoying comedy, music, and dance.

The Coliseum
The hunting ground for the well-heeled members of the society and the ruling class will treat its members to special package that include dance, music and comic acts in a most classy manner.
O’jez Restaurant
The now popular Nollywood celebrities hang-out would be on song this Val with a special treat for all the regular patrons of the house..
National Theatre
It is another fun harvest spot in Lagos to savour different flavours of entertainment. The expansive ground of the theatre provides ample opportunity for family picnic.
Other spots to visit in Lagos include the Bar Beach, Kuramo waters, Lekki beach, Fantasyland, Suntan Beach, Tarkwa Bay, Alpha and Eleko Beaches. Also seek out Whispering Palms, Museum Kitchen, Silverbird Galleria, Eko Tourist Village, Akodo and Funtopia.
Abuja
The Millennium Park, Maitama Amusement Park, Abuja Wonderland, Sheraton Hotel, The Dome, Bleak Restaurant, Transcorp Hilton Hotel and NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja Zoological Garden, Octagon Nite Club, Bolingo Bar, De Grand Mirage Nite Club, Two Four Seven, Julia Useni Park, Mediterranean Resort, Chopstick and Salamander Cafe
Calabar
Marina Front, Tinapa, Old Residency and Museum Restaurant, The Mirage, Pyramid Hotel, Metropolitan Hotel, Aqua Vista Farm Resort, Obudu Ranch Resort.
Asaba
Grand Hotel and Conference Centre, Giddy’s Place, Dema Kitchen and Garden, Melrose Hotel, Richard Landers Anchorage and Asaba Recreation Club.
Warri
The Woodridge, Wellington Hotel and PTI Club
Abraka
The Tuft Club, Ethiope River Motel, Games Village.
Abeokuta
Olomu Rock Tourist Complex, Hubert Ogunde Cultural Centre and The Hilltop.
Jos
HBC Resort, Rayfield Resort, Jos Club, Solomon Lar Amusement Park, Jos Wildlife Park and Zoological Garden, Assop Waters, La Cuisine Speciale Restaurant, Pandam Wildlife Sanctuary and Cedar Tree Restaurant.
Port Harcourt
Obi Wali Cultural Centre, Isaac Boro Park, Le Meridien Hotel and Ogeyi Place, NAF Club, Boat Club, Port Harcourt Tourist Beach, Hotel Presidential, Protea Hotel and Novotel Hotel.
Bauchi
Yankari National Park, Zaranda Hotel, Awulah Hotel, Unity Park, Apo Apartment and Protea Hotel.
Kaduna
Adriels Hotel, Command Guest House, Trappco Ranch and Resort, NAF Club, Hamdala Hotel, Dixie Amusement Park and Gamji Park.
Uyo
Le Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, Ibom Plaza.
Owerri
All Season Hotel, Imo Concorde Hotel, Oguta Lake Motel and Golf Resort.
Umuahia
Hotel Royal Damgrete, Enitona Hotel and War Museum Restaurant
Aba
Binex Hotel and Abia Hotel.
Anambra
Rojenny Tourist Village, Oba, Marble Arch Hotel, Awka
Benin City
Ogba Zoo Garden and Resort, Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre, Prest Hotel, Hexagon Bar, Excalibar, Benin Motel Plaza, Saidi Centre, Royal Precious Motel, Benin Museum Kitchen and Jon Vee
Enugu
Protea Hotel and Nike Lake Resort, Hotel Presidential, Polo Club, Michael Okpara Square, Golden Gate and Resort Bar, Zodiac Hotel.
Ilorin
Owena Hotel and Avalon Hotel, Offa.