V-Day is coming, people. Valentine's Day, that is. If you're planning a hotel excursion, let's try to make it a little more interesting this year. To help, I've put together a list of fun hotel packages that'll keep you and your poopsie-woopsie busy -- in and outside of the room. RADISSON BLOOMINGTON

There's nothing like getting wet 'n' wild on V-Day, right? An evening at the attached Water Park of America may sound silly, but a lot of couples do it. The hotel's romance package (offered through February, starting at $299) includes dinner, breakfast, two Swedish massages at the Trillium Spa and a $50 Mall of America gift card. Admission to the water park on Valentine's Day is normally $19.95, but you get a 20 percent discount, so it's under $16.

1700 E. AMERICAN BLVD., BLOOMINGTON. 952-698-8888. WWW.WATERPARKOFAMERICA.COM

Chambers

These people are pretty clever. Instead of the old champagne-and-chocolates hotel package, the Chambers' V-Day bundle is a bit more, oh, spicy. Its "Playland" package includes a $200 dinner credit at the Chambers Kitchen, drinks in the rooftop lounge and a "toy pack" that includes a Polaroid camera, briefs for him and her, binoculars and an "intimacy kit." Cost: $645.

901 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. 612-767-6900.

www.chambersminneapolis.com

GRAVES 601

What more is there to say about the Graves? It's about as slick as hotels come around here. For lovebirds, it always has a romance package (champagne and all that), which starts at $289, depending on your baller status. Here's a better deal: If you order the $80 five-course V-Day dinner at Cosmos, you can get a great room rate of $129.

601 1st Av. N., Mpls. 612-677-1100.

www.graves601hotel.com

RAMADA MALL OF AMERICA

This Ramada is home to an up-and-coming comedy club, the Joke Joint. For Valentine's weekend, it's offering a hotel/comedy package called "Stay, Laugh, Love" for $149. The headliner is Darlene Westgor, the first-season winner of Nick at Nite's "Search for the Funniest Mom in America."

2300 E. American Blvd., Bloomington. Hotel: 952-854-3411. www.jokejointcomedyclub.com

MYSTIC LAKE

Nothing says romance like "gambling." OK, maybe not, but what if you get really lucky? While Mystic isn't offering a specific Valentine's package, it has a $179 romance package that includes a lot of goodies, plus $50 toward dinner. Mmm-mm ... Mystic buffet.

2400 Mystic Lake Blvd., Prior Lake. 952-445-9000. www.mysticlake.com

ST. PAUL HOTEL

Say it with me now: Prestiiige. That's what you get at this Twin Cities institution. Impress your date with dinner at the St. Paul Grill and a stately room upstairs. A suite with champagne breakfast runs $449.

350 Market St., St. Paul. 651-292-9292. www.saintpaulhotel.com

NICOLLET ISLAND INN

Thinking about proposing on V-Day? No hotel and restaurant says "Let's get married" like this place. It's offering a seven-course Valentine's dinner for $65.

95 Merriam St., Mpls. 612-331-1800. www.nicolletislandinn.com

FANTASUITE HOTEL

If it's cheese you want, it's cheese you get at this Burnsville hotel. Boasting more than two dozen fantasy rooms -- the Castle room, the Space Odyssey room, the Jungle Safari room -- this place is a riot. Beyond the painted walls and themed beds, each room has a whirlpool.

250 N. River Ridge Circle, Burnsville, 952-890-9550, www.fantasuite.com

thorgen@startribune.com • 612-673-7909