Each February, New York City begins to glow a little warmer. Storefront windows sparkle with red and pink displays, bakeries showcase heart-shaped pastries, and restaurants across Manhattan fill with candlelight and conversation. We feel that spirit of love and joy echoing our halls as guests from around the world prepare to celebrate St. Valentine’s Day.

Over the years, we’ve had the pleasure of asking our visitors where they’re from. We often share stories about how we celebrate the same holidays, yet our celebrations may be different depending upon what part of the world you’re from. From Europe to Asia to South America, our guests share beautiful stories of traditions shaped by culture, faith, and family. Here is how our guests have expressed how they celebrate in their parts of the world.

St. Valentine’s Day traces its roots back to early Christianity and the life of Saint Valentine. St. Valentine was a priest who lived in third-century Rome. He is known to have courageously performed marriages for couples when such unions were forbidden by the Roman emperor. His devotion to love and faith ultimately led to his martyrdom, and he was later honored as a saint.

Over centuries, St. Valentine’s feast day on February 14 evolved from a liturgical remembrance into a broader celebration of love. In medieval Europe, the day became associated with courtly love, handwritten notes, and tokens of affection. Today, many of the traditions we cherish — exchanging cards, flowers, chocolates, and heartfelt words — are inspired by this enduring legacy of sacrificial love and human connection.

While the spirit of love is universal, the way people celebrate it can vary beautifully from country to country. Here is how our guests have described their traditions at home:

In the United States, loved ones celebrate Valentine’s Day by exchanging cards, flowers, and chocolate. Romantic dinners are popular, and children frequently participate by sharing small valentines with classmates. In cities like New York, people in love celebrate with special menus, Broadway outings, and scenic strolls through Central Park.

Guests from Italy share that they celebrate La Festa degli Innamorati — the Feast of Lovers — with romantic dinners and thoughtful gifts. In some areas, couples visit historic churches, particularly in Padua, where it is said that St. Valentine is buried.

In Japan, Valentine’s Day has a unique custom: women give chocolates to men on February 14. A month later, on “White Day,” men reciprocate with gifts. Guests often tell us about the care taken in selecting or even handcrafting chocolates as a meaningful gesture.

In Brazil, they celebrate love on June 12 during Dia dos Namorados (Lovers’ Day). Couples exchange gifts and enjoy festive evenings together. Though the date differs, the joy and romance mirror the spirit of February 14.

Guests from the Philippines often describe large community celebrations and even mass wedding ceremonies held on Valentine’s Day — beautiful public affirmations of lifelong commitment.

No matter the country, our guests remind us that Valentine’s Day is less about extravagance and more about expressing gratitude, loyalty, and love to those who matter most.

A Community Built on Hospitality and Gratitude

At The Leo House, we are deeply grateful for the trust our guests place in us when they choose to stay here in New York City. Many of you return year after year, becoming part of our extended Leo House family. Your loyalty and patronage sustain our mission of welcoming travelers from around the globe with warmth, comfort, and care.

Valentine’s Day reminds us that hospitality itself is an expression of love — love we can show through thoughtful service, a welcoming smile at the front desk, and the sense of peace you feel when you walk through our doors after a long day in the city. We cherish the stories you share, the traditions you bring, and the cultural richness that fills our home.

Wishing You a Joyful St. Valentine’s Day

Wherever you are from, and however you celebrate, we wish you a St. Valentine’s Day filled with joy, gratitude, and meaningful connection. May this day be a reminder of the enduring power of love — in our families, in our friendships, in our faith, and in our global community.

From all of us at The Leo House, Happy St. Valentine’s Day. 💕