ARE YOU SINFUL OR SWEET? Kimpton’s Surfcomer Miami wants to know

OK, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Honestly, it just seems like we were just at the Christmas Holiday. Time waits for no one and that’s the truth!!  With all the craziness of the beginning of the year, Kimpton’s Surfcomber Miami, South Beach is offering couples a passion-filled escape full of fun, fraternizing and flirtation. Whatever the mood, Surfcomber’s got it covered with its ‘Sinful or Sweet’ stay packages designed for duos with desires for a sexy getaway.  Ladies…I think this would be a great surprise weekend away for your guy!  After all…you know he’s going to get you something. 

A romantic tryst waits, with playful offerings that are sure to spice up anyone’s love life. For couples seeking a walk on the wild side, the sultry Sinful Stay offer will knock your socks off. This sinful package includes:

• Sex-on-the-Beach welcome cocktails for two
• Intimacy kit
• Tantalizing toys, including a blindfold and tickle feather
• Complimentary late check-out

Meanwhile, sweethearts can also make sparks fly with the more subdued though equally passionate Romantically Sweet package, which includes the following sweet amenities:

• Bottle of champagne
• Chocolate covered strawberries
• Candles
• Complimentary late check-out

Located in the heart of the Art Deco District on historic Collins Avenue, Kimpton’s Surfcomber, Miami South Beach continues to bring a sense of playfulness and whimsy to South Beach offering guests the perfect trilogy of sun, sand and surf. With direct beach access, this fully renovated hotel offers visitors a one-of-a-kind “daylife” experience with its iconic, sun-drenched pool deck providing guests with the most hours of sun than any other hotel in the area as well as 30 private cabanas, a pool bar, and varied beach and poolside activities.
And once the sun sets, Surfcomber offers one of the most fun and popular hot spots to enjoy cocktails or dinner before the South Beach scene starts to crank up, at its newly renovated and buzzing lobby lounge, The Social Club.

With rates starting at $429, Surfcomber’s ‘Sinful or Sweet’ packages are available for booking and travel now through December 31, 2014. Restrictions and blackout dates may apply. For more information on Surfcomber and/or reservations, please call (800) 994-6103 or visit www.surfcomber.com. Use the booking code SINF for the Sinful Stay package and SWEET for the Romantically Sweet package.

Hotel El Convento Puerto Rico old-world charm and elegance

In the heart of Old San Juan is a Spanish Colonial architectural delight, Hotel El Convento.  With six elegant salons, which can hold everything from intimate dinners to elaborate receptions, your guests will experience flawless service and celebrate with you an event that brings something ‘old’ and something ‘new’ for your wedding day.

Inaugurated in 1651, the Carmelite Convent was created to withstand Indians, European enemies, hurricanes and tropical heat. Doors and grilles were made of mahogany and iron wood which seems to increase it’s strength as it ages. For 252 years this building housed nuns and then it was abandoned.  In 1959 Frederic Woolworth (yes heir to the Woolworths fortune) purchased the convent from the Archdiocese for $250,000 and transformed it into its present deluxe hotel.  There are now 100 rooms including 10 suites.

A lot of the original artwork, wrought-iron fixtures and decorative tiles remain today.  The first two floors are now designed and feature restaurants and cafes, meeting and banquet rooms.  This is the only small luxury and four diamond hotel in the heart of old San Juan.

So why get married here?  One of the most monumental buildings is the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista, located across the street from Hotel El Convento, whose Spanish architecture invites you without having to be a believer. The stained glass windows, statues and especially its high ceilings, domes covering it possible not only transported to the era of conquests but to other parts of Europe.  Many celebrities have chosen the Cathedral for their wedding and then walk across the street back to the hotel for their reception.

Hotel El Convento 100 Cristo Street, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901 Telephone: 787-723-9020  Toll Free: 800-468-2779 Telfax: 787-721-2877

The Skirball to open new Guerin Pavilion event space Fall 2013

Skirball Cultural Center, is one of the world’s most dynamic Jewish cultural institutions and a leading cultural venue in Los Angeles.  This fall, the Skirball Cultural Center will open a brand new space for meetings, weddings, and events that will add 20,000 square feet to its existing venue capabilities – the brand new Guerin Pavilion.  Designed by the Skirball’s celebrated architect, Moshe Safdie, the Guerin Pavilion will enable the Skirball to expand its distinguished roster of annual corporate, nonprofit and social events.

Designed by the Skirball’s celebrated architect, Moshe Safdie, the new building will feature a 9,000 square-foot ballroom capped with majestic arches and affording sweeping views of a cascading tiered garden. Fully retractable glass walls will make it possible for guests to open up the room to this uniquely designed garden. The ballroom will also maximize versatility thanks to optional dividing partitions, while Herscher Hall provides additional reception areas and well-appointed meeting rooms and suites. The inauguration of both the Guerin Pavilion and Herscher Hall marks the completion of the Skirball campus.

“We are proud to open this magnificent new space designed by Moshe Safdie at the Skirball Cultural Center,” said Marilyn Delanoeye, Skirball Vice President of Hospitality and Private Events. “The addition of the Guerin Pavilion and Herscher Hall will enable us to expand the event opportunities for our existing partners and hopefully for many new organizations and individuals, all while aligning with our ongoing mission to foster community and serve as a place where attendees at any event will feel at home.”

With the opening of the Guerin Pavilion, its flexible indoor and outdoor event space now totals more than 60,000 square feet, including dramatic ballrooms and auditoriums, galleries, courtyards, board rooms and classrooms¾all in a distinctive setting highlighted by peaceful garden patios, picturesque landscaping and abundant natural light. The Skirball offers personalized, professional service, gourmet on-site catering, as well as superb lighting, and audio/visual and information technologies.

Since opening to the public in 1996, the Skirball has established itself as one of the world’s most dynamic Jewish cultural institutions and a leading cultural venue in Los Angeles. Its mission is to explore the connections between 4,000 years of Jewish heritage and the vitality of American democratic ideals. It seeks to welcome and inspire people of every ethnic and cultural identity in American life and to forge connections between individuals, families, and communities.

The Skirball is located at 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. and is now accepting event bookings for the new space beginning in November 2013. Parking at the Skirball is complimentary. For more information, please visit www.skirball.org/guerin-pavilion or call (310) 440-4589.

EVENT: Jamaica hosting wedding and honeymoon expo in NYC

Jamaica Destination Wedding Showcase

Discover the Top Destination Venues and Honeymoon Resorts in Jamaica

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

6:00 – 8:00 PM

Manhattan Penthouse | 80 Fifth Avenue | New York City

Cocktails with Seagram’s Escapes and Cake Tastings

Hair and Makeup Sessions including a Lash Bar with Celebrity-Makeup Artists

Honeymoon Giveaways (including Grand Palladium Resort & Spa)

Beach Wedding Fashion, and a Fabulous Gift Bag

For complimentary tickets for you and a guest

please RSVP with code JNYBC at www.JamaicaWeddingShowcase.com

 

Invitation: Atlantica by Bateaux New York Wedding Gala

It’s that time of year….

Entertainment Cruises is inviting you aboard New York’s premier charter dining yacht for this month’s Atlantica by Bateaux New York Wedding Gala. As wedding planning season has just begun, you can experience this spectacular venue yourself as well as preview the unique and luxurious place for your readers to tie the knot! The showcase will offer a truly up close and personal look at Atlantica by Bateaux’s outstanding service, exquisite dining options and tours of this tri-level private yacht!

 

If you ever thought of sailing off into the sunset, this is your opportunity to see if this is truly for you.

This wedding event includes:

• Light Hors d’Oeuvres and Cocktails
• Ship Tours and a meet and greet with the Entertainment Cruises Wedding Team
• Top wedding vendors including Bed Bath & Beyond and RK Bridal

When: Sunday, January 27 (Dockside 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.)

Where: Pier 61 Chelsea Piers, West 23^rd, New York NY  10011

RSVP:   wire@formulapr.com or 212-219-0321

US Virgin Island, Sur La Table and Blue Nile partner for the Perfect Island Escape

Each year, more than 2 million weddings are performed in the U.S. and, of the 82% of couples who honeymoon, their top destination choice is consistently the Caribbean.

Ranked by Brides as one of the top honeymoon destination in the Caribbean, the U.S. Virgin Islands has teamed up with Sur La Table, the hardware store for cooks and bridal registry destination, and Blue Nile – leading online retailer of diamonds and fine jewelry – to offer one lucky couple the chance to win a “Perfect Island Escape” for two to St. Croix.

The winner of the Perfect Island Escape sweepstakes, which runs tomorrow (Aug. 1) through the end of the month, will receive:

·         A 6-night/7-day stay for two at The Buccaneer – the Caribbean’s longest running family-operated resort

·         Round-trip air for two provided by the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism

·         $750 worth of jewelry from Blue Nile

·         $250 worth of home products from Sur La Table

To enter, go to www.perfectislandescape.com and complete the entry form (Sorry – limit one entry per person).

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If you don’t end up being the lucky winner but want to plan your own romantic escape to St. Croix, you can explore The Buccaneer’s Romance add-on package. If they’re yet to be engaged, the resort’s “Pop the Question” package (complete with engagement ring) may be a good fit.

Brides and grooms who love to cook you’ll love Sur La Table’s bridal registry can visit http://www.surlatable.com/registry/giftRegistryHome.jsp.

12-12-12 weddings are still available at El Conquistador

I’ve just returned from a magical trip to Puerto Rico and visited some of the best hotel properties the island has to offer.  Of course, one of my favorite properties is El Conquistador Resort.  Let me tell you this is one of the closest ‘all-inclusive’ type properties there is on the island of Puerto Rico.  While there (and there is so much more I have to share with you) I found out about a great 12/12/12 offer they have for couples, and I couldn’t wait to share it with you.

In celebration of this year’s triple digit repeating date – the last until the year 2101 – Hilton Worldwide properties in Puerto Rico are offering special options for couples planning12/12/12 nuptials.

Dream destination weddings are now more affordable than ever on the tropical Island of Enchantment – where no passport is required for travel by U.S. Citizens – with 12/12/12 wedding specials available.

El Conquistador Resort, A Waldorf Astoria Resort is celebrating 12/12/12 with an over-the-top “Love in the Sun” package, available to wedding parties booking 12 or more rooms, and including exciting options for brides- and grooms- to-be.  With a savings of $2,012, the package includes an officiate, one hour of photography, one hour of live music and the choice of several incredible ceremony venues, including the 100-acre, private Palomino Island.  The package also includes 12 Coqui Water Park passes (one per room), 12 welcome drink vouchers (one per room), 12 deluxe ocean view upgrades, 12 fitness center passes to the renowned Golden Door Spa (one per room) and complimentary champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries for the new Mr. and Mrs.  This exclusive package is $5,000 and is valid for weddings celebrated the week of December 9-12, 2012.  Package rate does not include accommodation.  El Conquistador Resort’s nightly rates start at $199 per room per night based on double occupancy.

After the wedding is over, couples can leave wedding guests behind and immediately begin their honeymoon with an escape to the cliff-side Las Casitas Village, A Waldorf Astoria Resort – El Conquistador Resort’s award-winning neighbor.  With sweeping ocean views, full kitchen facilities, 24-hour butler service, private dining options and a breathtaking infinity pool, Las Casitas Village is ideal for couples seeking an unforgettable 12/12/12 honeymoon retreat.

I promise you, you will absolutely love the wedding staff, the food, their private island…off the property (the boat ride is not only romantic, but once you get on the island, it’s like…your own) or be a kid at the water park.  This is one property I promise will make all your wedding dreams come true.

For more information, call 1-888-564-1307 or visit www.elconresort.com, www.lascasitasvillage.com.