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

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

Wedding perfect but your luggage is lost. What now?

You’re wedding was perfect and you’re off on your honeymoon.  How can you make sure your luggage arrives the same time you do:

Book a direct or nonstop flight if at all possible.  That will definitely reduce the possibility of it being lost.

Choose an airline that has a ‘good baggage record’.  Did you know that someone kept records of it?  Go to airconsumer.dot.gov to see how your airline rates.

You have a ‘carry-on’ for a reason.  Put a change of clothes, your toiletries, any meds you may have, if there is a slight delay in your luggage arriving.

If you are like me and travel a lot, remember to remove any old luggage tags that you may have received from other airlines.  This will avoid any confusion on where you’re luggage is supposed to be.

Before you close your luggage at home, take a piece of paper and write your contact information on it or drop in your business card.  This will come in handy if your luggage tag gets removed, torn or lost in transit.  Do not put your home address – why, because there are some unscrupulous people out there.  If they know you’re traveling to Paris, you may arrive home to an empty home.  Don’t want that to happen.

Once you get to the airport there are some other things you can do.

Give yourself plenty of time to check in especially if you have more than one piece of luggage.  Late check-in, means rushing and that means possibility of your bags missing the flight even if you didn’t.

Make sure you watch the agent put the destination ticket and sticker on your luggage.  Then make sure you have a ‘claim ticket’ on  your boarding pass.

As simple as it may seem…make sure you see that your luggage goes on the conveyor belt.

Once you arrive at your destination, go directly – (or if you are going through customs as soon as possible) to pick-up your bags.  If you are standing there and don’t see your luggage, report it lost.  Make sure you have the tickets (which the agent would have attached to your boarding pass).  Give the ticket agent your destination so they can have your luggage delivered as soon as it arrives.

Here’s hoping that you, your new partner and your luggage all fly friendly skies and travel safely.

Lady Mary Charteris marries Robbie Furze in creation that Gaga would love

Ok….So I’m not one to tell you what you should wear for your wedding but I’d hope…you might have second thoughts if the designer’s most famous customer was…Lady Gaga.

Lady Mary Charteris (the “Lady” connection) a 24-year-old aristocrat decided that instead of choosing a traditional bridal gown she would have her gown designed just for her.  Pam Hogg, a designer for Lady Gaga designed the cutaway detailed sheer sleeved top with tulle skirt, floral headpiece and yes, even her shoes.  This dress certainly assured that all eyes were on the bride when she married Robbie Furze, front-man of The Big Pink. In addition Ms. Hogg designed couple’s bridemaids and pageboy attire, who were also dressed in unusual blue outfits that featured capes and floral headpieces.

Hmmm, I love those wild and crazy Brits.   Pam is holding the dress so it doesn’t get dirty before she says “I do”. Would you wear something like this??

Destination 101: The Hilton Waikoloa Village

Always a perfect tropical location, the Big Island (or any of the Hawaiian islands) is among dream destinations for couples. With so many hotel properties, how do you choose? I have a few hotels slated for this year in Hawaii, but I happen to think the Hilton Waikoloa property offers romance and an authentic Hawaiian experience in an unforgettable oceanfront setting.

Let’s visit the Hilton Waikoloa Village:

Can you tell me about your space, locations and opportunities for weddings?

Hilton Waikoloa Village is the premier wedding spot in Waikoloa Beach Resort on Hawaii’s Big Island. From the most picturesque sunset kisses set amid stunning oceanfront backdrops to perfectly prepared receptions with traditional Hawaiian entertainment and island-inspired, personalized dishes made completely from locally harvested ingredients, Hilton Waikoloa Villages and its Wedding Atelier Romance Specialists offers unlimited ways to make a couple’s special day the most memorable experience of their life.

The romance of old Hawaii lingers in the air as couples wed at Hale Aloha, the delicate wedding chapel structure with breathtaking ocean views through windows and doors that draw in the surrounding beauty and warm tropical breezes. Colorful tropical foliage and playful shadows welcome in the aura of romance and love. Fine Hawaiian workmanship can be seen through elegant stained glass, along with Kona wood furnishing and exquisite custom tiling.

Since the Kohala Coast receives on average nine inches of rain per year, outdoor weddings are a Hilton Waikoloa Village specialty. Venues include the Palace Garden which overlooks Waiulua Bay, making it a perfect location for a sunset wedding with the sun slowly disappearing into the sparkling waves or the Grand Staircase, a great covered yet open-air space overlooking the ocean-fed lagoon and waterfall.

Are there extremely busy times of year you’re seeing brides?

Although Hilton Waikoloa Village welcomes weddings year round, the most popular times tend to be between June and August.

What are the best/signature experiences can a wedding party expect – or most importantly, if a couple is looking for a venue, why would they choose your space vs. another venue?

Spectacular wedding venues are accompanied by exclusive, affordable wedding packages to meet every couples needs. A complete wedding experience is at hand with multiple packages to choose from that include everything from choice of resort ground locations for ceremony, a non-denominational minister, two-tier wedding cake, floral leis, bouquet arrangement, guitarist, photographer and videographer, private fire dancer or hula troop presentation, “just married” boat ride, and many other options. The on-site Wedding Atelier coordinates all facets of this once-in-a-lifetime event through all vendors conveniently located at the resort.

Tell me about the catering, bridal suite, adventures and anything else you want to share with a bride.

As Hilton Waikoloa Village is located on the Big Island of Hawaii, wedding party’s have the added bonus of exploring one of the most exotic and romantic destinations in the world. Whether it is a romantic getaway or an adventure of a lifetime, the Big Island delivers unforgettable experiences. A few of the most popular and exhilarating activities of The Big Island include jumping off an old wooden bridge set on breathtaking cliffs of the Pacific Ocean, at Ka Lae – the southernmost point in the United States; hiking through lava fields on the rim and in the crater of Kilauea, the world’s most active volcano that has been continually erupting since 1983; and discovering some of the world’s rarest life forms as 11 of the world’s 13 climate zones are found on the Big Island, and the land is host to 1,660 species of flowering plants and 45 species of birds found nowhere else on Earth.

To book a wedding or honeymoon at Hilton Waikoloa Village or for more information visit www.hiltonwaikoloavillage.com or call 1-800-HILTONS. Just something to think about, hotels like the Hilton are great because they offer “rewards/miles” as do their airline partners. Keep the little things like this in mind when you’re looking at the major hotel properties. Those points can give you a free meal, spa treatment or bottle of champagne.

Destination: St. Lucia’s Ladera Resort for your open-air honeymoon

Take me away....

Ladera Resort, the legendary St. Lucia hotel known for its pioneering open-air architecture, luxury hospitality and eco-friendly practices at 1,100 feet above the Caribbean Sea, is celebrating its 20th Anniversary Year in 2012 by launching an exciting new offer that generously gives back to its guests.

So here’s something special for the first 1,100 people (or 550 couples) who book a Hilltop Dream Suite or Luxury Villa under the new “Anniversary Package”. With this promotion, you will receive all of meals, every day during their stay, at no extra charge. The offer includes breakfast, lunch and dinner at Ladera’s legendary restaurant Dasheene, one of the Caribbean’s most highly regarded tables known for its innovative West Indian cuisine, unobstructed views of the sunset and the Piton Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A selection of beverages with meals are included. The offer applies to new bookings only and is based on a five-night minimum stay reserved at the regular published rates. The offer is valid on direct bookings made on Ladera.com when mentioning the promotional code 20ANNIV for stays taking place now through December 21, 2012. It is not combinable with other special offers.

“Throughout this special Anniversary Year, we’re taking the extra step to recognize, and thank, our new and returning guests,” says Olivier Bottois, Ladera’s Vice President of Marketing & Operations. “This is our gift in return for two decades of astounding success and hotel leadership in St. Lucia.”

Since opening two decades ago, Ladera has become the top Caribbean haven for celebrities, honeymooners and trendsetters. The resort pioneered the concept of the open-air, three-walled guest suite that remains the signature design of Ladera and which has become a ubiquitous style, now de rigueur at resorts throughout Saint Lucia.

To book the special Anniversary Package and please visit www.ladera.com and the direct booking page and enter the promotional code 20ANNIV. Refer to the website for full terms and any restrictions that may apply. To reach the hotel directly call 866-290-0978