HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – mid-JANUARY 2013

             I admit to being sentimental, almost to the point of being mushy. Fortunately for me, my husband is just as much, if not more so and would have his feelings hurt if I didn’t have a really gushy Valentine’s card for him, along with his favorite-of-the-moment baked treat. It would be so much easier to be able to take advantage of one of the Valentine’s Day promotions being offered by two luxury resorts for those already engaged in wedding bliss or looking to propose in style.
Think of the impact on your future intended if you took him or her to Conrad Miami’s “Down-on-One-Knee” Getaway. The landmark hotel in the heart of Miami’s Brickell Avenue entertainment district is offering monogrammed mementos and custom-tailed perks. The personalized, monogrammed souvenir-pillow will bear the individual’s sentiments, such as “Will you marry me?” or “Love you more every day.” Can you imagine the loved one not displaying that pillow forever? Of course, the pillow doesn’t begin the romantic tryst. If you’re flying in, the Conrad Miami’s own chauffeur-driven Audi A8 will drive you to the hotel. You’ll be escorted to a romantic hideaway overlooking city lights and Miami’s famed Biscayne Bay for a sunset dinner-for-two, with paired wines and special selections from Chef McCann at Atrio Restaurant. Great set-up for a proposal, isn’t it? After the expected “Yes” a celebratory bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne served in personalized, engraved Tiffany champagne flutes and chocolate-covered strawberries create an indelible memory. And there’s still more. A professional photographer will be at-the-ready to capture the big moment. The next morning, a cozy in-room breakfast for two, followed by a soothing and relaxing 50-minute couples’ massage, will complete the romantic getaway. The Down On One Knee package begins at $595. Reservations are required at least two weeks ahead. visit www.conradhotels.com.
You don’t have to be rich or famous for the new “Be My Valentine Private Island Escape” being offered by Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, BVI… but it wouldn’t hurt.  Available February 8-14, the exclusive package includes ultra-luxe accommodations for three nights in one of the 230-acre private-island resort’s spacious, ocean view guest rooms.  Romantic extras include a bottle of champagne and selection of chocolates, a 60-minute couples massage with private continental breakfast for two served in the Ixora Spa, and a romantic dinner at the fine dining restaurant Caravela. The resort’s guests receive an airport welcome transfer, unlimited ferry access to Tortola Trellis Bay, personal concierge service, and unlimited use of the resort’s fleet of kayaks, fitness center and hiking trails.  Rates begin at $2,160 for three nights.  Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, BVI is the and first member of Marriott’s Autograph Collection in the Caribbean. www.scrubisland.com; (888) 678-8912

The March 4 opening of Horseshoe Cincinnati, Caesars Entertainment’s newest property, may not be on your romance bucket list, but the venue will make a meeting planner’s heart go pitter-pat with its 33,000 sf of flexible banquet space, including two large configurable venues divisible into as many as 11 individual rooms. The largest venue is the 19,000-square-foot Horseshoe Ballroom (2,000 max). The River Room features glass exterior walls that provide spectacular city views for up to 450 participants. You can check out the Cincinnati skyline from the outdoor City View Terrace, available for group events. Multiple restaurant and bar options includes Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville. Complimentary on-site valet and self-parking available in the casino’s attached parking structure. (855) 633-8238);  meet@caesars.com.
The Buffet at Harrah’s New Orleans just completed a $3 million renovation. The redo honors New Orleans’ culture and history. Harrah’s New Orleans has new signature dishes along with more than 40 desserts.  (370 max). Private dining in the Manor Room seats 50. Planners who incorporate The Buffet at Harrah’s into their events can take advantage of Caesars Entertainment’s alternative venues program, which allows them to apply a portion of their spending to their catered F&B minimum.
Caesars Entertainment hotels in Las Vegas are raking in the awards. Restaurant Guy Savoy received city-regional magazine Desert Companion’s “Restaurant of the Year Award,”  The reviewer said, “In an era when the Strip finds itself cutting rates and casualizing every part of its experience, Savoy and his gifted 25-year-old Vegas lieutenant, Mathieu Chartron, unleashed innovation and-inspiration.” The elegant French restaurant is a AAA Five-Diamond recipient, five-time winner of Wine Spectator’s prestigious Grand Award, and has been named “One of the World’s 101 Best Hotel Restaurants” by The Daily Meal and “Best French Restaurant” by Vegas Seven. Not to be overlooked, The Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace was named “Surprise of the Year.” The restaurant is run by executive chef Scott Green. And speaking of chefs: Pastry Chef Steve Yi of Gordon Ramsay Steak at Paris Las Vegas was recognized as “Pastry Chef of the Year. Paris was also recognized for “Signature Dish of the Year” for its famed Beef Wellington.

The accolades continue for Brazilian Court Hotel & Beach Club in Palm Beach. Travel & Leisure voted the hotel as one of the World’s Best Hotels of 2013 and it made the Gold List 2013 for Conde Nast Traveler. Located in the heart of what is known as “America’s Riviera,” The Brazilian Court, a member of Leading Hotels of the World and Historic Hotels of America, is just steps from the sapphire Atlantic Ocean and Worth Avenue. Contributing to the luxe experience are The Frederic Fekkai salon and exquisite cuisine by Chef Daniel Boulud at Café Boulud.  www.thebraziliancourt.com/Got the post-holiday blahs and need an energizing boost?
Wilderness at the Smokies is adding the adrenaline-pumping spirit of competition to its outdoor waterslide collection this spring with the debut of the Cyclone Racer, a four-lane high-speed waterslide that turns guests into hydro-powered drag racers. Starting on a racing tower 50 feet above the ground guests will race each other down the spiral course in mere seconds. Sharing a platform with the popular Wild Vortex, the Cyclone Racer will feature 1200 feet of combined waterslide lanes. Each lane combines a mixture of open flume racing and enclosed tunnels using aqualucent striping to provide strobes of color to the experience. A water flow of 1200 gallons per minute fuels the high-speed racing experience. Wilderness at the Smokies, located minutes from Interstate 40 and situated in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, is one of the area’s only year-round vacation destinations.  There’s a 36-hole championship golf course, the Adventure Forest entertainment park, two outdoor waterparks, an indoor waterpark with a wave pool and the Southeast’s only Surf Rider, hot tubs, and countless waterslides and attractions. Planners take note: Wilderness at the Smokies is adjacent to a 200,000 sf conference, convention and event center. (877) 325-9453; www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.