HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – SEPTEMBER, 2017

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Villa Casa Del Mar, a new private property for rent by Journey Mexico


HOT DEALS!
Seabourn celebrates its 30th anniversary and you get the gift of special luxury-cruising offers. Book select voyages by November 14th, and are some of the incentives that may be included: Three Veranda Suite Category Upgrade; Veranda for Ocean View Category Upgrade; 300-Minute Internet Package per Person; $300USD per Person Air Credit; $300USD per Suite Shipboard Credit; 50% Reduced Deposit; and up to 30% Savings on Select Combination Cruises. There are also special offers for Penthouse and Premium Suites bookings.
www.seabourn.com; (800) 929-9391
Book and stay at the contemporary new INNSIDE New York NoMad, the first of its brand in the United States, by December 31, 2017 and get 15% off. The Melia property is located in Chelsea and convenient to the Garment District, Greenwich Village and Union Square. The hotel has two meeting rooms with capacity for up to 70, a fitness center, and outdoor terrace. Within walking distance to the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden, Flatiron Building, Madison Square Park, and Times Square. Read more

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – AUGUST, 2017

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HOT DEALS!

River Terrace Inn living room in Napa City, CA


I’ve written about the Napa Valley Wine Train throughout many years. I’ve had the pleasure to ride this turn-of-the-century train, munch on gourmet appetizers and sip on wines from local vineyards. I’ve also been fortunate enough to dine during a media tour at The River Terrace Inn in Napa City, an eclectically designed boutique hotel with gorgeous garden and a prime spot on the Napa River. These two very special places have combined their unique assets to offer stay-and-ride promotions. From stopping points along the train route at name vineyards such as Charles Krug, to dining riverside at The Read more

HOTEL HAPPENINGS and PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – JUNE 2017

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IN THIS ISSUE: GROUP DISCOUNTS AT RESORTS ACROSS THE WORLD; ORLANDO PULSES WITH LOVE AND FOOD; SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR THE FAMILY; CORPORATES GO SHOPPING!
HOT DEALS!

Paradisus Punta Cana Resort in the Dominican Republic


Book one of six Dominican Republic Meliá properties and receive 35% off and two free passes to Swim with the Dolphins. Pick one of these resorts: Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa Resort, The Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real, Paradisus Punta Cana Resort, The Reserve at Paradisus Punta Cana, Meliá Caribe Tropical All Inclusive Beach & Golf Resort, and The Level at Meliá Caribe Tropical.
Book a Meliá resort in one of these locations before September 17th and travel by October 31 to receive a 35% discount. Locations include nine hotels in Tenerife; 23 in Mallorca; nine in Malaga; four in Benidorm; six in Alicante; 4 in Menorca; two in Marbella; and two in Ibiza.
Book a stay at ME Miami in Biscayne Bay, Miami, FL by June 30 and stay before December 21 to Read more

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – MAY 2017

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Hotel Unique in São Paulo, Brazil is offering a promotional rate for groups

HOT DEALS!

There’s strong evidence that Hotel Unique in São Paulo, Brazil is appropriately named. Where else have you a hotel that resembles a half watermelon sitting on a food stand? The 94-room property has green-weathered copper stretching across the façade works to contain the unusual shape of the building. Curved walls and expansive spaces allow for internationally-amassed statement pieces and contemporary art. The rooftop terrace includes a crimson infinity pool and bar. The location is in the upscale residential area of Jardins. There are 10 meeting rooms, one extra room with a lobby view, and it can accommodate up to 1,000 people for reception. Book an event for up to 50 people and get a secial rate which includes room hire, in-room service, A/V equipment, lunch and two coffee breaks.

res@designhotels.com

Last minute summer getaway plans for yourself or your group? Gaylord Hotels has an enticing offer, even if you can only book three to seven days in advance, as longs as the stays are by August 31. The deal varies by the hotel. Save up to 15% when you book Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, TN at least a week in advance. Book either the Gaylord Palms Resort (Kissimmee, FL) or the Gaylord Texan Resort (Dallas/Ft Worth, TX) at least 14 days in advance and receive 15% off. You can earn 20% in savings by booking Gaylord National Resort in Washington DC just three days out. Make sure you provide the promotional code: ADP.

www.marriott.com

Book at least 15 rooms per night at Shula’s Hotel & Golf Club in Miami Lakes, FL by September 30 and receive a $109 room rate with a $60 per person complete meeting package including breakfast, lunch, AM & PM breaks. You’ll also receive a $100 Spa credit or Tee Times for four at Shula’s 18-hole Read more

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – APRIL, 2017

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Journey Mexico is “dying” to take your group on a Day of the Dead cultural tour.

ADVENTURES FOR VIP CLIENTS GOES SOUTH!

This is one incentive trip that your VIP clients may be dying to do! Journey Mexico offers a group tour for up to 14 guests to discover the Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) in Oaxaca, Mexico, October 28 – November 4.  The tour combines education, historical knowledge, and an exploration of the UNESCP World Heritage city of Oaxaca as the community prepares to welcome their loved one’s spirits back to earth. Highlights include visits to exhibition, festivals and cemeteries to understand the significance of Day of the Dead elements, such as the cempasuchil flower and the objects that adorn the alter, or to visit the tombs populating the ceremonial sites. Guests will experience the art of Mezcal production and taste the “Pan de Muertos” a special bread only made during the season of Día de los Muertos.

info@journeymexico.com

Chopping cilantro and garlic with Chef Enrique Silva at Huerta Los Tamarindos. I was there with a press group.

Several years ago, I had the distinct pleasure of not just visiting Los Tamarindos, an Organic Farm & Restaurant located just one mile away from the Sea of Cortez and San Jose Del Cabos’ estuary, but I was one of the journalists cooking alongside the chef for an intimate cooking class. We toured the 17-acre farm with its organic fields and the recently renovated historic Farm House built originally in 1888 as part of our coverage of Los Cabos. The Farm, the first to grow and export organic produce, offers orchard tours, cooking classes and a vine-topped outdoor venue for events and meetings for up to 400 guests. An excellent teambuilding event, Read more

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – MID-MARCH, 2017

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The Whitby, a stylish new hotel in midtown Manhattan, NY

HOT DEALS!

Time is running out to book a stay at Gran Meliá Nacional Rio de Janeiro and receive both a 20% discount with MeliáRewards, plus $200 in resort credit. Stay by August 31 at this beautiful São Conrado beach location.

www.melia.com ; 1-(844) 425-9969.

Whimsically-colorful, cozy and being within walking distance to Central Park and Broadway, are just a few factors that make The Whitby, a new hotel and one of the latest additions to Design Hotels’ Collection, a charming treasure for small groups. It’s one of the few midtown Manhattan hotels with numerous balconies, several private event rooms, and its own and a 130-seat state-of-the-art cinema. The Whitby has 86 rooms and suites spanning 16 floors. The rooms range from 330 to 1,845-sf. Contemporary interior design is by Kit Kemp. The Whitby is the second New York property owned by Firmdale Hotels. Book now Read more

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – MARCH, 2017

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HOT DEALS!

Governor of the Picuris Pueblo blesses meal at Hotel Santa Fe The Hacienda & Spa

Governor of the Picuris Pueblo blesses meal at Hotel Santa Fe The Hacienda & Spa

Planners: The longer you stay, the more rewards your group merits at the historic Hotel Santa Fe-Hacienda and Spa in downtown Santa Fe, NM. I have visited this Hotel. Its beauty is more than furniture and décor: there’s a spiritual energy that blesses the compound. And now if you book your event by April 15 your rewards increase with the number of room nights. Options include activities such as a Mexican Fiesta, Native Blessing and Flute Player or a seminar on the Southwest. You also receive 15% discount on all AV equipment and a meeting room rental waiver.

http://hotelsantafe.com/group-rewards; sales@hotelsantafe.com; (855) 825.9876

Planners: earn Hilton Honors Gold Status when you book a meeting at Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, the largest full-service beachfront resort hotel on Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, by May 31. This “Golden Days” promotion is available for stays between October 1, 2017 and March 9, 2018 (new business only). Perks with the Hilton Honors Gold Status include getting a fifth night free on standard room reward stays of five nights or more. Other perks may include a discounted, changeable and refundable rate, digital check-in, complimentary internet access, quick reservations and check-ins, late and Read more

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – FEBRUARY 2017

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Crew Café in Canada offers dedicated co-working space for rent

Crew Café in Canada offers dedicated co-working space for rent


Whether you reside in the United States or anywhere else in the world where there are newspapers, magazines, radio, television and access to social media, you are likely aware of the turmoil that has beset America since the 2016 presidential election. As an active participant in the hospitality, entertainment, meetings and events, and yes, even in the world of journalism, the discussions have been pervasive as to the ramifications on travel, meetings, and tourism.
I know how recent upsets affect me personally. I find myself more assertively political, whereas before I sat back on the sidelines and strove to be merely objective as I covered events. As an entertainer, I am concerned events will be smaller, less frequent, or hosted last minute while planners survey how visas will be honored or rejected for international attendees or whether the unstable nature of business will create havoc on budgets and extraneous expenditures. I live in the Orlando area, so tourism and conferences are huge to the area’s bottom line. I’m near the bottom of that trickledown effect, but nonetheless, personally impacted.
I want to know about you. Are you impacted? How? How do you see our future industries evolving to cope with current and future Read more

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – JANUARY, 2017

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Hotel Zoo Berlin has been redesigned and is offering 15% off for bookings.

Hotel Zoo Berlin has been redesigned and is offering 15% off for bookings.

I don’t make resolutions at the start of each year. I know for many people that’s a ritual, a way of motivating themselves to work out more, be more accessible, lose weight, shop less, be more loving. I don’t have to motivate myself to do those things because they are a daily inspiration. Note I didn’t say goal. Goal would imply I am trying to reach a point. I simply do. What I do realize though, is that no matter how great the intentions, some days one simply cannot be all things to all people or accomplish all that one expects. Some days one simply has To Be. My wish in this New Year is for you to decide who you want to be, even if that Read more

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – DECEMBER, 2016

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Northern Lights are visible during the Southern Iceland Tour, led by Big Chill Adventures

Northern Lights are visible during the Southern Iceland Tour, led by Big Chill Adventures


Some of the most interesting gigs I’ve had as my alter-ego personality, Natasha, The Psychic Lady, have come without forewarning. Don’t laugh. I know the irony of not predicting the phone calls. I may not have used my tea leaf reading or tarot card abilities to see into those future bookings, but I actually asked the Universe/higher power… whatever name is used when one puts out call for an exciting opportunity, for both of the situations that popped up within a few days of my “Hello, it’s me and I’d like…” call outs.
Natasha, The Psychic Lady when I was the dancer for the Eastern Gypsy Band, Tzighantzi, at EPCOT

Natasha, The Psychic Lady when I was the dancer for the Eastern Gypsy Band, Tzighantzi, at EPCOT


The first memorable time was me asking to be a featured performer in a Disney World spectacle. I particularly wanted to dance. Mind you, at that moment I was already working as a psychic for the Disney theme parks and corporate events and had been belly dancing for Morocco promotional events even before the Morocco pavilion was erected at EPCOT, but no dance or big show opportunities loomed in the horizon. Within a few days of my thoughts transmitted to the universe, I received a call asking if I’d like to be the dancer for a new Eastern gypsy band forming at EPCOT. Would I? For the months that followed, I was the dancer for Tzighantzi. Looking like and dancing like the embodiment of Esmerelda (at least all the girls holding their Esmerelda dolls and watching me thought so). I also was backup musician/singer/and co-emcee. Six shows a day, rain or hot summer sun. Loved it!
Most recently, I pondered that several of my entertainment friends had been getting TV and press coverage and it had been a while since that happened to me. I wasn’t jealous of their largesse. It just pointed out that my life had transitioned from a higher profile to one less noteworthy of media attention. Less than 24 hours later, I got a call asking if I was available to be on a TV program, analyzing handwriting of the news team’s anchors. Did I mention it would be early the next morning or that this would be live? I also needed to be available to work during the Pen & Inc Fair that the Channel 35 Good Day Orlando’s show was promoting for Sam Flax’ art store that Read more