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HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – LATE JANUARY 2020

Atrium at The Biltmore in Coral Gables, FL

HOT DEALS!

Associated Luxury International Hotels has rolled out a plethora of incentives for booking their properties across the United States. Rather than outline all the assets of each property, here’s a fast rundown of some of the options. The Biltmore in Coral Gables, FL just completed a $35 million restoration. Book a 2020 meeting and select three incentives, which includes everything from a one-hour beer and wine reception to 15% room block attrition. Promotion applicable to groups of at least 25 rooms per night. Book the Meritage Resort & Spa in NapaValley, CA by Mar. 31 through Dec. 31 and receive one complimentary upgrade per 25 rooms, as well as other incentives such as a 30% site fee reduction on the Estate Wine Cave, Vintner’s Room, Vineyard Deck and Vintner’s Rooftop or perhaps a complimentary spa treatment per 10 treatments booked. Offer valid for programs with 30+ room on peak.

www.alhi.com

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – LATE APRIL 2019

GRAND OPENINGS

A terrace of El Llorenç Parc de la Mar overlooks the Palma neighborhood in Mallorca


One of the oldest neighborhoods in the Palma area of Mallorca will be getting awakening jolt of modern sophistication when El Llorenç Parc de la Mar opens this July. The 33-room boutique hotel will have a three-tiered rooftop terrace providing 360-degree views of the city, as well as two restaurants, a lobby bar, and a wellness center called Natura Bissé. Renowned island chef Santi Taura’s culinary offerings will reflect traditional cuisine, with ingredients sourced locally, such as signature black pork from an island producer. El Llorenç Parc de la Mar is located within the ancient quarter known as La Calatrava, an area once inhabited by Jews, Muslims and Christians. Highlights include the Arab baths, the Church of Santa Fe and the Church of Monti-Sion and the Convent of Santa Clara, where the nuns of the Order have lived and prayed for more than 750 years. The quarter is located just a short distance from some of the city’s major landmarks, including the Palma Cathedral, Almudaina Palace, Cort Square or the S’Hort del Rei Gardens. Swedish designer, Magnus Ehrland. Incorporates geometric motifs reflective of the local history and Moorish influence on the island. Read more

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – FEBRUARY, 2019

Swimming with a whale shark


EXOTIC DESTINATIONS. LUXURIOUS LODGING. ACQUISITIONS.
Corporate and leisure-travel readers across the world read my blog, so it shouldn’t come as any great surprise that I am often asked if I know about out-of-the-box trips or exotic destinations of which they may not be aware. This new package just being offered by Montana-based Austin Adventures sounds exactly like it would fit the bill for any adventurous group to undertake. Of course, individuals can sign on for any scheduled trips, but think of the experiences a like-minded, seaworthy group could share by swimming alongside 25-40- Read more

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – DECEMBER 2018

Pickering House Inn in New Hampshire is ready for winter

THESE VENUES ARE GOING FOR THE FULL REDO

You won’t want to pass this off as a place for just sports fans, even if NFL legend and Hall of Famer Terrell Owens did join Caesars Entertainment CEO and President Mark Frissora for the grand opening of The Book, an Experiential & Technologically Savvy Sports Bar & Event Venue connected to The LINQ Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV. So what makes this 220-seat, 11,000 sf venue so exceptional? Maybe the 87 TVs, some as large as 98 inches. Maybe it’s Vegas’ Read more

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – NOVEMBER 2018

Caesar’s Entertainment and Saleforce members build wheelchairs for veterans

COMMUNITY SERVICE RESPONSIBILITY IS THE GIFT THAT KEEPS GIVING

Caesars Entertainment, the world’s most geographically-diverse U.S casino-entertainment company, and Salesforce, the global leader in CRM, have given more than “Thank you for your service” appreciation to veterans in Las Vegas, NV. Forty team members of the two companies joined forces to build and donate eight wheelchairs to the veterans through Veterans Village. The build-a-wheelchair event was hosted at the High Roller, the world’s tallest observation wheel at The LINQ Promenade, adjacent to Caesars Forum, which opens in 2020. This is not Caesar’s Entertainment first give-back to Veterans program. Since 2013 when they launched the Enlisting Heroes program, more than 280 activities have been produced and more than $1 million has been donated. Salesforce created their Vetforce program, which is the internal employee resource Read more

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – MAY 2018

Zebras are just one of the many 55 species of animals you might see on Safari Wilderness’ Sunset Safari’s this summer.

It’s the season for summertime travel if you’re based in North America, and if you are one of 72 million Americans expected to travel abroad, WalletHub has some interesting statistics about foreign transaction fees you may want to consider. According to surveys done by WalletHub, 51% of Americans worry more about foreign transaction fees on credit cards than tariffs on Chinese imports. Two-thirds of those surveyed think credit cards should charge lower foreign transaction fees in countries allied with the U.S. Are you aware that 96% of credit cards offer rental car insurance, while 86% offer travel accident Read more

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – MARCH 2018

Cliff House Maine in Neddick, ME is offering promotional discounts

HOT DEALS!
Breathe in Spring by taking a long weekend to relax and rejuvenate at Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, FL Enjoy 20% off plus $25 daily hotel credit for your weekend stay for travel through May 31. Just minutes from Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort, the resort’s $25 credit per night can be used at on-site restaurants, in-room dining or at Relâche Spa. Use promotional code P91 in the Corporate/Promotional code box when making Read more

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – FEBRUARY 2018

Paradisus Punta Cana has promotional discounts and gorgeous settings


HOT DEALS!
Pamper yourself or your group with new promotions by Paradisus, renowned for its top all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and Punta Cana. Receive up to $1,500 USD in resort credit, free golf rounds, and complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport. Resorts include Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Perla, Paradisus Punta Cana, Paradisus Cancún, Paradisus Los Cabos, and Paradisus Palma Real.
www.melia.com
See the world from the deck of a Seabourn cruise liner during their Signature Savings Event and receive incentives such as a complimentary upgrade when Read more

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – MARCH, 2017

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 – DECEMBER, 2016

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