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HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS –NOVEMBER 2024

Universal Epic Universe Opens May 22 2025

Universal Orlando Resort’s fourth theme park – Universal Epic Universeofficially opens May 22, 2025. More than 50 incredible experiences, Epic Universe will present a level of theme park immersion and innovation unmatched across five themed worlds: Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and Dark Universe. Anchoring the park is Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel – a majestic 500-room property with one-of-a-kind views of the park and will feature

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS –OCTOBER 2024

NO CAR, BUT HOTEL CHARGED MANDATORY VALET PARKING FEE!

No car, but parking fee charged anyway.

Robert Kraus, travel professional, event planner, and owner of Small Conferences LLC took an “expensive van service from the airport to a Florida hotel for a three-day educational conference aimed at meeting planners,” he explains. In his LinkedIn post, Kraus said the property was “near a beach that literally brags about how most of the properties there do not charge a “resort fee” and even offer free parking. The actual town I stayed in offers a surplus of complimentary parking along the main strip with no parking restrictions – welcoming guests to drive and stay there (as they are an hour away from the closest regional airport).” Along with his key and information about the complimentary breakfast

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS –MAY 2024

THEY SERVE UP DEALS! YOU SAVE!

Sea World Discovery Cove (Orlando, FL)

Have you swum with a dolphin or snorkeled among tropical fish? If not, this Memorial Day special may be the lure to get you into the water at Discovery Cove (Orlando, FL). If you book by May 27 for use through the rest of 2024, you will receive 20% off your reservation, plus a complimentary premium drink package (a $40 value per person). As part of the all-inclusive experience, guests also enjoy a freshly prepared breakfast and lunch, limitless snacks throughout the day, and unlimited

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – LATE OCTOBER 2022

Rancho Pescadero opens in Baja, Mexico

NEW, RE-NEWED AND COMING SOON

An adults-only luxury hotel with 103 guest rooms opens on Mexico’s Baja Sur Pacific coast in November. Amenities at Rancho Pescadero’s 30 acres, sitting between beautiful beaches and the Sierra Laguna Mountains, focuses on the gifts of Baja California and Mexico for nature, local culture, and farm-to-table cuisine.  Located just outside the artist’s haven of Todos Santos, Rancho Pescadero has a spa, swimming pool, two miles of beach, three restaurants, and a mountain of unique sensory experiences, from creating one’s own aromatherapy in the Apothecary to exploring the history of margaritas and mezcalitas while learning how to make their own concoctions and sipping on the results. Luxury accommodations include

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – JULY 2022

NEWLY OPENED, RENOVATED, AND COMING SOON

Redesigned first floor lobby of Caesars Atlantic City.

Caesars Atlantic City (Atlantic City, NJ) is getting another $200 million in enhancements. Caesars Entertainment said the upgrades include to its valet, hotel lobby, and casino floor, along with a new outdoor pool experience. The overall $400 million transformation also adds Nobu Atlantic City, a restaurant and distinct hotel experience within Caesars Atlantic City’s hotel; Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen, the first restaurant of its kind on the East Coast; and over 750 newly renovated rooms and suites in Caesars’ Centurion and Ocean towers. John Koster, Regional President for Caesars Entertainment’s Eastern Division said, “This major investment demonstrates our ongoing commitment to elevating guests’ experiences at our resorts as well as advancing the Atlantic City tourism economy.” Joe Lodise, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Caesars Atlantic City added, “For 43 years, Caesars Atlantic City has been an iconic destination on the Atlantic City Boardwalk and critical to the market’s success over the years. The resort transformation at Caesars Atlantic City will further the property’s evolution as one of the country’s leading travel destinations here on the East Coast – bringing the best of Las Vegas right here to the center of the action in Atlantic City.”

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – DECEMBER 2021

Lobby of the new Margaritaville Beach House Key West , FL

HOT DEALS!

Get your fifth night free when you book Margaritaville Beach House Key West (Key West, FL), previously known as the Barbary Beach House Key West. With its recent reopening, the resort has expanded its retail outlet and upgraded the Tin Cup Chalice Bar & Chill. The 186-suites, lagoon-style pool, and lounging hammocks throughout the grounds all line the Smathers Beach oceanfront. The resort has indoor banquet space and outdoor gardens and courtyards, including a 1,500 sf Tiki for smaller functions. Complimentary shuttle service to the Key West International Airport, Duval Street, and the Downtown Seaport Harbor.

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – SEPTEMBER 2021

FLORIDA HOTELS “RAISE THE ROOF FOR HURRICANE IDA RELIEF”

Raise the Roof raised over $7000 for Hurricane Ida Relief

They came. They ate and drank. They donated to the tune of $7,000 in the one-night “Raising the Roof for Hurricane Ida Relief” program. Patrons of four Florida rooftop bars: EDGE Rooftop Cocktail Lounge (Epicurean Hotel in Tampa); Hi-Fi Rooftop Bar (Fenway Hotel in Dunedin); Vantage Rooftop Bar (The Karol Hotel in Clearwater); and Beacon Social Drinkery (Luminary Hotel & Co. in Fort Myers) donated half of the evening’s sales to directly support of those impacted by the storm. The $7,000 was given to the American Red Cross. “It came together fast, but we wanted to give our guests and neighbors a way to quickly and directly help those affected by Hurricane Ida,” said Joe Collier, President of Mainsail Lodging & Development. “It was great to see so many come out at our four hotel rooftop bars to support the cause, with some guests making private donations, including one $1,000 donation from another local business.” To donate: www.RedCross.org.

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – NOVEMBER 2020

Bobby Flay opens his new Amalfi Restaurant at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV

HOT DEALS!

The Cromwell is back. The hotel and casino is the last of Caesars Entertainment properties on the Las Vegas Strip to reopen. What makes this property unique is “In addition to The Cromwell being the only standalone boutique hotel, it is now the first adults-only hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip,” said Senior Vice President and The Cromwell General Manager Ken Janssen. Guests of all ages are welcome at GIADA, the award-winning restaurant of notable chef Giada De Laurentiis. Book The Cromwell by November 23 for select travel dates through September 2021 and receive up to 30 percent. Use code FALL20

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – SEPTEMBER 2019

Marenas Beach Resort in Sunny Isles Beach, Miami, FL

HOT DEALS!

School in Florida is back in session, but that doesn’t mean the travel deals have played hooky. In the two-and-a-half-mile white sand stretch of Sunny Isles Beach in the Miami area, a number of hotels are offering some sweet deals for getaways. For Florida residents, the Read more

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – JUNE 2019

The Met Hotel in Greece is both an art gallery and upscale hotel.


When I first began writing this column, I was working regularly for a high end travel magazine that catered to the hospitality, meetings & events industries. Over time I have realized that not all travellers visit destinations or plan events because they are part of a corporate or social group. This edition (and likely more in the future) will feature some personal travel options for adults and families.
HOT DEALS!
It’s an art gallery. No, it’s a hotel. No, actually The Met Hotel in the ancient coastal city of Thessaloniki, Greece is both. While Read more