Bundles of Free Smiles in Orlando

We're talking about the "Bundles of Free Smiles" promotion from the Orlando/Orange County CVB, running from now through June 30, which includes free admission to various attractions in Orlando, free room nights at Orlando hotels, and free perks and free events throughout the area.

What they've basically done is to collect all the existing deals and bring them all under one roof, thus making it even easier to enjoy affordable Orlando vacations. The offers are all listed on www.bundlesoffreesmiles.com/.

All you have to do is download an Orlando Smile Card (TM) at bundlesoffreesmiles.com or mention the promotional code associated with the offer.

Listed below are some of the deals on offer under this promotion :-

Hotels -

1. Rosen Shingle Creek - Stay 4 nights and get an additional 3 nights free; also includes free game room tokens and parking.
2. Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa - Stay 3 nights and get an additional 2 nights free; also includes free parking and kids stay free.
3. WorldQuest Resort - Stay 3 nights and get an additional 2 nights free; also includes kids stay free and free parking.

Attractions -

1. SeaWorld Orlando - Adults at kids prices.
2. Boggy Creek Airboat Rides - Buy 2 tickets and get the 3rd free.
3. Orlando Balloon Rides - Buy 1 adult ride and get a free kids ride.

Vacation packages -

1. Universal Orlando Resort - Book a 3 night vacation package and receive 2 nights free
2. Walt Disney World Resort - Buy a 4 night vacation package and get 3 nights free including theme park tickets.

Winter Specials at The Sky Hotel Aspen

Colorado should actually be called the ski state, because it has the most popular winter resorts in the U.S. outside the CA-Nevada border area on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada. And the one where those who are really, really rich - as in filthy rich - spend their winters skiing and enjoying the snow happens to be Aspen.

While you won't find any of these old moneybags at the resorts or even at any of the more luxurious hotels in Colorado (they have their own vacation homes), the top notch skiing and the excellent facilities do attract a fair amount of common trashy weekend getaway types.

So anyway, if you're the kind who doesn't have to worry about the fall in the value of your portfolio (because you don't have one...), but you still want to hit the slopes and hobnob with the uppity stiff-necked types at Aspen, then you want to stay at the Sky Hotel.

It's a Kimpton Hotel, so while rates aren't high enough to give you the hiccups, the facilities and amenities are decent enough so you don't have to be ashamed of not having your own private home. In their own words, the Sky Hotel is "A brilliant hotspot on the Aspen see-and-be scene...A high-style chill pad where beautiful people let loose."

And they're offering some cool winter specials. The specials include:-
Breakfast for Just $1 More - Like it says, you pay $1 extra for a continental breakfast, in addition to the standard room rates.

Ski In Rock Out Package - Discounted guest room accommodations, along with two lift tickets for each night of stay. Minimum 3 night stay required. Rates from $273 per night.

Sweet Indulgence Women's Package - Premier guest room accommodations for 2 nights, 2 après warm-up drinks in 39 Degrees Lounge, Chocolate covered strawberries upon arrival, choice of 2 treatments from the Aspen Club & Spa (Hotel Concierge will contact you to discuss choices), and complete spa-day access to the Aspen Club & Spa. Rates from $437 per night.

Powder Love Couples Package - Discounted guest room accommodations, Full American breakfast buffet for 2 daily (in-bed optional), 1 in-room movie, 1 Couples Massage (50 minutes), Day of service access to Aspen Club & Spa facilities, and Sky Hotel fuzzy handcuffs. Rates from $570 per night.

Après Vows Honeymoon Package - Discounted guest room accommodations, Dinner for 2 at Rustique Bistro (valued at $100), Champagne and chocolate covered strawberries upon arrival, and Kama Sutra Weekender kit. Rates from $375 per night.

And if you think the prices are a wee bit on the higher side, then you should check out the prices offered by some of the other hotels in Aspen. It's scandalous. Besides, the Sky Hotel does offer value for money, it is pet friendly, and the weather, the surroundings, the views and service ain't so bad either.

Info: 709 East Durant Avenue Aspen CO 81611; (800) 882-2582; www.theskyhotel.com/

Valentine's Day at The St. Claire San Jose

San Jose is, by and large, quite a romantic place to be in. Inspite, or perhaps despite, all the geekiness. Even so, if you feel that you need to bring out the big guns for a Valentine's Day celebration in or around San Jose, then no place like The St. Claire Hotel.

The hotel is perfectly located in the heart of downtown San Jose, with cozy rooms, artsy decor and fireplaces and all. Best of all, they're offering a Valentine's Day package which they promise will be one of your best romantic getaways ever.

The package includes:-

Luxurious overnight accommodations
Early check-in (12pm)
Complimentary valet parking
A long stem rose
A bottle of chilled champagne for enjoyment in your room or downstairs next to the fireplace
A CD featuring romantic songs
Movie from the hotel's DVD collection
Romantic turndown service
Breakfast in bed
Late check-out (4pm)

Most San Jose hotels offer late check-outs at 2 pm atmost. The St. Claire is probably the only hotel I've ever seen that offers a 4pm late check-out. You've got several options for the accomodations, incuding a deluxe King Room at $249, Palm Suite at $649, and the Grand Suite at $699. More details and online booking here.

The St. Claire is a Larkspur hotel, and as such, offers a range of amenities common to the chain, including complimentary wireless Internet access throughout the hotel in your guest room, the lobby, restaurants (Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana and Panetteria Bakery), and meeting facilities. And there's also a business center.

In-room amenities include a flat screen television, signature FeatherBorne® Bed, hair-dryer, iron & ironing board, and LATHER bath and body amenities.

Info: 302 South Market Street San Jose CA 95113; (408) 295-2000; www.thesainteclaire.com/

Valentine’s Day SiCC at Mandarin Oriental New York

I'm going to make some assumptions here. First that you're willing to blow a minimum of 1000 dollars to celebrate your love (or lack thereof) on Valentine's Day. Also assuming you do not have a beloved who just needs an excuse to start packing for romantic getaways, why not make the most of it with the Valentine’s Day SiCC at the Mandarin Oriental in New York?

SiCC as in Single in the City Celebration package special. Skip the throngs of sappy couples and opt for a fun-filled Manhattan escape with shopping, delicious cocktails, and classic movies. Valentine’s Day Single in the City Celebration includes:

• Shopping experience arranged through the hotel concierge’s custom “Pampered By Appointment” shopping service, which includes special access to a collection of Manhattan’s finest boutiques, designer stores and specialty shops
• Two complimentary cocktails each at the hotel’s scenic 35th floor Lobby Lounge
• Selection of classic movies from the hotel’s movie library to enjoy for the evening
• Overnight accommodations in a luxurious double bedded room

Valid from February 12 – 22, 2009. Rates from $1,025. More details and online booking here.

Now for the hotel. The name itself is quite enough to conjure up images of opulent luxury and royal treatment. All true. The Mandarin Oriental has been, and remains, one of the premier New York hotels which spans the divide between funky scandalous celebrity shakers on the one hand and stuffy, boring, rich and powerful movers on the other.

Both sets of clientele find the Mandarin's many comforts - the spa and the restaurants (Asiate, MObar, the Lobby Lounge), the 248 luxurious guest rooms and suites with breathtaking views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline or the scenic Hudson River quite to their liking.

So whether or not you have a romantic relationship, whatever your likings and lifestyle, there's a place for you at the Mandarin Oriental on Valentine's Day. Just need to blow 1 grand. Small price to pay, for replicating the joy and company of priceless love.

Info: 80 Columbus Circle at 60th Street New York, NY 10023; (212) 805-8800; www.mandarinoriental.com/

Sunshine on Sale at Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

How'd you like to buy some sunshine from the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego? That's right. The Hyatt has a special offer called 'sunshine on sale'. You get the third night free or stays in between now and March 31, 2009. And children ages 12 and under eat free off the Johnny Venture Menu and pets stay free.

If you've seen it, you'll know that the place really is grand. They have this magnificent long corridor/lobby which looks like Grand Central station or one of those old Czarist buildings in Russia - You know, with the tall ceilings and pillars and all. You look up and around and you feel like its something special. Now I'm not big on architecture and all that artsy stuff, but hotels in San Diego don't usually have this kind of thing, you know. It's really something special.

So anyway, the hotel is on San Diego Bay and steps from the Gaslamp Quarter,with two pools, fire pit, whirlpools, a full service spa, fitness center and a selection of restaurants and lounges. The hotel is also just minutes to the important attractions in San Diego like the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, Balboa Park and Coronado Island.

The guestrooms offers partial views of either the city or Bay, and feature one king or two double Grand Beds fitted with luxurious linens and down duvet over pillow-top mattresses, windows that open to allow in the fresh air, generous work area and high-speed Internet access (fees apply).

In-room amenities include a hairdryer, coffee maker, in-room safe, iron and ironing board, video on demand, minibar, 24 hour room service and a lot of other stuff which you'renever going to use. Rollaways and cribs are available upon request.

Info: One Market Place San Diego CA 92101; (619) 232-1234; http://manchestergrand.hyatt.com/

Suitest Courses of Love at Warwick Denver

How'd you like to celebrate Valentine's Day with food as a turn-on? We're not talking about whipped cream and strawberries. This is much more subtle and more of an art form and a science, rather than some crude symbolism. The Warwick Hotel, as historic and luxurious as any of the hotels in Denver, is apparently also something of a wizard, when it comes to feeding their guests with cuisine appropriate for specific occasions.

Randolph's restaurant and the Warwick are offering a 'Courses of Love' package for the Valentine's Day weekend.

The temptation of taste begins upon delivery of an Aphrodite inspired
welcome amenity with libations, as well as your personal copy of Inter-Courses,
a cookbook inspired by foods with aphrodisiac properties. We will continue
to delight your senses as Executive Chef Kristen Cofrades prepares a forbidden
five (5) course meal at our award-winning restaurant, Randolph’s. From the
opening course (“The Introduction”) to the dessert (“Love is Forever”), the menu
was carefully designed using a variety of food deemed to have arousing
properties. The following morning, we bid you a fond farewell as you enjoy
breakfast in front of our cozy restaurant fireplace. Sleep in if you wish
because we have also extended your check-out to 2pm.

Food deemed to have arousing properties? Why didn't I know about this before? This just about settles the issue of whether romantic getaways at the Warwick are worth it or not. You can't put a price on love, but if you must know the details, the 'Suitest Courses of Love' package costs $249 (taxes and gratuities included). And here's what you get:-

• Accommodations for 2 in a spacious 1 Bedroom Suite
• A full bottle of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries
• A box of chocolates at turndown
• The book Inter-Course, by Martha Hopkins and Randall Lockridge
• Forbidden five course dinner for two in Randolph’s Restaurant
• Breakfast for two in Randolph’s Restaurant
• 2 pm late check-out
  

More details here. The Warwick is situated in the heart of Denver's trendy Uptown neighborhood, and within minutes of the State Capitol, 16th Street Mall, the Denver Convention Center, Pepsi Center, the Cherry Creek shopping district and other Denver attractions.

And the hotel also offers complimentary car service (subject to availability) for use within the downtown Denver area. In addition to the restaurant, the Warwick offers a heated rooftop swimming pool, a fitness centre and a 24-hour business center.

Most of the guest rooms have private balconies with two patio chairs and table with floor to ceiling glass windows offering impressive views of either downtown, the Front Range or the Downtown Denver skyline. In-room furnishings and amenities include new carpeting, imported Italian window treatments, a leather mahogany desk chair, 32" flat screen TVs, Serta Eurotop mattresses, and 300 thread count satin striped sheets.

Info: 1776 Grant Street Denver CO 80203; (303) 861-2000; www.warwickdenver.com/

Bohemian Boudoir at the Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando

Every couple's concept of romance is vastly different from what others think, or want. Some prefer splendid isolation and beautiful, natural landscapes. Others might enjoy urban bliss, with wining and dining in posh restaurants, with post dinner theater or shows. But the one thing common to all romantic getaways is facilitation and privacy to jump into bed, and stay there as long as you want.

It's a cliche to say that all you need is each others' company, but the truth is that a little bit of grease to help ignite the fires of passion goes a long way. And some hotels in Orlando, like the Grand Bohemian, are all slippery with this romantic grease. The hotel is offering three smoking hot packages for romantically inclined guests:-

1. Cupid Visits the Grand Bohemian
2. The Bohemian Boudoir
3. Today, Tomorrow and Forever

Each package is specifically targeted to a different type of romantic experience - The Cupid Visits the Grand Bohemian package is for those who're newly in love, and want to get to take it to the next stage in luxurious accomodations with some champagne and chocolate covered strawberries, along with valet parking.

The Bohemian Boudoir package is for hot steamy love affairs, starting in the hotel's sexy Bosendorfer Lounge. Continue your sensual odyssey and explore your Bohemian Bliss Box while indulging in the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches of love. Package includes:-

One-night stay in luxurious accommodations
One Bohemian Bliss Box
Bohemian truffles and signature cordials
Flameless candles to use in room during stay
Choice of one in-room movie
One Breakfast Between the Sheets for 2
Late check-out

And there's also the Today, Tomorrow and Forever package, which offers a romantic dinner for 2 in the Boheme Restaurant with special dessert, in addition to accomodations, valet parking, breakfast between the sheets, late check-out and other 'enhancements' for those looking to re-ignite that special spark in a relationship.

Info: 325 S. Orange Ave. Orlando FL 32801; (407) 313-9000; www.grandbohemianhotel.com/