Over-The-Top Valentine’s Day Experiences: Day 6

by McLean Robbins on

Next to the holiday season, Valentine’s Day is the most popular time for couples in love to get engaged. And what better way to ask your love if they want to spend the rest of your lives together than with a great travel experience?

Hotel Monaco Philadelphia, the city’s newest Kimpton property, has designed just that. Valued at $100,000 but priced at just $80,000 (did we really say just?) this package is a pretty great deal, as it includes an engagement ring, proposal and wedding for up to 200 guests!

Dubbed “Diamond in the Sky” the package includes:

· Engagement ring from Bernie Robbins worth $50,000
· Private pavilion in Stratus Rooftop Lounge
· Dedicated photographer to capture the special moment
· Complimentary bottle of Veuve Cliquot and a round of signature cocktails
· Two nights in hotel’s Majestic Suite with sweeping views of Independence Park
· Round-the-clock car service from Uber (private town car service on demand)
· Complimentary in-room brunch by James Beard Award-winning Chef Guillermo Tellez
· In-suite couple’s massage
· Complimentary passes and admission to popular museums and attractions in the city
· Guaranteed late check-out
· First-class flight home (in the Continental U.S. only)
· Wedding reception for up to 200 guests in Hotel Monaco’s sparkling Lafayette Ballroom

While it’s hard to imagine that anything priced at $80,000 is “reasonable,” this sounds like a pretty good deal, given the value of the engagement ring!

Want to know what other romance-themed packages we’ve found over the past week? Check out our previous over-the-top coverage here.

[Image Credit: Hotel Monaco Philadelphia]

Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco Chicago throws week long gift exchange for charity

by Melanie Nayer on

We love the holiday season, not just for the fun of the decorations and excitement of Santa’s arrival, but for the innate kindness that seems to seep from people this time of year. Couple that kindness with the efforts of hotels partnering with charitable organizations and you’ve got the making for a great holiday season.

To celebrate the holiday season and show just how fun the spirit of giving can be, Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco will host a week long White Elephant Charity Gift Exchange with proceeds to benefit Chicago’s Children’s Memorial Hospital (CCMH).

Holiday givers are invited to bring an unwrapped gift to the lobby of Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco Chicago; in exchange, the holiday giver will then choose their own present from among those previously exchanged. For each gift exchanged, the Monaco Chicago will make a $2 donation to CCMH. In addition to the monetary donation, the Monaco Chicago will also hold a drive to collect gift cards for families at CCMH, a welcomed surprise for families in need during the holiday season.The Monaco Chicago has decided to shake things up and throw in a few exciting gifts of its own, including airfare and accommodations to any Kimpton hotel in the country.

Here’s how the exchange works:

  • The holiday giver brings in an unwrapped, unopened gift (price range $10 to $20) to the Hotel Monaco Chicago lobby during specified times. A Monaco team member will then review the gift and wrap the present.
  • The holiday giver selects a different gift from among those previously exchanged. The giver can choose to accept that gift or select ONE final other. If rejected, the first gift is placed back with the other gifts.
  • Hint: Individuals who donate a gift card will receive one more round at the gift exchange.
  • For each gift provided, the Hotel Monaco will donate $2 to Chicago’s Children’s Memorial Hospital.
  • Every holiday giver has an equal chance to win any Kimpton hotel around the country.

Doesn’t giving feel good?

Canceled flights can get you some luxury

by Jamie Rhein on

If you happen to be one of those unfortunate people who come up with a dud on what seems to be a new roulette style airline game called “Will My Flight be Canceled?” or even worse, “Will my Airline Shut Down Overnight?,” you can head to certain Kimpton Hotels for a gift designed especially for you–the stranded traveler.

As a way to coax stranded travelers to a Kimpton Hotel, the “Stranded in Style” promotion allows guests with a canceled flight to choose from the following options they show a canceled boarding pass or ticket:

  • Bath salts or eye mask
  • Bottle of wine or in-room movie
  • KN Karen Neuburger zebra chenille lounge socks
  • Cocktail or appetizer at adjacent restaurant

    Participating hotels include: 70 park avenue and The Muse in New York, Hotel Argonaut in San Francisco and Hotel Monaco in Denver.

    This may not be enough to turn lemons into lemonade, but it’s an interesting idea. I wonder what budget motels could come up with? Maybe you could get real Half-and-Half instead of non-dairy creamer with that complimentary cup of coffee.