Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Amps Up VIP Pro

1 MAIN Casino - Topper Courtesy Hard Rock Cafe International smAs of May 2014 ten years will have passed since the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino opened up in Hollywood, Florida. Now with a 96% year-round occupancy rate, an AAA Four-Diamond rating, and an array of accolades, this destination is at the top of its game. Located in the Seminole Tribe territory, the hotel has held true to the tribe’s vision of creating a landmark destination with international appeal that also has a positive economic and social impact on the South Florida community at large. Amid its success, this Hard Rock property—which boasts no less than 700 original pieces of original memorabilia—continues to add new features and enhance those existing, like ramping up its VIP program to ensure participating guests are treated like rock-and-roll royalty.  

Heading up this exalted VIP experience is Samantha Cox, the hotel’s Director of VIP Services, who’s unofficially known as the Ultimate “Go-To” Girl. Her mandate is to facilitate special requests to ensure the most memorable VIP guest experiences possible. And, options abound. From shaking hands with Al Pacino to private concerts with the likes of Stevie Wonder to meet and greets with Dr. Mehmet Oz, Samantha, who formerly served as personal executive assistant to Virgin Group chairman and founder Sir Richard Branson, makes it happen.

While the Hard Rock brand boasts 180 different types of venues in 55 countries, this particular Hard Rock is a flagship location—the one-and-only property that has all of the elements for an utterly complete Hard Rock experience. That means it’s the lone Hard Rock that offers hotel accommodations, a casino, a Hard Rock Live theater for entertainment, a Hard Rock Café for bites and beverages, a Rock Shop and retail shopping district, tropical pool oasis, convention center with ballrooms, Rock Spa for pampering,  and one of South Florida’s most exhilarating nightlife districts.  The convivial confusion here is not what you should do, but rather what you should do first. And, for VIP high rollers, the options for amping up these and other available experiences are seemingly endless.

As would be expected, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has some super cool amenities. One of note is designed as the ultimate outdoor play space for VIPs: the resort’s exclusive, utterly spectacular pool chickee oasis inspired by the DIY Network Man Caves program. This poolside party palace offers 520-square feet of well-appointed paradise that comes complete with its own intimate plunge pool, seven plush lounge chairs, three canopy umbrellas and an oversized wrap-around couch on a lavish private patio that is enveloped in lush, tropical landscaping. And, this special oasis is not short on modern entertainment. It features a state-of-the-art entertainment system that includes a 70” Smart LED HDTV, an iPod dock, and a PlayStation3 with complimentary Wi-Fi. “Man Cave” chickee guests also enjoy a stocked refrigerator, a wet bar, table seating for six, a personal safe to store belongings, a secluded shower, cooling misters and a remote-controlled glass fireplace. Of course, this space wouldn’t be complete without a personal butler and a dedicated Beach Club attendant.

To sustain the resort’s standards of excellence, they are continually looking for other unique ways to elevate the on-site experience for VIPs. Towards this end, the property has also added specialized wine-pairing dinners at its signature Council Oak Steak & Seafood restaurant, and offers top tournament play at the casino, including blackjack, slots, and record-breaking guaranteed poker events. Another exciting amenity for VIPs is “The Dinner Series” at the resort’s Chef’s Table, an exclusive private dining experience where one of the talented Hard Rock Chefs designs and prepares a three-course menu “live” in the resort’s culinary workshop.   The Chef’s Table dinner is a unique experience that offers guests a more intimate setting.

Of course, music is the central theme of what the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino embodies. Through the destination’s VIP Series program, they transform Hard Rock Live from a traditional entertainment arena into a luxurious space with a fun atmosphere to deliver intimate concerts with some of the most popular artists and pop-culture icons. Past concerts have featured Lionel Richie, Brian Wilson, and Jeff Beck.
 
The overarching VIP strategy is the cornerstone of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s steadfast focus on increasing customer loyalty. The hotel is making great strides to reward both frequent and high-caliber guests.  That’s where Samantha comes in. After all, she understands that, to feel like a rock star, guests have to know their special requests will be met…no matter what. In keeping with the resort’s VIP service-oriented vision, Samantha aims to say “yes” as often as possible.

1 MAIN Casino - Topper Courtesy Hard Rock Cafe International sm Casino - Blackjack Dealer  Courtesy Hard Rock Cafe International 1
Winners Way Garage at Seminole Hard Rock Courtesy Hard Rock Cafe International Memo - Guitars over Beatles Quote Courtesy Hard Rock Cafe International


 
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marileen"The Luxe List" Executive Editor Merilee Kern scours the luxury marketplace for exemplary travel experiences, extraordinary events, and notable products and services. Submissions are accepted at www.LuxeListReviews.com. Follow her on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/LuxeListEditor and Facebook here: www.Facebook.com/TheLuxeList.

***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above were provided at no cost to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***
 

 

Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort Exemplifies Eco-Luxe Lodging

4 Courtesy Hilton Hotels  ResortsMany hotels are making strides to go green with eco-friendly practices, but one has been a pioneer on the hospitality “green scene”: the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort. Having commenced its earth-friendly program in 2007, this property is well ahead of other hotels and resorts that are just dipping their toe into the social responsibility pool. Even so, this property continues to expand its cadre of eco-friendly features, raising the bar ever higher with the hope others will follow its lead.
 
Sustainability practices, aside, this 374-suite resort proffers a vacation paradise for leisure travelers. Located in the exclusive enclave of North Beach in the center of the famed Fort Lauderdale strip, this 4-Diamond, award-winning Hilton property boasts many features that make it a standout among the copious accommodations options on Fort Lauderdale Beach. These include the largest suites with full-size modern kitchens, wrap-around ocean- and Intracoastal-view balconies, and Italian marble floors as well as handsomely-appointed studios and guest rooms. The resort’s amenities include leading-edge technology and meeting facilities, an infinity pool with 25,000 square foot Sunrise Pool Terrace replete with poolside cabanas, beach access, a fitness center, luxurious spa, on-site ocean-front cuisine and 24-hour room service. The resort is located close to popular city attractions like the Everglades National Park and The Galleria Mall while also being situated close to a bevy of water sports.
 
In sharing what sets the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort apart, Brigette Bienvenu, the property’s Director of Sales and Marketing, noted, “It is unique in its level of service and guest experience. Also, we have the best rooms in Fort Lauderdale Beach in terms of size, amenities, and the contemporary, yet residential, style. Our innovative trendsetting sustainability initiatives promote education and inspire eco-friendly practices for our industry and among our guests.”
 
A true inspiration is, indeed, the hotel’s burgeoning sustainability initiatives. Since it opened in 2007, it has been committed to energy savings. Setting a high standard from its start, this property was the first Fort Lauderdale beach hotel to be designated a Florida Green Lodging destination.
 
Continuing its legacy of going above and beyond local regulations, in January 2014 this resort voluntarily installed six wind turbines at a cost of $700,000 to help reduce energy consumption from sources that deplete natural resources. These commanding turbines are located on the resort’s rooftop to achieve the maximum wind velocity for the greatest amount of power generation possible. These turbines provide enough renewable energy to light the building year-round.
 
Other noteworthy initiatives spearheaded by the property’s “Green Team” committee include programs related to waste reduction, energy efficiency, and resource conservation. The programs involve an environ pure composter to compost up to 900 pounds of food waste each day to avoid adding to the local landfills. A guestroom linen and towel program encourages guests to assist the hotel in being eco-friendly by hanging towels to reuse and having bed sheets changed out every three days on extended stays rather than every day. The hotel also has windows that use manufactured tinted glass to protect the interior of the building from sun exposure, which also helps to reduce the amount of energy needed for heating and cooling.
 
To further identify areas that could be improved, the resort utilizes "LightStay,” which is a proprietary system utilized by the resort’s Green Team to analyze and track the property’s sustainability performance.  This system is used by the entire Hilton chain, setting a precedent in the hospitality industry as no other brand has implemented sustainability initiatives to this degree throughout its portfolio.
 
Always seeking to push the eco-envelope, more green objectives are planned, including a Tesla charging station allowing Tesla electric vehicle owners to receive a high-speed charge—less than an hour. To further elevate the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort’s image in terms of its focus on sustainability and to educate the community, Ms. Bienvenu explained the property will continue its property sustainability tours, which are conducted weekly for guests, local residents, and schools. The tour includes a look at all the resort’s initiatives, including the rooftop wind turbines, the property’s tinted windows, and the composter.
 
What’s ahead for the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort? According to Ms. Bienvenu, future plans include the addition of two unique venues to provide an array of culinary and entertainment options both for hotel guests and local residents. In the summer of 2014, the property will open a new outdoor venue and lounge that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean for private receptions or daily fun in the sun with music, an outdoor bar, and culinary options. A little further out, in early 2015, a new sky bar and lounge will open.  With this, the resort will be the tallest building to have a rooftop venue on Fort Lauderdale beach.
 
With a contemporary beach ambiance, 4-Diamond service, residential creature comforts, priceless views and an unsurpassed sustainability program, the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort exemplifies green luxury travel and is doing more than its fair share to convey how, together, everyone can make a difference in the planet’s well-being.

Photos: Courtesy Hilton Hotels & Resorts

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marileen"The Luxe List" Executive Editor Merilee Kern scours the luxury marketplace for exemplary travel experiences, extraordinary events, and notable products and services. Submissions are accepted at www.LuxeListReviews.com. Follow her on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/LuxeListEditor and Facebook here: www.Facebook.com/TheLuxeList.

***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above were provided at no cost to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***
 

Adrenaline and Enchantment in Puerto Vallarta

MAIN-3-Zip-Courtesy-Canopy-River-298x192The beautiful city of Puerto Vallarta is perfectly situated along the western coast of Mexico. Over the last several decades, this city has become a mecca for travelers seeking an all-in-one vacation destination. Puerto Vallarta certainly fits the bill, proffering everything a leisure traveler could want: amazing sunsets, gorgeous sandy beaches, exceptional authentic Mexican cuisine, stellar hotel and resort properties, world-class spas, gorgeous golf courses, and a bevy of fun and exhilarating activities to ensure a good time is had by all.

Relative to activities, Puerto Vallarta certainly has all of its bases covered. Below are details on two of my personal favorites—the Canopy River adventure tours and the Rhythms of the Night dining extravaganza—for pure adrenaline experiences by day and an unrivaled enchanted evening al fresco.

Canopy River
If you are an action seeker looking for excitement and a way to see the beauty of Puerto Vallarta up close and personal, Canopy River tours are for you. This company offers everything from a fast-paced zip line boasting no less than 12 heart-pounding sections to thrilling ATV tours, which include diving and dipping at a gorgeous hidden river and waterfall basin, to exciting expeditions through the rainforest. You can complement any of these adventures by dining at the breathtaking on-site Los Coapinoles Restaurant where guests can also participate in one of the greatest tequila tastings in the area.

Your zip line adventure begins with a brief safety training provided by experienced, talented and affable zip line professionals. You will then be safely hooked up to a full-body harness and provided with a security helmet, as you and your tour guides head off for an experience of a lifetime. You will zip through 12 different lines that fly directly above the amazing rainforest located in the Sierra Madre Mountains to heights as high as 709 feet. Each zip line ends on a large platform that gives you the opportunity to stop for a moment, enjoy the surroundings and take memorable photos. Adding to the adventure, at the end of the line, you will travel by mule back up the mountain to the point of origination.

The river expedition is definitely designed for both nature lovers and adrenaline seekers. These expeditions starts on the coastline of Rio Cuale and take a six-hour journey through the remarkable rainforest of the Sierra Madre Mountains. Among other notables, you will travel across two bridges that reach heights of up to 88 feet. This journey is only meant for true thrill seekers looking for the thrill of a lifetime.

If you are looking for a fun experience, but may not have the daredevil aptitude for zip lining or a full-blown expedition, an ATV tour can provide an amazing experience. These tours are crafted for those with even little or no ATV experience, so even if you have never ridden an ATV before, this tour is for you. This 60-minute thrill ride will take you on a journey through the Sierra Madre Mountains. You will be given the opportunity to stop at several prime locations to view the ample beauty this area has to offer, from stunning flora to incredible wildlife to mountainous vistas beyond. As mentioned, halfway through the trip, the experienced tour guide will take you to one of the most beautiful hidden treasures in the mountains: Piletas. This location will reward you with the opportunity to see a breathtaking waterfall and even take a swim in the pristine waters beneath the falls before hopping back on your ATV and heading back.

Rhythms of the Night
Rhythms of the Night is an immersive dinner show experience like none other, transforming your night into an enchanted evening on a mystical land. The experience begins with a relaxing cruise across the Banderas Bay where complimentary snacks and cocktails are served. As the sun sets across the sky, you will be rewarded with a stunning light display along the coastline, as the sun sets and the moon starts to rise. This picture-perfect setting is a primer for the experience ahead. As your cruise ship ports at the secluded Las Caletas cove, you will be greeted with a beautiful starry night, a torch–lit pathway, and mysterious islanders coaxing you to your initial destination.

As if the journey to this tranquil cove was not enough, your evening will only get exponentially better. The fire-lit path will guide you to an exceptionally romantic outdoor dining area right along the coast. Nature provides the perfect setting for this outdoor dining experience, as a light wind from the Pacific Ocean blows in the air and through the decorative palm trees. Light from the torches and litany of candles scattered about flickers on the water. The sounds of nature are intertwined with table-side serenades from talented musicians wandering through the dining area. The atmosphere alone transforms dinner into a mesmerizing experience.

Guests are then treated to a full-service buffet that includes thoughtfully prepared food selections to accommodate any dietary preference. The buffet includes grilled chicken, fish and steak, along with a delicious display of vegetables, salads, and, of course, tortillas that are hand-made exhibition style. The dessert buffet is equally tantalizing, with pies, rice pudding and brownies among the many offerings.

After dinner, you will be beckoned to the outdoor amphitheater where talented local artists will perform a spectacular theatrical performance amid the backdrop of a pyramid adorned with candlelight. Through fire, acrobatics, dance, song, music, comedy and magnificent costuming, the performance proudly reenacts some of the ancient customs that highlights the rich history of this region.

At the conclusion of this perfect enchanted evening, you will receive a final toast as you dance the night away as the cruise ship transports you back to the port with music bumping and cocktails flowing. As with the ride to the cove, the return trip also provides scenic views unique to this part of the world.

Overall, this enthralling evening offers the opportunity to have a relaxing, peaceful and exciting night filled with sights, sounds, smells and tastes you will not soon forget. Whether you are looking for the quintessential romantic dinner experience, a fun-filled family adventure, or are planning a group event, an evening with Rhythms of the Night is a magical journey sure to impress.

No matter which of these day or night excursions you choose to partake in while vacationing in Puerto Vallarta, you are assured a special experience. The adventures at both Canopy River and Rhythms of the Night are exceedingly well-organized and planned by people prideful of the rich history of this area—and their enthusiasm is nothing short of contagious.  Rhythms of The Night

marileen“The Luxe List” Executive Editor Merilee Kern scours the luxury marketplace for exemplary travel experiences, extraordinary events, and notable products and services. Submissions are accepted at www.LuxeListReviews.com. Follow her on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/LuxeListEditor and Facebook here: http://www.Facebook.com/TheLuxeList.

***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above were provided at no cost to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***

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