Summer Camp Girlfriends Getaway
Girlfriends will bond as they slip back into their childhood summer routine of all-day outdoor play. With beautiful surroundings as a backdrop, Red Mountain Resort & Spa challenges its guests to step-up their physical activity with an afternoon of kayaking in addition to the regular outdoor activities including hiking and biking. Just like old days, the girls will find it difficult to head back indoors, even for dinner! This four-day, three-night value-packed offer starts at $229 per person per night and includes:
· Deluxe Accommodations
· Three delicious and nutritious meals daily
· Daily hiking
· Unlimited fitness classes
· An afternoon Kayaking adventure
· Welcome gift

Sweet Summer Deal
After a day of fun in the sun, there is no better way to unwind than with a relaxing spa treatment. Guests who opt for the “Sweet Summer Deal” package will enjoy access to exciting outdoor activities including hiking and biking in addition to unlimited fitness classes. This package, complete with a relaxing Sagestone Summer massage, is the ideal way to certify personal summer wellness both physically and emotionally. This four-day, three-night package starts at only $209 per person per night and includes:
· Deluxe Accommodations
· Three delicious and nutritious meals daily
· Daily hiking
· Unlimited fitness classes
· One 50-minute Sagestone Summer Massage

Red Mountain Resort & Spa, nestled in the high desert red rock bluffs of Southwestern Utah and a picturesque two-hour drive from Las Vegas, is an extraordinary fitness and wellness destination. It features rejuvenating spa treatments, the most extensive hiking program in the Southwest and innovative programs for mind and body. Highlights include the Sagestone Spa & Salon offering more than 50 treatments and services, many including indigenous ingredients. Specializing in outdoor adventure fitness programs for all levels, Red Mountain Resort & Spa has been named one of the top spas by Condé Nast Traveler, Fodor’s, Allure Magazine, and Forbes.com; and one of the Top Detox Spas by USA Today. Owned and operated by Pivotal Group, based in Phoenix, Arizona, Red Mountain is located at 1275 E. Red Mountain Circle, St George, Utah 84738. For reservations call 435.673.4905, toll-free at 877.246.HIKE, or visit RedMountainSpa.com.

DENVER (January 8, 2009) – Colorado is set to shine in 2009 and beyond. Exciting new developments are taking hold across the state, including luxury hotel openings, innovative temporary art installations, and other top attractions. Below are several highlights of these new developments. For more information visit http://www.colorado.com/.

NEW HOTELS

* Luxury’s a ‘Cottage Industry’ at The BroAdmoor. The BroAdmoor, Colorado Springs’ AAA Five-Diamond Award-winning property, will debut The BROADMOOR Cottages in May 2009. The new cottages will offer spectacular views of the 18th fairway on the resort’s East Course and majestic Cheyenne Mountain. The cottages boast high beamed ceilings, wood accented chandeliers, wood floors, and handcrafted area rugs, which compliment the natural stone fireplaces. The opulent bathrooms feature custom stone and ceramic five-fixture baths as well as heated floors. Premium surround sound systems, large flat screen televisions, and the latest in-room technology blend seamlessly into the casual and spacious design designed by TAG Galyean and Johnson David Interiors. The units include elegant window doors that open to expansive verandas adorned with oversized wicker chairs and rockers, which offer unparalleled and unobstructed mountain and golf course views. 800-634-7711; http://www.broadmoor.com/luxury-vacation-rentals.php
* In the Lap of Luxury at lumière Telluride. Telluride’s Mountain Village is home to lumière Telluride, an exclusive boutique hotel and personal mountain retreat, offering a full suite of luxury services and amenities. The lumière experience starts at check in, when you are greeted by your personal stay attendant, whose sole purpose is to cater to your every need. The ski-in/ski-out resort features suites ranging from 1-4 bedrooms and averaging 470 square-feet in size as well as a luxury hybrid SUV service, ski valet, spa, fireplaces, evening room service by La Piazza and much more. The stylish rooms are appointed with plush Egyptian cotton bed linens and all natural bath and body products by L’Occitane. www.lumierehotels.com/telluride/
* ‘Ute’ Gotta See It to Believe It. In November, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe will unveil the Sky Ute Casino Resort and Conference Center. Located in Ignacio, Colo., in the Four Corners region, the facility will feature a 140-room luxury hotel with an indoor pool and ‘lazy river,’ five restaurants, a 45,000 square foot casino filled with 550 slot machines and 20 table games, a 100-seat Bingo hall; retail stores, and the area’s only 24-lane AMF bowling center. Just steps from the casino floor hotel is a grand ballroom boasting more than 18,000 square feet. The ballroom will be able to accommodate a crowd of up to 1,800 and can also easily divide into four smaller, separate rooms to house more intimate meetings. The ballroom will host conferences, live sporting and entertainment events, and more. http://www.skyutecasino.com/
* Luxury Developments Continue In Denver. The long-awaited Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residence Denver is set to open in early 2010. Located in the heart of Denver’s theatre district, the 45-story landmark will house 230 hotel rooms and a collection of 102 spectacular private residences in the most expensive private building ever built in Denver. The hotel will feature luxuriously-appointed guest rooms, a 24-hour signature Four Seasons restaurant, full-service spa and salon, 24-hour business center, and expansive meeting and event facilities, including a meticulously-landscaped rooftop garden terrace overlooking Colorado’s capital city. 888-877-4081; http://residences.fourseasons.com/private_residences/denver/
* Elevate Your Spirit in Crested Butte. The Inn at Crested Butte has been fully remodeled and reopened as a boutique hotel with 17 guestrooms that serve as the perfect backdrop for relaxing after a day of skiing. The property offers complimentary wine and cheese tasting and breakfast daily. 877-343-2111; www.theinnatcrestedbutte.net. Or check out the 260-room Elevation Hotel & Spa, which has completed a $25 million renovation. 800-810-SNOW; http://www.elevationhotel.com/
* Try Your Luck in Black Hawk. Ameristar Casino Black Hawk and its 33-story hotel is slated to open in 2009, building on the outstanding gaming and entertainment experience nearby the Denver metropolitan area. The casino will boast 1,600 slot and video machines, 12 blackjack tables and 14 live poker tables, along with five dining and entertainment venues. Ameristar Casino Black Hawk is open 8:00 AM to 2:00 AM daily. http://www.ameristar.com/
* It Takes a Village… Snowmass’ one billion dollar Base Village development, one of the most ambitious USGBC LEED-certified neighborhood developments in the country, welcomes several long-awaited openings for the 2008-2009 winter season. Hayden Lodge and Capitol Peak Lodge represent the first new accommodations built in Snowmass in more than 20 years. The properties boast nearly 100 residences with ski-in/ski-out access to the Elk Camp Gondola and the Village Express chairlift in addition to a location steps from the Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center, restaurants and shops. New dining options to debut this winter include Junk and Liquid Sky from the N9NE group while several new boutiques including Generations Snowmass, Snowmass Style and Performance Ski, Aspen’s premier ski clothing store, will officially open. 800-SNOWMASS; http://www.snowmassvillage.com/
* Channel Your Inner Cowboy. The Three Forks Lodge and Roaring Fork Spa, a working cattle ranch and luxury lodge and spa has opened, welcoming guests to its 200,000 acre spread along the Colorado-Wyoming border. The lodge boasts giant-beamed cathedral ceilings and European hand-carved paneling, which compliments the interior of the lodge’s 15 guest rooms. Each room is appointed with antique oriental rugs, silk-linen wallpaper, Bellisari Italian linens, Chadsworth & Haig robes and L’Occitane toiletries. Nearly all rooms in the lodge boasts views of the Little Snake River Valley. The lodge’s Oxbow dining room features gourmet cuisine prepared by executive chef Marc LeDuc. In addition to world-class fly fishing, the property boasts a 6,000-square-foot Roaring Fork Spa, complete with hot tubs, soaking pools, and four massage and treatment rooms, offering services such as the Little Snake River Stone Therapy, Sportsman’s Relief Massage, and the Catch-and-Release Body Wrap. Additional recreational activities include horseback riding, ATV tours, wildlife viewing, hiking and sport clay shooting. In the winter, guests enjoy cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, sleigh rides, dogsledding and alpine skiing excursions to nearby Steamboat Springs. 970-583-7396; http://www.threeforksranch.com/

ATTRACTIONS

* Calling All Sk8ers. This fall, Colorado Springs will become the home of one of the premier, professionally-designed skate parks in the state of Colorado. Located just north of Sertich Ice Center in Memorial Park, the new skate park comprises 40,000 square feet – roughly three times the size of the current largest skate park in Colorado Springs and second largest in the state. Elements will include an obstacle street, plaza street, bowls, snake runs, and Colorado’s only pool style bowl. World-renowned skate park design firm, Team Pain, designed the new skate park. Due to the hilly terrain and the masterful skills of Team Pain, the park will present a challenge for beginners to experts. The pool style bowl alone is expected to draw riders from all around the region to Colorado Springs.The park will attract novice to expert inline skaters and bicyclists from across the state and region. http://www.experiencecoloradosprings.com/
* Pop (Up) Art. Denver’s growing arts community will welcome The Denver Community Museum, a “Pop-Up” gallery, which is designed to exist for less than a year in Riverfront Park, near downtown Denver. The project will be free and open to the public and contents for the Museum’s monthly, rotating exhibitions will be based entirely on community submissions. The DCM is organized and curated by Denver resident Jaime Kopke. There is no minimum or maximum age limit, nor is there any particular skill level required. Contributors must be residents of the Denver/Boulder area. http://www.denvercommunitymuseum.org/
* Gear Up for Winter Driving in Steamboat Springs. The Bridgestone Winter Driving School in Steamboat Springs gives drivers the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of winter driving or try out World Rally Racing techniques on some of the coolest terrain anywhere. Whether you want to learn winter driving skills or challenge yourself on the school’s three specially-designed ice tracks, the instruction can benefit drivers of all skill levels. Each track offers elevation changes, banked and off camber turns and surface changes. The school’s instructors are driving professionals with a wide range of experience including Rally, Autocross, Touring Car, Pro Solo, Firehawk, World Challenge, Formula Ford Championship, Formula 2000, hill climbs, ice racing, vintage road racing, stock car racing, and precision driving. The 2008/2009 season runs through March. http://www.winterdrive.com/
* Fore the Love of Golf. Avid golfers can tackle the best courses in Colorado with Colorado Golf Trails, a series of all-inclusive, preplanned stay and play golf packages available throughout Colorado. The first Golf Trail, the Mile High Golf Trail, includes signature, championship golf courses such as Arrowhead, Fossil Trace, Fox Hollow, Homestead GC at Fox Hollow, Vista Ridge, Heritage Todd Creek, Riverdale Dunes, Buffalo Run and Green Valley Ranch. Two additional trails will launch before the 2009 season, featuring some of the most challenging championship courses in the state. Each trail will offer from 12-16 Packages, depending on the duration of stay, from 3-7 days, the level of hotel, and the number of rounds of golf one prefers to play, from 3-9 rounds. Groups of 4-20 players including golfing buddies, female friends, couples and business associates can participate on each trail, depending on lodging. http://www.coloradogolftrails.com/

ABOUT COLORADO

Colorado is a four-season destination offering unparalleled adventure and recreational pursuits, a thriving arts scene, a rich cultural heritage, flavorful cuisine, and renowned ski resort areas. The state’s breathtaking scenic landscape boasts natural hot springs, the headwaters of four major rivers, many peaceful lakes and reservoirs, nine national parks and monuments, and 54 mountain peaks that top 14,000 feet. For more information or a copy of the Colorado Official State Vacation Guide, call 1-800-COLORADO or visit http://www.colorado.com/. Media are invited to visit the Colorado Media Room at www.COLORADO.com/mediaroom.php for story ideas, press releases/press kits as well as high-resolution, downloadable photos and video for editorial use.

– Signature restaurant revels in local, organic and humanely raised provisions, with new menu for 2009 by Executive Chef Mark Timms –

** Green Mountain culinary landscape both shaken and stirred by
James Bond Martini appetizer with molecular olives **
January 2009 (Stowe, VT) – Winter is shaping up as a season of renewal in the Green Mountains of Vermont, as Norma’s, the signature restaurant at Topnotch Resort and Spa, embraces a “new food attitude” based entirely on the finest local, organic provisions. A highlight of any visit to the village of Stowe, the patio-style restaurant recently revealed a new menu for the winter season by Executive Chef Mark Timms including a James Bond Martini appetizer ripe with molecular olives. With its steady focus on locally grown, organic produce and hormone-free, humanely raised meats, Norma’s is on the forefront of wholesome, eco-conscious dining that is currently sweeping the States.

“We strive for excellence at Norma’s, both in what we serve and how we prepare it,” said Chef Timms, an award-winning chef who joined Topnotch from the Lodge at Woodloch Spa in late 2008. “Our raw ingredients are selected only under stringent conditions, such as produce grown locally and organically and meats that are farm-raised without hormones or inhumane practices. We also affiliate ourselves with local organizations committed to these philosophies, such as the Vermont Fresh Network, VT Highland Cattle Company, Misty Knoll Farm and Pete’s Greens, and seek to foster new relations with companies dedicated to it. We are committed to a ‘new food attitude,’ in other words, as well as to those who embrace it.”

Drawing on his experience as a Consulting Chef at the Lodge at Woodloch Spa, where he earned “Best for Spa Cuisine” from Condé Nast Traveler in 2008, Timms has also created an enticing selection of healthy spa-style dishes for Norma’s. Dishes include Indonesian Peanut and Celery Soup; Tom Thumb Greens with roasted pecans, pears, blue cheese and cranberry vinaigrette; Oi’s Veggie Rolls with spicy Thai dipping sauce; and Bison Cubed Steak with fresh figs, garlic-chive mashers and blueberry demi-glace, among other delights.

For those who like their appetizers with an edge, the new James Bond Molecular Martini, which includes a molecular olive served in a martini with Osetra caviar and bilini, molecular rum and Coke caviar, and a chocolate-hazelnut cigar, is as sharp as a steak knife. Molecular cuisine is the latest development to blend food art and science at the dinner table by taking everyday ingredients and changing their molecular profile. That means the olive in this particular martini maintains the flavor of an olive, but its molecular make-up has been altered to give it the consistency of ravioli. And the rum and Coke has been carefully “jellified” to the consistency of caviar. At $75 a pop, the James Bond Martini makes a pretty good conversation starter, too.

For dinner, settle down before views of Mount Mansfield and an open-display kitchen to peruse Chef Timms’ commitment to wholesome, healthful and inventive dining. The innovations roll out right from the get-go with dishes including Osso Buco with orange and lemon gremolata, creamy chive, whipped potato and country croutons; Grilled Rack of Lamb from White Clove Sheep Farm, VT, with duck jus lentils; as well as Olive Oil Poached Escolar with smoked salmon and salsify “tagliatelle” mango ketchup, orange vanilla crème anglaise and Day Boat Diver Scallops with sweet potato-mushroom risotto and edamame cappuccino.

The dessert menu at Norma’s by Pastry Chef Veronica Wirth provides sweet finish to any dining experience, with enticements such as a decadent Chocolate Hazelnut Dome and luscious Pumpkin Soufflé.

Anticipate the tastiest winter yet at Norma’s restaurant at Topnotch Resort and Spa – reservations recommended.

Winter rates start at $385. For more information or to make reservations at Topnotch Resort and Spa, please call (800) 451-8686, or visit www.topnotchresort.com.

A model of sophisticated rusticity in the rolling mountains of Vermont, Topnotch Resort & Spa is a premier New England destination retreat offering endless recreational pursuits in a thoroughly luxurious atmosphere. A AAA Four Diamond property perched on 120 acres near the village of Stowe, the resort offers 68 guest rooms and suites dressed up in European Country Manor style, with contemporary amenities and most with exceptional views of the lush Green Mountains. Topnotch also has a selection of 40 luxurious one-, two- and three-bedroom resort homes – the last ranging over 2,500 square feet – each with its own personality and full resort privileges. In June 2006, Norma’s Restaurant opened at the resort, serving eclectic cuisine in a casual setting, with an inviting open kitchen. Acclaimed as one of the Top 10 Resort Spas in America by Spa Finder and as the #10 Resort Spa in North America by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler on the 2007 Spa Poll, voted #1 for service, the recently renovated Topnotch Spa covers 35,000 square feet, including 30 treatment rooms in which to experience more than 120 exotic and rejuvenating treatments and services. For sports and leisure, the resort features a Tennis Center with indoor and outdoor courts, cross-country and downhill skiing, a wealth of fitness pursuits at a state-of-the-art Fitness Center, an indoor pool with a cascading massage waterfall, a new whirlpool/Jacuzzi, and two new outdoor pools – one of which will be heated year-round. Topnotch was honored as the #4 best ski resort in North America and the highest rated in New England in the 2007 by Condé Nast Traveler Ski Poll. The Tennis Center at Topnotch played host to the Fed Cup Semifinal Tie in July 2007 and has been recognized as the #1 tennis resort in the Northeast in 2008 by Tennis Magazine. Pets are welcome in select guest rooms and suites at the resort. Topnotch Resort and Spa is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts and Associated Luxury Hotels. www.topnotchresort.com.

Romantic choices abound including the Kissable Getaway Package, specialty spa treatments and dinner au deux.

LAS VEGAS – For those looking for the perfect way to say “I Love You” this Valentine’s Day weekend, JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa is the place of passion! The resort is offering a special one night stay package and Aquae Sulis Spa and Ceres restaurant have designed romance worthy specials as well.

KISS YOUR CARES AWAY WITH A NIGHT OF ROMANCE

For those wanting an interlude with that special someone, consider the Kissable Getaway Package which can be booked over the Valentine’s weekend, Thursday, Feb. 12 to Sunday, Feb. 15. The package includes:

* One night stay in a deluxe guest room
* Arrival amenity of candy kisses and Champagne
* Three-course dinner au deux in Ceres restaurant (selections from menu below)
* Complimentary Aquae Sulis Spa access for two

The resort is offering this package at a special discounted rate of $199 plus applicable tax and gratuity and based on availability (actual package value is $349). Please call (877) 869-8777 for reservations and quote rate code PKGV.

AQUAE SULIS SPA-LUCIOUS VALENTINE’S TREATMENTS

Aquae Sulis Spa offers two romance-worthy treatment options available the entire month of February. Pick your flavor, whether it is the pure essence of vanilla or the decadence of chocolate for a sinfully sensory experience.

Vanilla Purity or Chocolate Heaven Couples Massage
Satisfy your guilty pleasure with the choice of a vanilla or chocolate aromatherapy to complement the massage.
50 minutes for $135 per person
80 minutes for $185 per person

Love Potion # 9 Couples Manicure and Pedicure
Fingers and toes luxuriate in a love potion of Vanilla Purity or Chocolate Heaven followed by a tantalizing sugar sherbet scrub. Complete this delectable encounter with a pampering massage that leaves fingers and toes feeling richly rejuvenated and oh so touchable!
50 minute manicure for $60 per person
50 minute pedicure for $80 per person

Prices do not include gratuity. Treatments can be booked by calling 702-869-7807.

Don’t forget that an Aquae Sulis gift certificate is a fabulous option and is available by visiting the spa or www.spasulis.com.

UNE TABLE POUR DEUX (A TABLE FOR TWO) AT CERES RESTAURANT

Ceres Restaurant offers a decadent dinner menu Thursday, February 12 to Sunday, February 15 featuring:

STARTERS
Lobster Bisque – 9
Caviar Crème Fraiche

English Pea Soup – 7
Micro Greens, Sour Cream

Mozzarella & Heirloom Tomato Salad – 12
Aged Balsamic Dressing, Crispy Prosciutto, Basil and Tomato Sorbet

Classic Caesar Salad – 14
Creamy Garlic Dressing, Focaccia Crouton, White Anchovies

Slow Braised Short Rib – 14
Creamy Polenta, Micro Greens

ENTREES
Steamed Ginger Thai Snapper – 26
Bok Choy, Jasmine scented Rice, Curry Emulsion

Pan Roasted Alaskan Halibut – 32
Couscous, Golden Raisins, Pine Nuts, Caviar, Beurre Blanc

Exotic Mushroom Risotto – 19
Mixed Wild Mushrooms, Truffle Essence, Parmesan Cheese

Free Range Chicken – 24
Fingerling Potatoes, Mushrooms, Spinach, Chicken Jus

Best of Beef Center Cut Filet – 36
Creamed Spinach, Whipped Potatoes, Truffle Sauce

DESSERTS
Chocolate Symphony for Two – 18.50
Chocolate Tart, Flourless Chocolate Cake, Raspberry Chambord Mousse
White Chocolate Vodka Sorbet

Cheesecake – 9.50
Vanilla Cheesecake, White Sponge, Whip Cream

Apple Tart – 8
Short Dough Crust, Raspberry Puree, Frangipan, Green Apples

Prices do not include tax and gratuity. Dinner reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 702-869-7381.

JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa features 548 oversized guestrooms set amid 54 acres of lush gardens. Located in Summerlin, 20 minutes northwest of the famous Las Vegas Strip, the resort is close enough to indulge in the city’s amenities, but far enough away to enjoy golfing on one of the courses surrounding the resort or explore beautiful Red Rock Canyon. Indulge yourself at JW Marriott’s luxurious Aquae Sulis Spa or lounge by the grass-edged pool. Plus, the resort features a wide selection of dining and entertainment options, from casual to elegant. All services and amenities synonymous with JW Marriott are at your fingertips when you visit.

JW MARRIOTT LAS VEGAS RESORT & SPA: 221 N. Rampart Blvd., Toll Free: 877-869-8777, www.jwlasvegasresort.com.

Check out our E postcard at: www.jwlasvegasluxury.com.

Candlelight dinners, couples massages, horse-drawn carriage rides — they’re all part of the offerings from this elite, new network of historic, boutique and unique hotels across the U.S. and the Caribbean. Combining personalized service with local flair, this upscale collection reflects a growing consumer preference for unique and authentic travel experiences*. You’ll be swept off your feet with Ascend Collection packages like these:

Valentine’s R & R — that’s Rockies and Redwoods

– THE GOLDEN HOTEL, Golden, Colo. For getaways in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the Golden Romance Package includes luxurious accommodations, a bottle of wine, box of decadently delicious chocolates, $30 voucher for breakfast at the hotel’s Bridgewater Grill and late checkout. Located in historic downtown Golden, this 62-room, mountain-style lodge serves up spectacular mountain views. Richly appointed guestrooms have fireplaces, king sleigh beds and oversized jetted tubs. Amenities also include a lively bar and the casual, full-service Bridgewater Grill with courtyard overlooking picturesque Clear Creek. Downtown Denver is 12 miles away, while hiking trails, galleries and shopping are just outside the front door. Nightly rates start at $189 plus tax for this package valid year-round.

– BAECHTEL CREEK INN & SPA, Willits, Calif. Two packages are available and valid year-round at this retreat set amidst the wineries and Redwood Forests in the heart of California’s Mendocino Coast. The It Happened In The Redwoods offer includes one-night accommodations, a bottle of Mendocino County Wine, a voucher for a scrumptious dinner for two at the nearby Purple Thistle restaurant, homemade breakfast in the morning, plus a signature 90-minute Redwood Raindrop Massage for two at the inn’s Body Boutique Spa. Relax under a gentle mist of redwood aromatherapy, while enjoying a massage with organic essential oils. Rates start at $485 plus tax.

The Celebration Getaway package provides one-night accommodations; gift basket with bottle of Mendocino County Wine; local gourmet chocolates; an aromatherapy candle; a voucher for a romantic dinner for two at the Purple Thistle, homemade breakfast, and a 60-minute Love Potion #9 Couples Massage with rose petals and a red-hued oil infused with Damiana, a special herb known for its sensual properties. Rates start at $445 plus tax. Add $25 for Friday- and Saturday-night stays for both offers. Two-night packages also are available.

Nestled beside a tranquil creek, Baechtel Creek Inn houses 43 charming guestrooms. In addition to the spa, this pet-friendly lodging offers free WiFi and newly upgraded deluxe guestrooms with pillow-top mattresses and plush robes in the more secluded, adults-only building. Hiking trails, golf courses, award-winning wineries and cultural attractions are all nearby.

– O’BRIEN HOTEL, San Antonio, Tex. Enjoy high style and Southern hospitality at the O’Brien, just a leisurely stroll from the cafes and shops of San Antonio’s lively River Walk promenade. The Romance Package starts at $275 for the first night for a luxurious room with whirlpool tub or balcony overlooking historic downtown San Antonio. Also included in this package: continental breakfast, bouquet of roses, chocolate-covered strawberries, rose petal turn-down, and a horse-drawn carriage ride through the River Walk. The O’Brien Hotel welcomes with 39 elegant rooms with high ceilings and high-end bedding and linens. The property is minutes from popular attractions like the Alamo museum; La Villita Historic Arts Village, and Historic Market Square, a shopping, dining and entertainment district. Romance flourishes year-round, with this package available throughout 2009.

What’s Dreamy: Baseball, Arts and All That Jazz

– HOTEL BOTHWELL, Sedalia, Mo. Relive the golden days of the Roaring Twenties with the Hotel Bothwell Romance Package. Starting at $159.99, you’ll get one-night accommodations at this national historic landmark housing suites with ornate sleigh beds and fireplaces. Other romantic goodies include: a bottle of sparkling wine, rose-petal turndown service and deluxe gift basket with assorted chocolates. As Sedalia’s premiere fine dining restaurant, the hotel’s Ivory Grille serves up savory cuisine and historic charm with decor inspired by former frequenter Scott Joplin, the late composer known worldwide as the King of Ragtime. The stately Hotel Bothwell has hosted such other famous guests as Bette Davis, Harry Truman and Clint Eastwood. Located in the historic district of Sedalia, Mo., the lodging provides easy access to popular attractions, including the Katy Trail State Park for hiking and biking; Katy (Train) Depot Historic Site; Truman Lake, and Daum Museum of Contemporary Art.

– WILDWOOD TOWN CENTER HOTEL, Wildwood, Mo. For lovers of romance and baseball, the Wildwood Town Center Hotel’s Honeymoon Package is good for a Friday- or Saturday-night stay in a Jacuzzi suite. Guests are greeted with fresh flowers, assorted chocolates, champagne and gift vouchers toward breakfast for two at the nearby Rise N’ Dine restaurant. Located minutes from the Spirit of St. Louis Airport, the 112-room Wildwood Town Center Hotel provides a full-service restaurant, free WiFi, 24-hour fitness center, indoor heated pool and hot tub. Guestrooms have flat-screen TVs with high-definition programming; plush robes; mini-bars; balconies, and dreamy king beds dressed up in double pillow-top mattresses and 600-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets. Nearby attractions include the Saint Louis Zoo and Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. Hiking, swimming, biking and picnicking are within easy reach at Babler State Park. Nightly rates start at $199 plus tax. What’s not to love with this offer available throughout the 2009?

– INN AT MENDENHALL, Mendenhall, Pa. For pampering in the picturesque Brandywine Valley, head to the Inn at Mendenhall, not far from the Philadelphia International Airport. The Romance Rendezvous Package, good for Valentine’s Day, includes deluxe accommodations, complimentary breakfast buffet, Champagne, Godiva chocolates, chocolate-covered strawberries and one dozen roses. As part of the package, you’ll receive a $100 gift certificate toward a meal at the award-winning Mendenhall Inn Restaurant, featuring New American, French and Asian Fusion cuisine with a wine list of more than 60 fine wines and Champagnes. The 70-room Inn at Mendenhall has fully renovated guestrooms and suites with whirlpool baths and flat-screen TVs. Guests explore such nearby attractions as: the vibrant Longwood Gardens, Valley Forge National Historical Park, Delaware Art Museum, Chaddsford Winery and Winterthur Museum & Country Estate. The Romance Rendezvous Package is valid year-round. Nightly rates start at $265.95 plus tax (includes the $100 gift certificate for the restaurant).

– KRESS INN, De Pere, Wis. Discover Wisconsin’s scenic Northeast region minutes away from the city of Green Bay. Valid year-round, Kress Inn’s Romance Package starts at $189.95 plus tax for one night’s lodging for two plus champagne, locally made Seroogy’s chocolates and deluxe continental breakfast. This award-winning, pet-friendly boutique hotel has 46 charming guest rooms and suites, some with fireplaces and whirlpools. Among the nearby offerings are art galleries; ballet; theater; specialty shops; restaurants; waterfalls; the Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame, and state parks for hiking, biking and recreation.

Ascend Collection members harness the resources of Choice Hotels, one of the world’s largest lodging franchisors, while still maintaining their independent and intimate charm. Guests can participate in the award-winning Choice Privileges program and earn points towards airline rewards and free stays at more than 5,000 hotels worldwide. They also enjoy easy booking through one of the most robust reservation systems available.

Ascend Collection premiered this fall with 23 upscale hotels nationwide, including properties in Florida, Hawaii, California, Colorado, New York and Puerto Rico. For more information on this collection of historic, boutique and unique hotels, visit http://www.ascendcollection.com.

*A boutique hotel, with unusual atmosphere and décor, appeals to one in five leisure travelers, according to the Ypartnership/Yankelovich 2008 National Leisure Travel MONITOR. Nearly one in three travelers enjoy historic lodgings, the survey also found.