Over-The-Top Valentine’s Travel Experiences: Day 3

by McLean Robbins on


Today, we show you what “flower power” really means. Let’s just hope you don’t have allergies.

Select Renaissance hotel guests can opt into an over-the-top romance package that includes a decked-out hotel suite complete with 27,000 blossoms in each room.

From hydrangeas to tulips, peonies and, of course, roses, flowers line the walls and are placed throughout the room.

As part of the brand’s “Live Life To Discover” motto, other experiential touches include an extravagant breakfast in bed, daily Valentine’s Day love potion cocktails, an aromatic bubble bath experience with deluxe bath salts and bubbles, and a wide range of decadent chocolates, fruits and cheeses.

Of course, they have some cheaper romance packages too.

But what’s the fun in that?

Want to know what other ways you can woo your jet-set love this Valentine’s Day? We’re tracking 10 of the most over-the-top romance experiences we can find. See all of the coverage on our “over-the-top” tag, here.

[Image Credit: Renaissance Hotels]

Renaissance Hotels’ New Brand Campaign Makes Us Want To Travel

by McLean Robbins on


Marriott has always had a wide array of brands and brand personalities, and one of our favorites has always been the Renaissance brand. While upscale, it’s not too luxe for the average traveler. We can’t help but love their new video for the first global ad campaign aptly titled “Live Life to Discover,” part of the brand’s overall web redesign.

The campaign aspires to ask today’s modern business traveler the question, “If you are traveling to a destination for business, why not make the most of your free time and discover something exceptional and unique?”

Certainly a motto we at Gadling aspire to live by. Just take a look at the video above. Don’t you want to pack your bags and go?

Renaissance Hotels releases Navigator App

by Elizabeth Seward on

I like Renaissance Hotels. Although I tend to stay away from big hotel chains, I like Renaissance because it’s a boutique line and every hotel of theirs is different from the others. Another thing I like about Renaissance? They have Navigators in place of the traditional concierge.

Renaissance Navigators are, in short, employees who are locals and in the know. I once walked into the Renaissance Pere Marquette in New Orleans and picked the brain of a Navigator on staff. I liked his recommendations. As a point of reference, I own TheAntiTourist. I don’t like being shooed off in the direction of obvious tourist spots and this particular Navigator gave me a run for my money with his list of off-the-beaten-path things I might like to do.

Why is this useful information for you? Because Renaissance recently released the Navigator app. And it’s free for the taking for iPhone, iTouch, and iPad users until February 28th if you use the code ‘intheknow’ on iTunes. So look it up. Take it. See how you like it. And then let us know.