Preposterous PR Releases — The humorous side of Frommers

by Grant Martin on

Here at the Gadling we get tons of press releases every day — specials at all-inclusive resorts, sales on airfare, updates to the crummy menus at some crummy hotel in the middle of nowhere.

Some we tune into, seeing the value or angle pitched by a team of savvy marketing gurus. And some, well, are just weird. It’s easy to reach over and click the Delete button on gmail when you receive your third pitch for Dubai beach resort investments, but at Frommer’s Behind the Guides Blog, they’ve turned the tables.

Our old friend Stephen Bassman provides the commentary in a series called Preposterous PR, in which he dissects a variety of outlandish articles and asks what we all want to say: “What the heck were you thinking?”

This week’s post is on Westin Aruba’s “Conception Credit,” where if couples can prove (how?) that they conceived a child at the Westin this season they’ll get $300 in resort credit. Give it a read, it’s hilarious.

Incidentally, if you happen to like Mr. Bassman’s style of writing you’ll be happy to know that he’ll be contributing to Gadling starting this month. Stay tuned for his contributions starting this week.

Go to Antigua with Curtain Bluff’s “Power of 10” package

by Tom Johansmeyer on

I know we’re still sweating the summer, and January seems like a lifetime away. But, think back seven or eight months. Remember how cold it was. It’s hard to make the connection, but it really was that cold out, and you lived it. It’s going to happen again before you know it. So, now is probably the time to book a retreat from the crushing cold. Curtain Bluff‘s new package, “The Power of 10,” is designed to make your start to 2010 memorable … as if relief from frigid temperatures with the warmth of Antigua weren’t enough.

From January 1, 2010 to March 31, 2010, you’re stay at the all-inclusive Curtain Bluff resort will be enhanced with a sunset sail on Curtain Bluff’s yacht, cooking classes with Chef Christophe Blatz and a series of “seconds”: a second spa treatment, a second tennis lesson and a second personal training session. And, this comes in addition to all the usuals: fishing, snorkeling, SCUBA diving and just relaxing by the beach.

“2009 was a tough year for many in different ways,” says Rob Sherman, managing director of Curtain Bluff. “We at Curtain Bluff want to offer something extra special and fun to start 2010 off right,” he continues; “now in addition to experiencing some of our top activities already included with their stay, guests can also splurge on spa treatments and private lessons and classes at minimal cost.”

Curtain Bluff really does redefine relaxation: the place actually got me to chill for a while. This package is definitely worth a look.

Interested in Curtain Bluff? Read the recent series on this resort >>

Aruba’s Westin Resort offers $300 for your baby

by Katie Hammel on

I can understand the idea of a babymoon, a vacation taken right before a new baby is born. Enjoying one last (for a while anyway) trip before your life becomes a crazy blur of diapers and late-night feedings almost seems medically necessary. But taking a vacation with the sole purpose of getting knocked up – a procreation vacation – well, that sounds a little too “desperate marketing ploy” to me. Can’t people just have sex at home? Or just go on a trip and say “We’re gonna go on vacation, have a lot of sex, and see what happens” without making pregnancy the objective? Apparently, the Westin hopes not.

The Westin Resort on Aruba wants couples looking to take their own procreation vacation to book a stay this fall. The Resort is offering a $300 credit, to be used on on a future visit, to any couple that conceives while staying at the resort between September 1 and December 19. During that time, the Resort’s “Classic Package” is $399 per night for two and includes all meals and drinks, including alcohol. Guests who book by September 30 will also receive a $100 Resort Credit.

It’s an attention-getting promotion, but I doubt many couples will be able to collect. Getting pregnant seems like a crap shoot that requires the perfect storm of several factors. No matter how much sex a couple has over the course of their stay, the odds that the woman will happen to be ovulating and get pregnant within that time frame are slim. But if it does happen, the couple just needs to provide a doctor’s note confirming that conception was on or around the dates of their stay, and they’ll receive the $300 credit. For those who do receive a visit from the stork, I suppose it’s a nice incentive to return to the Westin for the first post-baby vacation.

[via USA Today]

Gadlinks for Monday 8.24.09

by Brenda Yun on


One of summer´s last weekends has come and gone. Enjoy the warm sun while it lasts! … and take some time to enjoy these travel tales as well.

‘Til tomorrow, have a great evening!

More Gadlinks HERE.

Three for Free promotion at 18 Hyatt hotels

by Alison Brick on

If you’re staying at a Hyatt hotel this fall and you want a little extra pampering, you’ll want to know about their Three for Free promotion.

What’s included? A free night, room upgrade, and daily breakfast. The free night is based on either a three-, four-, or five-night stay, depending on the specific hotel.

Unfortunately, it’s not available at all of their hotels–only 18 of them. Two international hotels are available, though: Aruba and Cancun. The other domestic locations range from Kauai to Chesapeake Bay.

And if you become a fan of the promotion on Facebook, you can get an additional welcome gift as part of your stay.

The promotion is valid for travel from September 8th to December 18th, 2009.

[Thanks, NYTimes.com]