Valentine's Day Getaways

By: Rani Bernstein

Whether it’s galantine’s day, a getaway with your significant other, or a meeting up with your friends, Redbook recently published an article highlighting some fantastic destinations for Valentine’s day this year. Here are some of the highlights:

1.       Relaxing, immersive experience: Dunton Hot Spring Cabins, Dunton, Colorado

Each authentically restored, hand-built cabin offers wonderful views of the mountains and surrounding meadows. Some even have their own hot spring inside of it. Each are located steps away from the bath house, which has a variety of hot springs that are intended to help improve circulation and promote healthy skin. The waters range from 85-106 degrees Fahrenheit. There are even winter programs such as snowshoeing or skiing! For more information, visit their website, linked here.

2.       Romantic resort: Paradise Stream, a CoveHaven Entertainment Resort, Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania

What’s one of the first things that comes to mind when you think of the Poconos? Heart-shape tubs! With three locations in Pennsylvania, these resorts are known for their heart-shaped hot tubs in each room, and suites with champagne glass hot-tubs. Some suites even have a private pool. This resort is located on private Lake Eden, in the Pocono Mountains. With two restaurants, two bars, and a nightclub, there are a variety of activities throughout the day to keep guests entertained. For more information, visit their website, linked here.

 3.       City getaway: Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada

With spa-like bathrooms and floor to ceiling windows, this hotel is a luxury experience designed for those looking for relaxation in a big city. To splurge even more, book a room with direct views of the strip! With private cabanas available to rent near the pool, and a large spa, this is the ultimate getaway, located just minutes from the Las Vegas strip.

For other hotel ideas, visit the Redbook article! Happy Valentine’s Day to all.

Bleisure... What it is and Why it Matters

by: Elska Vuong

Bleisure.  It doesn't roll off the tongue.  It sounds unappetizing, gross even.  But it's a major hospitality trend and it's not going away anytime soon.

Not to be confused with a ‘workcation’ – where employees work on the road rather than taking time off – bleisure (a portmanteau of ‘business’ and ‘leisure’) refers to the practice of tacking on extra time before or after a business trip for leisure. 

“bleisure (a portmanteau of ‘business’ and ‘leisure’) refers to the practice of tacking on extra time before or after a business trip for leisure”

A study commissioned by the Expedia Group found that in 2016, 43% of US business trips were bleisure trips. In 2017, that number had increased to 60%, almost a 40% increase in one year! Business travelers – particularly millennials – are increasingly opting to mix business with pleasure, extending their trip typically by a day or two so they can experience their destination beyond the meeting room or convention center.

So what does this mean for the hospitality industry?

• Whether a business trip turns into a bleisure trip is primarily driven by the availability of enticing leisure activities. Unsurprisingly, food, beaches, and entertainment options (i.e., sightseeing and culture options) are major factors in determining whether travelers turn a business trip into a bleisure trip.
• Overwhelmingly, business travelers visiting a city for a conference are the most likely to turn the excursion into a bleisure trip. Host conferences, hold audiences.
• Bleisure travelers typically spend less time researching their destination than they would on a leisure trip, so marketers have an opportunity to reach and convert travelers mid-trip, particularly for add-on products like dining, entertainment, tours and activities.
• Bleisure travelers typically remain at the same hotel for the duration of their trip – so a 1-2-night stay can easily convert into 3-4 nights
• A third of bleisure trips are in a different city as the business trip, which means travelers are willing to travel from their business destination for leisure.  

Ultimately, bleisure can be big business for destinations both big and small, you just need to know how to target them.