naples beach hotel & golf club, florida
This Florida resort, which offers couples white-sand beaches with stunning Gulf Coast sunsets as a wedding backdrop, features a new Gulf-view ballroom—the 5,000-sq.-ft. Everglades Room—and the 6,283-sq.-ft. River of Grass ballroom, for couples who wish to take their nuptials indoors. The Everglades Room features a wall of windows providing panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico, bringing the outside in for couples who rather stay out of the Florida heat. Those who prefer the outdoors can bask in the Florida weather on the Ocean Lawn as their venue, which sits on the water’s edge, while more intimate ceremonies of up to 50 can take place overlooking the golf course. Couples can also host rehearsal dinners on site at the Gulf beachfront restaurant or the newly expanded The Sunset Beach Bar & Grill, which was named “Best Place to View a Southwest Florida Sunset” by Gulfshore Life Magazine. The resort offers six wedding packages, each including a rehearsal, ceremony, reception and set-up, onsite coordinator and a complimentary guestroom for the couple, as well as guestroom discounts for guests. Packages start at $98 pp, including a 1-hour cocktail, a 3-course meal, wedding cake, wine service with dinner, Champagne toast, linens, and a complimentary waterview room for the couple on their wedding night.
In fact, couples can plan all their wedding activities at The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club such as welcome and rehearsal dinners, a bridal spa day for the bridal party, a groom’s golf outing, or even a bon voyage brunch. The 317-guestroom resort features a spa, a fitness center, golf course, and full-service salon with bridal hairstyling and makeup application where the bride, her bridesmaids and guests can be prepped to perfection for the big day. Guests bringing kids along can take advantage of the resort’s complimentary Beach Kids Club for ages 5-12, giving parents a chance to relax while kids enjoy activities such as a Pirate Day treasure hunt on the beach, yoga and more.
Why we chose it: The resort completed a $40 million renovation within the past six months, remodeling guestrooms and suites, the golf course, The Sunset Beach Bar & Grill, and the beachfront pool complex, providing a “just like new” feel for guests.
naplesbeachhotel.com
SLS las vegas, nevada
Clients planning their nuptials in the fall or later, can be one of the first to celebrate at SLS Las Vegas, which opens Labor Day weekend. Located on the lively Las Vegas Boulevard on the north end of the Las Vegas Strip, SLS Las Vegas features a casino and more than 1,600 guestrooms and suites in three distinct towers—Story, World, and Lux. Guestrooms range from the quaint 325-sq.-ft. room to the abundant 3,300-sq.-ft. penthouse suites. Culinary choices are just as intriguing with Bazaar Meat, Katsuya, Cleo, Ku Noodle and more.
Couples can keep the party going with their guests at the property’s nightclubs—LiFE, offering both day and night partying with aerialists and performers; Beach LiFE, an open-air rooftop pool and day club opening early-2015; The Sayers Club, showcasing live performances by emerging artists on stage while also providing guests a relaxed outdoor patio atmosphere; Foxtail, an upscale early evening lounge turned nightclub that opens up to an outdoor pool joining indoor and outdoor experiences, and two blackjack tables within the venue; Foxtail Pool Club, connected to Foxtail’s nightclub; Monkey Bar, the lobby bar; and Center Bar, located on the casino floor and open 24 hours.
SLS offers couples a variety of event space choices such as seven ballrooms with capacity for grand celebrations up to 637 guests or intimate affairs with only 16.
Why we chose it: A brand-new hotel, on the Vegas Strip, with casinos, more partying options than one can fit into a weekend, and elegant rooms. Why wouldn’t we choose it?
slshotels.com/lasvegas
terranea resort, california
Located in Rancho Palos Verdes, this Destination Resort property is centrally located about 20 minutes from both the Los Angeles International and Long Beach airports, making it an easy access for guests flying in. The property, set on 103 acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean, offers panoramic oceanfront views that are a perfect backdrop to a stunning ceremony. As a member of the Destination Wedding Collection portfolio, the resort offers couples an array of options with 75,000 sq. ft. of outdoor space and 65,000 sq. ft. of indoor event space, accommodating intimate affairs for up to 25 people to grand celebrations of up to 900 guests. The most popular wedding locations for photos and scenic backdrops are Catalina Point, which can accommodate up to 220 guests and situated on a bluff along the Palos Verdes coastline, overlooking the ocean with views of Catalina Island; the Catalina Ballroom, the resort’s premier reception venue, which caters up to 220 guests, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a private outdoor terrace and lawn area; and the Beach Cove, which offers an oceanfront seating. Offering accommodations in oceanview guestrooms and suites, bungalows, casitas, or villas, the resort can accommodate 500 guests; for larger celebrations, couples can commit all of the resort’s rooms and event spaces without groups having to buy-out the entire resort. Brides can relish in some pampering with their bridesmaids at The Spa at Terranea, where packages include the I Do I Do package offering hair and makeup trials before the wedding day, as well as a mani-pedi, hair, makeup and Champagne to ease the nerves on the big day. Bridesmaids can indulge in the Maid-Over package, which includes a 60-minute facial, mani-pedi, hair, makeup, and celebratory Champagne; a similar package not including the facial is available for the mothers of the bride and groom. The man of the hour will also be pampered with the Groomed to Perfection package for him and his groomsmen including a 60-minute Gentlemen’s Facial, shampoo treatment with scalp massage, haircut and manicure. Guests who stay at the resort’s Shearwater Suites (starting rates $2,445 per night) will have unlimited access to a Lexus vehicle with a line-up of themed GPS-led drive itineraries, each including recommended stops for attractions, snacks, as well as special amenities and gifts. The resort has many onsite activities including golf, coastal hikes, kayaking and paddle boarding.
Why we chose it: Set on a bluff, panoramic ocean views, ability to rent out the entire property, pampering, and possible Lexus drives. Need we say more? terranea.com
turtle bay resort, hawaii
Located on Oahu’s fabled North Shore, and situated at the start of the mecca of surf known as the “7-mile miracle,” Turtle Bay Resort is known for health, wellness and adventure. If your clients are searching for a beachside wedding, this is the only place on Oahu where full-scale wedding ceremonies are allowed on the beach. Couples can let their imagination run wild, with wedding accommodations on the lawn of Bay View Beach at sunset, on Kuilima Point for buffet dining and entertainment, on the Palmer Course at the 18th hole, or even at the stables lawn—there is a place to fit an array of personalities and tastes. Ceremony site rentals start at $1,500 and reception site rentals start at $3,000, however, there are many packages filled with amenities and services, making the planning that much easier. Packages range from the 18th Green for up to 100 guests starting at $15,000; to the Naupaka package, starting at $12,500, including limousine service, a 4-night stay in an oceanfront King Beach Cottage, a getting ready room, ceremony site, tropical flower arrangements, non-denominational officiate, acoustical vocalist/guitarist, photography services, Champagne for 36 guests, and dinner for two at North Shore Kula Grille or Pa’akai restaurants. There’s also the Pokake package ($10,500), and the Kuilima Cove package for 50 guests starting at $6,500.
Taking advantage of the location, each of the 443 accommodations have ocean views, including the beach cottages, villas, and the recently upgraded main building guestrooms. Room discounts are available for wedding bookings, as well as group rates. The property houses seven restaurants and bars, including the two recently opened—North Shore Kula Grille and Pa’akai restaurants, with locally sourced ingredients. The couple and their guests can do as much, or as little, as they like with activities ranging from expert-led surf and stand-up paddleboard lessons; Segway, bike and kayak tours; and 36 holes of golf to yoga and fitness classes; hula and ukulele sessions; and oceanside horseback rides. The bride and her bridesmaids can sit back and be pampered at The Nalu Kinetic Spa, which offers an energetic environment for complete immersion in health, referred to as “meditation in motion.”
Why we chose it: Didn’t we say it’s the only resort in Oahu that can plan a beachside wedding? turtlebayresort.com
winvian, connecticut
Set on 113 acres in the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut, Winvian, part of the Relais & Chateaux collection, is made up of a 1775 manor at the center of a historic estate, 18 individually designed resort cottages and the Hadley Suite (the resort cottages and the suite were designed by 15 different architects, each telling its own story). Just a short trip from New York or Boston, Winvian sets the perfect unexpected escape for wedded bliss. Guests of the Winvian can experience the unexpected with a range of accommodations including a treehouse that’s 35 ft. above ground and features a gas fireplace, a steam shower, jacuzzi, and a full bar; an indoor campsite centered around a king-size tented bed with a blue-painted ceiling that converts to a star-filled one at night; a greenhouse; a musical conservatory; and a barn that features a fully restored 1968 Sikorsky Sea King Pelican HH3F helicopter at its center with original pilot seats, switches and gauges, as well as a cockpit fitted as a cocktail bar, and a fuselage that’s used to watch films…oh, and there’s a king-sized bed placed just outside the helicopter. Every cottage has bikes that can be used for exploring the grounds. Starting room rates are $1,275 including all meals, fully stocked in-cottage bars, all alcohol (except wines), a $50 spa credit pp, snacks and select onsite activities. A la carte rates start at $699. The resort also features a spa and a farm-to-table restaurant.
Catering to the couple’s needs, the property can arrange just about anything their imaginations dream up—with guestrooms this imaginative, much can’t be out of their reach. Activities include hot air balloon rides, kayaking, horseback riding, gals day with the bride-to-be enjoying the 5,000-sq.-ft. spa, cooking classes, guided hikes, and even cross country skiing. Couples can be sure to get undivided attention from staff, as the resort only schedules one event per weekend. Couples choosing the Winvian are provided a wedding planner; AAA five-diamond cuisine in the restaurant; and five-diamond lodging; and custom events for two to 500, including rehearsal dinners, ceremonies, receptions, after parties, bon fires, and organic food. Full
property buy-outs are available.
Why we chose it: They had us at treehouse and hot air balloon rides. Oh, and don’t forget the helicopter and the picturesque wilderness setting. winvian.com ●
