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New Passport to Romance Program

New Passport to Romance Program at Royal Palms Resort and Spa is the Ultimate Surprise Romantication Getaway

Royal Palms Resort and Spa raises the bar for red-carpet romance with its new Passport to Romance program.  Knowing there’s something very special and romantic about being whisked away on a surprise getaway, even for just one night, Director of Romance, Robert Vickrey, and Director of Guest Experiences, Sarah Escobedo, collaborated to create the ultimate surprise Romantication™.         

According to Escobedo, “No other property offers a program dedicated solely to romance this innovative and comprehensive, bringing together every possible element of a surprise rendezvous and orchestrating all of the logistics.”

“What really sets this experience apart, though, is the scavenger hunt-like quality that makes it playful, unpredictable and thoughtful – elements that are often missing in busy lives yet vitally important to keeping romance alive,” explains Vickrey.

The seduction begins with a visit to myromantication.com or by calling the resort’s Romance Team. Once the parameters are determined (length of stay, activity preferences, etc.), the fun begins. The Romance Team, led by Vickrey and Escobedo, takes over, orchestrating every detail and then some, to ensure a one-of-a-kind romantic escape.

The Team will develop customized letters and notes to surprise the one being whisked away and lead him or her from one experience to another, even beginning prior to arrival.  As an example, Harry decides to plan the most romantic, surprise filled getaway to propose to Sally.  Once he decides which activities and gestures to include (all with the help of the romance magicians at the resort, of course), Harry can relax and let the journey unfold. The first letter from Harry that Sally receives might read something like this:

Get ready for the “royal” treatment! Pack everything you will need for three days and two nights. You will find out more about our destination soon, but for now just know that you will be traveling to a warm, sunny, luxurious destination. Be sure to pack both active and elegant clothes because I plan to romance you royally!  Stay tuned for more details about our love journey.

Once at the resort, the couple will be presented with “love notes” that guide from one activity to the next clue or experience, making the entire getaway seem like a spontaneous, romantic adventure. Like Harry, the one planning the surprise getaway can rest assured that every gesture, every detail will be taken care of by the romance pros. He can focus completely on enjoying his partner … and look like a romantic hero at the same time.

“We’ve created so many customized romantic visits at Royal Palms that we’re able to anticipate and recommend countless personalized touches that take this way beyond the typical hotel romance package,” says Escobedo.  “One of our signature activities is an evening in an intimate Via Cappello area where everything from wine and food to music and gifts is customized. The Via Cappellos provide a wonderful escape for a picnic in a private garden; a candlelit dinner in the Bell Tower with a customized menu, champagne, rose petals, music, signature dessert, and fireworks in the shape of a heart around the couple’s names; sunset cocktails accompanied by a Spanish guitarist; or a place to watch the stars while enjoying s’mores and champagne. Of course, every detail is pre-arranged so the couple has only to follow the clues in the letters and show up.  Voila! Romance.”

Other popular inclusions are couples’ spa treatments, climbing Camelback Mountain which serves as a dramatic backdrop for the resort, or a hot air balloon ride followed by a gourmet brunch in the open desert. The Romance Team will also handle all of the time-consuming details such as securing rental cars or airport transfers, coordinating spa and dining reservations, arranging for flowers or personal mementos in the room upon arrival, reserving a poolside cabana or a citrus grove hammock, drawing a bubble bath, designing a rose-petal turndown, securing tickets to a favorite concert, setting up a salsa dancing class or designing a private spree with the resort’s Director of Shopping.

About Sarah Escobedo . . .

As Director of Guest Experiences, Sarah Escobedo has catered to the whims and desires of a host of VIP guests including President George W. Bush and the First Family, politicians, foreign dignitaries, actors, artists, musicians, entertainers, corporate executives, media moguls and sports stars.  With exquisite attention to detail and creativity, she personalizes their visits in such unique ways that many guests have celebrated 100 visits or more. For one couple celebrating their 20^th wedding anniversary, Escobedo surprised them with a bedside framed photograph of their wedding that she secretly obtained from the couple’s daughter. She even replicated the bride’s wedding bouquet in a welcoming flower arrangement placed next to the photograph. As the couple entered their room, they were greeted with special music – the song to which they danced at their wedding.

For a visiting musician, she did more than a little digging to learn this celebrity has a little-known passion for painting, and then miraculously found a piece of the musician’s years’ old original artwork, had it framed and waiting in her guestroom upon arrival.

Together with Director of Romance, Robert Vickrey, Escobedo will create similar stunning stories of romance for guests who select the Passport to Romance program.

The story . . . a legacy of love

In 1925 successful New York financier, Delos Cooke, announced his retirement in order to devote himself to the care and welfare of his beloved wife Florence. “She has first claim on me,” he said lovingly. And so began their dream, the winter retreat they called El Vernadero and today is called Royal Palms. Much of the romantic aura found today at Royal Palms comes from the original detail work the Cookes incorporated into their home and, of course, their love for each other.

Florence and Delos had only two years to enjoy their romantic estate until Delos passed away in 1931. Heartbroken, Florence continued living at El Vernadero for six more years before selling. Although the ending to this love story is bittersweet, Royal Palms today continues to honor their legacy by creating treasured memories for the many couples who seek romantic retreats there.

To create a custom-made Passport to Romance, visit myromantication.com or call 877-827-9157.