July 31, 2011

Fort Lauderdale Celebrate NYS Same-Sex Marriage with Honeymoon Contest

Robert Doyle READ TIME: 4 MIN.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Greater Fort Lauderdale has rolled out the "Rainbow Carpet" for GLBT visitors for the last 15 years and is pleased to share in the celebration of gay marriage in New York. Just in time to wish the newlywed couples congratulations, Greater Fort Lauderdale is launching a new webpage to help newly hitched couples plan the perfect escape, www.sunny.org/honemoonwithpride .

After the I Do's, spouses from New Yorkand beyond have a chance to win a gay honeymoon on Fort Lauderdale beach. The "Honeymoon with Pride" contest offers five nights at The Royal Palms Resort & Spa, the largest full-service, male-only gay resort in the U.S., featuring chic urban design in a 62-room intimate oasis that is just a short stroll from Fort Lauderdale Beach. Amenities include Bar, Grill, Spa, Fitness Center, and i-Pads available on check-in.

The lucky lovebirds will also be treated to a couples massage, side-by-side in tranquil orchid themed treatment rooms, long-stemmed chocolate strawberries, a bouquet of rainbow roses, dinner for two at G.G.'s, with a wine flight and special cake dessert.

Or the "Preferred Pride" package at The Atlantic Resort & Spa , Fort Lauderdale's premier luxury boutique hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Blue Wave beaches. The three-night stay in an Ocean View Studio featuring a private balcony, fully-equipped kitchenette and an oversized marble bathroom, plus a couples massage, two complimentary welcome cocktails, and room upgrade (based on availability). To enter to win one of these fabulous honeymoon escapes, visit www.sunny.org/honemoonwithpride .

Together spouses can explore the charming 'Gayborhood' of Wilton Manors lined with unique shops, galleries and glamorous bars and nightclubs. Al fresco dining, independently owned boutiques and cultural attractions can be found on chic Las Olas Boulevard.

At the same time, honeymooners can enjoy lazy days on the beach, a place to relax and enjoy each other's company. The coastline stretches along 23 miles of certified Blue Wave beaches, including Fort Lauderdale beach, which OMG magazine recently named the best beach in the world.

"Bringing an estimated one million gay travelers to Greater Fort Lauderdale last year was a remarkable achievement, and now we grow even prouder celebrating the legalization of gay marriage in New York. Newlyweds are invited to enjoy the warmth of Greater Fort Lauderdale and encouraged to win a memorable honeymoon," said Nicki E. Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Honeymoon and romantic packages are available at the following Greater Fort Lauderdale hotels and resorts:

  • The Royal Palms Resort & Spa Royal Bliss Package: Honeymooners can enjoy an exclusive six nights of bliss at The Royal Palms Resort & Spa, including being swept up upon arrival by limo. Long stemmed rainbow roses and chocolate dipped strawberries await in a Supreme King Room. A cozy breakfast in bed, champagne lunch poolside, special four-course dinner with wine flights at G.G.'s and a personal celebration cake are part of this romantic getaway.

    Couples are pampered with two spa treatments, The Blessing - a double aromatherapy massage infused with the finest spiritual oils of Frankincense and Myrrh and The Experience - a complete body wash, followed by a wrap in sacred herbal oils. Newlyweds can walk the "catwalk" on Fort Lauderdale beach for a private photo shoot with gay celebrity photographer Dennis Dean.

    To continue the celebration, an Intracoastal Waterway cruise on the resort's new Prestige 500, 50-foot luxury yacht is included. The Royal Bliss Package is $6,400. For reservations, please call 877-567-8020 or visit www.royalpalms.com

  • The Atlantic Resort & Spa Introduces Preferred Pride Package For Newlyweds From New York And Beyond: In honor of the Marriage Equality Act signing in New York, The Atlantic Resort & Spa is offering a romantic retreat for all newlyweds to celebrate their recent nuptials.

    Couples can spend their first days of union in intimate, well-appointed oceanfront accommodations, with world-class spa and dining services at their fingertips. The Preferred Pride package begins at $159 per night, based on double occupancy, and includes: Overnight accommodations in an Ocean View Studio, two complimentary welcome cocktails and a 20 percent discount at Spa Atlantic.

    To further commemorate this milestone, the Preferred Pride package is offering a complimentary couples massage at Spa Atlantic for the first 10 newlywed couples booking the package for their honeymoon, available now through December 31, 2011.

    *For reservations, please call 877-567-8020 or visit www.AtlanticHotelFL.com and reference rate code: MKTPRD.
    *Recipients of the complimentary couples massage must present marriage license in order to receive.

  • Romance By The Sea Package for Lovers at The Grand Resort & Spa: Couples can spend two nights in a choice of Junior Suite, One Bedroom Suite, or One Bedroom Penthouse at the property. Champagne and gourmet chocolates are given upon arrival and during the stay guests receive a choice of a Couples' Massage or Couples' Facial at the spa at The Grand Resort.

    Couples can continue the honeymoon at home with two souvenir Grand Resort logo robes. Package rates starting at $466.87. For more information, visit www.grandresort.net

    For more information about GLBT Greater Fort Lauderdale, visit www.sunny.org/glbt

    by Robert Doyle

    Long-term New Yorkers, Mark and Robert have also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center, Mark is a PhD in American history and literature, as well as the author of the novels Wolfchild and My Hawaiian Penthouse. Robert is the producer of the documentary We Are All Children of God. Their work has appeared in numerous publications, as well as at : www.mrny.com.

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