Cond'e Nast Johansens 2007 - Florida Destination Wedding Resorts
More Brides Saying 'I do' to Fall & Winter Ceremonies
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, July 12, 2006. Cond'e Nast Johansens (www.johnansens.com), the international luxury hotel guide publisher, today announced that in recognition of an increasingly popular trend, the 2007 Recommended Hotels, Inns, Resorts & Spas - The Americas, Atlantic, Caribbean, Pacific will pinpoint Florida resorts catering to brides opting for destination weddings in the Fall and Winter months. Cond'e Nast Johansens is the most comprehensive illustrated luxury guide to hotels, inns, resorts, and spas throughout the Americas, Great Britain and Europe, and the only guidebook that carries the Cond'e Nast seal of approval.
"The job of the Guides is to identify the best of the best and to be responsive to our readers' interests," noted Lesley O'Malley-Keyes, Cond'e Nast Johansens vice president and publishing director for the Americas. "The phenomenon of destinations weddings in Florida has grown dramatically over the past five years, and we believe that our readers will appreciate our reviews of the many facilities catering to this increasingly popular trend in weddings."
O'Malley-Keyes noted that the most popular months for destination weddings in Florida are October through December and then February through May, and that most brides who book Florida destination weddings come from the Northeastern United States. But there are some exceptions. "The wedding planners at Don CeSar Resort off the coast of St. Petersburg have found it to be very popular with couples from England and Scotland, who typically bring only 10 guests for their wedding, making it a wonderfully intimate celebration," said O'Malley-Keyes.
There is one constant, however -- almost all couples booking a destination wedding in Florida dream of a ceremony on the beach, ideally at sunset.
O'Malley-Keyes and her team of expert inspectors, who are currently visiting luxury properties in Florida to identify prime wedding destination properties for the 2007 Guide, plan to recommend a variety of resorts in Florida, from the Gulf to the Atlantic and from the Panhandle to Key West. Among those already approved for recommendation are the Don CeSar Beach Resort with its flamingo pink facade and ideally located on the sugar white St. Pete Beach. Also on the Gulf Coast, in the Panhandle city of Seagrove Beach, Cond'e Nast Johansens recommends the WaterColor Inn & Resort, which in addition to a 60-room inn, boasts 140 vacation homes.
"Many wedding planners tell us that some couples book one vacation home for the bride and her bridesmaids, and a second vacation home for the groom and his groomsmen," said O'Malley-Keyes. "It's a wonderful way for the bride and groom to spend time with their best friends before the big event."
Most recently, Cond'e Nast Johansens recommends the chic Hotel Victor in Miami's popular South Beach. Most couples hold their ceremonies on the hotel's "View Terrace" overlooking the ocean.
"The Hotel Victor clientele is very hip and trendy, so most brides who book weddings there are looking for something memorable and non-traditional," adds O'Malley-Keyes.
Cond'e Nast Johansens recommends only those properties that meet its exacting standards, making the Guides one of the most trusted resources for exemplary accommodations. Selections are the result of an annual inspection process and are based on excellence in service and cuisine, unique style, diverse character and exceptional location. Cond'e Nast Johansens publishes five guides and recommends lodging on three different continents.
The Cond'e Nast Johansens Guides, which are entering their 25th year of publication in Europe, have attracted a loyal readership in the United States by guarantying that each Recommended property undergoes a rigorous annual inspection process to ensure that exceptional quality is maintained year-after-year. Every qualifying hotel or spa is awarded the "Cond'e Nast Mark of Excellence" wall plaque. This prestigious sign of approval serves as a visible endorsement for more than 13 million of the world's most discerning travelers.
The Cond'e Nast Johansens international collection of guides is available at select bookstores nationwide. The Guide web site, www.johansens.com offers exclusive seasonal discounts and complimentary access to the international database of luxury accommodations. Consumers can purchase Cond'e Nast Johansens Guides by calling Cond'e Nast Johansens at 1-800-564-7518 or via the online bookstore at www.johansens.com. Gift certificates are available at the Web site.
The complete international collection of Cond'e Nast Johansens includes:
Recommended Hotels & Spas, Great Britain and Ireland
Recommended Country Houses, Small Hotels and Inns, Great Britain and Ireland
Recommended Hotels and Spas, Europe and The Mediterranean
Hotels, Inns & Resorts Americas, Atlantic, Caribbean, Pacific
Recommended Venues for Business Meetings, Conferences and Events
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
