Story Ideas
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Exclusive LEGO® Master Build Weekend at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa
The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa has partnered with LEGO to be the first Resort ever to offer and exclusive Master Build Workshop Weekend. Arizona’s first LEGO store opened at the Chandler Fashion Center and to celebrate, the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass is bringing out a certified LEGO Master Builder to lead a two day workshop for a limited number of lucky guests. Offered July 19-20 and August 2-3, these packages provide an exclusive opportunity to spend the weekend with a professional LEGO Master Builder. This limited engagement was designed specifically for Resort guests to have personal instruction in advanced building techniques with a certified expert. Spend two days working hand-in-hand with the Master-Builder, learn prized tips and assist in creating a life-sized, one-of-a-kind LEGO creation especially designed for this event.This package is suggested for children 6-12 years old and is limited to 50 per workshop. Starting at $249, families receive one night in a luxurious guestroom, access for one child in the LEGO Master Builder Class for two days, an exclusive video presentation for the whole family by the LEGO Master Builder, a $25 LEGO Gift Card, a LEGO Club Membership and a coupon redeemable at the LEGO Store for a free small Pick A Brick Cup. To book this package, call: 602-225-0100 or visit www.WildHorsePassResort.com and mention the BUILD08 rate code.
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New 35,330 Sq. Ft. Meeting Space Expansion Underway
The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa has recently broken ground on a Ballroom Expansion, set for completion in June of 2009. The process will add 35,330 square feet of additional meeting space to the Resort offering a wealth of new business opportunities.Designed by Jacobs Carter Burgess, the enhanced meeting space will feature a large 15,000 sq. ft ballroom, two additional meeting rooms with 971 and 870 sq. ft and a foyer offering 8,884 sq. ft of pre-function space. This added space is a new opportunity for many large groups to book the Resort’s 500 rooms and comfortably feed and house meetings up to 900 people. In addition, this new space will appeal to national trade shows needing ample exhibit space, national associations, social catering events and large pharmaceuticals. Jacobs Carter Burgess designed the space to reflect the culture and authenticity represented throughout the Resort’s existing architecture and decor. The round design of the foyer is reminiscent of the traditional Pima roundhouse and honors the customs of the Pima and Maricopa Tribes.
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“Love Your Luggage” Package at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass
Not feeling the love for your luggage? With new airline fees being added to already weary travelers, the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa wants to renew the fun and faith in the travel experience by reimbursing imposed checked luggage and in-flight beverage fees with the new “Love Your Luggage” package. Several airlines recently announced plans to charge customers for services that have historically been included in the ticket price such as checked luggage, in-flight beverages, meals and even peanuts! Simultaneously, a new Landmark Survey reveals “deep frustration” among air travelers and reveals that 41 million trips were avoided because of this sentiment, costing the economy more than $26.5 billion. Guests of the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa are encouraged to simply show proof of a luggage charge and will be reimbursed $25 per person, up to $50 per guestroom. This small gesture on behalf of the Resort is meant to relieve any stress or economic pressures from the new airline policies and to reassure guests that their business is valued and appreciated. Ofered from $169, the “Love Your Luggage” package includes one night in a traditional guestroom and a $25 per person credit with the proof of an airline luggage charge, $50 max per guestroom. Package valid through December 31, 2008, is exclusive of tax and gratuity and requires the LUGGAGE promotional code upon booking. For reservations or more information, call: 602-225-0100 or visit www.WildHorsePassResort.com.
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Experience the World's First GeoGreen Resort at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa
The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa goes beyond Green and promotes both Cultural Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility with its new GeoGreen initiative. Having led the industry for the last five years in Geotourism, the Resort is now looking to be the leader in Eco-stewardship with the new GeoGreen initiative that combines recycling and conservation efforts with cultural preservation while offering guests a unique experience and “sense-of-place.”Our internal practices have been altered to accommodate environmental needs. Each associate is participating in our daily recycling and conservation efforts. According to Editor Keith Bellows, the list's inspiration came from wanting to help readers avoid the letdown of staying in a hotel that isn't original and fails to exhibit any understanding of its cultural context. National Geographic created the list based on extensive research, including input from local experts and seasoned travelers, in-depth questionnaires to more than 600 nominated hotels and detailed follow-up by magazine staff. Regardless of price, all the featured hotels cherish a sense of place and offer a sweet night's sleep, according to the magazine.Senior Editor, Sheila Buckmaster, said that in order to make the list, the hotels and inns had to be judged in four main areas; ecological stewardship, adherence to a true sense of place, community involvement and overall ambience and service.
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Kai at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa Emerges as Phoenix/Scottsdale’s Only AAA Five Diamond Restaurant
Kai, the signature restaurant at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa on the Gila River Indian Community, received its second AAA Five Diamond Award for 2007 in October and now stands as the only Five Diamond dining experience in the Valley of the Sun. As more and more resort restaurants abandon their fine dining establishments for high end chain experiences linked to chefs who are nationally known but removed from the day to day operations, Kai stands as a case study for success for local and unique cuisine. Kai, opened in October of 2002 and was the first Native American owned or themed establishment in history to receive the coveted AAA Five Diamond Award. Under the direction of Executive Chef Michael O’Dowd and Chef de Cuisine Jack Strong, along with Consulting Chef and James Beard Award-winner Janos Wilder, Kai has coined its own “Native American Cuisine with Global Accents” and has won the hearts of Resort guests, local foodies and even the toughest food critics.
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Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa Wins National “Odyssey Award” for “Sustaining an Indigenous Culture or Community”
The Tourism Industry Association of America (TIA), in partnership with National Geographic Traveler magazine, recently awarded the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa the TIA Odyssey Geotourism Award for Sustaining an Indigenous Culture or Community.The TIA Odyssey Awards recognize excellence in the travel and tourism industry. The only individual resort and Arizona entity to be recognized in the entire awards ceremony, the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa leads the nation in geotourism efforts offering Resort guests tangible and authentic Native American art, architecture, cuisine, entertainment and philanthropic opportunities. For a full list of award winners and categories please visit, www.tia.org/odysseyawards. |
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AAA Five Diamond Kai Restaurant Unveils New Winter Menu with Innovative Dishes and Show-Stopping Service
Kai at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa celebrates the coming of winter with a new seasonal menu featuring the innovative restaurant’s most creatively aggressive menu to date and an increased focus on table-side service.The Pima and Maricopa People have long embraced the changing seasons with celebration and renewal and the AAA Five Diamond Award-winning Kai Restaurant, located on the Gila River Indian Community and featuring Native American Cuisine with Global Accents, has reflected that embrace by creating a rich, warm menu sure to tempt its guests. This revamped menu includes new items such as Hudson Valley Foie Gras and Pumpkin Brulé, Caramelized Red Mullet with Young Ginger and Green Curry Infused Coconut Fume, and Kurobuta Pork Prepared Three Ways. Many menu favorites were given a fresh approach such as the Lobster Tail on Frybread, which is still available as the Lobster Degustation. Menu staples such as the Grilled Tenderloin of Buffalo and the Pan Seared Colorado Lamb Loin make a popular appearance on the new menu as well. Those looking for an over the top dining experience will relish in the Caviar & Champagne Meringue appetizer featuring Beluga, Suvruga, Osetra and Tobiko Caviars for $175 or the seven course Chef’s Tasting Menu with Sommelier wine pairings for $240 per person. The new menu is the combined creation of Executive Chef Michael O’Dowd, Chef de Cuisine, Jack Strong and Consulting Chef Janos Wilder.
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Native American "Storytelling & Song" Resumes for Winter Season
The highly acclaimed “Storytelling & Song” program at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa will open this season with a ceremonial blessing at 6:00 p.m. on November 16. The program, designed to share the ancient cultures of the Pima and Maricopa Tribes, has been a favorite of Resort and Restaurant guests, but is only offered during the winter months due to cultural customs.The featured Storytellers are enrolled members of the Gila River Indian Community and tell a combination of ancient Pima and Maricopa legends based on desert wildlife, typically with a moral lesson, as well as personal stories about their experiences growing up on the surrounding Tribal lands. Traditional and social songs are also shared during the hour-long presentation. This program was developed and is managed by the Resort’s Cultural Concierge, Ginger Sunbird Martin.
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New Desert Interpretive Trail Unveiled
The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa has completed the construction of a two and a half mile Interpretive Trail which runs alongside the Resort’s replication of the storied Gila River. The construction of the Interpretive Trail was a three year process involving in-depth research of the Gila River Indian Community’s history and heritage. More than fifty signs detailing the culture, history and plant life of the Gila River Indian Community can be found along the trail. More than half of the signs focus on the vegetation that is of historical significance to the Pima and Maricopa People. Each sign, named in both the Pima and English languages, features a picture of each plant and denotes what it was used for and its significance to the Gila River People. The remaining signs detail facts about the surrounding area such as the history of Pima Cotton and facts about the Pima and Maricopa languages. |
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Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa Tops Starwood's "Best Resorts" in North America List
The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa received the “Hotel of the Year” Award for the Sheraton Brands in North America. The Resort beat out more than 430 Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. North America properties to win this prestigious honor for the first time in its four-year history. The rating is based on results of guest surveys that convey overall satisfaction and also focus on service composite scores. Associate satisfaction surveys, revenue management and AAA rating status are also considered in the process. Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa received a AAA Four Diamond rating for the Resort and received Five Diamond status for the first time for Kai last year. The Resort is consistently rated in the top percentile for guest satisfaction, meeting planner’s satisfaction and associate satisfaction. In addition, the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa was recently named Catering and Convention Services Team of the Year for Starwood’s Midwest and Southwest Regions. |
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Wild Mustangs and Massage Package at Aji Spa
Relax, roam and enjoy rare views with this new, one-of-a-kind package offered at Aji Spa at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa. Spend the morning on horseback in search of the 1,500 Wild Horses that roam the Gila River Indian Community and enjoy an afternoon of luxurious pampering. Cowboys from the onsite Koli Equestrian Center will greet you on horseback for a 1.5-hour ride through ancient Tribal lands where ancestors of the Spanish El Conquistador’s noble Mustangs still roam free. Keep a keen eye for a rare view of these amazing, and truly wild, animals before returning to the spa where you will receive your saddle-soothing 50-minute full-body massage. |
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