How the 1 Percent Loves: The $100,000 Valentine | Truthout

How the 1 Percent Loves: The $100,000 Valentine

Tuesday 14 February 2012

by: Laura Flanders, The Nation | Op-Ed

Lest any of us forget, some people have plenty of money to throw around. Take Valentine's Day. Here’s what one four-star hotel in Chicago was offering a few weeks back, courtesy of a press release from their publicist. I’ve removed her name, otherwise, the e-mail is word-for-word. Note, the “valentine” is assumed to be female. Any takers?

"Do you want to make the ultimate gesture for Valentine’s Day? Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park Hotel is offering a package that every starry-eyed couple will remember for a lifetime. Their $100,000 Romantic Getaway Package includes everything your heart could desire.

"Guests will be transported to and from the airport for a luxurious two-night stay in the Presidential Suite. Upon arrival at the hotel, guests will be welcomed with a 'Charming Rose Petal Red Carpet', a trail of roses from the foyer to the bed of roses as well as six dozen roses throughout the Presidential Suite.

"After getting nestled into the room, the couple may choose to start the weekend with a “Fairy Tale Moments” bubble-bath-for-two, which includes Cristal Champagne and strawberries prior to a lavender-filled bath with rose petals surrounded by romantic candlelight. After a one-of-a-kind bubble bath, slip into cozy personalized robes and soft slippers.

"What Chicago trip would be complete without a little retail therapy? Guests will receive a $10,000 gift card to Saks Fifth Avenue Chicago and a VIP personal shopping experience in their exclusive Fifth Avenue Club. In addition to a one-of-a-kind shopping experience, your lucky lady will receive a stunning 18 karat white diamond and sapphire necklace from Marshall Pierce & Company. This jaw-dropping piece of jewelry features sixty two oval cut sapphires (22.54 carats) with pave diamond halos around each sapphire weighing at a total of 5.83 carats of diamonds. After roaming the famous shops of Michigan Avenue, the couple will seclude into peace and tranquility by receiving an in-room 90 minute massage-for-two.

"Guests will also receive two amazing dining experiences, one of which is a Chef’s Table-for-Two at aria. A Breakfast Du Jour in Bed is provided each morning as well as full use of your own private butler throughout the entire two-night stay. Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park Hotel’s One Enchanted Moment is offered at $100,000 (plus tax) and is available February 10-14, 2012.

P.S. The publicist at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park Hotel confirms this is not a parody.

This story originally appeared in The Nation.
Copyright © 2011 The Nation – distributed by Agence Global.

via truth-out.org