The Brazilian Court Palm Beach, FL

With group rates being offered with a minimum 5 rooms, now is the perfect time to visit the #1 beach hotel in South Florida, the Brazilian Court. This all suite hotel offers 80 newly renovated one, two, or three bedroom suites. In addition to being steps away from shopping, dining, and of course the beach, the Brazilian Court offers an incredible array of amenities and services on site. Complimentary access and transportation to the to the Beach Club is also an added bonus when you stay with the Brazilian Court.

From 400 square feet studios to the luxurious 1800 square foot poolside lanai suite, there is accommodations for every need. The mahogany cabinetry and limestone floors represent the finest of Florida boutiques. Rooms are equipped with complimentary wireless internet, digital safe, 24 hour room service and same day laundry and dry cleaning service. There is also plenty of space for your event, be it meeting, wedding, The Brazilian can certainly meet your needs with over 2700 square feet of meeting space and 1100 square feet of outdoor event space.

In addition to the ample amenities, one can also pamper themselves in the exquisite Frederic Fekkai salon and spa. For anyone who has been experienced Frederic Fekkai salon, you know you are in for a treat. A full menu of treatment options is available ranging from cut and color, bridal makeup and hair, and skin nail and massage services.

For leisure of business, if you are considering South Florida, consider The Brazilian and enjoy all of the luxuries South Florida has to offer. Contact us for further information at info@earthandmoonservices.com

Cap Cana, Dominican Republic

Settled along the pristine white beaches of the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, lies the exquisite Grand Resorts at Cap Cana. Recently designated as the World’s Greatest New Destination, Cap Cana offers incredible beauty and distinct luxury. The Grand Resorts at Cap Cana captures that beauty and creates its own haven with its two currently available retreats, The Fishing Lodge and Sanctuary, and as of fall 2012, Ocean Club.
Designed with the beauty of Cap Cana in mind, the Grand Resorts at Cap Cana blend beautifully into the surrounding landscape but is designed with outdoor adventure in mind. Its pristine location offers impeccable beaches, marinas, access to deep sea fishing, incredible golf courses and nature trails. With nearly 365 days of sunshine annually, nature beckons guests of all ages.
Achieving the 2012 Travelers Choice Award from Trip Advisor, The Sanctuary at Cap Cana is just that, an incredible retreat that soothes the body and soul. Marble baths and silk bathrobes, to the 5 swimming pools and luxurious spa, and choice of furnished balcony or terrace with optional panoramic ocean views. Another incredible option at The Sanctuary is their Castle Junior Suite Swim-Out. All of the luxury with the added benefit of swim out access to the salt water pool.
The Fishing Lodge of Cap Cana is built around Cap Cana’s Marina is ideal for your wedding or golf enthusiasts, boasting a secluded beach, three bars, two themed restaurants, four pools and a Dominican-style stone wedding chapel. Additionally, the resort also offers the exclusive Punta Espada Golf Club, the top rated golf course in the Caribbean and Mexico. It too offers several ground floor accommodations with swim out access.
Set to open fall 2012, the Ocean Club will offer their guests all of the amenities of The Fishing Lodge yet remaining an intimate boutique style, 92-room hotel. Rooms will range from romantic bungalows to Marina inspired suites.
Whatever your preference might be, The Grand Resorts at Cap Cana are certain to have something to fit your taste. Contact us to set up your wedding or next meeting at the truly luxurious location.

State of the Industry...

As the Republican primary approaches here in Florida, the television and airwaves are saturated with claims of a continued failing economy detailing how it is still impacting small business. Who is responsible, who can fix the economy and is the economy trending in a positive direction. Certainly these debates will become more intense as the general election draws near. But no matter who is right or wrong, recent years have forced us all to take a look at our own fiscal fitness, both personally and professionally, as we each share some responsibility.
One of the largest challenges both individuals and organizations have had to deal with over the last few years is doing more with less. As citizens we are adapting to the sluggish economy by trying to be more responsible in our own homes, clipping coupons and cutting expenses, limiting unnecessary driving to reduce gas consumption and reducing our leisure expenses just to name a few. Professionally, businesses are also learning to function on not only fewer financial resources, but reduced staff and consequently, less knowledge and experience, forcing creative alternatives in work and production. In the meeting and event planning world, these shortages translate to cancelled or smaller meetings, less incentives, and fewer amenities.
Planners have largely been able to absorb this loss, by outsourcing items such as site selection and contract negotiating, as well as encouraging continued business through incentives and concessions which, up until the last twelve months or so, have primarily been provided by hotels and other venues. As we slowly enter a seller’s market, incentives are disappearing, rates are rising, and negotiations are no longer solely on the buyer, or planners, side. As many clients are still being ultra conservative with their meeting and incentive budgets, this poses a unique challenge for meeting planners. While this juxtaposition is seemingly difficult, I believe it can also be significantly beneficial overall for not only the hotelier and the planner, but the most important piece of our puzzle, the client. Consider this, when economic times are tough, clients have the opportunity to be selective with whom they work with and demand the highest quality service. These transitional times forces suppliers to not only increase the quality of their work, but increase their personal value to the industry to meet these demands. I know, economics 101, supply and demand, but that should, in theory, apply to the quantity of services available, not the quality of work provided. When we better ourselves, we better our organization as a whole. Be honest. Improve yourself. Work together. The cornerstone of most effective industries, and especially that of meeting and event planning, is relationships. Take advantage of the resources that are available, outsource when necessary, and know the difference between your needs and wants.

The market WILL turn around, the economy WILL improve, and people will again become more liberal with their meeting budgets. That certainly does not mean that we should be any less responsible with the task with which we have been entrusted, or reduce the quality of work we provide, quite the contrary. Success in the future of our business and our country will depend not on how we take advantage of each other during challenging times, but on how we learn from these challenging times and use this information to work together for that ultimate goal. For meetings and event planners and our partners, that means getting EVERY client, no matter the size, the best possible meeting for their budget during any economy.

Palm Springs 2012

Tucked away in the Coachella Valley, just 90 miles outside of Los Angeles, lays the incredible oasis of Palm Springs. Filled with amazing sites and even more amazing people, this sun filled city is annually descended upon by the crème de la crème of Hollywood to recognize their own at the Palm Springs Film Festival. And lucky for me on Sunday, while many were preparing for their Golden Globes parties, I was busy sharing my own surreal, star studded preview of this years winners, from the week prior.
One of the neatest things about attending the Film Festival as a guest of the Convention Center and the wonderfully adjacent Renaissance Hotel (besides being shoulder to shoulder with some of today’s top celebs of course), was getting to see the seeing the transformation of the Convention Center from its blank canvas to its red carpet worthy status Saturday night. Though on paper I am familiar with what goes behind large programs, it is an entirely different thing to see it built from the ground up and then experience it as it was intended to be experienced. It truly is a testament to the quality of work the Palm Springs Convention Center provides.
Palm Springs is not solely about the Film Festival however. The city is filled with incredible dining, wonderful hotel properties, arts, and adventure. One of the incredible adventures we went on was the horseback trail rides through the canyon. The sites were absolutely unbelievable and our tour guides were fantastic. As an experienced horsewoman, I often shy away from trail rides for fear that they will be…well, boring. This certainly, for me, was the best way to see the countryside! Another local attraction is the Palm Springs Tram. A rotating, glass enclosed tram that takes you from about 200 feet above sea level to 8500 feet above sea level in 10 minutes. As one who is both claustrophobic and acrophobic, it was probably not the wisest decision for me to make, but it was so worth any anxiety I experienced. The views were amazing and it was an experience I would have never wanted to miss!
While the activities were certainly a thrilling portion of my trip, it by far was not the sole purpose of my visit to Palm Springs. I spent a good deal of time getting to know not only the city, the hotel properties, the food and the attractions, but the people of Palm Springs. As diverse and lovely as the city is, the people are even more so! I am incredibly grateful for an amazing weekend, and cannot wait to get back there. Palm Springs is an amazing location no matter your business/personal needs. Meetings, incentives, weddings or even a leisure trip, there certainly is something for everyone. In the upcoming weeks, I will highlight some of my favorite properties, and of course, their incredible convention center as I cannot do them justice in one general blog.

To plan your next meeting or event in the fabulous Palm Springs, contact us at info@earthandmoonservices.com

Oppulance in Cannes

Along the infamous Promenade de la Croissette, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, in the incredible city of Cannes, lays the incredible Grand Hotel Cannes. Long established, and recently revamped, this exquisite resort 5 star property is the longest standing resort on the Croissette. Settled amongst equivalent caliber shops and restaurants, the Grand Hotel has unparalleled space and views. From their 76 spacious rooms and suites to their private beach, terraces and gardens, one indulges when visiting the Grand Hotel.
The original structure was built in 1863 and remained the only luxury hotel in Cannes for a number of years. Demolished and rebuilt in 1963, Grand Hotel was completely refurbished in 2006 with continued upgrades through 2008 including the addition of Gazebos to its updated private beach, “Plage 45.”
Plentiful flora provides a backdrop for the many relaxation areas as well as the large terrace. No property is truly luxurious without its own unique gastronomic experience. For the Grand Hotel, the newly appointed Sebastian Broda is the successful answer to this requirement. As the artist behind the fare at Park 45 as well as overseeing the kitchens at Plage 45, Michelin-starred Chef Broda brings dining to a new level.
Whether attending film festival, utilizing the over 6500 square meters of meeting space, or getting away for a romantic retreat, the Grand Hotel Cannes offers superb space for all of your needs.

Universal Orlando

One of the benefits of living in Florida, besides the beaches and endless summers of course is the fact that the happiest place on earth is only but a few hours away. Because my youngest two just 6 and 7, we haven’t spent much time at the other major theme park, Universal Studios, which is also just a few hours away. The park is fantastic, but generally geared towards an older crowd. Last year however, Universal upped the competition by adding the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Since all of my kids absolutely love Harry Potter, (as I do) the prospect of visiting a real life rendition of this fantastically fictitious world outweighed my apprehensions of the park’s age appropriateness.
We were delighted to be able to meet up with my sister and her family at the fantastic Wyndham Grand Orlando resort. Staying in one of their bunk suites absolutely turned out to be the best decision we made. With my youngest two tucked snugly away in their own bunk bed alcove, my daughter got to stretch out in her own full bed and my husband and I actually got to watch the news in peace!
On to Universal. It really was amazing. Having purchased our tickets ahead of time, we were able to stroll right into the park. Using the advice of attending to the most popular ride at Harry Potter first, we made a beeline to the back of the park, noting of course the many rides and areas we would visit shortly. We found ourselves winding through the seemingly classic theme park lines, until we passed through the gates of Hogwarts. Each step was brilliantly designed to give the impression that one was actually entering the grounds. The only snag was the bag check/locker area that was not exactly the easiest to maneuver. I will not spill any secrets, but Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is so so so worth any wait you might have!
Surprisingly enough, it was not only the Wizarding World of Harry Potter that entertained. Both the Jurassic Park area as well as Dr. Suess, were thoroughly enjoyed by all. While I will always love the Mouse, Universal has definitely earned a place in our hearts, and we will definitely be back soon.

Happy Holidays!

During this holiday week, Earth and Moon Services would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!
Earth and Moon Services is based out of the oldest city in the United States, St. Augustine, Florida. If you have yet to visit this amazing city, I would highly recommend it. From the incredible history, the amazing structures, and of course the wonderful people, St. Augustine is certainly a crowning jewel in the sunshine state.
Most recently, we were awarded a very high honor from none other than National Geographic, one of the top 10 places in the world to see Christmas lights! Now, we could have told you that, but it truly is something to witness in person. The entire city, including Flagler College, the Bridge of Lions, and the Historical Fort are set aglow from the weekend after Thanksgiving through the New Year.
So check out the story and make your plans to come visit us in 2012!