KISSIMMEE, FL — What is Galentine’s Day?? I had no idea and had to look it up when I accepted an invitation to a mini-fam hosted by Experience Kissimmee, represented in Canada by VoX International.
Galentine’s Day all started with a 2010 episode of Parks and Recreation. Leslie Knope, played by Amy Poehler, dreamed up Galentine’s Day as a ladies-only celebration that would fall on February 13 each year – the day before Valentine’s Day.
For Experience Kissimmee, Galentine’s Day became a unique opportunity to thank a few of its trade partners for their support.
I loved the concept, especially as the itinerary called for a few short days in sunny Kissimmee with a small group of industry ladies I admire. This would be the ultimate Galentine’s Day getaway!
Following our VIP airport shuttle to our host property, the brand-new Margaritaville Resort Orlando in Kissimmee, we were welcomed to our eight-bedroom cottage infused with flower arrangements in each room and personalized bathrobes – which became a wardrobe go-to over the next couple of days.
Feeling a bit peckish, we meandered over to a British-themed pub, Yeoman’s Cask & Lion, a casual eatery located at Sunset Walk for some local pub fare and fuel-up before hitting a local outlet mall for some afternoon retail therapy.
Shopping is definitely one of my guilty pleasures, especially in Florida. Once we arrived at the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets our Experience Kissimmee hostesses, Denise Graham and Edith Ferguson, presented us each with a gift card and specific instructions to not come back empty-handed.
It was a challenge we were all up for as the clock ticked and we scurried to find our favorite retail brands.
Our evening agenda that night called for a relaxing respite, which was ideal after an early morning wake-up call followed by a full but exciting day. While the group began to unwind and catch a sunset off the back patio, our Margaritaville Resort executive chef, Eliane Alves, and her assistant crafted a scrumptious menu consisting of several mouth-watering dishes. (Note: this is an added service that can be arranged ahead of time through the resort.)
The well-appointed stand-alone cottages at Margaritaville Resort range from one to eight bedrooms and come with fully-equipped kitchens with all the bells and whistles including a Margarita blender. This small appliance became our favourite – once we figured out how to use it!
The agenda for day 2 was equally impressive. Our group, proudly sporting our new personalized bathrobes, paraded down to the main hotel for a light breakfast at Euphoria Restaurant. The wardrobe choice that morning set the tone for the spa treatments awaiting us at the resort’s St. Somewhere Spa, followed by pool time for the balance of the day. St. Somewhere Spa offers an extensive list of spa services from massage therapy to skin care treatments and is available to both men and women. I was impressed by the ‘salt chairs’ (chaise recliners offered in tandem with Himalayan salt therapy) that provide relief from respiratory ailments as well as skin conditions.
Our final evening brought us to a dining extravaganza at Estefan’s Kitchen, a venue owned and operated by singer Gloria Estefan and her husband Emilio. The restaurant, which moonlights as a nightclub, did not disappoint. The menu offers a lineup of exquisite Cuban-inspired dishes and we were pleasantly entertained by a duo of Cuban dancers who never seemed to miss a step.
Experience Kissimmee and its host property, Maragaritaville Resort Orlando, set the perfect backdrop to a fabulous 48 hours of sharing and laughter with a group of like-minded women. On a personal note, Denise and Edith, thank you for a memorable first Galentine’s Day getaway!
