THIS PAST WEEKEND while reading the Sunday New York Times, I found an article on Destination Weddings that referred to a Jamaican resort’s “romance director.” I stopped reading immediately, started the paragraph over to be sure I understood the context correctly, and again had to pause in the same place. How had I never heard of such a job before? What exactly is a romance director? What sort of training and experience is needed to hold such an esteemed title? As the Wedding Sales Manager, am I, in fact, Big Sky Resort’s Romance Director?
Almost immediately, I turned to Google as I was literally bursting with curiosity. As I pored over the search results, I was amazed to find out that not only do Romance Directors exist, but also Romance Concierges, Chief Romance Officers (I would only assume CRO’s, for short), and even entire Romance DEPARTMENTS in resorts across the globe.
Take The Canyons in Park City, for example, where you call or e-mail their “Romance Specialist” in order to find out about their “extra touch.” Or 70 Park Avenue in Manhattan, where the tony hotel’s “Romance Sommelier” is “on hand to arrange specialty diva-worthy services” such as rose petals on your bed or a private helicopter tour of the city that never sleeps.
But perhaps my favorite find was Royal Palms Resort & Spa in Phoenix. This resort’s Director of Romance, Robert Vickrey, has a bio online stating that his role “goes way beyond ordering flowers and making dinner reservations; it’s more that of a personal romance coach, especially to the ‘romantically challenged.’” Royal Palms also has an online Guide to Romance & Chivalry – a must see for anyone, no matter what your relationship status. Among my personal favorites are number 41 (“Never wait for nightfall - Romance should live at all hours”), 33 (“Present her with an heirloom as rich in its pricelessness as her beauty”) and of course, the tried-and-true number 3 (“At the first shiver, wrap her up in your coat”).
Which got me thinking, here at Big Sky Resort we are wrapping up our busiest wedding season ever, and offer the perfect setting & amenities for a romantic honeymoon or weekend getaway – why don’t we have our own? So, I got to work, and here it is:
Guide to Romance under the Big Sky
1. Hold hands at 11,166 ft – summer or winter, ride our Lone Peak Tram together and watch your love reach new heights as you peer down at the endless mountain peaks below you.
2. Relax & rejuvenate together with a couples massage at the newly renovated Solace Spa & Salon.
3. Trade bites of authentic Italian spaghetti & meatballs (Lady & the Tramp, anyone??) at Andiamo Italian Grill.
4. Tap into your youthful side with a thrilling ride through the trees on Big Sky Resort’s Yellowstone Zipline Tour.
5. Cuddle together in front of your very own private fireplace in the Village Center.
6. Have a bottle of wine from our award-winning Peaks Wine List delivered to your room, with two glasses of course.
7. Stargaze – escape from the city lights and see how much brighter the Big Dipper is in Big Sky Country.
8. Show your love by purchasing gifts for each other at Big Sky Sports and Provisions.
9. Tee off together on our 18-hole, par 72 golf course, making sure to let her win.
10. Finish the day with a soak in your private Jacuzzi. Rose petals optional.
Happy Romancing!
-Margo Humphries
