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Real-Time Retreats

Calling All Parrotheads!

How Jimmy Buffet Plans to Transform Times Square!

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Carol Owen & Whitney Bradley with sunglasses

What better way to celebrate an incredibly successful virtual series than to top it all off with an incredibly successful lifestyle brand - Margaritaville?!

From what we’ve read, Jimmy Buffett had no idea that his life would forever be changed by writing a song in 1977 about chillin’ out and reflecting on his life and loves. But that song spawned an entire culture of celebrating the fact that it is, indeed, 5 o’clock somewhere!

Real-Time Retreats - Margaritaville Resort Times Square

From his own radio station on Sirius XM, to a merchandise line that spans from flip-flops (of course) to Frozen Concoction Machines, to a restaurant chain, a vacation club, a namesake beer (Landshark), to a global hotel & resort chain, Mr. Buffett (Jimmy, not Warren) and his team have grown this brand to an estimated worth of $1.5 - $2 billion. That’s a lot of guitar strings, y’all!

This week’s Real-Time Retreat takes us to a welcome, albeit unusual, addition to New York’s Times Square, Margaritaville Resort Times Square. Complete with a 32-foot tall Lady Liberty statue (holding a margarita, folks), rooftop deck, and 5 restaurants and bars, this new resort-hotel is already one of the most popular destinations in The Big Apple!

Each week, we ask our participants to engage by dressing or otherwise displaying the theme of the resort. This week we’re asking you to go all-in one more time and be your best ‘Parrothead!’

Need more suggestions??? be a pirate, a pilot, or a parrot. Or just have a parrot on your shoulder, no judgment here. Make a margarita, bring a blender, wear your flip-flops, or step on a pop top. Dress like it’s 5 o’clock. Be a sailor or a first mate. Or dress as a billionaire beach bum. Hey, pretty much anything goes this week so just have fun!

What happens when you go ‘all-in’ with the theme? Why, you’re in the running for a fabulous prize from our host for a 2-night stay at Margaritaville Times Square!

And remember, the first five at 3:55 to log into the call (no earlier than 3:55pm) will win a special gift from our hosts, plus Kelly McAlister will be on hand to gift someone with a fresh pair of Maui Jims!

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Our Hosts

Smiksha Narula, Director Of Group Sales at Margaritaville Resort Times Square

Smiksha Narula

Director Of Group Sales - Margaritaville Resort Times Square

560 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10018
Phone: 201-779-4065
E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Connect on LinkedIn

  • I grew up in Bangalore, India and moved to New York in 2012.
  • I am a mommy to my 11-month daughter, Nanki Singh.
  • My Favorite food is Pizza (major weakness).
Samara DellaRagione, Director of Sales & Marketing - Margaritaville Resort Times Square

Samara DellaRagione

Director of Sales & Marketing - Margaritaville Resort Times Square

E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
C: 631-560-4509
Connect on LinkedIn

  • I am a born and raised Long Islander.
  • I am a mommy to my 6-month daughter, Vivienne & my 3 fur babies Hanley, Olivia & Amelia.
  • I married an Italian & my favorite thing to cook is chicken parmesan. 😊
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Margaritaville Resort Times Square

Margaritaville

New York, New York - A tropical oasis in the heart of New York City, Margaritaville Resort Times Square invites you to get on island time — in world-famous Times Square. Whether you’re kicking back in your breezy room or suite, lounging poolside on the rooftop deck with a frozen concoction, or taking a culinary tour through the Caribbean at our restaurants, this relaxing retreat is your passport to paradise. And when you’re ready for adventure, you’ll find many of the city’s most famous attractions within walking distance, including the theaters of Broadway, Central Park, and the iconic Empire State Building.

IT’S TIME FOR THE ISLANDS...

Margaritaville Resort Times Square puts you right in the middle of the world-famous Manhattan action. You’ll be within walking distance of the iconic theaters of Broadway, the Empire State Building, and Central Park. Wall Street, One World Trade Center, countless museums, and more are all just a short train or taxi ride away. You’ll also have some of the city’s best restaurants, nightlife, entertainment, and shopping at your fingertips.

Margaritaville Resort Time Square flip flop

ISLAND OASIS

The 234 guest rooms here combine high-end Manhattan luxury with laid-back island personality. Choose the room that’s perfect for your group, and enjoy a range of signature amenities that guarantee a comfortable, carefree stay. Whether you’re lounging throughout the day or kicking back at the end of the night, these soothing spaces will transport you to the Margaritaville state of mind.

Margaritaville Resort Times Square room

CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE

Paradise has come to the heart of New York City. At Margaritaville New York you can enjoy a tropical oasis in the middle of The Big Apple. Slip into the island state of mind at our bar while you sip on your favorite margarita or one of our signature frozen concoctions, enjoy a Cheeseburger in Paradise, or try the other coastal-inspired foods.

Margaritaville Resort Times Square grand opening pool party

MEETINGS, MARGARITAVILLE STYLE

Spread throughout its lush tropical landscape, Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth will offer 66 charming and distinctive accommodations, including 29 rooms, 27 suites and 10 signature suites. Energized with the bright and festive colors of the Caribbean, the resort’s newly refreshed guestrooms will offer all the contemporary comforts of a modern luxury resort, while remaining true to their beloved heritage and island sensibilities. All accommodations will offer a private, furnished terrace for outdoor enjoyment, while the signature suites include exclusive personalized services.

Margaritaville Resort Times Square bar
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It’s cocktail time!

Enjoy this cocktail while we ‘visit’ Margaritaville Times Square.

JIMMY BUFFETT’S MARGARITAVILLE PERFECT MARGARITA

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces gold tequila (Cuervo Especial)
  • ½ ounce tequila (Cuervo silver especial)
  • ½ ounce triple sec (Bols)
  • 1 splash orange Curacao (Bols)
  • 1 ¼ ounces Rose’s Lime Juice
  • Crushed ice
  • Juice of 3 lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Fill a shaker with ice.
  2. Add everything but the lime wedges.
  3. Squeeze in the juice from 2 of the lime wedges.
  4. Shake very well until beads form on the outside of the shaker.
  5. Rim the edge of the margarita glass with lime and twist it around in a saucer of coarse salt. Note: be careful! Shakers of salt can go missing.
  6. Fill the glass about halfway with crushed ice.
  7. Strain the mixture into it.
  8. Squeeze the last lime wedge on top and drop it in.
Jimmy Buffet‘s Margaritaville perfect margarita recipe
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WASTIN’ AWAY AGAIN

Each week, we attempt to provide you some things that will set the mood for our upcoming visit. We’re in the mood for the ultimate ‘chill’ lifestyle this week.

The 20 best Buffet songs, ranked by Billboard. And the 50 best billboards, ranked by Broadsign.

Radio Margaritaville - listen while you’re concocting those frozen things that help you hang on.

Foods, cookbooks, and even pickleball gear. What?!

14 simple rules for writing a country hit. In case you want to start your own lifestyle brand.

Call Jimmy Buffet! I found it!

Some virtual backgrounds for you to use on our Zoom call, provided by Margaritaville Times Square

Kelly McAlister, Maui Jim Corporate Gifts

Kelly McAlister, Maui Jim

Kelly McAlister of Maui Jim will be with us on the calls each week as judge and jury to see which planner really goes all-in with the theme. So engage, be creative, and have fun... and you may be the winner!

She’ll be doing some gifting that will surely lift your shelter-in-place spirits!

Maui Jim

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