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Sunday, June 8, 2008
Stay-cation, anyone?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Like to cook? Hate gas prices? Grand Hyatt exec chef Billy Skiber is your man. Staff photo by Charlotte B. Teagle.
The Grand Hyatt in Buckhead, site of all sorts of society bashes through the year, is hoping to attract a new sort of social set this summer: people tired of high gas prices.
The hotel’s “grand culinary weekend” package includes a two-night stay that starts with a Friday evening reception and includes in-room breakfast on Saturday and a cooking lesson with executive chef Billy Skiber followed by a chef’s-table lunch with wine pairings.
You’re on your own for dinner Saturday night but the hotel will take you by limo or private car service so at least you won’t burn your own gas.
The weekends, June 13-14, July 18-19 and Aug. 1-2, start at $225 per person.
The Hyatt initially hatched the idea to appeal to local foodies who’d be interested in a private cooking lesson. But organizers also realized that a stay-in-town getaway might also catch on with folks wary of gas prices taking a big bite out of their vacation budget.
“With the soaring gas prices, people may be staying closer to home this summer season,” said the Hyatt’s Terrie Ward. “This could be a mini-vacation or a “staycation.”
BTW Terrie calls “staycation” a buzz word that’s entered the hospitality industry lexicon. W(e totally would have taken credit for it.)
Does living it up in town seem like an affordable alternative to hitting the road?
Whoever filled up before me the other day spent 75 bucks to do so.
