Wacky presidential election hotel promotions

Guests at W Hotels have come to expect “Whatever/Whenever.” But this year’s presidential election finds the luxury chain partnering with get-out-the-vote organization Declare Yourself in order to push that motto one step further — allowing guests to register to vote right from bed.

It’s nothing new for hotels to create special packages around events, of course. But the intense interest in this year’s presidential campaign and election has resulted in packages not just in blue and red states, but also in countries around the world.

For example, this is the first time the Hotel Concorde La Fayette in Paris has run a promotion to coincide with any U.S. presidential election. Chef Laurent Belijar has always been interested in politics, said Concorde Hotels Director of Communications, Vanina Sommer, and this election’s focus on change has taken his interest to a new level. He’s created two burgers with the candidates in mind: the Hawaiian-themed O-Burger for the 50th state’s native son, and the Southwestern-flavored Elephant Burger for the senator from Arizona.