Annual Survey of Recently Married Couples in Central Florida Reveals Top Wedding Vendors

ORLANDO (May 21, 2008) — Rosen Plaza Hotel is pleased to announce it has been selected as a 2008­­ pick for The Knot Best of Weddings magazine, a coast-to-coast, by-brides-for-brides guide to the top wedding sites, photographers, florists, and more in over 40 key cities across the United States.  The magazine is published by The Knot Inc. (www.theknot.com), the #1 wedding website and most trusted wedding resource.

The Knot conducted its second annual survey of more than 20,000 recent brides to capture detailed feedback on every business that couples hired for their wedding celebration.

Central Florida newlyweds also contributed their raves and reviews on the area’s wedding professionals. The newlyweds were asked to rate their vendors on multiple criteria, from creativity to professionalism, and to comment on their experiences. According to the survey, one bride said the Rosen Plaza’s “atmosphere was very romantic, spacious, and exactly how I pictured it.” The staff was described as “attentive and efficient.”

The resulting ratings—and detailed feedback—were aggregated by the editors of The Knot to create this one-of-a-kind publication highlighting the best wedding resources in each region according to local brides. The survey was administered by Harris Interactive. Rosen Plaza was the only hotel wedding venue to earn a Three Star rating in the Central Florida area.

“The ‘Best of Weddings’ award from The Knot reinforces to us that we have been doing an outstanding job in making our brides’ wedding day dreams come true,” said Victoria Hall, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Rosen Plaza. “We are honored that among all the venues in Central Florida, brides named Rosen Plaza one of Orlando’s premier wedding locations for our impeccable, personalized service, beautiful surroundings and elegant ambiance.”

Catering to the special needs of wedding couples, Rosen Plaza offers professional planning services as well as flexible menus, service and décor to customize every detail of their special day. Three reception packages — Elite, Grand and Premier — fit a range of wedding budgets and help brides and grooms decide every detail with ease, from their choice of fresh floral centerpieces and colors of linens to the selection of a delicious main course prepared by master chefs. Whether their tastes call for savory Chicken Breast with Roma Tomatoes and Fresh Mozzarella, succulent Filet Mignon and Lobster, or tangy Chilean Sea Bass and Veal Tenderloin, couples and their guests enjoy a gourmet meal as unforgettable as the occasion.

At Rosen Plaza weddings, no detail is overlooked — from the cocktail reception with Butler- passed hors d’oeuvres to professional cake-cutting service, guests are pampered with signature Rosen Plaza hospitality. And of course, each Rosen Plaza wedding package includes romantic wedding night accommodations for the bride and groom as well as discounted rooms for guests, based on availability.  Making its weddings even more beautiful, Rosen Plaza recently completed a multi-million dollar renovation of its 60,000 sq. ft. event space, including the 26,000 sq. ft. Grand Ballroom and 22 meeting/event rooms. Custom carpeting, decorative lighting, luxurious wall treatments and plush, comfortable seating are the highlights of the renovation, which bring a fresh, updated and even more luxurious feel to the hotel’s event and wedding space. Additionally, the hotel has replaced all of the beds and linens throughout its 800 rooms, adding custom-made Simmons Beauty Rest pillow-top mattresses, crisp, white Centima sheeting and duvet covers, and feather pillows to create a relaxing retreat for guests.

The multi-award winning Rosen Plaza features 800 deluxe guest rooms. Four on-site restaurants include Jack’s Place, offering casual fine dining; Café Matisse, with buffets as well as full breakfast, lunch and dinner menus; Rossini’s Pizza, serving fresh pizza and Italian specialties to go; and The Lite Bite, open 24 hours a day and serving deli sandwiches and snacks.

Guests are invited to enjoy a variety of amenities such as the outdoor heated pool and whirlpool and the Fitness center with "Life Fitness" cardiovascular and exercise machines and a full-range of free weights.  A live band playing favorites from the 80’s and 90’s and today can be enjoyed nightly at Backstage, International Drive's original nightclub. The Shingle Creek Golf Club, named a “Top 40 New Course” by Golfweek magazine, is just minutes away and offers complimentary transportation and preferred tee times for hotel guests. Guests, and Rosen Plaza brides, in particular, can also enjoy The Spa at Shingle Creek for a wide variety of treatments including massage, relaxing facials and salon services. 

Rosen Plaza is located at 9700 International Drive, Orlando, FL just 15 minutes from Orlando International Airport and adjacent to the Orlando/Orange County Convention Center. The hotel is ideally situated in the heart of the International Drive shopping, dining and attractions district, and is within walking distance of Pointe Orlando, a dining, shopping and entertainment complex.

The Knot Best of Weddings magazine is available for $9.99 on newsstands and in major bookstores nationwide, and at TheKnot.com/shop.

Note to editors: To speak with an editor or with brides in your area, please contact The Knot Press Office at pr@theknot.com. High-resolution photos and visuals can be provided electronically or through the mail.

For more information, visit www.rosenplaza.com or call 1-800-627-8258.