<i>Fifty Shades</i> Destinations
The <i>Fifty Shades</i> phenomenon is inspiring romantic romps in Seattle, Portland, Aspen and the French Riviera. Pack your bags (and books) for a fantasy getaway. Christian Grey not included.
How does billionaire mogul Christian Grey seduce Anastasia “Ana” Steele, his love interest, in the <i>Fifty Shades</i> trilogy? In many, many ways. A romantic jaunt on a private sailboat on<a title="Seattle" href="http://www.travelchannel.com/destinations/seattle" target="_blank"><em> Seattle</em></a>’s Puget Sound was just one of the first.
Seattle’s picturesque (and waterfront!) <a title="Edgewater Hotel" href="http://www.edgewaterhotel.com/" target="_blank"><em> Edgewater Hotel</em></a> offers fans a way to have their own Fifty Shades-inspired steamy rendezvous. The hotel’s Shades of Romance package includes exploring the city in an Audi, a romantic sail on Puget Sound and a bottle of Bollinger Rose champagne.
Christian Grey, a man who loves his toys, surprises Ana in Georgia with a heart-pounding gliding excursion.
<a title="Heathman Hotel" href="http://portland.heathmanhotel.com/" target="_blank"><em> Heathman Hotel</em></a> in Portland is the site of Christian and Ana’s first romantic romp. The hotel celebrates this honor by offering the Charlie Tango package, which includes drinks, private dinner and a helicopter tour of Portland. For just a touch of ambiance, you can get a bottle of wine, a grey tie (fans will know the meaning) and a rose in your hotel room for just $40.
Where in Seattle would a billionaire like Christian Grey live? The luxury condo Escala is getting a lot of attention from fans as the character’s home in the trilogy, though the author took creative liberties (the residents don’t arrive via helicopter on the roof). Located in the Belltown neighborhood, the Escala’s luxuries include: a private spa, a dining room that seats up to 140 guests, a theatre and even a dog run (not that Mr. Grey would ever be domestic enough for a pet). The 5,100-square-foot penthouse has magnificent views of the Seattle skyline, Olympic Mountains and Elliot Bay, and only for a mere $6 million.
Christian Grey surprises his new wife by taking her to her dream destination on their honeymoon: London. The couple stays at the Brown’s Hotel, a 5-star hotel that opened in 1837. Located in Mayfair, one of London’s most prestigious neighborhoods, Brown’s is known for its elite guests and old-world sophistication.
<i>Fifty Shades Freed</i>, the third and final book of the trilogy, begins with Christian and Ana’s steamy European honeymoon to the French Riviera aboard a luxury yacht.
Christian and Ana's romance takes to the Mediterranean on this refit luxury motor yacht built in 1928. Modern luxuries and charming cabins make this the ultimate honeymoon escape for high-roller romantics.
During their honeymoon, Ana takes a shopping trip to the charming Saint-Paul-de-Vence -- a hilltop village in Provence that’s full of art galleries, boutiques and quaint cafés.
Located in the town Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Le Saint Paul Hotel is one of the few places outside of their bedroom where Ana and Christian spend time on their honeymoon. They have lunch and coffee on the hotel's charming terrace.
During their honeymoon, Christian and Ana visit the Palace of Versailles and find themselves in the Hall of Mirrors, the most famous room in the 18th-century palace.
Fans will not forget Christian Grey’s impressive Aspen getaway, a far cry from a bare-bones cabin in the woods. You might not have a private jet to get you there, but Aspen is the perfect spot for a romantic weekend, snow or no snow.
The Mile High Club is so last year. A copy of <i>Fifty Shades</i> is the new way to heat up your next flight. Virgin Atlantic Airways is offering the steamy read in an audio version as part of their in-flight entertainment system.