Starting Nov. 2 at Kimpton's 70 Park Avenue Hotelin Manhattan, guests checking in can choose a complimentary Republican Red or Democrat Blue cocktail. Orders will be tallied and announced on election night.
Meanwhile, VEGAS.com is anteing up for the election with a poll and vacation discounts. Book a Vegas visit for this year on its Web site by Nov. 4, name your choice for president and get $20 off when you spend $200 or more. As of Thursday morning at VEGAS.com/crapshoot, Obama was leading with 45 percent of the "vote," McCain had 36 percent, followed by more obscure candidates.
KSL Resorts, whose seven U.S. lodgings have hosted past presidents, has come up with packages in which guests express political preference when making reservations. The Obama package includes two "blue martinis," a recreation discount and "Buy American" credit for resort purchases. The McCain option includes a bottle of "Red State" wine and a room-tax credit. Resorts include San Diego's Hotel del Coronado; The Homestead in Hot Springs, Va.; and Vail Mountain Lodge & Spa in Colorado. Reservations must be made by Election Day; check-in must be by Jan. 20, Inauguration Day.
Edibles also are material for pre-election hotel promos.
The PostScript Lounge at the capital's Loews Madison Hotel is refereeing an eat-off between McCain's beloved shrimp and Obama's declared favorite to prepare, chili. The winner will be determined by which dish produces the most orders through Nov. 4.
In the 1331 Bar & Lounge at the JW Marriott on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., every Tuesday through election night, guests can down election-themed potions or opt for partisan bites such as "Left Wings" with spicy Asian dipping sauce, "Right Wings" with Texas honey barbeque or "Undecide'r sliders."
Even hotels outside the USA are going into election mode.
At the Hotel Concorde La Fayette in Paris, chef Laurent Belijar is so intrigued by the campaign that he created special hamburgers.
The "O-Burger" is a tribute to Obama and his native city of Honolulu: curried burger loaf with pineapple carpaccio and a coriander-flavored shrimp. (Surely having French flair, it must taste better than it sounds.)
