Hotels Toss Their Hats Into the Election-Year Ring

Oct. 12, 2008 — -- From John McCain- and Barack Obama-themed cocktails to voter registration, hotels are hopping on the election bandwagon.

This year's hotly contested presidential race has spawned what looks like a record turnout of promotions, from cocktails and straw polls in bars to election-themed menus and room deals.

One of the more serious comes from quirky W Hotels, which has partnered with Declare Yourself, a national nonpartisan campaign that encourages voter registration. Guests can access Declare Yourself's registration aids online or via concierges.

More whimsical "Declare Yourself RED" or "Declare Yourself BLUE" packages are available at select hotels in the chain. Packages start at $399 a night (part of the proceeds goes to DeclareYourself). Guests get lodging, an elephant or donkey T-shirt, Democrat or Republican tote bag and two cocktails (the "Obama Pama," made with pomegranate liqueur, or the rum-based "10 Cane McCain"). For more information or to register to vote, visit whotels.com/declareyourself.

At a host of hotels, presidential-themed drinks are making a splash.

Offerings at The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C., include the Palin "Pit Bull" (Bacardi Limón rum, cranberry juice and Red Bull energy drink). The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common has the "O'Bama … Irish Enough" quaff (a mix of Irish whiskey and other liquors). Erin Go Bragh: Obama boasts Irish forebears.

Kimpton Hotels nationwide are pouring creatively. The campaign cocktail roster at the bar at the TopazHotel in Washington, D.C., includes the "Double-Down Donkey" (citrus vodka, blue Curacao, sour mix and Champagne), "All-In Elephant" (rum, Amaretto, grenadine, lime, cranberry and orange juice), "Independent Player" (vodka and aloe juice) and "The Undecided Flight" (a bit of each).

Topaz Bar manager Joseph Norton says Democratic cocktails have been the biggest sellers.

In Denver, barflies at Panzano in Kimpton's Hotel Monaco are drinking more "Blue Bama" cocktails (53 percent) than "Right Wing Johnnys" (47 percent).