Celebrate a Leisurely Summer at The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge

May 26, 2011 - PRLog -- The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge, a Luxury Collection Hotel, features a summer-long lineup of relaxing events. Hotel guests and locals can enjoy alfresco dining, couple’s golf, daily flights of wine and scotch, regular wine tastings, Cooking School and more. In addition to offering special seasonal rates, The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge introduces amenities and activities for kids staying at the hotel just in time for a summer getaway.

Alfresco Dining at Gallery Restaurant & Bar
Enjoy picturesque views of the signature 18th hole of The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge while dining outdoors at Gallery Restaurant & Bar. There will be live entertainment each Friday 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. through June 24. To make a reservation, please call 704.248.4100.

Couple’s Golf - Friday Night Frenzy
Enjoy 9-holes of golf for $75 per couple on Fridays through August beginning at 5 p.m. Please call 704.248.4383 or visit www.golfballantyne to reserve a tee time.

Wine Tastings
Sample a selection of the finest wines bimonthly on Saturdays at 6 p.m. throughout the summer in Gallery Bar. The cost ranges $15 - $20 per person depending on the varietal. Advance reservations are recommended at 704.248.4100. Upcoming tastings include:
•   May 28 – Washington Wines
•   June 4 – Pinot Grigio
•   June 18 – Syrah
•   July 9 – Riesling
•   July 23 – Sparkling Wines
•   August 6 – Dessert Wines
•   August 20 – Rose

The Wine Society of Ballantyne
Discover the distinct flavors of wine with complementing appetizers at The Wine Society of Ballantyne. Held on a Saturday 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., this monthly event is social and educational. The cost is $25 per person and advance reservations are recommended at 704.248.4100 or htapper@theballantynehotel.com. Upcoming events include:
•   June 11 – Celebrating France
•   July 16 – Riesling
•   August – Travel Australia

The Scotch Society of Ballantyne
Celebrate the subtle nuances of scotch with complementing appetizers at The Scotch Society of Ballantyne. Held on a Saturday 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., this monthly event is entertaining and informative. The cost is $25 per person and advance reservations are recommended at 704.248.4100 or htapper@theballantynehotel.com. Upcoming events include:
•   June 25 – Johnnie Walker Black Label, Dimple Pitch and Royal Salute
•   July 30 – Glenlivet selection – Aberlour, French Oak and Archive
•   August 27 – Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Lismore
                                                                               
Flights at Five
Home to North Carolina’s most celebrated and prestigious single malt scotch collection and an extensive wine list, Galley Bar offers an educational and entertaining way to learn about the subtle nuances of fine whiskey and wine with informative pairing notes. This program is available every day at Gallery Bar.

Cooking School
Cooking School offers sessions that are engaging, educational and interactive for epicureans of all levels. The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge’s culinary team will lead the class in preparing a three-course meal, detailing all of the techniques and aspects of presentation. Upon completion of Cooking School, attendees will receive a recipe folder. Cooking School is held on a Saturday, 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., and the cost for each session is $75. To make a reservation, please call 704.248.4100. Cooking School sessions include:
•   June 18 – Your Sashimi Grade – A Glance at Modern Day Sushi, Fish and Shellfish Preparations  
•   August 20 – Peak Season Local Products – Experience North Carolina‘s Bounty Like Never Before  

Junior Chefs Academy
The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge will host a special edition of Cooking School for kids, Junior Chefs Academy on Saturday, July 23, 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Under the direction of Chef de Cuisine J. Kelly Morrow and Executive Sous Chef David Moore, this Cooking School for kids will offer an engaging, educational and interactive class preparing kid-friendly dishes. The cost for the session is $40 per person inclusive. Space is limited. Reservations are required at 704.248.4100.

Summer Getaway Rates
The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge features seasonal overnight offers with weekend rates starting at $189. In addition to the new Love Your Family package featuring a $25 hotel credit per night, a variety of spa and golf packages are available. All guests enjoy complimentary valet parking and outdoor pool access. To make a reservation, please visit www.theballantynehotel.com or call 888.627.8048.

Ballantyne Kids Amenities
The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge has unveiled Ballantyne Kids, a collection of amenities for kids staying at the hotel. Kids’ robes and slippers are available for use, and each child will receive a personalized welcome amenity. Games, such as Wii and board games, as well as a DVD player and movie library are available for in-room use. For a minimal fee, kids can “rent” a pet fish or order a kids bath butler or turndown service. The Ballantyne Hotel also participates in SPG® Kids Pass, an all-inclusive dining program for children 12 and under. Inquire about the program at check-in or visit spg.com/kidspass.

Group Activites for Kids
The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge offers a host of activities for kids staying at the hotel on Friday, 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. through September, as well as on major holidays. Indoor activities include craft, cooking school, afternoon tea, ice cream social, dance party, story telling and movie night. Outdoor activities include croquet, badminton, tennis and marshmallow golf and glow-in-the-dark golf. Cost is $25 per child per day. For more information, please call the Concierge at 704.248.4055.

About The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge
The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge, part of Starwood’s The Luxury Collection, is a Forbes Four-Star and AAA Four-Diamond award-wining hotel located in Charlotte, NC. Featuring 214 elegant guest rooms, The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge also offers a four-bedroom Cottage and a Lodge group retreat with 36 spacious guest rooms. Guests can enjoy meeting and event facilities, spa, fitness, indoor and outdoor pools, golf, Dana Rader Golf School, tennis and dining at Gallery Restaurant. For the past two years, The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge has received the Tiffany Trophy, an annual award presented by The Luxury Collection to the hotel or resort with the highest overall guest satisfaction score in North America. The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge ranked among the top business hotels in the U.S. and Canada in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Business Hotels 2007 readers’ survey. The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge is owned by The Bissell Companies. For information and reservations, please contact The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge toll-free at (866) 248-4824, or visit the website at www.theballantynehotel.com. Like The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge at www.facebook.com/ballantynehotel or follow The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge at www.twitter.com/ballantynehotel.

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Bissell, located in Charlotte, NC, is a collection of organizations that engage in development of office, medical, flex and hotel product, office leasing and management, hotel management, golf management and instruction, and spa services.