PAIRING FINE WINE AND A GOOD READ, Kimpton’s EPIC HOTEL Hosts READING EVENT WITH DEBUT AUTHOR AND LATIN MUSIC INSIDER, Leila Cobo
Cobo Fans and Book Lovers Can Also Enjoy Special Weekend Rates Starting at $169/night
MIAMI, October 6, 2009 – EPIC, Kimpton’s new lifestyle, waterfront boutique hotel in downtown Miami, announces it will be continuing its special EPIC Wine Hour Presents author series on Thursday, October 15, 2009 with Miami-based Leila Cobo, author of the just-released novel, Tell Me Something True.
Cobo will be a featured guest during the hotel’s daily guest wine hour program. During the event, the author will read aloud from her celebrated debut novel, answer questions, and toast and mingle with guests and local book club fans. Published by Grand Central Publishing, Cobos’ Tell Me Something True tells the story of Gabriella, a young Colombian-American woman, who uncovers the truth about her deceased mother’s secret past and undertakes her own turbulent journey of self-discovery.
For fans of the author looking to turn their visit into an epic weekend escape, the hotel has created special Tell Me Something True weekend rates starting at $169/night plus tax for a Cityview room for the nights of Thursday, October 15 through Sunday, October 18 only. For every Tell Me Something True stay booked, EPIC will make a $10 donation to the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe, which distributes books to thousands of children throughout Miami and the Florida Keys. Reservations can be made at www.epichotel.com. To book the Tell Me Something True rate online, enter TRUE in the rate code box, or call 305-424-5226 and request the TRUE package.
The author visit is part of the EPIC Page Turner guest reading program, which launched earlier this summer and provides guests with an opportunity to kick back with a good read during their stay without traveling with their books in tow. The program provides guests with a number of complimentary reading offerings including a featured title at turn-down (while supplies last); use of a pre-loaded Sony eReader at the pool or in the Club Lounge; access to an online library of excerpts of new releases, bestsellers, and pre-publication titles from Hachette Book Group; and an ongoing series of author visits.
About Leila Cobo and Tell Me Something True
A pianist and writer, Leila Cobo is executive director of Latin content & programming for Billboard and is broadly considered the ultimate Latin music insider. Under her leadership, Billboard has expanded its coverage of Latin music to unprecedented levels and platforms. Leila also programs the annual Billboard Latin Music Conference, the largest gathering of Latin music professionals in the world and launched Billboard’s new Regional Mexican Music summit.
Leila is a frequent contributor to NPR and has written liner notes for acts such as Ricky Martin, Shakira and Chayanne. She is also the host of “Estudio Billboard,” the new co-production effort between Billboard and public broadcast station V-Me, which features in-depth interviews with top Latin acts.
A native of Cali, Colombia, Leila holds dual degrees in journalism (from Bogota’s Universidad Javeriana) and in piano performance (from Manhattan School of Music in New York City). She later won a Fulbright Scholarship and obtained her master’s degree from USC’s Annenberg School of Communications. Leila got her start in journalism as a writer for the Los Angeles Times and Nuestro Tiempo, its weekly Spanish language section. Prior to Billboard, she was the Pop music critic for the Miami Herald. Leila was recently named one of Colombia’s most influential women by prestigious magazine Fuchsia and is a recipient of the Premio Orquidea Award for international journalism.
Leila lives in Key Biscayne, Fl. with her husband, Universal Music recording artist/pianist Arthur Hanlon and her children, Allegra and Arthur III.
EPIC is located at 270 Biscayne Blvd Way. For more information or reservations, please call (866) 760-3742 or (305) 424-5226 or visit www.epichotel.com.
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ABOUT EPIC
A member of the award-winning San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, EPIC is located at the edge of the Miami River and Biscayne Bay, and combines the style of a cosmopolitan boutique hotel with the amenities of a resort to create a sophisticated oasis for guests amidst the energy and pulse of Miami. The hotel’s 411 rooms and suites are artfully designed by Cheryl Rowley, with furnishings that convey an understated sense of cool, and all feature private balconies that provide inspiring views of the city and bay. Hotel offerings include a 13,752-square-foot wrap-around pool deck with private cabanas; Area 31 restaurant, offering premium seafood with a Mediterranean influence; a spa and fitness center operated by Exhale; River Lounge, a new waterfront lounge that opened in March 2009; 11,000 square feet of indoor meeting and event space; and a private marina. EPIC is conveniently located just short distance from area beaches, local shopping districts, and a thriving arts and culture scene, with many museums, restaurants, shops and theaters within walking distance.
ABOUT KIMPTON
San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, a collection of boutique hotels and chef-driven restaurants in the US, is an acknowledged industry pioneer and was the first to bring the boutique hotel concept to America. Founded in 1981 by Bill Kimpton, the company is well-known for making travelers feel welcomed and comfortable while away from home through intuitive and unscripted customer care, stylish ambience and having a certain playfulness in its approach to programs and amenities. Each hotel provides a range of exciting culinary experiences through locally-loved, top-rated, destination, chef-driven restaurants. Kimpton leads the hospitality industry in ecological practices through its innovative EarthCare program that spans all hotels and restaurants. Privately held Kimpton has consistently earned high customer satisfaction scores by the Market Metrix Hospitality Index, exceeding other hotel companies including those in luxury and upscale segments. Among the company’s newest properties are the Hotel Monaco Baltimore and restaurant B&O American Brasserie by Chef E. Michael Reidt in Baltimore, MD, which opened in July 2009. Currently, projects are underway in New York City, Philadelphia and Chicago. For more information, please visit www.KimptonHotels.com or call 1-800-KIMPTON.