VIN - Valentine’s in Niagara - Swinger hotel takeover
Valentine’s in Niagara 2026: My First VIN Swinger Convention + What a Hotel Takeover Is Actually Like
If you’ve ever been curious about a swinger hotel takeover (or you’re wondering if it’s just “keys in a bowl” and awkward eye contact)… let me save you the confusion.
I just went to Valentine’s in Niagara (VIN 2026) — one of Canada’s biggest swinger conventions / hotel takeovers — and it was my first full hotel takeover experience. I went with my partner, DJ Slim, and we recorded the full breakdown on my Sex and Swinging podcast, plus I filmed a vlog tour (as much as you’re allowed to film before the “phones away” rules kick in).
This post is the behind-the-scenes reality: what it felt like, what was there, what surprised me, what to pack, and why events like this are basically a Willy Wonka golden ticket for breaking into the swinger lifestyle (if you’re a couple or a single woman).
First impression: it’s February in Canada… and there’s a pool party inside
Picture this:
Snow on the ground
Freezing cold outside
And then you walk into a building where people are in lingerie, naked, and casually living their best lives around a giant indoor pool.
Within minutes I’m like… okay. This is not a “normal hotel weekend.” 😅
And yes, my first mental glitch was logistical: we weren’t staying in the main hotel (it sold out early), so we were in an overflow hotel with regular people… including kids.
Which meant I had to do the world’s most Canadian sexy mission:
winter coat + “camouflage” outfit → drive to the party hotel → strip down to sex-positive mode.
Clunky? Yep. Worth it? Also yep.
What a real hotel takeover looks like (security, wristbands, and “you can’t just show up”)
A legit takeover is secure. They don’t want random civilians wandering in like “hi honey, the pool’s nice—” and then walking into a glow party full of swingers.
Here’s what it was like:
windows blocked off / papered over
entry vestibule (like a little “man-trap” area)
desk check + ID + wristband
you don’t get in unless you’re supposed to be there
In other words: this is not a party you crash.
The “indoor swinger paradise” setup: pool courtyard, two levels, and rooms facing the action
This is where VIN was wildly different than a smaller hotel takeover we’d done before.
Instead of people partying mostly in hallways, VIN had a massive interior courtyard—think small sports field vibes—with:
a huge pool
hot tubs
tons of seating and lounge zones
two-level decks
courtyard-facing rooms with sliding doors/windows
And those courtyard rooms? People treated them like mini themed “party stations.”
The best part: the courtyard room culture (aka “Halloween house with the lights on”)
There were around 60 courtyard rooms, and people went ALL IN:
decorated windows/doors
lights, balloons, themes
freebies: jello shots, candy, snacks, biscotti, slushies
conversation starters everywhere
Some rooms had sex furniture. Some had sex art. Some had signs like “free massages.” One couple had a massive piece of art that glowed under black light and it basically forced strangers to go “OKAY TELL ME ABOUT THAT.”
And yes: we saw some very enthusiastic toy displays.
There were so many sex swings / setups / toys in one space!
“No phones allowed” is a rule for a reason
This is a privacy-first environment. People are there to let loose without being worried they’ll end up on somebody’s camera roll.
Once inside the hotel, the vibe is:
keep your phone away, keep your eyes open, keep your boundaries strong.
Even when someone had a clever QR code on their door, it was like:
“Genius… except you can’t whip out your phone like you’re scanning a coupon at Costco.”
The play spaces: orgy rooms, voyeur chairs, and BDSM areas
Before the play spaces officially opened at 9pm, I was able to film a tour (because it was empty and allowed during that time).
What was in there:
a big orgy room with multiple beds side-by-side
another play room with spaced-out beds + voyeur seating
a BDSM/chamber room with equipment and chairs around it
water, towels, condoms, clear signage (including “couples only / no single men”)
Hot take: a lot of the action stayed in the courtyard rooms and private rooms. The playrooms were available, but it felt like some people preferred “their space” once they had it.
Also: like most nightlife… the later it gets, the wilder it probably gets. And I am not a 2:00 a.m. champion anymore. If I don’t sleep, I turn into a cunty bitch. That’s just facts.
Workshops + entertainment: it wasn’t just sex… it was education and community
VIN had a surprisingly solid “sex ed meets adult summer camp” lineup:
jealousy & insecurity workshop (real live coaching in front of the room) with Karine Bedard
anal 101 (no shame, real body talk) and
how to take better nudes and ludes (lighting, angles, backgrounds… yes, backgrounds matter) with Rae Szereszewski
how to eat pussy like a champ (with an instructional plush vagina… iconic) with Luna Matatas
burlesque show
pole dancing
live violinist
dance party + black lights + glow theme
This is what people don’t get about lifestyle events:
It’s not just sex. It’s skill-building, confidence, consent culture, and meeting likeminded people who get it.
What kind of people go to VIN?
Not everyone is there to swap.
We met:
couples there to play
couples there to only watch
couples there to socialize and make friends
people new to the lifestyle (like brand new)
seasoned swingers who know exactly what they’re doing
Honestly, the vibe felt like:
“adults with responsibilities who finally got a weekend off and are making the most of it.”
If you’re new and feel intimidated, this is the cheat code
If you’ve been staring at the lifestyle like it’s Mount Everest and you don’t know how to “get in”… an organized event like this is the easiest entry point.
Because you’re not trying to crack into an existing clique.
You buy a ticket. You show up. You’re inside the walls. You’re part of the party.
That’s the golden ticket.
Important note: VIN is not a single-men event. It’s mainly couples + some single women. (And yes, my advice for single women: wear a unicorn horn. Make it obvious. You’ll be popular.)
What to pack
Here’s the practical stuff I wish every newbie knew:
Winter coat (it’s Niagara in February, don’t be brave)
Flip flops if you plan on pool/hot tub
Reusable cup / Yeti / Contigo if you’re drinking
Outfit changes (you won’t know what you’ll feel like)
A “camouflage” layer if you’re offsite and need to travel past vanilla humans
Something small to share (shots, candy, snacks = instant social glue)
Don’t carry valuables if you’re using coat racks / common spaces
My honest take: I didn’t even get naked… and I still had a blast
Did I hook up with anyone at VIN?
No.
Did I have fun?
Hell yes.
I met fans. I made new friends. I watched. I learned. I vibed. I took it all in. It was one of those weekends that fills your social battery and drains your physical battery at the same time.
Also: I wore a dick mini-skirt and felt overdressed. That should tell you everything you need to know about the range of “normal” at VIN.
Want the full VIN experience?
If you want the full story, visuals, and all the behind-the-scenes details:
Watch the VIN 2026 vlog (hotel takeover tour + my real reactions)
Listen to the Sex and Swinging episode where DJ Slim and I break it all down
And if you want to come party at an event like this someday, I’ll be sharing future takeovers, workshops, and lifestyle adventures through my email list.
Because yes… I plan to be back.
** Book your trip to VIN 2027 HERE
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Disclaimer: I uploaded my video into AI and asked it to write this blog post - otherwise it wouldn’t exist cause it’s not something I normally do. Hope you enjoy being able to read about my experience instead of just watching and listening. Thanks Chat GPT :)
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