Ritz

Kate Moss Parties the Night Away at the Ritz in Paris

She may be moving into an elegant new $12 million mansion in London, but that doesn't mean hard-partying supermodel Kate Moss plans to settle down. While in Paris the other day to attend a fashion show Moss went on an all-night bender at the chic Ritz hotel, the London Mirror reports, forcing management to shut down the fun in the wee hours. The hijinks began after Moss attended the raucous and racy Etam lingerie show, where her boyfriend Jamie Hince's band The Kills played a live show.

At the Etam afterparty she and Hince were spotted swigging Cristal champagne from the bottle, the paper reports. The she and some pals continued on to the posh Ritz in the Place Vendôme, where they took over the bar. Musician Mark Ronson played the piano while R&B star Janelle Monae sang; Moss climbed atop the piano and performed a seductive dance until the hotel's management finally asked them to leave at 4:30 a.m. after complaints of rowdiness. Moss and Hince then repaired to their lavish $5,700-per-night suite upstairs for a nightcap.

Tags: celebrity, Cristal, Etam, fashion, fashion show, Jamie Hince, Kate Moss, London, luxury hotels, Mark Ronson, Paris, Ritz, supermodel, The Kills

The Classicist: London's Famed Savoy Hotel Back After $350 Million Revamp

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Architecture & Design

London's renowned Savoy hotel has just reopened following a massive $350 million revamp encompassing one of the most ambitious restorations in British history. The world famous landmark, built by impresario Richard D'Oyly Carte with profits from his Gilbert and Sullivan operas, originally opened in August 1889. Originally managed by Swiss hotelier César Ritz and Maitre Chef Auguste Escoffier, the hotel quickly became known for impeccable service and cuisine as well as glittering parties and famous patrons. Over the decades George Gershwin, Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire and Noel Coward entertained there, while famous guests included King Edward VII, Harry Truman, Marilyn Monroe, Humphrey Bogart, Elizabeth Taylor, Coco Chanel, Bob Dylan, The Beatles and numerous others. The property, now managed by Fairmont, has been closed for nearly three years while the impressive restoration project took shape.

120 years later the hotel's two main design aesthetics, Edwardian and Art Deco, have been carefully revitalized under the direction of world-renowned designer Pierre Yves Rochon. More than 1000 craftspeople, artists and artisans worked tirelessly to create interiors that are in keeping with the hotel's original and much-loved spirit. 38 new River Suites and guestrooms have been added, offering the same stunning views over the River Thames that inspired Whistler and Monet. Nine Personality Suites pay tribute to a few of the artists and well known figures who made the legendary hotel their London home away from home including Sinatra, Maria Callas, Charlie Chaplin and Marlene Dietrich. The suites contain art, literature, photographs and artifacts that evoke the time and spirit of the stars including the 12 pink roses in the Marlene Dietrich Suite that the actress always requested upon arrival.

The reopening also includes the addition of a stately $16,000-per-night, 325-square meter Royal Suite featuring two bedrooms, a study, sitting room, dining room, master bathroom, dressing room (with a specially ventilated shoe closet) and a master bedroom with a bespoke Savoir bed. The suite has been specially designed so that all the rooms enjoy one of the finest views of London. The legendary River Restaurant meanwhile gets a contemporary interpretation of Art Deco décor, and the famed cocktail mecca the American Bar is back in business while Savoy Grill returns under the operation of Gordon Ramsay Holdings with Chef Patron, Stuart Gillies and Head Chef, Andy Cook. [continued]

Gallery: The Savoy Reborn

Tags: Art Deco, bar, cocktails, Coco Chanel, Elizabeth Taylor, Fairmont, Fairmont hotels, Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire, Gilbert and Sullivan, Gordon Ramsay, hotel, hotel suites, London, luxury hotels, Maria Callas, Marilyn Monroe, Monet, Ritz, Savoy, Savoy hotel, tea, Thames, The Beatles, UK

Continue reading “The Classicist: London's Famed Savoy Hotel Back After $350 Million Revamp”

BMW Deal Makes Ritz Naples Even Better

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

I don't know about you, but I never need an extra reason to visit the Ritz-Carlton Naples Resorts. I'm not a golfer, so I can't speak with authority about the courses. But, they looked incredible. The spa, on the other hand, I experienced directly, and it continues to be among my favorites. Well, through April 29, 2010, there's another perk. Guests of both the beach and golf resorts will have access to eight BMWs and one MINI convertible. The cars will be available for complimentary use through the BMW/Ritz-Carlton Driving Tour.

Guests will have access to the cars from half an hour to up to three hours, based on availability, from 9 AM to 6 M every day. If you have restaurant plans that take you off-property, you can arrange to pick up the keys to one of the BMWs by 5:30 PM and return the car by 11 PM. To make a reservation, stop by or call the BMW/Ritz-Carlton Driving Tour desk at either the golf or beach resort. Making a reservation a week in advance is a smart move.

Tags: beach, beaches, bmw, florida, golf, golfer, golfers, golfing, hotel, hotel deals, hotels, resort, resorts, ritz, ritz carlton, ritz-carlton

Irish Governments May Wind up in the Luxury Business

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Three high-profile London hotels could wind up in the hands of the government soon. The Berkeley, Claridges and Connaught, all owned by Maybourne Hotel Group, are at risk of being controlled by the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA), due to the terms of a €16 billion loan. And, there wil probably be more.

In Ireland, five hotels could fall victim to the impact of economic woes on their developers. Loans totaling €80 billion could push the prestigious hotels – the Shelbourne, K-Club, Ritz-Carlton Wicklow, Radisson and G Hotel in Galway – into the hands of the state. Even if the loans don't go into default, the fact that they used government relief could push control to NAMA.

Depending on how the situation unfolds, NAMA could become one of the largest hotel owners in the world, a dicey proposition for the properties given the agency's lack hospitality experience. There's a shot that 100 hotels could find their way to NAMA's portfolio according to the Irish Hotel Foundation, and others in the industry put the potential at double that amount. The problem is that these assets aren't easy to manage.

Some of the properties that could wind up in NAMA's hands fall distinctly into the luxury sector. The lowest priced hotel in the Maybourne Group comes in at €643 a night (for the Berkeley). At the Connaught, you could wind up dropping more than £8,000 a night. Given the stakes involved, some the developers will be kept on to manage the new properties, though there are cases where NAMA will bring in a new team.

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Tags: hotel, hotels, ireland, london, luxury hotel, luxury hotels, radisson, RadissonHotelsAndResorts, ritz, ritz carlton, ritz-carlton

Escape to the Naples Ritz, Hide in the Spa and Go Green ... All at the Same Time

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spas, Green

The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort – and its sister property, the Beach Resort – are making it easy to hide from the world for a few days this summer. And, I can tell you from experience, the twin Ritz properties are great places to hide. With the Spa Escape Package, you can be treated as you deserve (or, in my case, better), for a mere $259 a night ($299 at the Beach Resort).

The spa at the Ritz-Carlton Beach Resort services both Naples, FL properties. As part o this program, a stay at either hotel will get you a $200 spa credit, which includes both services and retail. You'll also pick up a $50 gift card for the properties' on-site stores.

The Ritz-Carlton Spa integrates organic and eco-friendly options to mitigate environmental impact without degrading the quality of the treatments provided. The Eco-Luxe Facial and Eco-Luxe Cocoon are conducted in the Eco-Room, which features soft materials made from organic cotton and bamboo and washed in a separate machine with fragrance-free and sulfate-free cleansers. The floor and chair are made from bamboo, and the massage table was crafted entirely from sustainable materials.

With domestic flights cheaper than ever (except when I'm flying, it seems), getting to Naples won't be painful, and JetBlue has countless flights into the area. And, the perks that come with the Spa Escape Package basically make the room free. I hit this spa last summer and might just make it an annual experience.

Tags: eco, eco-friendly, environment, environmental, environmentalism, environmentally friendly, environmentallyfriendly, florida, golf, green, green travel, GreenTravel, naples, resort, resorts, ritz, ritz carlton, ritz-carlton, RitzCarlton, spa, spa therapy, spa time, spa treatment, spa treatments, SpaTherapy, SpaTime, SpaTreatment, SpaTreatments

Ritz-Carlton Berlin Special Package Celebrates Fall of the Wall

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The Ritz-Carlton Berlin is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall with a special "The Wall" travel deal, good through December 29, 2009. The package includes one night in a superior room, an upscale breakfast, a ticket to the Berlin Wall Museum and a souvenir piece of the toppled wall. Other amenities are a piccolo bottle of the famous Rotkäppchen sparkling wine and a pack of Zetti sweet crunchy chocolate chips, both of which are well-known former GDR brands that went on to conquer the West , as well as a DVD of the film Good Bye Lenin!, which received nominations for the Golden Globe and Academy Awards. Upon arrival, guests are greeted with a "Gorbachev Cocktail."

Guests can book special city tours separately, such as the "Trabi-Safari," in which visitors can go sightseeing in a Trabant, a car produced in what was formerly East Germany. There also is a guided tour along the traces of the former border, either on foot or by bike. The package is priced at about $335 for a single room or $385 for a double room. To make reservations, call 800-241-3333, e-mail berlin.reservation@ritzcarlton.com or visit www.ritzcarlton.com.

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Tags: Berlin, Berlin Wall, BerlinWall, europe, Germany, journeys, Ritz, Ritz-Carlton, travel

Ritz-Carlton Spa, Kapalua, Hawaii

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas, Cosmetics and Fragrance

Several months ago Ritz-Carlton finalized a $180 million transformation at its AAA Five-Diamond Kapalua, Hawaii, hotel with the opening of the 17,500-square-foot Ritz-Carlton Spa, Kapalua. The hotel, which has 463 fully-renovated guestrooms, including 107 Residential Suites, is located on the healing waters of Waihua, which the ancient Hawaiians believed was the most pure form of water.

The spa features 15 treatment rooms, with half opening to private outdoor shower gardens, and all with iPod docking stations with pre-programmed music selections and robe warmers. The spa also features two outdoor couples' hale (cabanas), men's and women's relaxation areas with the depiction of lava stone grotto areas, steam rooms, saunas, and whirlpools, and the only coed indoor/outdoor relaxation area in Hawaii with a whirlpool.

The Waihua concept is evidenced by wood panels carved with images of taro leaves and the dry stone river bed design in the entry. The walls are curved, representing water movement, with water walls in select areas. Guests walk through groves of tall bamboo, and Hawaiian artwork is present throughout the public corridors. Basalt stone floors are found in the treatment rooms, and the lockers are made with mahogany wood. Raw natural ingredients of spa treatments, including Hawaiian sea salt, kukui nuts, awapuhi, and ginger, have been placed in alcoves.

The spa offers a range of Hawaiian-based spa treatments, including authentic Lomilomi massage and Hawaiian healing treatments based on relaxation and rejuvenation. Guests may honor Kupuna Kahiko (ancient elders) from the Honokahua burial site by presenting an offering outside their treatment room.

Many of the spa treatments incorporate natural ingredients in the spa products such as pineapple, papaya, kukui oil, coconut, pumpkin, and blueberry. The spa features a range of innovative facials using Murad products and the natural lines of Naturopathica and Eminence, along with Intraceuticals Oxygen Infusions treatments. The spa also offers pregnancy massage treatments using Mama Mio products. The salon offers a full range of hair, manicure, pedicure, and waxing services; treatments for younger guests, such as a Choco Holic Pedicure; and packages for teenagers, including the Bring a Friend Package, which includes a 50-minute Lomilomi Massage or a 50-minute Ritz-Carlton Signature Facial, side by side, followed by a Fabulous Feet Pedicure.

My sister, Gina, and I were lucky enough to receive a basket with samples of some of the wonderful products used at the spa. To read our reviews, click on the continued link. Better yet, visit the spa! Make reservations for the hotel here.

Gallery: Ritz-Carlton Spa, Kapalua, Hawaii

Tags: Hawaii, natural products, NaturalProducts, ritz, ritz carlton, RitzCarlton, spa, spas

Continue reading “Ritz-Carlton Spa, Kapalua, Hawaii”

Ritz-Carlton Meets Prada, in the Pines

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

Prada Beauty and the Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation have joined together to create a relaxing beauty experience on Lake Oconee, deep in the Georgia-native loblolly pines. In addition to the usual Ritz-Carlton luxuries like feather beds, private porches, and oversized marble & granite bathtubs, the "Prada in the Pines" package will get the additional benefits of Club access, a men's or women's Prada Fragrance, a Prada Exfoliant Visage Facial, and in-room champagne and truffles.

The package starts at $1,109 per evening and is available for a limited time, this spring through fall.

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Tags: facial, fragrance, hotel, prada, prada in the pines, PradaInThePines, relax, resort, Ritz, Ritz carlton, ritz-carlton, RitzCarlton, spa, travel

If You Can Pay For It, Sparks Will Fly

by Anne Metz (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Services

Leave it to the Ritz-Carleton in Battery Park to come up with one of the world's most luxe hotel packages. The Can't Buy Me Love, But You Can Try is a one-night visit that costs you $40,000.

But don't worry, you'll get your money's worth. For the handsome fee, this package includes:

limo service to and from the airport
accommodations in the Presidential Suite.
a personal fireworks show by the famous Grucci family set to the soundtrack of your choice
private helicopter ride over the city
private bath prepared by a personal butler
Dom Perignon and strawberries
candlelight dinner
in-room breakfast

According to the hotel's director of guest relations, not surprisingly, only one person has taken advantage of this high-priced hotel package.

Sure, fireworks are fab as is staying at the Ritz, but if you really want to show your special someone that you are at the same pyrotechnically inspired and frugal, here's a slightly lower-budget version of the package:

One pack of roman candles from a road side stand in South Carolina: $7.50
One romantic Celine Dion album: $15
One bottle of pink Andre's "champagne": $5
One night at a Super 8: $65

And finally:

Not having to fork out $40,000 to get the Ritz to do the work for you: Priceless!

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Tags: fireworks, hotel packages, HotelPackages, hotels, New York, NewYork, Ritz, Ritz Carlton, RitzCarlton

World's Most Expensive Hotel Suites

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Though there is still time to spare before summer, it might be difficult to get a reservation at one of the Travel Channel's picks for most expensive hotel suites. When you are spending upwards of $4,000 a night, however, the "necessity" of reservations may just turn out to be a minor inconvenience. Here is the list, with the rates listed per night:

10. Coco Chanel Suite, Hotel Ritz, Paris - $4,300 to stay in the room that Coco herself lived in for 37 years.
9. Presidential Suite, Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills - $4,700 for a chef, butler, kitchen, grand piano and a chance to live like the stars
8. Peninsula Suite, The Peninsula, Hong Kong - $4,875, including butler service and a chauffeured Rolls Royce
7. Royal Suite, The Lanesborough, London - $5,837, with private security and personal butlers for the 3 bedroom suite with a floor-to-ceiling view of Hyde Park
6. Royal Suite, Burj Al Arab, Dubai - $6,800 to stay in the world's tallest hotel, with a private screening room, views of the ocean and use of the hotel's helipad

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Tags: england, expensive suites, hilton, hotel, london, luxury, motel, new york, paris, presidential, ritz, rooms, suites, switzerland, the plaza, tokyo, travel, united arab emirates

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New Ritz-Carlton Planned For The South China Sea

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The Ritz-Carlton has announced a new China hotel. It's their first resort style hotel in the region (they already have hotels in Hong Kong and Shanghai). The Ritz-Carlton, Sanya will be located along the South China Seas with views of Yalong Bay, in Hainan Province. The hotel will include 451 rooms, suites, and private villas and a 30,000-square-foot spa as well as three restaurants, a fitness center and even a wedding chapel. The ambitious project will be completed in 2008.

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Tags: china, hainan province, new hotel, ritz, ritz-carlton, south china sea

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