St. Thomas

Celebrate Valentine's Day in Luxe Style at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

The desire to do something extraordinary for Valentine's Day often clashes with the cold reality of no time to travel somewhere truly exotic. We've found the U.S. Virgin Islands to be an ideal escape without having to cross borders (and all that entails) to get somewhere special. The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas manages to be a magical oasis despite its relative proximity to the area's only major airport – a big plus when time is of the essence. The resort's secluded setting on 30 acres fronting an intimate white-sand beach and the gracious elegance of its main building, the Italianate Palazzo (above), set the scene for really romantic getaways. In front of the Palazzo are landscaped gardens leading to a stunning infinity pool overlooking the beach and turquoise waters of a sheltered bay.

For those seeking the ultimate in luxury, The signature Ritz-Carlton Club Level at the property has 55 Deluxe rooms featuring standing rain showers and soaking tubs and unobstructed ocean views from private balconies. The Club Level accommodations in St. Thomas also include one-bedroom Executive suites, a top-floor Ritz-Carlton Club Suite and three stunning 1,850-square-foot Presidential suites boasting a dining and living area and fitness room with treadmill, where Barack Obama and family have stayed in the past. All Club Level rooms and suites include access to the elegant Club Lounge with a spacious outdoor terrace, offering elaborate culinary presentations throughout the day and evening, chic cocktails and a dedicated Club Concierge.

Once ensconced in your luxe accommodations there are several options for making your getaway even more magical. A particular favorite for celebrating Valentine's Day is a champagne sunset sail aboard the Lady Lynsey, the resort's luxurious 53 ft. catamaran. You can take a cruise to Honeymoon Beach across the bay on St. John featuring some of the finest snorkeling in the Virgin Islands, and then hop back on board for a leisurely lunch for two complete with a champagne toast. Stay out on the water to watch the sunset and then finish the day with a starlit dinner in a private gazebo on the beach with a chocolate and wine tasting, or enjoy a private dinner for two at Bleuwater restaurant, one of four distinctive oceanfront-dining options as unique and colorful as the Caribbean scenery that surrounds them. [cont'd]

Gallery: The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas

Tags: Barack Obama, beach, Caribbean, catamaran, champagne, dining, hotel suites, luxury hotel, ocean, Prada, Prada Beauty, Ritz-Carlton, sailing, spa, St. Thomas, The Ritz-Carlton, U.S. Virgin Islands, Valentines Day, Virgin Island

Continue reading “Celebrate Valentine's Day in Luxe Style at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas”

Luxury for Less from Ritz-Carlton in the Caribbean This Fall

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Acknowledging that the economic recovery is slow to materialize in some quarters, The Ritz-Carlton's marquee properties in the Caribbean – The Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman and The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas – have designed offers for fall that allow guests to experience the best of both worlds with luxury lifestyle amenities paired with value-driven pricing. Travelers can visit The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman this fall with rates starting at $229 per night and enjoy a host of renowned brand partners' amenities from spa to dining: Silver Rain, a La Prairie Spa provides guests with the opportunity to relax with the healing waters of Switzerland in the comfort of the picture perfect setting on a seven mile beach in the Cayman Islands.

Blue, by famed New York Chef Eric Ripert is the only restaurant in Grand Cayman to have received the AAA Five Diamond Award. Guests visiting The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas (above) can enjoy the Club Level, exclusive suite accommodations and amenities set amid Caribbean seclusion starting at $379 a night. With 17 Ocean Front Suites and 12 Resort View Suites, the Club Level is the only one of its kind in the Virgin Islands and allows guests to enjoy individualized attention and light fare served through out the day, redefining the luxury hotel experience. The special rates are available at the Grand Cayman property until October 23rd and in St. Thomas until November 11.

Tags: Caribbea, Cayman Islands, Grand Cayman, hotels, La Prairie, Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

Caribbean Splendor at the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

It's a really good time to escape to the Virgin Islands. As I am writing this, it is 11:30 am on the island of St. Thomas, and the weather is a perfect 80ºF/26ºC. The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas, above, is offering a Caribean Splendor package to help you take advantage of the Virgin Islands.

Why St. Thomas? You don't need a passport, and there are direct flights from New York, Charlotte, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. There's scuba diving, divine restaurants with unadulterated views of uninhabited islands, a vibrant, relaxed island culture, and the beautiful hotel above. You can check out more of the attractions here.

The Caribbean Splendor package, which starts at $664 per night with a three night minimum (long luxury weekend, anyone?), includes:

Overnight accommodations in an ocean view room
Sunset Sail or half day snorkel sail for two aboard the Lady Lynsey (see gallery)
Two 50-minute spa treatments
Daily breakfast for two at Bleuwater
Seven-course tasting dinner for two at Bleuwater
Gratuity for all services listed on this package only

This is the kind of romantic getaway you've been dreaming about, and you can take it anytime between now and October 31, 2009. And for added romance, The Ritz-Carlton is also currently offering Complimentary Destination Weddings -- definitely a must-see. Check out more photos of the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas below.

Gallery: The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas