The Ritz-Carlton

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

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NYC & Company Announces Third Night Free Promotion at 16 Luxury Hotels

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

NYC & Co. Announces Third Night Free Promition at 16 Luxury Hotels including The St. Regis

Planning to visit New York this winter? If you're planning a trip between the dates of January 2 and March 7 and want to stay in a luxury hotel, here's how to get a third night for free.

NYC & Company, the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, has announced that 16 hotels in The Signature Collection, a group of New York City's luxury hotels, will participate in The Signature Collection Third Night promotion this winter. From the St. Regis New York (as seen above) and The Plaza Hotel, to the Setai Fifth Avenue and The Chatwal New York (new participants this year), the participating hotels include some of the finest luxury hotels that Manhattan has to offer.

The program gives visitors a complimentary third night at participating hotels after they book and pay for two consecutive nights between January 2 and March 7, 2011. The Third Night program is being extended for a week this year, through March 7, to coincide with ART x NYC, a week filled with some of the biggest art events of the year, including The Armory Show and The Art Show, plus numerous gallery exhibitions, museum shows, tours and studio visits.

Detailed booking information for the winter promotion is available on NYC & Company's website; rooms can be booked directly through the participating hotels.

"This winter we want to encourage visitors and residents to get exceptional savings by taking advantage of the Third Night deal with many of our Signature Collection luxury hotels," says George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. "We are pleased to extend this year's program through March 7 to accommodate visitors who are in town for the week of events surrounding ART x NYC."

The 16 hotels participating in this winter's Third Night promotion include:

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