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

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.

Ritz-Carlton Spa, Kapalua, Hawaii

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.

An Update on the Molasses Reef Project

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels


In February 2005, I wrote about the plans for the Ritz-Carlton's Molasses Reef on West Caicos in the Turks and Caicos islands. Three years later and the project is steaming toward a December 2008 completion date. The resort is on the 11-square-mile island of West Caicos, located on the western end of the Turks & Caicos Islands archipelago. Phase I of the development includes around 30 Ritz-Carlton branded Island Villas which are more than 85% sold out.The Island Villas start at $2.4 million with two- to three-bedroom and penthouse floor plans available. Phase II will include 45 more Villas and 10 four-bedroom Ocean Cottages, single-family residences managed and serviced by The Ritz-Carlton which have private swimming pools, and a beachfront location. Prices start at $6.5 million for the cottages.

All Molasses Reef property owners will have access to the concierge services and amenities available at the 125-room Ritz-Carlton resort, including on-site concierge, a fitness room with private trainers, pre-arrival butler service, 24-hour in-residence dining, complimentary cart shuttles to Molasses Reef resort facilities, and priority reservations at the Molasses Reef Spa. The resort will also have three restaurants and a full-service spa and is also expected to open at the end of this year.

The Ritz-Carlton Signs On To Cap Cana

Filed under: Estates, Luxury Travel & Hotels


We are back to talking about Cap Cana, that massive resort area in the Dominican Republic that is over 30,000 acres of Caribbean acreage. When we first looked at the resort in 2005, the plan included three Jack Nicklaus Signature golf courses, a massive inland marina and a casino as well as then unnamed hotels and residences. Then last February, Donald Trump announced Trump at Cap Cana, which will include a golf course, golf villas and golf lots, estate lots, a beach club, a condo hotel, and residences with ocean views. Now the latest luxury name to sign on is the Ritz-Carlton. The luxury hotel chain plans both a resort, The Ritz-Carlton, Cap Cana as well as a residential offering, Residences at The Ritz Carlton, Cap Cana. The 220-room resort will include a 16,000-square-foot spa, private beach club and five restaurants and lounges. The 194 privately-owned residences will include both beachfront and golf course option. Both are expected to open in early 2010.

Moscow's Luxurious Ritz-Carlton Offers $700 Breakfast

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels


The fabulous Russian billionaires will have a new place to party in Moscow when the Ritz-Carlton opens up on July 1. The new Ritz-Carlton will be a $350 million, 334-room hotel with an imperial Russian facade.

The hotel includes Jeroboam he restaurant of three star Michelin chef Heinz Winkler. A separate wine room, Petrus, will be available for small groups to choose from the expansive wine and rare spirits collection such as a shot of Macallan Fine and Rare Collection vintage 1969 whisky for $400. The restaurant will serve the Tsar's Breakfast which costs $700 per person and includes a bottle of Crystal champagne, an omelet with Kobe beef steak, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and truffles, foie gras with caramelized apple and pain brioche, 56 grams of Beluga caviar with blinis, sour cream and quail eggs and more.

The rooftop bar is the O2 lounge which has a glass dome, black tile floor, red velvet cocoon chairs and white leather furnishings and will serve food by chef Seiji Kusano who whips us sushi creations such as a gourmet roll prepared with Beluga caviar and blue fin tuna, garnished with gold leaf. In the Lobby lounge, the vodka sommelier can help guests choose from a wide variety of vodkas. The hotel also includes a spa and fitness center for working off all that food and booze. They are offering a summer special through August with rooms starting at $385 (plus 18% VAT) which is nearly half of the usual price.

Ritz-Carlton Meets Prada, in the Pines

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.

Ritz-Carlton New Orleans Reopens

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels


Planning to drop in on Brangelina in the Crescent City? Wondering where to stay? Well, good news is here. The Ritz-Carlton has reopened after a renovation to repair the damage caused by hurricane Katrina. The beautiful hotel was originally the Maison Blanche department store features a variety of restaurants and a lovely courtyard. After Katrina, the hotel closed and the entire HVAC system was replaced along with numerous other repairs and enhancements. While New Orleans might not be the safest city, if you desire to stay over, the Ritz-Carlton is a safe bet.

Watertower Place, Estate of the Day

Filed under: Estates

If you are interested in being able to shop without ever leaving home you might want to check out this condo at Water Tower Place in Chicago. It is located above the Ritz Carlton hotel at 180 E. Pearson Street and has hotel services such as a concierge, receiving room clerk, service and 24/7 elevator operator, door staff and maintenance personnel. There is also an indoor parking facility, health club and indoor pool as well as catering options. The 11,000-square-foot duplex has amazing views over the city and has been finished with the finest luxury details. There are seven bedrooms total. This apartment is listed at $10.5 million. After the jump, bring the decorator, lose the chef.

So Cal Ritz-Carlton Sold for $330M

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The Ritz Carlton Laguna Nigel on the Southern California coast has just been sold for $330 million, or approximately $840,000 per room. This makes it the second most expensive hotel sale in terns of price per room, only surpassed by the sale of the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, which had a price tag of $1 million per room.

The 22 year old hotel has 393 rooms, including 38 suites, and was acquired by Strategic Hotels, who is hoping to increase their presence in the luxury hotel market in California. Strategic feels that not only is the beachfront property worth its high price, but that it is sure to increase in value over the next two decades given that space on the coast is both desirable and difficult to obtain. The hotel, prior to the sale, underwent a $40 million renovation that revamped the interior and improved their spa and fitness offerings.  Rooms start at $400 a night and ocean-front suites are available for more than $2,000 per night. They also offer a $750 per night Mercedes-Benz package, which includes the use of a car.

If You Can Pay For It, Sparks Will Fly

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!


The Ritz-Carlton Residences Inner Harbor

Filed under: Estates

Waterfront luxury in Baltimore. About time some may say. But, Ritz-Carlton has unveiled plans to build a 174 unit condo on the Inner Harbor, just at the base of Federal Hill. Ranging in size from 1,600 to 5,000 square feet, these residences will feature all the amenities of a Ritz-Carlton hotel, but the ability to leave your clothes in the closets permanently. Great views of downtown Baltimore and a 20-slip marina accommodating yachts up to 100' ensure that this new enclave of luxury will appeal to all. With housekeeping service and in-room dining arranged by Ritz-Carlton, you could throw a major fête and never break a sweat.

Peninsula, Mandarin, & Ritz-Carlton Take Tokyo

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Tokyo, consistently rated one of the world's most expensive cities, has had a glaring absence of luxury hotels. Certainly, the Four Seasons is probably the best in town, but up till now it hasn't had any real competition. The Mandarin Oriental has just opened its 179 room hotel in Nihonbashi that balances the natural elements of forest and water. In other words, its designed to make you feel at one with nature, even though you are on top of a skyscraper is one of the most densely populated cities on Earth. Joining Four Seasons and Mandarin in 2007 are both Peninsula and Ritz-Carlton, who will open new hotels in Tokyo later in the year. The venerable Peninsula Hotel Group is opening a 315 room, 24 floor hotel in the Marunouchi district of Tokyo. Situated in a area experiencing a revitalization, the triangular shaped hotel will certainly become a hub of luxury-minded travelers. Ritz-Carlton is opening 250 rooms on the top nine floors of a high rise in Roppongi district. Part of a mixed-use facility designed by American architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. The hotel will feature a sky lobby, several restaurants, and a large spa. At long last, a place to lay my head where I can dream of the world's most expensive hotel bill.

Ritz-Carlton Spas Go Prada

Filed under: Spas

If you are a fan of Prada Beauty products than you'll want to head to the Ritz-Carlton Spas in North America. They are all going Prada with a variety of treatments that include the Prada Exfoliant Visage ($250), a gentle glycolic and lactic acid peel; the Prada Radiance Visage ($250) a lightening formula that includes freshly mixed Ascorbic Acid in a fast-penetrating Bio-Mimetic base to lighten dark spots and correct irregular pigmentation and the Prada Reviving Visage ($375)  which is a lifting, firming and re-contouring treatment with Bio-Firm Complex to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. All three 90 minute treatment programs also have an eight-day use-at-home component.  There is also a Prada body facial that includes an exfoliation, clay wrap and a massage.

Valentine's Day at the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

If you haven't found anything to your liking in our Valentine's Day free-for-all, why not try the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay. The AAA 5 Diamond resort on the Northern California coast resembles a Nantucket style lodge smack on the Pacific Ocean. The location is picture perfect for a resort and a lovely Arthur Hills designed golf course. If couples golf isn't your thing, you could spend the day being pampered in the 16,000 sq ft spa.

But since you are here to get together, the hotel has some special things planned for February 14th. The restaurant, Navio, will feature a 4 course, wine paired menu featuring Mushroom Crusted Ahi Tuna and Butter Poached Lobster. If the dining room didn't fill you, a chocolate buffet will be available for your over-indulgence. Of all the goings on at the resort, my favorite is the Rose Champagne Flight. In the 5,000 bottle wine room, this is a oenophiles dream come true. Complete with chocolate covered strawberries, you and your mate can sample a fine selection of Rose Champagne till your heart's content. Make sure your suite has fireplace to get things heated up!

Ritz Carlton Super Bowl XL Packages

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

If you are like your Super Bowl luxury style then the Ritz-Carlton in Dearborn, Michigan is your headquarters for Super Bowl XL. They are offering a variety of special treats for the big event including custom-made, chocolate Super Bowl amenities at turndown, floral arrangements throughout the hotel in team colors and complimentary sports magazines in their guestrooms. There is also the Super Bowl XL Tailgate Experience. The hotel is transforming several luxury motor homes into custom suites that include feather bedding, Bulgari toiletries, a full-size refrigerator stocked with premium beverages and snacks, an outdoor chiminea, twice daily maid service, complimentary breakfast for two each morning, use of the fitness center and indoor pool. The Tailgate Experiences includes VIP passes to The XL Lounge, a sports bar at The Ritz-Carlton with plasma flat screen televisions, pinball, foosball, X Box 360 and outdoor grilling. Pricing of the Super Bowl XL Tailgate Experience starts at $2,500 per night with a four-night minimum stay and is offered Thursday, February 2 through Sunday, February 5, 2006.  If you need something a little fancier, the Elite Super Bowl XL Tailgate Experience includes everything above plus a gift certificate for a two-night Super Bowl recovery stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel or The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, a $1,000 shopping spree at the Official Super Bowl Retail Shop or The Gift Shop at The Ritz-Carlton, Dearborn, two tickets to a Night in Havana, a celebrity poker tournament at The Ritz-Carlton, Dearborn on February 2nd and a five-course dinner for two with wine on the evening of guests' choice, prepared in the suite by executive chef, Rob Wilson. The package costs $40,000 for the four-night stay with only two packages available. Unfortunately, neither package includes the biggest luxury of all, tickets to the Super Bowl. Update: The $40,000 package does include two tickets to the game!

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