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Baltimore Ritz Condo Owner Wants Gun Range--Is That You Tom Clancy?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —


The biggest owner of the Ritz-Carlton Residences in Baltimore is author Tom Clancy so when the Baltimore Sun found out that an architect has been talking to city officials about the possibilities of installing a gun range in one of the penthouse condos Baltimore's Inner Harbor, well, we know who to look toward. According to the article in the Sun the inquiries were supposed to be kept private but you can't keep an unusual request like this under wraps. The process of getting a gun range installed in one's condo is no easy feat. There are zoning rules, laws and permits as well as the condo association bylaws to contend with. It's also quite expensive, although, if Clancy is the owner this is likely not an issue. The thriller business has made him a very wealthy man.

In the architect's paperwork the client is not identified. If the gun-loving Ritz owner is Clancy he certainly has room for a range, he's got a total of 17,000 square feet of living space taking over the entire penthouse floor of one of the condo complex's six buildings. Over the past couple of years he spent a total of $16.6 million doing so, buying up a total of six units which gives him private elevators, a home theater, multiple kitchens and more. Clancy is a Baltimore native and also has ownership in the altimore Orioles. The Sun article says that according to a NY Times article back in 1999, Clancy had a shooting range at a home he owned overlooking the Chesapeake Bay.


Tags: Baltimore, ritz-carlton, tom clancy

Five Luxe Car Brands Cited By J.D. Power as Service "Champions."

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

mercedes benzFive luxury automobile brands were in the top 40 brands ranked by J.D. Power and Associates in its annual Customer Service Champions report.

Jaguar, Lexus, Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, Lincoln all made the list. They were joined by two other luxury brands: hoteliers Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton.

Non luxe brands included in the top 40 were Zappos.com, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and retailer Cabelas.

Brands that receive the J.D. Power Customer Service Champions designation are among the top 5 percent of more than 800 evaluated brands, based on their performance in five key areas identified as the J.D. Power 5 Ps: People, Presentation, Price, Product and Process.


Tags: cadillac, four seasons, j.d. power, jaguar, lincoln, mercedes-benz, ritz-carlton, zappos

Continue reading “Five Luxe Car Brands Cited By J.D. Power as Service "Champions."”

The Ritz-Carlton Toronto, the Brand's First Canadian Hotel, Opens

by McLean Robbins (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Ritz-Carlton TorontoWelcome to Toronto! The Ritz-Carlton today announced the opening of their first Canadian property, The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto. Featuring 267 guestrooms, the new hotel is a 53 story addition to the city skyline. After numerous delays (the hotel was originally slated to open last fall) the brand has finally made their infiltration into what many have called the world's most international city.

Want to watch the opening ceremonies, starting at 11:30 AM on Wednesday? The hotel is streaming it all on Facebook, further cementing our view that the Ritz-Carlton is one of the top luxury brand in the social media space.

With unimpeded North or South facing views of the city or Lake Ontario, each guestroom or suite at features floor-to-ceiling windows with heated perimeters, African Anigre wood and Portuguese Estremoz marble, as well as spacious bathrooms with heated marble flooring, dual vanities embedded with 22" HD television screens, private rain showers and soaker tubs.

Opt for a room on the Club Level and enjoy access to the 20th floor Club Lounge, offering spectacular water views as well as complimentary food and beverage presentations and private concierge service.

Gallery: Ritz-Carlton Toronto



Tags: canada, new hotel, ritz-carlton, ritz-carlton toronto, toronto

Continue reading “The Ritz-Carlton Toronto, the Brand's First Canadian Hotel, Opens”

Charlotte Chosen To Host Democratic National Convention, Let The Hotel Packages Begin

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Charlotte Chosen To Host Democratic National Convention, Let The Hotel Packages Begin
The Democratic Party has announced that Charlotte, North Carolina will host the 2012 Democratic National Convention. The city beat out St. Louis, Minneapolis and Cleveland to be the city where President Obama will accept the Democratic nomination and begin his campaign for reelection. The convention will begin on September 3, 2012. The Republican Party will host its convention in Tampa, Florida.

The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte has launched today a Red, White, Blue and Green package to celebrate the announcement. Red, White, Blue and Green will feature overnight accommodations and a wine and cheese experience in the hotel's Urban Sip Wine and Scotch Bar. The new bar on the 15th floor provides beautiful views of Charlotte and offers Carolinas' largest selection of premium wines by the glass, as well as the city's largest menu of Scotches. Flights for two of both red and white wines and a flight of artisanal bleu cheeses will highlight the Urban Sip portion of the package. The green factor comes in both because the hotel is LEED Gold-certified and because package guests driving an electric or hybrid car will receive included overnight hotel parking. Offered Thursday through Saturday evenings from today until the Convention, and based upon availability, Red, White, Blue and Green at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte is priced from $269 per couple per night. Reservations may be made at 800-241-3333, at http://www.ritzcarlton.com, or through a travel professional.

The Charlotte Observer reports that after the announcement was made hotel managers sprung into action as they fielded calls looking for rooms. Some hotels are already running out of space. There are approximately 15,000 hotel rooms in or within 30 minutes of uptown and access to at least another 15,000. The Republican National Committee is expecting similar action in Tampa, planning on filling 15,000 hotel rooms. Rooms and houses for rent have also popped up on Craigslist and through other residential listing sites, a phenomenon that will only increase as the event draws closer.


Tags: Democratic National Convention, dna, dnc, hotel packages, north carolina, ritz-carlton, ritz-carlton charlotte

Ritz-Carlton Residences at Singer Island Host Grand Opening

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Real Estate Developments


Luxury is on the rise in Palm Beach once again. Lionheart Capital, owner of The Ritz-Carlton Residences Singer Island, is hosting the official grand opening of the 8.8-acre oceanfront property on January 21. The two tower complex is one of only six stand-alone residential properties managed by the Ritz-Carlton brand worldwide. In June 2010, Lionheart, in partnership with Elliott Management Corporation, closed the $120 million bulk purchase of the remaining inventory at 2700 North Ocean (a total of 146 units in the 242-unit project). The property converted to The Ritz-Carlton Residences Singer Island, Palm Beach on November 1. Real estate in South Florida continues to struggle but news from this property is strong so far, with only 60 days on the market as a Ritz-Carlton, the property has already logged $20 million in sales.

The opening celebration includes accreted indoor/outdoor art tour featuring works from the private collections of Carlos and Rosa de la Cruz, Ella Cisneros Fontanals, Marvin and Elayne Mordes, Jane Holzer and Beth Rudin DeWoody, as well as pieces on loan from Art Palm Beach by Litvak Gallery and Albert Paley, among others. The event will include the unveiling of the Signature Residence models as well as samplings of food prepared by the property's new chef.


Tags: Ferrari, florida real estate, palm beach, palm beach florida, palm beach real estate, ritz-carlton, ritz-carlton residences, ritz-carlton singer island, singer island

Continue reading “Ritz-Carlton Residences at Singer Island Host Grand Opening”

Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Bay Offers Culturally Immersive Retreat

by Michael B. Dougherty (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Bay Offers Culturally Immersive Retreat

The drive to Kapalua, along Maui's Honoapi'ilani Highway, hugs the western rim of the island and provides an amuse bouche of what awaits: a nearly endless horizon of surf and sky, perfumed air and an unusually strong sense of place. That last element being especially evident at the Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences, Kapalua Bay. If the mention of Hawaii still produces reflexive images of tiki heads and loud shirts, the Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences has made it a point to provide a more authentic, and thereby transcendent, island experience for its residents and guests.

Not to be confused with the Ritz-Carlton hotel, the Club and Residences property is part of the brand's equity-based program that allows members to either purchase a fractional residence at a specific location or sample any of the portfolio's options through a real estate trust. Either way, buying in results in a deeded interest that can be passed down to family members. But the quality sure to lure most into the former arrangement with Kapalua Bay is the lengths the Ritz-Carlton has gone to ensure that luxury and cultural accuracy aren't mutually exclusive concepts.


Tags: hawaii, hawaii travel, hotel review, kapalua, maui, ritz-carlton

Continue reading “Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Bay Offers Culturally Immersive Retreat”

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

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

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

Beach gazeboBeachLady LynseySpa cabanaClub Lounge



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”

Amelia Island Concours to Celebrate Ferrari 250 GTO's 50th Anniversary

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events


The legendary Ferrari 250 GTO, built between 1962 and 1964, is a holy grail for car collectors. The last one that came on the market is said to have sold for about $28 million. Ralph Lauren has one of course, as does Pink Floyd's Nick Mason, UK Ferrari maniac Chris Evans, and many men whose fortunes exceed all measure of normality. Now the renowned Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance in Florida has announced plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic car at its 2012 show. The organizers are hard at work delving into the history of the incredible vehicle in order to properly honor significant milestones in its evolution. The 250 GTO's anniversary will be celebrated at the event by figures who participated in its storied past, and an eye-popping assortment of the cars will be on display. Meanwhile the 2011 Concours is slated to take place from March 11–13 at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island.

Gallery: 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO

Simon Clay c 2010 courtesy of RM AuctionsSimon Clay c 2010 courtesy of RM AuctionsSimon Clay c 2010 courtesy of RM AuctionsSimon Clay c 2010 courtesy of RM AuctionsSimon Clay c 2010 courtesy of RM Auctions


Tags: Chris Evans, classic cars, concours delegance, Ferrari, Ferrari 250 GTO, Florida, Ralph Lauren, Ritz-Carlton

A Taste of New York at The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels


Going out to eat in New York City can be an incredible experience, except for one thing - you're smack in the middle of a great, stinking, crowded, dirty, noisy city full of obnoxious, neurotic people. Not to mention that this time of year it's freezing cold to boot. That can detract from the enjoyment if not outright ruin it on certain occasions. However at the Ritz-Carlton in San Juan, Puerto Rico you can now get an authentic NYC dining experience in an incredible beachfront setting. The luxe hotel has created a tantalizing Taste of New York Package around its two great restaurants imported directly from the Big Apple, BLT Steak and Il Mulino New York – minus the Manhattan melodrama.

BLT Steak from famed chef Laurent Tourondel mixes modern, urbane décor with an infusion of classic French bistro techniques. In the elegant, old-world atmosphere of Il Mulino New York you can linger over the vibrant flavors inspired by the cuisine of Italy's Abruzzi region. The package, with rates starting at $569 per night, includes deluxe accommodations for two in a Pool View room; a gourmet welcome amenity; daily breakfast at Mares, the casual poolside café; and daily dinner for two at BLT Steak or Il Mulino, including a complimentary sommelier's selection bottle of wine. Of course the restaurants are open to all guests of the idyllic resort, which also features the Ritz-Carlton's signature Club Level accommodation, a must for travelers who require the best of everything with convenience to match.

Gallery: Taste of New York at The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan

Poolside diningBLT SteakIl Mulino New YorkBLT Steak entreeOcean View Suite


Tags: beach, BLT Steak, chef, dining, Il Mulino, Laurent Tourondel, luxury hotels, New York, New York City, Puerto Rico, Ritz-Carlton, San Juan

Celebrate Christmas in Spain at the Hotel Arts Barcelona

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

A view of the Hotel Arts Barcelona with Frank Gehry's famous Peix d'Or (fish) sculpture in the background.
Experience Christmas in one of the world's most exciting destinations, Barcelona, the second largest city in Spain.

There's a spectacular five-star Ritz-Carlton property worth checking out. Called the Hotel Arts Barcelona, it will be offering several special packages over the holidays, including New Years' Eve.

The Hotel Arts Barcelona offers 483 spacious guest rooms, including a variety of suites including 56 executive suites and 28 sophisticated duplex apartments. It also offers a spa on the 42nd and 43rd floors of the hotel that has stunning views of the city and sea below. The spa features eight treatment suites, a separate sauna and a steam room with color therapy.

Enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner at one of the hotel's many fine restaurants. Paco Perez's Enoteca restaurant, which was awarded one Michelin star in the 2010 Guide, will offer festive gastronomic dishes during the holiday season such as truffle and wild mushroom cream soup with foie gras shots and grilled Grouper loin, followed by Turron, a traditional Spanish Christmas dessert made of chocolate, almond and pine nuts with puffed rice.

Gallery: Hotel Arts Barcelona

Hotel Arts BarcelonaHotel Arts BarcelonaThe Enoteca restaurant at the Hotel Arts BarcelonaHotel Arts BarcelonaHotel Arts Barcelona


Tags: Awards-main, Barcelona, Christmas travel, Hotel Arts Barcelona, hotel packages, Luxist-Awards, Ritz-Carlton, Spain

Continue reading “Celebrate Christmas in Spain at the Hotel Arts Barcelona”

Ritz-Carlton Dallas Creates World Series Packages

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Sports

The World Series starts tonight in San Francisco and in just a few days, Texas will have its turn to host fans. The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas has announced a weekend of baseball-themed treats. The sports-inspired treats will be offered this Saturday, Sunday (Halloween) and Monday, based on availability, when the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants square off near Dallas. On October 31 and November 1. Sunday and Monday-night guests wearing either a Texas Rangers or San Francisco Giants cap or other apparel item when checking into The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas will receive a certificate for one complimentary breakfast to be enjoyed either in-room or at Fearing's Restaurant.

The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas also has a squadron of "baseball concierges" to answer guest questions about games, teams, players, TV broadcasts and baseball history. The minute the Texas Rangers clinched their long-awaited birth in the World Series, the hotel went into high gear, preparing detailed baseball information to be shared with several hundred hotel employees via advance instruction in their regular training line-ups. The hotel's front-line employees have been given advanced training provided personally by the hotel's senior rooms leadership staff and via a baseball-specific Guest Relations packet.

Fearing's Restaurant is offering a "Claw and Antler" hot dog combo in its Rattlesnake bar. The Claw and Antlers" are new set of gestures that have taken the American League-West by storm. If a Texas Ranger make a positive offensive play he makes the claw sign. The "antlers" signify a speed-related player feat like a fast run. Rangers' utility player Esteban German launched this hand-signal trend while playing Triple A baseball in Oklahoma City last season. At Fearing's, the Claw is a Chicago-style hot dog with sweet relish, pickled serrano peppers, sliced tomato, chopped onion, and yellow mustard, while the Antler is a chili dog featuring chopped onions, shredded cheddar cheese, and yellow mustard. Fearing's will honor visitors from San Francisco with a house cioppino inspired by northern California's fresh seafood delicacies. A special in-room menu item just for this weekend features a two-city selection of smoked Texas pecans with ice-cold Anchor Steam beer from San Francisco.

The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Dallas will offer a special gift with purchase of a World Series Wind-Down Massage. Guests enjoying the sports-lovers' massage during Texas game dates will be offered a complimentary choice of Texas or California beer following their 50-minute treatment. Rates for rooms on October 31 start at $369 per night.


Tags: dallas, hotel deals, ritz-carlton, texas rangers, world series

Intraceuticals Oxygen-Infused Facials Promise Celebrity Skin

by McLean Robbins (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spas

Thanks to HD cameras and the ever-present paparazzo flashbulb, celebrities and their makeup artists are forced to spend increasing hours attempting to achieve dewy, youthful-looking skin. Australian skincare line Intraceuticals believes they've found an answer.

A product that has drawn a cult following from names like Madonna, John Galliano, Rachel Zoe, Justin Timberlake and more, this unique line is delivered to the skin through both at-home treatments and in-spa oxygen facials.

The makeup artists behind movies like Sex and the City and shows like American Idol also swear by Intraceuticals oxygen to get clients TV-ready, and producers for music videos featuring celebrities like Katy Perry noticed that their retouching costs were reduced, at times by thousands of dollars, because the star's skin was so much better-looking.

Now non mega stars can achieve the same results. We had the chance to sample the new Intraceuticals Oxygen Facial at The Ritz-Carlton's Sports Club/LA in Washington, DC last week and see for ourselves what it felt to be pampered like an A-lister. The therapists promised brighter, smoother-looking skin with a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles.


Tags: celebrity facial, intraceuticals, ritz-carlton, sports clubla

Continue reading “Intraceuticals Oxygen-Infused Facials Promise Celebrity Skin”

NBC Food Stylist Bianca Henry Hosts Food Events Weekend

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Events


The Ritz-Carlton's Culinary Center at the Ritz-Carlton Cancun is bringing in NBC Today Show food stylist Bianca Henry for the "Food & Style weekend" to be held October 28-31, 2010. The classes will be taught in the state-of-the-art Viking-equipped kitchen at the Culinary Center, which has windows overlooking the Caribbean. Bianca and Rory Dunaway, the center's chef will explore the gastronomic traditions of ancient Mexico through a journey of flavors, aromas and colors that includes a visit to the local produce market. Culinary tourists will also be exposed to a selection of unique Mexican wines and will barbecue on the beach along with Bianca Henry after tasting the hotel's collection of tequilas. The program also includes a Mexican brunch, a visit to area restaurants and an evening dine-around at The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun's AAA five diamond restaurants with Bianca. The event is limited to only 16 people and available for $1,797 per couple which includes accommodations in a deluxe ocean view or oceanfront room.

Learn more about Bianca's job in this great interview over at Serious Eats.


Tags: bianca henry, cancun, food events, food tourism, nbc today show, ritz-carlton

The Ritz-Carlton Introduces First-Ever Guest Rewards Program

by McLean Robbins (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels


Starting immediately, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is offering frequent guests access to its first-ever loyalty program, aptly titled The Ritz-Carlton Rewards.

"No other luxury hotel company comes close to providing such a full range of opportunities to earn and redeem points and experience some truly exceptional and exotic adventures," said Herve Humler, president and chief operating officer, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. "This is just the beginning. We will continue to add global partners offering our members the very best in customized and one-of-a-kind memorable experiences."

The Ritz-Carlton Rewards' partners plan to offer unique access available only to members, including Abercrombie & Kent members-only tours in locations such as China, Turkey and Egypt; special customer events and a half-day personal shopping experience with fashion experts at Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman featuring a private consultation, fashion presentation, lunch, facial and make-up application and the opportunity to redeem points toward wedding gowns and other select products from the world of celebrated designer Vera Wang.

Another special opportunity for members will be four-day photography workshops with National Geographic's renowned photographers at Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts in locations such as San Francisco and Miami. Members will also be able to redeem points for flights on 30 of the world's major airlines and luxury cruise lines, including Crystal Cruises, The Yachts of Seabourn and Silversea.

Membership will be complimentary. Guests can register online, at any Ritz-Carlton hotel or via the phone reservation or guest services lines.


Tags: loyalty, ritz carlton, ritz carlton rewards, ritz-carlton

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