ritz-carlton

Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Facing Foreclosure

Another Hawaiian hotel is facing foreclosure. The Wall Street Journal reports that the estate of the bankrupt securities firm Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. is foreclosing on the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Kapalua resort in Kapalua, Maui. The 463-room resort completed an extensive $180 million transformation including the lavish Ritz-Carlton Spa, Kapalua, Maui with 15 treatment rooms. The resort has been owned since 2006 by a venture of Gencom Group and Goldman Sachs Group Inc.'s Whitehall Street Global Real Estate LP. The group has been in default on the $255 million mortgage and negotiations have been in progress for several months. Part of the issues was that the group planned to sell 107 condominiums to cover the cost of the renovations. When real estate came tumbling down they were able to sell less than a third of those condos and were unable to pay back the loan when it came due.

As the WSJ article points out, foreclosures and loan issues are becoming common for Hawaii hotels. Big resorts including the Four Seasons Maui, the 540-room Fairmont Orchid Hawaii and the 203-room Ilikai Hotel in Honolulu have all faced trouble. As is usually the case in these situations, the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua resort remains open for business. A bed and breakfast hotel package at the hotel starts at $349 per night.

Tags: hotels in trouble, ritz-carlton, Ritz-Carlton Kapalua

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

Ritz-Carlton Plans First Kosher Hotel

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

The latest Ritz-Carlton will be in Herzliya, Israel, located just north of Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean Sea marks a first for the luxury hotel chain, it's the first kosher Ritz-Carlton. The property features a Ritz-Carlton hotel with the top six floors dedicated to The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton. The project is being developed by Tidhar Group and Adi's Marina, and represents an investment of approximately $160 million. Architect Rani Ziss, who worked on the renovation of the Plaza in New York City designed the project and Studio Gaia, a New York-based interior design firm is creating an elegant seaside retreat.

The project overlooks the Herzliya Marina and has approximately 80 luxury vacation residences, everything from studios to large penthouses. Residences owners will have access to the hotel's five-star facilities and amenities which will include the rooftop outdoor pool, spa and fitness center. The property will be outfitted with Shabbat elevators and a fully equipped upscale kosher restaurant. The project is scheduled to be completed at the end of 2012.

Tags: herzliya, hotel development, israel, new hotel, new hotels, ritz carlton, ritz-carlton

La Prairie's $410 Platinum Facial

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Services, Spas, Cosmetics and Fragrance

You can get a facial at almost any spa, and even in some nail and hair salons. But will it be platinum?

If you visit the spa at the Ritz-Carlton in NYC, it can be. Since the spring, the spa has been offering The Platinum Rare Facial, a 90-minute treatment that is priced at $410, typically including product samples. Add a 20% tip and you're at $500.

According to the "Vain Glorious" department in The New York Times's T Magazine, "This ultra-pampering facial is more like a spa manicure and pedicure, massage and facial in one. It's performed by both a nail technician and an aesthetician -- the former soaks, scrubs and swathes the extremities in the brand's lavish products while the latter massages the neck and shoulders in between steps of the main event: a customized facial using La Prairie's Platinum Collection (including Cellular Cream Platinum Rare, which retails for $650 per ounce)."

Before the treatment, guests are invited to relax in the upscale locker room and lounge, outfitted with cool and soothing marble, a steam room with a tub of ice and cucumbers waiting outside, and a corner with chairs, fresh fruit, and dried snacks. Then guests select the music they wish to be played during the treatment. The signature seems to be the application of Cellular Cream Platinum Rare at the end of what the the Ritz calls "an experience that transcends the ordinary in every way with age-defying benefits."

Tags: facial, La Prairie, New York, platinum, Ritz-Carlton, skin care

Carrie Underwood's Wedding Takes Over Georgia Ritz-Carlton

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Celebrity Shopping

The wedding of singer Carrie Underwood and hockey player Mike Fisher has taken over a tranquil resort in Greensboro, Georgia. The former American Idol contestant and her NHL groom are tying the knot this weekend at the Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation. Local papers confirm that security is in full force and more than 250 rooms are rented out for celebrity guests including Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and members of Fisher's team the Ottawa Senators. E Online reports that the road to the hotel will be closed to nonwedding traffic on Saturday.

Underwood and Fisher may be spending their wedding night in the Ritz's 5,400-square-foot Presidential House, a place that former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush have visited. The lakeside retreat is a three-story cottage with four master bedroom suites and a great room that opens onto a private heated outdoor pool overlooking the shores of Lake Oconee.

Tags: carrie underwood, Carrie Underwood wedding, celebrity weddings, mike fisher, Ottawa Senators, reynolds plantation, ritz-carlton

Sky High Shanghai: The Ritz-Carlton opens Pudong hotel

by McLean Robbins (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The Ritz-Carlton knows a burgeoning superpower when it sees one. The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai Pudong, the brand's seventh in the country and second in Shanghai, opened its doors to the public on Monday. The 285-room property occupies the top 18 floors of the luxury Shanghai ifc Tower and opened in conjunction with the 2010 World Expo.

Designed by acclaimed architect Cesar Pelli, the hotel's glittering diamond-like exterior and contemporary decor evokes Shanghai's Art Deco movement of the 1930's. The hotel offers panoramic views of The Bund, the most intact collection of Art Deco architecture anywhere in the world.

"As Shanghai has been experiencing exponential growth and many multi-national companies have opened in Pudong, we find it strategically viable for The Ritz-Carlton to be located on both sides of Huangpu River," says Rainer Burkle, the hotel's general manager. "While The Ritz-Carlton Portman, Shanghai at Puxi has established its name over the past decade as the most preferred luxury hotel in the city, I have no doubt that The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong will prove itself to be another quintessential business and social centre for domestic and international travelers alike."

With interior designs by Richard Farnell, The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong guest rooms and suites range in size from 500 square feet for a standard guestroom to 4,000 for the Ritz-Carlton and Chairman Suites. There are three floors of Club-level accommodations, each with access to the 24-hour and 49th floor Club Lounge.

Restaurants include Aura Lounge and Jazz Bar, Jin Xuan, the fine dining Chinese Restaurant designed by Steve Leung; Scena Italian Restaurant and Flair Rooftop Restaurant and Bar. Flair boasts the distinction of being is Shanghai's highest al fresco dining and bar venue, although, as we all know, it might not hold that honor for long.

Looking for relaxation? Find the 15,000 square foot ESPA-branded spa on the 55th floor, featuring 10 treatment rooms, including a couple's treatment "Harmony Suite." Treatments will combine modern modern Chinese, Indian, European and Balinese spa cultures and ESPA branded products for a natural luxury experience.

Shanghai ifc mall also boasts opulent interiors framing the most stylish shopping environment and housing hundreds of world-renowned international branded retail names, including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Hermes and more.

Now open. Rooms from RMB 2,888. http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/ShanghaiPudong/.

Tags: china, pudong, ritz-carlton, shanhai

Former Ritz-Carlton Hotel Gets New Historic Name

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

In April I mentioned that Michigan was losing its only Ritz-Carlton hotel. The hotel known as the Ritz-Carlton Dearborn will now become The Henry as of June 3, and will be part of Marriott International's Autograph Collection of independent hotels. The Detroit Free Press reports that most of the hotel's empoyees will be keeping their jobs. The Henry joins eight other hotels in the new collection of upscale hotels with "distinctive personalities." The hotel takes its name from Henry Ford and is conveniently located near the Henry Ford museum. The new owners are planning a seamless transition.

Tags: dearborn, marriott, marriott hotels, ritz-carlton

Relax in a Carmenere Wine Bath in Chile

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Wine

The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago is offering a true delight for a true oenophile: a Carmenere Wine Bath.

You may be accustomed to phoning the front desk to request your bath drawn, but until now, asking them to pour booze in it was something of a faux pas. Wine baths have slowly been gaining acclaim for their antioxidant benefits in various parts of the world, like in Japan where they celebrate the yearly uncorking of their Beaujolais Nouveau by pouring it into natural springs and soaking in it.

The Carmenere grape is a relatively new discovery; the grape was mistaken for Merlot until 1994 and has only been found in Chile. How fitting then, that when visiting Santiago, you can bathe in Carmenere.

No advance reservations are required; simply dial the front desk and ask that the Bath Butler draw you a Carmenere Wine Bath, and you will find your bathroom decked with candles and, of course, a wine-filled tub of pink bubbles full of antioxidants and a literally intoxicating fragrance. As an added indulgence, a glass of the Carmenere will sit bathside for you to drink as you soak.

The Carmenere Wine Bath at the Ritz-Carlton, Santiago costs $50.00.

Tags: carmenere, Chile, Ritz-Carlton, Santiago, wine, wine bath

Bees In Business at The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Green

The Ritz Carlton, Charlotte in NC opened last October as the first LEED-built hotel in the area and now this summer they're taking their eco-conscious efforts even further by adding honeybees to the mix. The Ritz already has a rooftop garden, put in place to both insulate the building and provide organic herbs for the kitchen, and this summer that garden will become home to as many as 60,000 honeybees in two fully-contained hives. "Honeybees love herbs, and we're hoping they will especially enjoy the fresh lavender growing within our rooftop garden," explained Jon Farace, executive chef for The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte. "Because honey is considered the flavor of the land, it is likely that the bees' rooftop habitat and pollination of our herb garden will lend a wonderful, unique flavor to their honey." The hives will also benefit the surrounding city as the bees fly to nearby trees and hanging flowers.

The hives, once they mature later this summer, are expected to produce up to 70 lbs of honey that will be used by the hotel restaurant in special honey-based menu items.

Source

Tags: beekeeping, bees, eco-friendly, green, hotel, hotel beekeeping, LEED, ritz-carlton, ritz-carlton charlotte

Michigan Set To Lose Its Only Ritz-Carlton Hotel

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Michigan is about to lose its only Ritz-Carlton hotel. The Detroit Free Press reports that the hotel currently known as the Ritz-Carlton Dearborn has been sold to an investment group. It will be managed by Greenwood Hospitality Group and as of June 2, it will lose the Ritz-Carlton name. A decision hasn't been made yet as to what brand the hotel will operate under after that. The new owners plan to renovate the property and keep it as an upscale hotel. The hotel has 308 rooms including a 1500-square-foot presidential suite. This is the second time this week we've seen an upscale hotel lose one from the fold. Starwood Hotels & Resorts announced that it is selling two of its New York locations, the W Court and the W Tuscany.

Tags: dearborn, michigan, ritz-carlton, StarwoodHotels, w hotels

New Ritz-Carlton Opens in Los Angeles

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

On April 2, 2010, a brand new Ritz-Carlton opened its doors at the L.A. Live complex, steps away from the Los Angeles Convention Center, the STAPLES Center, Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE, The GRAMMY Museum and plenty of bars and restaurants. Basically, it's the only luxury hotel at LA 's one destination where you don't need a car to have a good time.

The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles is a 54-story tower with 123 guestrooms including a 3,000 square foot Ritz-Carlton Suite with a piano, entertainment room, media corner, lounge, kitchen, formal dining area and spectacular northern and western views. The 24th floor features a brand new Wolfgang Puck restaurant, WP24 -- it has a "wine cave" -- and on the 26th floor guests can relax at the private rooftop pool and bar, as well as the 2,000 square foot fitness center.

The hotel is also home to downtown LA's only full-service hotel spa (a must-have after long days at the convention center) -- an 8,000 square foot facility which encapsulates the glamor of Hollywood with exclusive gold facials and champagne and citrus scrubs.

Together with its sister hotel, the JW Marriott Los Angeles, ample space is available for weddings and other functions, and the amenities and attractions of Beverly Hills and Hollywood are just a cab ride away.

Basically, it's hard to believe that a hotel like this didn't already exist to accommodate the luxury guests of downtown LA. The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles is the final, and perhaps most extravagant piece of the $2.5 billion L.A. Live project, which began with the STAPLES Center in 1999. Click here to be one of the first to book.

Gallery: The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles

Tags: L.A. Live, la live, los angeles, los angeles ritz-carlton, marriott los angeles, nokia theater, Nokia Theatre, ritz-carlton, Staples Center

The Tanning Butlers of the South Beach Ritz-Carlton

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Services

The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach has created an unusual profession: The Tanning Butler.

Affectionately known as the "world's greatest job," tanning butler duties include strolling around the luxury hotel pool and rubbing attractive people (and presumably unattractive people, but let's not think about that) with complimentary Hampton Sun products from 12pm to 4pm.

The tanning butlers wear signature "Tanning Butler" t-shirts -- so don't believe that guy in a Speedo who's pretending to be a hotel employee -- and are armed with various SPFs, Evian spritzers and sunglasses cleaner in a custom-made holster.

"Good afternoon, I'm the Tanning Butler," they've been instructed to say. "Can I offer you some complimentary sunscreen? If you like, I can apply it to your back and shoulders that might burn easily, as well."

In my fantasy, that line is delivered with a very sexy accent. I hope the Ritz-Carlton's HR department is reading this.

"This modern twist on the English butler is beyond guests' expectations," says Michelle Payer, creator of The Tanning Butler. "It's a light-hearted service we created to cater to our guests as they sunbathe by providing an unexpected, luxury service they won't see anywhere else in the world."

An added perk of the profession? Celebrity rubbing. Jessica Simpson, Nick Lachey, Johnny Knoxville and Vivica A. Fox are just a few names the Ritz-Carlton, South Beach claims to have tanned.

If you're interested in staying at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, Miami's newest oceanfront hotel -- "a complete restoration of an original 1953 Morris Lapidus-designed landmark hotel in the city's historic Art Deco district" -- visit the website to book.

Alternatively, click here for job openings.

Tags: butler, miami, ritz-carlton, south beach, tanning, tanning butler

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

The Macallan Winter Scotch & Ski Escape at Ritz-Carlton Aspen Highlands

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spirits, Sports

Famed Speyside distillery The Macallan and the Ritz-Carlton Destination Club at Aspen Highlands (above) have teamed up on a tantalizing Scotch and ski package combining the ultimate in single malt whisky, luxe accommodations, and winter sports - The Macallan Winter Escape. Eden Algie, The Macallan's Brand Ambassador, is inviting fellow enthusiasts to enjoy one last ultra-premium adventure both on and off the slopes before the snow melts, from March 20-26. The Winter Escape Package Includes: a private one-on-one Macallan tasting experience with Algie; luxurious accommodations at the Ritz-Carlton Club, Aspen Highlands; ski in / ski out access to Aspen Highlands; personal 24-hour concierge service; unlimited use of all the Ritz-Carlton Club, Aspen Highlands amenities; a decadent progressive dinner experience featuring limited-edition expressions paired with The Macallan-infused food pairings from Executive Chef Jami Flatt; and more. A four night package including one complimentary night is available for $3,036 and a seven night package including two complimentary nights is available for $4,585; both get you a two-bedroom Club residence. Click here for more info.

Tags: Aspen, Ritz-Carlton, Scotch, single malt, skiing, The Macallan, whisky, winter sports

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.

Source

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