The Ritz-Carlton Checks In To Foursquare

by McLean Robbins on

As global hotel companies go, we’re always pleasantly surprised by luxury brand Ritz-Carlton‘s rapid acceptance of and moves towards innovation in the social media space. At the corporate level, they’ve been quick to adapt to and utilize sites like Twitter (@RitzCarlton), and, at the property level, often engaged on social media sites in a way that their luxury competitors are not.
Now, the brand has launched a new initiative with Foursquare, the location-based social networking service that allows users to “check in” at locations around the globe.

Dubbed the World Concierge, Ritz-Carlton’s entree into the Foursquare market is the first time a luxury hotel brand has extended their exclusive services to a mobile public audience. Tips will be populated regularly by concierges from all 75 Ritz-Carlton hotels around the world contributing, with the knowledge-base growing and evolving every week.

There is not a mention to be found about the soup of the day at a particular hotel; instead, the ladies and gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton have taken their knowledge and expertise beyond the four walls of the hotels in which they reside, providing insight into cities such as Toronto, Miami, Berlin and Dubai to name a few.

The result: hundreds of tips and insights about local destinations and landmarks all over the world.

“Guests of The Ritz-Carlton have always enjoyed the expertise of concierges who are the best in the business. Their local knowledge, VIP access and incomparable contacts make them an invaluable resource for travelers”, said Chris Gabaldon, chief sales and marketing officer for The Ritz-Carlton Company.

Foursquare users are able to find local information by visiting the profile of The Ritz-Carlton or by checking in to numerous locations of interest around the world. To receive tips as they go live you can follow The Ritz-Carlton on Foursquare. If you’re not already following the brand, you may see the tips as part of of other area recommendations.

They’re not the first brand to partner with the location-based service. Starwood is also engaged in the FourSquare space, offering loyalty points to users who “follow” the brand and “check in” virtually when they literally “check in” to the hotel with a confirmed registration. Hyatt has had similar success at the concierge level with their proven @HyattConcierge Twitter handle, which supplements the property-level concierge staff by serving as a social media funnel for guest requests across all brand properties.

We’re curious to see if other brands follow suit, emulating one of the established players, or, like Four Seasons, continue to develop individual property personas across channels like Twitter or Facebook.

Luxury Travel: Four Seasons New York’s $35,000 a night Ty Warner Penthouse

by McLean Robbins on

Thanks to Fox News for alerting us to this crazy luxury suite. Boasting world-class views of Manhattan from the Four Seasons New York’s 52nd floor, the Ty Warner Penthouse is a superlative suite, no matter what way you cut it. Going for a whopping $35,000 a night, the 4,300 square foot suite is a nine-room monstrosity that takes over the entire top floor of the hotel.

A collaboration between owner Ty Warner, designer Peter Marino and architect I.M. Pei, who came out of retirement just for this project, the hotel features cantilevered glass balconies and floor-to-ceiling bay windows, set beneath 25-foot cathedral ceilings and a private elevator entrance.

From the $60,000 Hastens Vividus mattress (hand made in Sweden) to the 22 carat pure gold bed canopy, you’re surely sleeping in luxury – if you’ll even want to shut your eyes for a moment.

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Amenities are as impressive as the rooms themselves: TVs programmed for every channel worldwide, unlimited global telephone calling, the services of both a personal butler and a personal trainer/therapist, and a private chauffeur for unlimited travel during your stay in your choice of a Rolls Royce Phantom or a Mercedes Maybach.

You’ll also get access to every service the hotel provides – including dining, drinks, spa treatments and more, included with the price of your stay. Yes, we said everything. Bring. On. The. Dom. And Caviar, while you’re at it.

The room holds three, so get ready for a party.

Additional suite highlights include:

  • Cream colored walls inlaid with mother of pearl in the living and dining rooms.
  • A dramatic 4-foot-high (1.2-metre-high) cut-glass chandelier by Deborah Thomas and the bronze table by designer François-Xavier LaLanne. Seating is grouped around a marble fireplace, and four French doors open to glass railings.
  • The library is illuminated by a LaLanne chandelier in gilded bronze. The extensive book collection is set in bookcases framed with an elaborate bronze vine-and-leaf motif, again by LaLanne. The library is also furnished with a chess table and a Bösendorfer grand piano.
  • Four French doors reveal a view of Central Park that is almost surreal in its perfection.
  • An indoor-outdoor Zen garden with a green bowenite waterfall overlooks downtown Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.
  • The breakfast room is furnished with a LaLanne tree table and opens to its own large balcony 700 feet (213 metres) above Central Park.
  • The Penthouse also features a private spa room with a serene screen of living bamboo.
  • Adjacent to the spa room is an oversized dressing room clad entirely in leather.
  • With its ceiling, walls and floor gleaming with onyx, the master bathroom includes another outdoor balcony overlooking Central Park. Among the pampering features are an infinity-edge bathtub complete with chromatherapy, a separate glass-enclosed rain shower, radiant-heated floors, and sinks carved from a solid block of rock crystal.

The Candy Man arrives at Ritz-Carlton Chicago, A Four Seasons Hotel

by Melanie Nayer on

One child’s dream is another parent’s nightmare.

The Candy Man has officially arrived at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, A Four Seasons Hotel, and is bringing sweet treats to kids of all ages staying at the hotel.

Associated with Chicago local store, Candyality, the Candy Man arrives at guestrooms (on reservation only) to deliver $5 half-pound bags of all things sugary to hotel guests.

Children wanting to indulge (and adults who need a sugar fix, or a bribe for the kids) can mix and match from the Candy Man’s cart of gummy, chocolate, sour, crunchy and sweet candies. To keep things interesting, The Candy Man will reveal your personality traits based on what candy you choose (we suggest you mix it up and try to stump him).
Your comprehensive personality profile will determine whether you’re competitive (sugary), good listener (fluffy), negotiator (crunchy), creative (colorful), and more.

Opening in December of 2007, Candyality opened in hopes of being more than just a typical sweet shop. The store, located atThe Shops at North Bridge on the Magnificent Mile, is as much a destination as a candy store, thanks to employees who read tea leaves, tarot cards or zodiac charts. Of course, there’s no scientific research in the reading of sugary personalities, but what do you care? You’re walking out of there with a bag of candy sure to keep you on a sugar high for the rest of the day.

Four Seasons London to re-open January 31

by Melanie Nayer on

The Four Seasons London Hotel at Park Lane started its multi-million dollar makeover back in May 2010 and we’ve been waiting with baited breath for the big unveil. Now comes word from the hotel’s Twitter stream that the official opening is slated for Jan. 31, 2011.

The Four Seasons London hotel will have 192 rooms including 45 suites, all with king, queen or twin beds. Some rooms will offer fireplaces and garden terraces.

The hotel’s restaurant and bar area is Amaranto, which services Italian cuisine throughout the day with al fresco dining options in the private garden overlooking Park Lane. At night, the Menù dello Chef offers a four-course set-menu option, changed daily, and an eight-course tasting menu paired with wines.

There’s a rooftop spa with nine treatment rooms, each with their own private relaxation pod. The fitness center, located next to the spa, offers state-of-the-art cardio- and weight-training equipment, all with views of Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye. The spa also includes a skylit vitality pool, steam rooms and saunas with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking London.

But our favorite part of the new hotel: The Vogue wall. The hotel’s corridor includes photographs from Vogue, a nod to the elegance and style of London.

Daily Pampering: Suite drive at Four Seasons

by Melanie Nayer on

Maserati? Ferrari? Rolls Royce? Why, yes! I don’t mind if I do!

Listen up, car lovers: If you rent one of the top suites at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, you are given your choice of a Maserati, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Rolls Royce and more, to use during your stay at no additional cost. Guests who book a One Bedroom Suite, Luxury Suite, Premier Suite or Grand Luxury Suite will receive car options including a Cadillac, Mini Cooper, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Volvo.

The “Suite Drive with Four Seasons” program provides hotel guests with access to ultra luxurious vehicles such as Bentley, Ferrari, Rolls Royce and Lamborghini during their stay. Simply book one of the hotel’s 36 newly-renovated suites and you can choose from a selection of luxury or exotic cars, depending on the suite category at no cost, other than fuel, additional mileage and insurance.

Cars available for driving include: Rolls Royce Phantom, Ferrari F430, Ferrari California, Bentley Flying Spur, Maserati, Bentley GTC, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Lamborghini Gallardo, Mercedes-Benz SLS, Mercedes-Benz S600 or Porsche 997. What we love: The Four Seasons can also arrange for guests to receive their cars at the airport at no additional cost, and valet parking is included throughout the duration of the stay. Now that’s some suite pampering!

Want more? Get your daily dose of pampering right here.