Ritz-Carlton ready to open first new hotel of 2011: Dubai International Financial Centre

by Melanie Nayer on

The Ritz-Carlton hotel group is gearing up for an exciting 2011. Amid the flurry of anticipation for the opening of the tallest hotel in the world in Hong Kong, the hotel group is also preparing for its first opening of the year, The Ritz -Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), slated to welcome guests on Jan. 12, 2011.

The 341-room hotel, with 124 executive residences, will be the second Ritz-Carlton in Dubai and the sixth property in the region.

Located in Dubai’s bustling financial district, The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC graces the skyline wrapped in a French limestone façade and shades of art deco elements. Standing 14 storeys high, the hotel will be a grand fixture among the city’s towering skyscrapers.Unique designs include:

  • A 10-storey outdoor waterfall cascading down the building directly into the courtyard facing the lobby.
  • A total of eight striking water features are situated throughout the hotel playing on the feng shui belief that the constant flow of water signifies wealth and prosperity.
  • A three-storey high lobby ceiling with a glamourous centerpiece – 44 crystal stems designed to resemble frosted branches in the moonlight.
  • A dramatic 30 meter (100 feet) wine wall that is home to 3000 bottles of the finest varietals in the world.

Dining options include Blue Rain, the signature Thai fine-dining restaurant; Can Can, a French all-day dining brasserie and the Center Cut steakhouse. The Lobby Lounge & Terrace will host Dubai’s only chocolate and champagne experience.

The top two floors of the hotel are dedicated to guests of The Ritz-Carlton Club. The hotel will also offer two Royal Suites, each at 220 square meters (or 2,370 square feet) in size and luxury furnished residences that range in size from one- to four-bedroom. Residents will have access to an exclusive rooftop health club and outdoor pool, plus can utilize all services offered by the hotel including housekeeping, catering, concierge, and in- room dining.

Guests staying the hotel will enjoy a fully-equipped health club, indoor pool and The Ritz-Carlton Spa, featuring 13 treatment rooms.

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Daily Pampering: Last-minute holiday escapes with Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach

by Melanie Nayer on

You could spend your holidays shivering in the cold wondering when your Jimmy Choo hunter wellies will dry off so you can debut them again, or you can grab your bikini and your best friend and head to the beach.

The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach is channeling Mother Nature this holiday season to give travelers a reason to leave the cold behind and head to warm and sunny weather for the holidays through 2011. The holiday spirit is in full swing in South Florida and is calling to you from Palm Beach. Take a vacation from the cold, wintry weather of early December, leave your jacket and gloves behind and spend the night pampering yourself surfside at the Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach with this “Escape the Chill” package:

  • Overnight accommodations starting at $619, based on double occupancy
  • Warm welcome amenity upon arrival; hot chocolate, hot toddy, tea or coffee
  • (2) 60-minute Eau Spa by Cornelia treatments in a Couple’s Villa. Select from: Self-Centered Massage or Signature Essence Facial per night stay
  • All day garden access to swings, dipping pools, Eau Zone and Bath Lounge

Soak in the sun, hang out for the holidays and leave your winter worries behind. This daily pampering starts at $619 USD based on double occupancy. The deal is good through March 2011, so you have plenty of time to escape the winter blues.

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

Daily Pampering: Order your holiday chocolates from The Ritz Paris

by McLean Robbins on

Want to bring your loved one a memento from Paris … without actually taking them on vacay? How about ‘ exclusive limited edition chocolate ball from The Ritz Paris? Underneath a crisp dark chocolate shell sits a tender mixture of light almond mouse and crispy carmelized hazelnut. But that’s not all – slice just a bit deeper and you’ll find a tender center of almond merenge cake covered with orange marmalade.

The limited-edition ball is wrapped in a custom-made box and serves four (or one person with a really big sweet tooth) and can be special-ordered via boutique@ritzparis.com or by calling +33 (0)1 43 16 34 86. It retails for £125.

Now that’s much better than getting an orange in your stocking!

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

Daily Pampering: Living large on Wall Street with the Ritz-Carlton

by Melanie Nayer on

If you have Gordon Gekko-style ambitions and want to live large like your favorite fictional Wall Street character, The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park, has a package for you.

The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park is offering professionals an exclusive, two-night “Wall Street Style” package – complete with tools to turn yourself into a tailored tycoon and make it in the world of finance. The package is available for the weekend of October 1 – 3, 2010 and is available for booking through September 22, 2010.

The package includes:

  • 2 night accommodation in a Statue of Liberty View Executive Suite
  • Bottle of champagne in guest room on arrival
  • Style consultation at Saks Fifth Avenue with Style Director and Personal Shopper
  • $1500 shopping credit with Saks Fifth Avenue
  • For Men: A shaving consultation and Signature Full Service experience (scalp massage, shampoo, conditioning treatment, hot towel, haircut, manicure and shoe shine) at John Allan’s Club at Saks Fifth Avenue
  • For Ladies: Hair style at Saks Fifth Avenue Salon and Spa Makeup consultation at Dior Dine with Confidence workshop 5 course dinner with alcoholic beverages (to apply their new found skills)
  • Private town car service between hotel and participating locations

The total price for living large? Prices start from $4500 based on single occupancy and $7000 based on double occupancy.

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

Ritz-Carlton launches hotel loyalty program

by Melanie Nayer on

Luxury travelers rejoice: The Ritz-Carlton will finally start giving customers loyalty points in exchange for stays at Ritz hotels around the world. Ritz-Carlton officials will unveil the “Ritz-Carlton Rewards” program this morning at a press conference in New York City.

Why the excitement? Until now, Ritz-Carlton has remained Marriott’s only brand that doesn’t offer customers points for frequent stays. Starting Sept. 15, both Marriott and Ritz-Carlton guests who sign up for the new loyalty program will be able to earn and accumulate points for reward stays at Ritz-Carlton hotels, or use points toward experiences offered through specific partnerships. Some of the partnerships with the Ritz-Carlton rewards program include Vera Wang, National Geographic Expeditions photography workshops, and Neiman Marcus.

So how will Ritz-Carlton Rewards work? According to Barbara De Lollis over at USA Today’s Hotel Check-in column:

  • There will be silver, gold, and platinum status for the Ritz-Carlton Rewards program and each level will have the same requirements as Marriott Rewards.
  • Customers can be a member of either Ritz-Carlton Rewards or Marriott Rewards; not both.
  • Marriott Rewards platinum members who stay at a Ritz-Carlton will receive a complimentary room upgrade.
  • Ritz-Carlton Rewards members who earn platinum status will receive upgrades at Marriott hotels.

I’ll report on more details from this morning’s press conference, but until then… now’s a great time to start looking at Ritz-Carlton for your upcoming trip.