“The launch of Ambassadors of the Environment demonstrates our strong commitment to our community and our planet,” said General Manager Bruce Brainerd. “The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel will be the first luxury resort in the continental United States to offer a comprehensive program that provides guests the opportunity to become advocates of protecting and preserving the planet for future generations through social responsibility and stewardship,” he added.

Ambassadors of the Environment is designed to give guests of all ages the most fun and enriching experience possible in nature. This is achieved through excursions, games, multimedia presentations, discussions and activities. The natural wonders of Southern California make it a natural classroom and living laboratory where kids, families and adults can learn and grow during a fun, interactive activity.

Guests will develop a deep appreciation for the wonders of nature, an understanding of how coastal ecosystems (marine and terrestrial) function, the value of culture, why it is important to be environmentally aware and what each of us can do when we return home to help protect and preserve our planet. A fundamental theme running through the program is everything – land and sea, humans and nature, people and other people, and the past, present and future – is connected.

Each day will be dedicated to different aspects of Southern California’s natural wonders – kelp beds, the intertidal zone, the sandy beach, terrestrial ecology, native culture, sustainable living and becoming an Ambassador of the Environment.

“We want the guest’s experience to continue even after they have departed the resort,” said Brainerd. “As an Ambassador, every participant will take with them a piece of their experience to share with others. All Ambassadors of the Environment participants also become a member of Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society and are encouraged to visit the Ambassadors of the Environment website for more information about his adventures. The website offers guidance for sustainable living and educational resources for Ambassadors and their families,” added Brainerd.

According to Jean-Michel Cousteau, “We expect everyone, by learning more about our natural world and their places within it, to return to their communities as environmental stewards – ambassadors of the environment.”

Ambassadors of the Environment is part of an agreement between The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., and renowned diplomat for the environment, Jean-Michel Cousteau and his Ocean Futures Society to develop Ambassadors of the Environment programs in select Ritz-Carlton locations worldwide. The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel’s program follows the successful launch of programs at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua and The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.

About Ocean Futures Society
Ocean Futures Society (OFS) is a non-profit organization with the motto, “Protect the ocean and you protect yourself.” The mission of OFS is to explore our global ocean, inspiring and educating people throughout the world to act responsibly for its protection, documenting the critical connection between humanity and nature, and celebrating the ocean’s vital importance to the survival of all life on our planet. OFS is based in Santa Barbara, CA, USA with offices in Paris, France; Lucca, Italy; and São Paulo, Brazil. For more information, visit www.oceanfutures.org.

No related posts.

“WP24 is an evolution of what I have been passionate about for the majority of my career,” said Wolfgang Puck. “The Asian influence on American cuisine has always been present and this restaurant is a reflection of our culinary progression and the demand for refined Asian cooking.”

The menu developed by Puck and Managing Partner and Executive Corporate Chef of the Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group, Lee Hefter, reflects their time spent in the Far East and respective passion for Asian ingredients and cooking methods. David McIntyre, a Spago veteran, heads up the kitchen as Chef de Cuisine of WP24 while Sally Camacho helms the sweet side as Pastry Chef.

The expansive lounge provides guests with the ideal environment to enjoy small plates before an L.A LIVE event or a full dining experience. Selections from the menu include Prawn Toast with sweet and spicy garlic chili and Szechuan Chicken “Dan Dan” Dumplings with ground peanuts and chili oil. The lounge also showcases a variety of sushi, nigiri and salads such as the Tai Snapper & Seaweed Salad with toasted sesame-lemon dressing and Crispy Shrimp & Crab hand-cut sushi roll with cucumber, avocado, tobiko and ginger-soy glaze.

The menu in the main dining room places an emphasis on Chinese dishes with Puck’s signature touch. Appetizers include the “Not Too Classic” Hot & Sour Soup with king crab, roasted sweet corn, Thai basil, cilantro and sweet prawn wontons; Crispy Suckling Pig with black plum purée and wild flower-licorice honey; plus an assortment of handmade steamed dim sum.

Entrées include Steamed Live Santa Barbara Spot Prawns with aromatic citrus-soy sauce and hot chili-orange oil; Lacquered Carpenter Ranch Squab with dry fried string beans and maitake mushrooms; and Szechuan Style Prime Filet of Beef “Au Poivre” with smoked chili-shallot reduction. Hot Pot, a traditional Chinese stew that dates back 1,000 years, also will appear on the menu with a Kobe beef cheek & veal tongue variation. The menu features tableside service of dishes like the Whole Loup de Mer baked in Salt Crust with Zhenjiang black vinegar and the Whole Roasted Duckling “Peking Style” with traditional garnishes. Hunan Spicy Eggplant with roasted shishito peppers, chili and crisp garlic; Shanghai Noodles with oxtail, fresh chilies and Thai basil leaves; and Garlic Yu Choi & Choi Sum Greens may be ordered to accent the meal as a side dish.

A selection of innovative desserts by Pastry Chef Camacho include Tamarind Ginger Cake soaked in warm rum and served with young ginger ice, mango gelée, black sesame ice cream, prickly pear and dragon fruit and Calamansi Vacherin, a Szechuan peppercorn meringue with calamansi cream and a macadamia star anise crumble.

The beverage program mirrors the cuisine featuring significant influences from the Far East. Beverage Director Tim Wilson created a global wine list that complements the complex flavor profiles of the menu. Additionally, WP24 offers a selection of Asian beers and sakes by the bottle and glass. Specialty cocktails created by mixologist Shawn Barker also play with Asian ingredients with the Umami Cocktail (Hendrick’s, ume plum, cucumbers and shiso leaves), the Pearfect Asian (Absolut Pear, Canton Ginger Liqueur and lime) and Dragon’s Fire (Herradura Anejo, grapefruit, jalapeño and Thai basil). For the more traditional in taste, classic cocktails like the Side Car (Hennessy VS, Cointreau and lemon) and the Aviation (Hendrick’s, Luxardo Maraschino, lemon, and Crème de Violette) also are available.

ICRAVE created a space to complement the spectacular panoramic views of Los Angeles. The lounge, inspired by an urban garden, has large wood seating ‘pods’ enveloped by nine-foot tall, hand-woven undulating screens. In contrast to the lounge, the main dining room was conceptualized to be an open space, enhancing the area by bringing the elements of the picturesque skyline into the room. Columns of light captured by perforated metal tubes span from floor to ceiling, reminiscent of the neighboring towers. The Wine Cave, one of WP24’s private dining areas, is screened from the lounge by a large wine display.

WP24 by Wolfgang Puck is located at The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles at L.A LIVE, AEG’s 2.5 billion dollar downtown Los Angeles sports, residential and entertainment district at 900 W Olympic Blvd. The restaurant is open for dinner Monday – Saturday and the lounge is open seven nights a week. Breakfast and lunch service to begin in the near future. For reservations, please call (213) 743-8824.

No related posts.

A Whale of a Package starts at $500 for garden/pool view accommodations. The package includes overnight accommodations, a 2-hour whale watching excursion with Dana Wharf Sportfishing, including an on-board snack and beverage, and American breakfast for two in the ocean front Restaurant 162’.

From January through April, California Gray Whales leave the cold Arctic Seas and follow the coastline to the warm, calm waters of Southern California and Baja. This migration brings much of the pod past Dana Point, where the whales can be easily seen and photographed. Blue whales, the largest mammal ever to roam the earth, migrate to tropical waters to mate and give birth to their calves from May through November. The Blue whale migration also takes these amazing creatures past Dana Point.

The Gray Whale are essentially black, but have a grayish appearance caused by the accumulation of marine parasites on their skin. They measure 30 to 45 feet as adults and weigh about a ton a foot. Gray Whales do not have a dorsal fin like other whales; instead they have a series of “knuckles” along the after portion of the back. The whales travel up to 12,000 miles every year from their feeding grounds in the cold arctic waters where to the warm, shallow lagoons of Baja California where they mate and bear their young. Twice hunted to near extinction, the Gray whale population has rebounded in the last 50 years to an estimated population of nearly 30,000 animals.

Blue whales are an overall blue-gray color and are long and streamlined. Their dorsal fins are extremely small, and their pectoral flippers are long and thin. Blue whales are rorqual whales, a family of baleen whales with pleated throat grooves that expand when the animal takes in water while feeding. Blue whales can be up to 100 feet long, weigh as much as 150 tons and have been found in every ocean of the world. They swim individually or in small groups, and they are commonly seen traveling in pairs. Approximately 2,000 blue whales live off the California Coast and migrate to Mexico, and Costa Rica. The historic population of Blue whales, prior to commercial hunting, has been estimated at 200,000. Today there are anywhere from 5,000 to 12,000 blue whales in the world. The Blue whale is listed as endangered.

Dana Wharf Sportfishing is dedicated to helping visitors enjoy the unique wonders of Dana Point Harbor and the Orange County coastline. The warm waters off of Dana Point flourish with sea life including whales, dolphin, harbor seals, and California sea lion. The thriving coastal waters provide bountiful fishing of sand bass, calico bass, halibut, bonito, yellowtail, yellowfin tuna, bluefin tuna, albacore, and dorado.

Consistently ranked among the best resorts in the world, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel is located halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego and sits on a 150-foot bluff with panoramic white-water views of the Pacific Ocean and two-miles of sandy beach. For more information or reservations call 800-241-3333, the hotel directly at 949-240-2000, a travel professional or visit The Ritz-Carlton Web site at www.ritzcarlton.com.

No related posts.

Adding excitement to the highly anticipated opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles, the hotel announced yesterday that Wolfgang Puck, one of our country’s most esteemed chefs, will be opening WP24 by Wolfgang Puck in April.  Located on the twenty-fourth floor of the hotel, WP24 will feature refined Asian fare, against a backdrop of the stunning Los Angeles skyline. 
“I am thrilled to be partnering with The Ritz-Carlton again and to be a part of the first luxury hotel to open downtown,” said Wolfgang Puck.  “Given my longstanding relationship with the city of Los Angeles, it is an honor to continue my involvement with the renaissance of downtown, especially L.A. LIVE.”
Puck, alongside Chef Lee Hefter, Managing Partner and Executive Corporate Chef of the Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group, created the Asian inflected menu and has brought on Spago Beverly Hills veteran David McIntyre to assume the position of Executive Chef of WP24. The space, designed by local firm ICRAVE (Geisha House in Los Angeles, Sushi Samba Strip in Las Vegas, Abe Arthurs in New York), will showcase panoramic views of downtown Los Angeles and the surrounding area.  In addition to a spacious dining room and lounge, the restaurant will feature a wine cave and two private dining rooms.  
 “We know that WP24 by Wolfgang Puck will provide an extraordinary experience for both our hotel guests, residents and the local Los Angeles dining community,” said Javier Cano, general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles.  “Wolfgang Puck is a culinary pioneer who continues to innovate and captivate diners worldwide.”

The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles will feature 123 well-appointed guestrooms, including 14 suites with contemporary décor, as well as downtown Los Angeles’ only full-service hotel spa, The Ritz-Carlton Spa, providing a luxurious, 8,000-square-foot sanctuary.  Located at L.A LIVE, AEG’s 2.5 billion dollar downtown Los Angeles sports, residential and entertainment district, The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles is only steps away from STAPLES Center, Nokia Theatre and The GRAMMY® Museum. 
WP24 by Wolfgang Puck, located at The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles at 900 W Olympic Blvd, will be open in April for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

No related posts.

Always a challenging endeavor, recent events have made scheduled commercial air travel more exasperating than ever before. In fact, 27% of travelers deemed flying as not worth the hassle considering the new security measures, reduced routes and supplemental airline charges which take the remaining dregs of convenience out of flying (Gallop poll – Jan 2010).

As the leader in private jet cards, Marquis Jet (www.marquisjet.com) has ushered in the New Year with a collection of unique strategic partnerships and value-added offerings aimed at enhancing the experience for their thousands of Card Owners.

Guests of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (www.jacksonhole.com), The Yachts of Seabourn (www.seabourn.com) Montage Hotels & Resort (www.montagehotels.com), and Ritz-Carlton Destination Club (www.ritzcarltonclub.com) will receive a collection of specially-crafted benefits. These benefits include a complimentary aviation consultation to assist in matching their individual needs to the ideal aviation solution – meaning more productive time while at work and more time on the slopes, sea, or sand while with family and friends! Marquis Jet Card Owners will also receive special amenities and services provided by these new alliance partners.

Each new partnership complements the unparalleled safety and reliability that NetJets, a Berkshire Hathaway company, provides to Marquis Card Owners and demonstrates Marquis Jet’s unwavering commitment to exemplary service, unrivaled quality and highly personalized experiences. Furthermore, these partnerships are sure to please both business and leisure travelers, bringing forth a new level of efficiency, productivity, and value.

No related posts.

The newly-opened Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain and award-winning Chef Joel Harrington will celebrate Valentine’s weekend with a special romance menu offered Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14 at the Tucson-area resort’s Core Kitchen and Wine Bar.

Priced at $75 per person or $125 per person with wine pairings, the Valentine’s Weekend Menu will be offered in Core from 5 to 9 p.m. on February 13 and 14 and will replace the restaurant’s normal menu on those two special evenings. Advance reservations are required and may be made at 520.572.3000.

Core Kitchen & Wine Bar’s Valentine’s Weekend menu includes the following, with wines optional:

Starter

Pacific Oysters
On the half shell, Champagne Mignonette, American Sturgeon Caviar
Mesquite Dusted, Honey Barbecue Sauce
(Ritz Champagne, Brut, France)

First Course

Avocado
Coconut-Avocado Soup, Curried Blue Shrimp, Avocado Crouton
(Summerland Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Barbara County, California)

Asparagus
Buttermilk-Braised Asparagus, Rocket Lettuce, Pine Nut-Asparagus Pure
Bacon Vinaigrette
(Ca’ del Solo, Albarino, Monterey County, California)

Truffles
Nantucket Bay Scallops, Basil Risotto, Truffle-Creamed Mushroom Ragot
Shaved Oregon Black Truffles
(Belle Glos Pinot Noir, “Mieomi”, Sonoma Coast, California)

Second Course

Beef
Coffee-Dusted Filet of Beef, Roasted Garlic Potatoes, Short Rib Croquette
Creamed Spinach, Soy Caramel
(Klinker Brick, Zinfandel, “Old Vines”, Lodi, California)

Duck
Maple Leaf Duck Breast, Duck-Fried Yams, Foie Gras Pure,
Raspberry-Jalapeo Duck Sauce
(Matchbook, Tempranillo, Dunnigan Hills, California)

Halibut
Olive Oil-Poached Halibut, Gingered Halibut Brandade, Mustard Greens
Roasted Carrot-Lobster Broth
(Laurenz und Sophie, Gruner Veltliner, “Singing”, Kamptal, Austria)

Dessert

Strawberry Passion Gaut, Romantically-Spiked Chocolate Mousse
(Rosa Regale, Brachetto d’Acqui D.O.C.G., Italy)

Also available to romantics both over Valentine’s weekend and throughout the year are the resort’s extensive catering and wedding offerings, offered both indoors and outdoors at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain. Located north of Tucson and south of Phoenix, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain features 44,000 square-feet of wedding and event space as well as multiple dining venues highlighted by CORE Kitchen and Wine Bar.

Nestled in the high Sonoran Desert is an invigorating playground where the adventurous can explore the lush desert along the Tortolitas Mountains and majestic Saguaro forest. The 850-acre Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain features a 253-room hotel, Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, destination spa, and luxury homes at The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain. The property also features adventure programming and world class hiking, and is host to the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championships each spring in its striking canyon setting.

To learn more call 800.241.3333 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/dovemountain.

No related posts.

The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain is the 72nd hotel and the first Southern Arizona property within The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. The resort is located northwest of Tucson, Arizona, in the scenic town of Marana situated in the Tortolita Foothills.

In preparation for the opening day, the property has been abuzz with non-stop activity. More than forty Ritz-Carlton leaders from around the world have arrived to assist in the orientation and training of the 300 plus, Ladies and Gentlemen recently hired to work at the world-class resort. The key to a successful property is their indoctrination into The Ritz-Carlton culture. This is enlivened through the new gold standard, producing an unwavering commitment to excellence.

“It is about providing an experience that creates memories that last a lifetime through refined, personalized service and attention to detail,” stated general manager, Allan Federer. “This is a resort that is true and authentic to the unique surroundings and we are focused exceeding guests’ expectations. This setting coupled with a spirit of adventure permeating the entire guest experience, sets us apart.”

On December 18, the doors will be open to welcome the public at 4 p.m. All of the dining outlets and spa will be open for business on that day. Further, a gala opening celebration is scheduled for New Year’s Eve. This event will benefit Angel Charity for Children, Inc. For more information on attending this special evening, please contact www.angelcharity.org.

The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain features 250 guest rooms and suites, and secluded, multi-bedroom casitas – ideal for families and friends. Also featured are 27 holes of championship golf, designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus and host to the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.

The resort sits upon 850 acres of spectacular desert and foothill terrain for guests to explore and discover their own personal adventures. The property’s 20 miles of world-class hiking trails, biking, jeep tours, and stargazing are only the beginning. Guests can enjoy the “True American” menu of CORE Kitchen and Wine Bar or pass the time in the Ignite lobby lounge enjoying an extensive array of smoky single malt scotches and whiskeys from around the world. The whiskeys are served in a traditional manner with Hildon Natural Mineral Water from England to maximize the tasting experience. This unique Tucson experience can be found only at Ignite.

For spa enthusiasts, The Ritz-Carlton Spa is a secluded, 17,000 square-foot retreat embracing the enchanting natural beauty of Southern Arizona’s Tortolita Mountains. Spa guests can choose from a selection of treatments influenced by the balancing elements of wood, fire, earth, water and metal.

Inspired by the richness and beauty of its lush surroundings, the picturesque Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain offers a rich visual history of the surrounding desert. This is a place where there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Nestled in the high Sonoran Desert, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain is an invigorating playground where the adventurous can explore the lush desert along the Tortolitas Mountains and majestic Saguaro preserve. The 850-acre property features a 250-room hotel, Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, destination spa, world-class dining, and luxury homes at The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain. The resort also features adventure programming and outstanding hiking, and is home to the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championships each spring in its striking box canyon setting. This is a place where adventure and a gracious spirit of hospitality come to life. For reservation information, please call 1-800-241-3333, visit www.ritzcarlton.com/dovemountain or contact a travel professional.

No related posts.

The Fire and Wine Experience begins on Friday evening, January 15, with a tasting menu featuring the award-winning wines of Silver Oak presented in Navio. At the same time, a Silver Oak Private Reserve dinner will be held in the resort’s Fireplace Room, offering an exclusive dining experience with Chef Xavier Salomon and a representative from Silver Oak Cellars. Also on Friday, beginning at 6 p.m. and continuing through the evening, an outdoor hot chocolate bar and s’mores will be offered at the resort’s iconic fire pits.

On Saturday, January 16, intriguing workshops and classes will feature an introduction to making your own wine, wine blending, and the magic of s’mores. Saturday dining highlights will include a festive Flights of Champagne Lunch and Wine Pairing Dinner in Navio. Hot chocolate and s’mores again will be available at the outdoor fire pits on Saturday evening, while the weekend’s events will culminate on Sunday with a gala Santa Cruz Mountain Wineries Brunch complete with double tastings from Thomas Fogarty Winery, Big Basin Vineyards, Burrell School Vineyards & Winery, and Stage Left Cellars.

FIRE AND WINE EXPERIENCE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday, January 15, 2010
6 p.m. to 9.p.m. Tasting menu paired with Silver Oak Wines in Navio. $165 per person
6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Private Reserve Dinner with Silver Oak Winemaker Representative, Fireplace Room. Limited seating, $265/person
6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Hot Chocolate Bar and S’Mores, Fire Pits

Saturday, January 16, 2010
Classes and workshops are complimentary for hotel guests and $50 per session for non-hotel guests.

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Introduction to Making Your Own Wine
1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wine Blending Workshop
2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Introduction to Making Your own wine
3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. S’Mores Workshop
4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wine Blending Workshop
12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Flights of Champagne Lunch.
6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tasting Menu with Wine Pairings, Navio. $150 per person
6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Hot Chocolate Bar and S’Mores, Fire Pits

Sunday, January 17, 2010
11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at Santa Cruz Mountain Wineries Brunch.
Experience the best brunch in the Bay Area and receive a complimentary wine tasting of two wines each from four Santa Cruz Mountain wineries, presented in The Boardroom. Featured wineries include Thomas Fogarty Winery, Big Basin Vineyards, Burrell School Vineyards & Winery, and Stage Left Cellars. $110 per person

Festival dining and workshops may be pre-reserved on an la carte basis at 650.712.7040.

Guests staying at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay during the Fire and Wine Experience will receive complimentary admission to event classes and workshops. For room reservations, please call 800.241.3333, visit www.ritzcarlton.com.

No related posts.

If you’ve been down to Marana lately, you know the golf buzz is circulating around a certain Ritz Carlton property. Eventually the golf club will become exclusive to private members, but until then, the club is giving everyone a chance to play its current 27 hole offering.  

Designed for golfers who just can’t get enough of a good thing, the Unlimited Golf Package at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain is the ideal introduction to the newest desert resort and spa that is highlighted by a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf experience in the high Sonoran Desert.

Golf travelers with a passion for the game and a sense of adventure will want to be among the first to experience the largest and most comprehensive Ritz-Carlton project in the continental United States, scheduled to open late this fall.

Available starting Dec. 18, 2009, the Unlimited Golf Package includes:

Overnight deluxe accommodations

Unlimited golf for one or two players

Use of all golf practice facilities

Overnight valet parking

Unlimited use of golf cart

Play begins at 2 p.m. on the day of arrival and ends at 7 p.m. on day of checkout. Pricing starts at $399 per night for one player, $519 for two players.

Home to the Accenture Match Play Championship, The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain has 27 holes, which the legendary Golden Bear created to both challenge the top 64 players in the world, while remaining equally enjoyable for resort guests and members. Solid strategy, variety and fair shot values create an experience that is just plain fun, every time around.

Encompassing 850 acres, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain includes a luxurious 250-room resort hotel, The Ritz-Carlton Spa nestled into the serene mountainside, the world-class Golf Club and 400 homes comprising The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain.

The resort’s invigorating playground reaches out through a majestic Saguaro forest, where the adventurous can explore the lush desert and roam into the Tortolita Mountains. Activities range from a casual nature walk to mounting up for an authentic, Old West cattle drive, as guests at Dove Mountain will have 20 miles of hiking trails, along with marked mountain biking routes and guided Jeep tours. Three swimming pools and a 235-foot water slide are beckon back at home base.

Above all, however, is an elite golf venue intended to be shared by friends and legends alike. The Unlimited Golf Package is subject to availability and cannot be combined with any other offer.  Advance reservations are required; rates do not apply to groups.  Rates listed are per room, per night, single or double occupancy, and exclusive of taxes, gratuities and other charges unless otherwise noted.

To learn more, call 800.241.3333 or visit the Web site at www.ritzcarlton.com/dovemountain.

No related posts.

Last week, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. yet again raises the bar with the unveiling of a new way to enjoy an inspiring vacation lifestyle: The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club. An evolution of The Ritz-Carlton Club, this equity-based private membership program offers two choices – either a Home Club Membership (identical to the successful fractional ownership offering) which provides use of a titled residence at a property they can return to throughout the year, or a deeded, Portfolio Membership which affords the opportunity to discover a wide variety of premier destinations and accommodations. An industry defining vacation option, The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club offers an unparalleled experience tailored to each Member’s needs and expectations.

“The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club provides the discerning few with a new level of privilege and freedom when they travel,” said Peter J. Watzka, executive vice president and chief operating officer for The Ritz-Carlton Development Company, Inc. (an affiliate of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company). “Over the last decade of establishing a second home alternative for our current Ritz-Carlton Club Members, we developed intimate and rewarding, one-to-one relationships. With this commitment to deliver luxury vacation experiences, we evolved the brand to the new Ritz-Carlton Destination Club by blending the attributes of luxurious vacation homes with a heightened, flexibility while also maintaining the exclusivity our Members have come to expect.”

For example, Members with a Home Club preference enjoy up to 35 days of pre-reserved access at their specific Club annually, and can also use a portion of their time at other locations on a reciprocal use basis in accordance with reservation procedures. Home Club prices range from the low $100,000s to the low $800,000s per deeded interest.

Conversely, Portfolio Memberships offer a beneficial interest in a trust where Members can customize their vacations through a points-based currency. This annual allotment of currency is used to reserve accommodations based on their travel dates and residence floor plan best suited for their trip. An initial membership grants 5,000 Club points, but additional interests can be purchased in 2,500 Club point increments.

Portfolio Membership pricing starts at $130,000 for 5,000 annual Club points. The Portfolio Membership option allows the ultimate flexibility for the Member who prefers a different experience each time they travel. For example, a Member may decide to use a four-bedroom residence in Abaco, The Bahamas for a family celebration and use a one-bedroom in San Francisco for a romantic getaway. When choosing from the collection of residences, each is assigned a varying nightly point value. The new Hotel Exchange Program also enables Members who purchased a Portfolio Membership to utilize a portion of their Club points at participating Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts worldwide.

With locations in San Francisco; Aspen, Colo.; and St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. to name a few, The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club offers the legendary service for which The Ritz-Carlton is renowned. Members benefit from a heightened level of service as they are paired with their very own member experience manager who will serve as their primary liaison. Additionally, Members will enjoy the privilege of a dedicated concierge staff providing services that include everything from airport pick-up and pre-arrival provisioning of the residence, to unpacking and pressing pre-sent garments and arranging a complete vacation itinerary.

About The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club
The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club is an equity-based luxury travel program where Members select either a Home Club Membership which provides a titled residence and usage at a property they can return to every year, or a deeded Portfolio Membership which affords the opportunity to discover a wide variety of locations and experiences. Combining an innovative choice for luxury vacations at some of the most sought-after destinations in the world and coupled with the legendary services of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club offers an inspirational vacation lifestyle tailored to each Member’s expectations.

For information, please visit www.ritzcarltondestinationclub.com.

No related posts.