Good Morning Darlings!
Our second day at The Ritz Carlton Amelia Island found John and me at the Chef’s Tasting at Salt, their signature restaurant. And what a tasting it was. We were bowled over.
The dramatic entrance to Salt
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The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island, Part II – Salt
Thursday, November 4th, 2010The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island, Part I
Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010Good Morning Darlings!
In August, bestie John and I traveled to Amelia Island to celebrate his birthday at The Ritz-Carlton. Today is part one of that story.
Tomorrow, I will regale you with tales from the Chef’s Tasting menu. Oh.My.Goodness y’all. It was amazing.
But for now, whetting your appetites with Part I of our story.
The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans. Part II – Chef’s Tasting
Thursday, October 14th, 2010Good Morning, Darlings!
There were so many goodies in New Orleans that this had to be a two day post. Today, I will regale you with tales from the Chef’s Tasting!
Because of my perfect husband and his note taking skills, I was able to just sit back and indulge. Thank you, Honey!
We were seated in one of the three “Cheater’s Booths” at the back of the dining room. A large party was already in residence in the kitchen, having their own private tasting. Our table was set with scattered rose petals, candles and one beautiful rose peeking out of our napkins. It was a fantasy table.
My sweet Eric in our booth.
The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans. Part I
Wednesday, October 13th, 2010Good Morning, Darlings!
You’ve read the article in Design Is Magazine. Now get all the behind-the-scenes skinny.
Driving the 3.5 hours from South Montgomery was a snap with Sirius radio in our rental car. Arriving in the Crescent City to 97F heat, we entered The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans to kind hellos and cool air.
Getting Arty
Saturday, October 2nd, 2010Good Morning, Darlings!
You know how I love to travel. And I love keeping you all up to date on the coolest destinations. Today’s inspiration comes from our friend, Bonnie Crail, with The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte. The drive is only 240 miles from Atlanta, so it would make a terrific weekend getaway, y’all.
Charlotte? Come on, now, give it a chance. They have lovely restaurants, they also have a five star rating in less than a year of opening. That’s stellar. And they have the new Mint Museum Uptown close by. Let’s see what Bonnie and friends have cooked up for us.
THE RITZ-CARLTON, CHARLOTTE LAUNCHES ENJOYMINT EXPERIENCE,
OFFERING ACCESS TO THE CITY’S NEW MINT MUSEUM UPTOWN
Weekend package includes entry to Charlotte’s long-awaited Mint art and craft museum, scheduled to open October 1 and located within walking distance of the hotel
CHARLOTTE, NC. September 23, 2010 – The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte has launched a new package designed for art lovers and featuring admission to the long-awaited Mint Museum Uptown, located within walking distance of the hotel and scheduled to open on October 1, 2010.
The EnjoyMINT package at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte is ongoing and offers deluxe weekend accommodations, breakfast for two, two tickets to the Mint Museum Uptown and more. Priced from $319 per night, the package is available on Friday, Saturday or Sunday evenings, while a Thursday evening option is also available when combined with a Friday night stay. Reservations may be requested online at www.ritzcarlton.com, by telephone at 800.241.3333, or through a travel professional.
EnjoyMINT at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte includes:
- Deluxe accommodations for one weekend night
- Breakfast for two
- Two tickets to the Mint Museum
- Late checkout of 4 p.m.
- Overnight valet parking
Part of the Levine Center for the Arts, the Mint Museum Uptown houses the renowned collection of the Mint Museum of Craft + Design plus distinguished American and contemporary art collections and selected works of European fine art. In addition to the Mint, the Levine cultural campus includes the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, and the John S. and James L. Knight Theater. The Mint Museum is closed on Sunday mornings and all day Monday.
About The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte
An eco-focused rarity among luxury hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte offers 146 guest accommodations delivering highly-advanced technological and environmental features and an array of innovative comforts and conveniences for frequent travelers. The 18-story LEED® Gold-certified hotel features a 13,000-square-foot bi-level penthouse Spa & Wellness Center, fitness center and bromine-treated swimming pool, and 12,000+ square-feet of state-of-the-art meeting space. Dining highlights include the Lobby Lounge’s regional and organic culinary choices and signature martinis, cocktails, wines, coffees and flavored ice teas, while the street-side BLT Steak offers prime cuts of beef, fresh seafood, a wide variety of tempting side dishes, and classic American dessert favorites. Located seven miles from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte enjoys a walkable setting moments from Uptown Charlotte’s favorite sights, sounds, restaurants, clubs, shopping and tourist attractions.
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to Good Charlotte – The River
Driving Some Fun
Saturday, September 18th, 2010Good Morning, Darlings!
I have decided to devote the weekends to posts regarding exciting emails I get during the week. Some might be about destinations, some might be about fun products. This way we can still see each other on the weekends!
And you know I always give first priority to my friends at The Ritz-Carlton. In fact, I’m even thinking of devoting a brand new blog just for them. Let me know your thoughts on that.
Today’s exciting news comes from our friend Bonnie Crail, who is giving me the low down on a special offer at The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte. Take a look.
Tres chic in the heart of Charlotte
STAY AT THE RITZ-CARLTON, CHARLOTTE; DRIVE A BMW CONVERTIBLE
October 2010 Package Offers Early Check-In, Late Check-Out,
BMW Convertible Use and a Picnic for the Road
CHARLOTTE, NC. September 17, 2010 — Luxury car enthusiasts have the opportunity to drive a BMW convertible while staying at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte this October. The new weekend experience, called The Road Best Traveled, allows guests to drive a BMW during their extended Friday or Saturday night stay, and to use it to visit such nearby favorites as the North Carolina wine county, picturesque and artistic Asheville, or the many sports, nature and leisure destinations which dot North Carolina’s byways. A special benefit of the package is customized destination planning provided by The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, ensuring that each day-trip itinerary meets guests’ individual touring preferences.
Priced at $369 per night, The Road Best Traveled includes:
- Deluxe accommodations for one weekend night (suite options available at a higher rate)
- Use of a BMW convertible during the stay
- Early check-in
- Late check-out of 4 p.m.
- Breakfast for two
- Picnic Basket for two
- Destination planning assistance
- Valet parking
The Road Best Traveled is one of several October 2010 offerings announced by The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte. The hotel will celebrate Oktoberfest throughout the month with beer, pretzel and German wine menus in The Lobby Lounge, while EnjoyMINT, a new package celebrating the October grand opening of the Mint Museum in Uptown, will provide guests with an unprecedented new art experience located within walking distance of The Ritz-Carlton.
Reservations for The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte are available online at www.ritzcarlton.com, by toll-free telephone at 800.241.3333, or through a travel professional. The Road Best Traveled must be booked at least three days in advance and is subject to availability. Driver(s) must show current valid driver’s license, be at least 25 years of age, carry current auto insurance and sign vehicle usage liability agreement. The Road Best Traveled is available on weekends, only during the month of October, 2010, and blackout dates apply.
I see a trip to Charlotte in my future – Eric would love this!
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to Rascal Flatts – Life is a highway
The Ritz-Carlton Lodge at Reynolds Plantation – Behind The Story
Thursday, September 16th, 2010Good Morning, Darlings!
As promised, here is the behind the scenes story to supplement my article in this month’s Design Is Magazine in my column, Living The Ritz Life. A magazine only allows so many words, but on my blog, I can blather on forever. So, if you want to hear the whole story about our stay at The Lodge, here you go.
Imagine a place where all your cares melt away at the door. A place where the phrase “my pleasure” actually means “my pleasure.” Imagine a place that is a retreat for the soul as well as the body.
A short one and a half hour drive from downtown Atlanta takes you to such a retreat. The Ritz-Carlton Lodge at Reynolds Plantation is close to the big city, but a world away.
The Ritz-Carlton Lodge at Reynolds Plantation
Arriving on a sultry Friday evening, this lodge of the well-heeled looms into view only after turning off the beaten path of Interstate 20. At the front door, friendly valets dressed in ivy caps, knickerbockers and argyle socks, ala golfer Payne Stewart, greeted us. Check-in was seamless and the weekend was now underway.
As we entered the club-level guest room, a roughhewn box on the hallway table caught my eye. Inside the box were graham crackers, Hershey bars and marshmallows, all the fixings for s’mores at the complimentary evening campfire. There were also notes welcoming my husband & me along with a jar of delicious spiced pecans (with the recipe attached). The king-sized bed was dressed with crisp white linens and the softest down pillows. Two wooden chairs and a table on our balcony ensured a view of the lush greenery.
Smores Fixings!
Head For The Mountains
Monday, August 16th, 2010Good Morning, Darlings!
Whew, I am finally at home after being gone since last Wednesday. Three days at the lavish Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island on assignment for Design Is, and then up to Sky Valley for some R&R with our sweet friends Clint & Matt in their cozy mountain cabin in North Carolina. Even though Eric and I were there to relax, I couldn’t help but see a story in the weekend. Those two really have this weekend guest thing down to a science. Everyone is responsible for a meal (including happy hour snacks), so no one is stuck doing all the cooking. Brilliant, yes?
Eric and I were in charge of Saturday night supper, since we got there too late to enjoy Friday supper with everyone.
I love all the sweet touches at the cabin...
One Last Summer Fling!
Wednesday, August 11th, 2010Good Morning, Darlings!
Not ready for summer to end? Me either. And since I’m at Amelia Island today writing a story on The Ritz-Carlton, I thought I would share a very special getaway to chase away those “not ready for summer to end” blues. This price is incredible – and it’s all inclusive – you know, all food and beverages included. That means all those swanky beach cocktails you like! Get on the horn and book that last hurrah, Darlings!
Paradisus Playa Conchal resort is currently offering the Spa Getaway Package which is a 4 night/5 day stay and includes:
In-room welcome gift
Welcome 30-minute facial treatment per person
Free use of Jacuzzi at Ahuia Spa
One 80-minute Shell massage per person
One 30-minute private yoga class for two
15% discount on any additional therapies bought at Ahuia Spa
Price per person/per night based on double occupancy for 4 nights:
Deluxe Garden Junior Suite: $318
Royal Service Regal Junior Suite: $398
Valid until August 31, 2010
Can be booked by calling the hotel directly at (506) 2654 4123 or by emailing resconchal@paradisusplayaconchal.com
And look at the gorgeous photos!
You Could Be Right There - Wouldn't That Be Fabulous?
Next Stop - Costa Rica Baby!
If I weren’t already booked solid for the month of August, I would be jumping on this. Five days y’all, for $318 per person? Insane!
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to The Beach Boys – Kokomo