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Get a Free Bulgari Watch (Maybe) at Ritz-Carlton, Dallas
Guests at the Ritz-Carlton, Dallas may be in for a super-luxe surprise on the pillow at turndown this year: the hotel plans to give away one Bulgari Carbon Gold watch a month to random guests who book a special package. The Suite Treasures package will always include an overnight stay in a Deluxe Suite, in-room breakfast for two, and free valet parking, as well as transportation to the Bulgari store at NorthPark Center and a personal shopping concierge experience with a Bulgari gift to take home. Book the package from June 1 through December 31 for one of seven chances to win the watch between now and the end of the year. Rates start at a cool $469/night, but the Bulgari bling is worth $2,000 so it might be worth the gamble! If you need further incentive, a portion of all proceeds will go to the North Texas Food Bank, so you can feel good about your splurge.
For general trip-planning information see our Dallas destination guide, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates and travel deals on flights, hotels, vacation packages, and more.
Consumer Reports Readers Rank America’s Hotel Chains
When it comes to hotel rooms, sometimes money really does buy happiness. According to the latest survey by Consumer Reports readers of 44 U.S.-based hotel chains, Ritz-Carlton is the favorite for American travelers.
Hotels were ranked across five categories – Value, Upkeep, Comfort, Service, and Check-in – and also scored numerically from one to 100 based on reader responses. Ritz-Carlton earned an overall score of 93 and received top marks across all categories. Top scorers at the “upscale” level were Harrah’s (88) and Walt Disney Resorts (87), while Wingate by Wyndham and Drury Inn & Suites tied for first at the moderate level, with scores of 88.
Microtel Inn by Wyndham dominated the budget brands with a score of 78, although the chain only ranked OK in most categories and above average on Check-In. Readers’ least favorite hotels, both with scores of 64, were Econo Lodge and Americas Best Value Inn – which, ironically, ranked among the worst for Value.
Take to the Road on a Harley Davidson Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton
Feel young again, with the wind in your hair and the crystal blue ocean stretching out before your eyes, on a new model Harley Davidson as part of a special package offered by the Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach. Don’t feel land-locked into just pool and spa amenities any longer – grab the keys and cruise the beautiful South Florida coast in luxury. The “Keys to Palm Beach” package includes overnight guest-room accommodation with a private balcony, a complimentary valet for the “rental car,” and a quintessential scenic adventure via either your choice of an Electra, Road King, or Street Glide model motorcycle or a BMW 3 series or Mercedes C Class sedan. If you’re looking to get wet, you can even ride the waves on a self-guided catamaran trip, ideal for four people.
The package is available until March 2012, with the best rates offered until January (at $369 per night). After January, rates jump to $569 – still nothing to scoff at, considering you’ll be the envy of all travelers seeking thrills and sophistication! One “toy” is offered per night – so stay for three and enjoy all three adventures!
Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, hotels, packages, and more travel deals.
$249+: Ritz-Carlton Cancun Offers 4th Night Free
ShermansTravel editors already consider The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun a smart splurge, but the resort no doubt recognizes the need in these difficult economic times to boost its splurge-worthiness, hence its Stay Four Nights Pay Only For Three offer, starting at $249 per night and valid through December 21.
Given that the deal includes an ocean view room with a balcony, you might be tempted to leave the kids at home. But because that’s likely not an option, you’ll like the fact that the offer permits up to two children younger than 12 accompanied by a grown-up to eat selected meals for free in all six of the resort’s restaurants; poolside snacks are included, too.
$199+: Ritz-Carlton Cancun, Plus $50 Spa Credit and Breakfast
Puttin’ on the Ritz costs but a song this summer at the Ritz-Carlton Cancun, which is offering an Advance Purchase package that starts at just $199/night. The 365-room property marries high-end amenities like plush terry bathrobes and goose down comforters with beach resort standards, including a 1,200-foot white sand beach, six on-site restaurants, and two pools. Additionally, ShermansTravel readers who book this package can take advantage of the on-site Kayantá Spa with a $50 credit (exclusive for the month of August).
THE VALUE: Book this package through October 30 and save 20 percent on rooms (rack rates start at $239/night this time of year), plus score a daily breakfast for two valued at $23 per person.
THE CATCH: You have to be committed: Reservations must be made and paid in full at least seven days in advance, and refunds will only be given within 24 hours of booking.
THE DETAILS: Call 011-52-998-881-0808 for reservations and mention ShermansTravel to book this package.
Hand Pick Fruit for Juice, Cocktails at Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain
At the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain in Marana, Arizona, the best part of waking up (and capping off the night) is likely the orange juice in your cup. The two-year-old property planted a citrus orchard before it opened in 2009, and the trees are finally mature enough to harvest. To celebrate, the Ritz will let guests pick Arizona oranges, Minneola tangelos, and red grapefruit from the 42 on-site trees and deliver them to the chef to make freshly squeezed breakfast juices. Come evening, the bounty produces tangy cocktails, like the house specialty Greyhound, a blend of grapefruit-infused vodka and garden-fresh grapefruit juice. City-dwellers unfamiliar with proper harvesting techniques need not worry: Staff will reveal the secrets to selecting the juiciest, branch-ripened fruits. The service is free; for reservations, call 520-572-3000 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/dovemountain
Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, hotels, packages, and more travel deals.
Ritz-Carlton Introduces First Branded Rewards Credit Card
Ritz-Carlton has teamed with J.P. Morgan to offer its first branded credit card, tied to the hotel group’s rewards program, which itself only launched last September.
The Ritz-Carlton Visa card comes with some pretty tony perks:
- Gold Elite Status in the Ritz-Carlton Rewards program (with benefits like free room upgrades and free Wi-Fi)
- $100 credit towards hotel services like spa, dining, and recreational activities on Ritz stays of two nights or more
- Membership with J.P. Morgan Premier Concierge Service, an elite hotline for assistance with restaurant reservations, event tickets, and travel plans
- Free access to airport lounges worldwide via Priority Pass
- $200 annual airline incidental credit to pay for items like baggage fees and in-flight food
- No foreign transaction fees
Richly Rewarded: Over-the-top Perks from Hotel Loyalty Programs
When hoteliers first rolled out loyalty perks programs, a few free nights at a midrange chain was considered a score. But these days upscale brands like Ritz-Carlton are jumping on the bonus band-wagon – and guests are reaping sky’s-the-limit rewards. Fighter pilot lessons, anyone?
GLOBAL HOTEL ALLIANCE DISCOVERY
How it Works: Three levels of rewards, depending on how many stays per year at any of GHA’s nearly 300 hotels: 1 night = Gold. 10-29 nights = Platinum. 30+ nights = Black.
What You Get: Gold-level members can embark on a sunset game drive – and a massage in the wild – at the Kempinski Mokuti Lodge in Namibia. Black status members can go hot air ballooning while at the Omni Tucson National Resort. ghadiscovery.com
Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas Sports Deals, Sailing Lessons for Kids
You could spend a pleasurable week at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas without knowing you had at your disposal the skills of former Olympic windsurfer Paul Stoeken, but that would be a shame.
Along with members of his certified team, Stoeken, owner of Island Sol Water Sports, runs the Ritz-Kids Sailing Camp, held every weekday at the property for kids ages 8 to 13. You’ll pay $110 for the first child and $95 for each additional kid, and if you know what sailing lessons usually cost (a lot more) this is a good deal. Each lesson is tailored to your child’s skill and interest level. Kids can train on windsurfing equipment, a dinghy called an Optimist Pram (that your child will likely call Optimus Prime, if your child is anything like me) or a Hobie cat, the most popular craft among campers.
China’s Luxury Hotel Explosion
While the rest of the world tiptoes back to financial growth, China is surging full speed ahead, with a government pouring money into stimulus projects and a populace splurging on luxury goods. For proof, one can look to the galloping advance of the luxury hotel sector. “With the incredible growth in affluence among the domestic population, the need for hotels in China is rising dramatically,” says Daniel Ford, a Ritz-Carlton publicist.
The Four Seasons group is planning to open 14 hotels in the country by 2014; a dozen have already launched since 2008. The new Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, billed as the tallest hotel in the world and opening in March, will boost its parent company’s China total to eight, and at least one more is on the way. And taking into account all its brands, Starwood had 50 hotels in the country by 2009 – and is set to open 97 more by 2015.
Plus, these won’t just be any hotels: “Many of the finest luxury hotels in the world will open in China in the next several years,” says Bruce Ford, senior vice president at Lodging Econometrics.
Interestingly enough, many of the high-profile hotels are opening in cities that many Westerners haven’t heard of – yet. Scoot over, Shanghai. Here’s a quick guide to six cities on the rise.
