When socialite-types travel to Chicago they often check-into one of my favorite haute spots—The Ritz Carlton. I had the pleasure of staying in one of the new re-designed suites fit for a girly girl… it came with a dressing room! And the skyline view of the windy city wasn’t bad either.
Recently, The Ritz Carlton Chicago, a Four Seasons property, unveiled a $25 million renovation. It’s been called the “largest restyling in the hotel’s 33-year history!” A haute new restaurant, dramatic lobby and luxurious suites with sweeping views of Chicago’s gold coast makes this the ideal location for travelistas in search of stylish escapes in Chicago.
The Presidential Suite is where I’d like to set up camp the next time the property managers invite me in for an overnight stay. The new re-imagined suite has a spiral staircase with floor-to-ceiling windows with breath-taking views of Lake Michigan. It also includes a kitchen, dining room, study and living room. There are also three full baths and two half baths. A baby grand, in-room business center along with airport transfers in a Rolls Royce Phantom adds to a luxurious state of mind. I also think the 24-hour personal assistant is another nice touch. But get this—guests also get to indulge in daily in-room 90 minute massages! I love the spa so I can only imagine daily massages… so HAUTE.
The Ritz Carlton Chicago sits atop Water Tower Place set along the famed Magnificent Mile. It’s ranked as one of the best hotels in the world by Travel + Leisure and named Best Hotel in the United States by the Readers of Conde Nast Traveler in 2008.
For more information visit www.fourseasons.com/chicagorcWill you check in?
If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for the county… you might want to consider The Ritz Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Georgia, That’s right The Ritz has a little secret known only to luxury travelers until now.It takes about an hour and a half from downtown Atlanta to get to the Ritz Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation sitting along the tranquil shores of the Oconee River. This AAA Five Diamond-rated resort is amazing especially if you love a great spa and outdoor activities. This 251-room hideaway offers 99 holes of golf, boating, award-winning restaurants, fishing and so much more!When I heard that Conde Nast Traveler’s annual readers poll recognized The Ritz Carlton Spa, Reynolds Plantation as one America’s top resort spas for 2010 because of their fantastic treatments, I grabbed my overnight Chanel bag and got out of town landing in the heart of a cute little antebellum town! Once I checked into a lovely rustic-inspired suite complete with a guest bathroom and sweeping lake views, I grabbed an appetizer from the fully stocked club-level lounge and made my way over to the spa. The path to the spa is lined with white columns and beautiful green plants. You might say it’s the path to rejuvenation, restoration and relaxation. Once inside, I found flowing water leading the way to peace and serenity. With 90 health and wellness treatments available, I selected the bamboo and lemon grass scrub followed by a 50-minute a lavender massage. It also allowed me to experience one of the spa’s unique Vichy rain shower rooms. I loved the scrub that also contained chopped walnuts designed to remove dead skin revealing a healthy glow underneath. The rain shower felt like heaven, warm and inviting… I loved it! Once my treatment ended I spent some time relaxing by the beautiful indoor-pool downstairs before moving on to the infinity pool outside just off the lake.Lunch at Gaby’s on the lake included a lobster grilled cheese sandwich that I couldn’t wait to try. It was really good. But dinner, at Georgia’s Bistro consisted of a lumpy crab cake and scallops with a chocolate molten lava cake for dessert!Once my complimentary overnight stay began to end… I started to mentally plan my next escape. I can’t wait to take a nature walk along the seven mile trail or sit around the fire pit roasting s’mores underneath the moon and stars. This place is HAUTE with lots of Southern hospitality and personal attention to your every need!What do you think about The Ritz Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation?To learn more visit http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/ReynoldsPlantation/Default.htm
