The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary; Guests Get The Gifts

I don’t want to write this story In fact, I really, really don’t want to share this awesomeness with anyone. Why? The more people who know about this the less chance I have of scoring a $10 room at the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne. Yes, you read it correctly, I said $10 rooms at a Ritz-Carlton Hotel! So feel free to skip over this story, I won’t mind, honest! I’m already dreaming about my deluxe and divine stay at Key Biscayne…

When the sun rises July 1, it will be 10 years that The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami opened its doors just 10 minutes away from downtown Miami as the city’s only Five Diamond resort. To celebrate this major milestone, everyone is invited to reap the rewards with $10 specialty priced meals, Champagne, rums and spa treatments, special summer room packages and more over celebratory dates in July.

10 Guestrooms, 10 Nights, $10
Ten luxurious resort view guestrooms for $10 each. Rooms are available July 5-7, 10-13, 18, 25, 26, but you have to dial fast, as reservations may only be made June 10 from 10 am to 2 pm EST by phoning 305-365-4582. *Only 10 total rooms available; two rooms maximum per reservation.

$10 Spa Treatments Every Wednesday in July
In tribute to the original spa menu, guests can book the two signature treatments from 2001: the Key Lime Body Treatment (50 minutes) or Deluxe Sundae Pedicure (45 minutes) for just $10 each. *Reservations required by phoning 305.365.4286. Ten of these $10 spa treatments are available every Wednesday in July from 9 am to 1 pm., based on availability. Tax and gratuity not included. Gratuities based on treatment price in 2001.

$10 Champagne on Ice July 14 at Dune Oceanfront Burger Lounge
Visit St. Tropez without the airfare at Miami’s chicest oceanfront hideout and sip $10 glasses of Moet Chandon Ice Imperial Champagne (one of only 15 restaurants in the region to serve the specialty Champagne) or sink your teeth into $10 Kobe Beef Sliders. July 14 only, 11:30 am until sunset. *No reservations required.

$10 Diamond Mojito at Miami’s Only Upscale Live Latin Music Venue
Be transported to vintage Havana with smooth cocktails and even smoother music from Group Nostalgia, musicians with white dinner jackets, black bow ties and great rhythm. Bartender extraordinaire Anthony Buddle muddles signature Diamond Mojitos for just $10 each July 10-15. Catch Grupo Nostalgia Thursday through Saturday 8 p.m. until midnight. *No reservations required.

$10 Three-Course Menu at Ocean-View Cioppino
Under the tutelage of Italian Chef Ezio Gamba, one of Miami’s top Italian restaurants rolls out a limited-edition three-course menu July 10-15 and July 17-22 for just $10. Hidden inside one menu each night will be a note that reads, “Celebrate with a complimentary bottle of Champagne!” *Only five reservations for parties of two are available each night the $10 three-course menu is offered. Reservations may be made by phoning 305.365.4286.

$10 for Luscious Mango Candles at the Spa Boutique
What do guests most frequently take home? The luxurious mango candles for which The Spa is famous. Scoop up the perfect housewarming or birthday gift (or treat for yourself) for just $10 each (regularly $20), every Wednesday in July. Limit two per person. Head over to the Signature Shop for 10 percent off clothing, jewelry, handbags and one-of-a-kind finds every Wednesday in July, as well.

Diamonds under your Pillow
Ten overnight guests staying in July will find a 14K white gold pendant necklace featuring a half carat of brilliant round-cut diamonds under their pillow.

One-of-a-Kind Celebrations at Cantina Beach

A Spectacular & Original Oceanfront Culinary Party:
July 21: An evening of spectacular Coastal Mexican cuisine as Chef Andres Parlange presents an authentic, three-course menu from his Chiapas homeland while Tequilier Heriberto Ovideo unveils the Double Barrel Reposado that was especially crafted for Cantina Beach and describes the travel adventure behind it, while he and Casa Herradura tequila experts pair carefully chosen tequilas with each course. Just $75 per person with tequila pairing or $55 per person without tequila pairing (plus tax and gratuity). Cocktail reception from 6pm to 7pm, followed by dinner. Reservations based on availability and may be made by phoning (305) 365-4286.

Rare Tequila Bottled for the Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne Unveiled July 21:
Tequilier Heriberto Ovideo traveled to Amatitán, Mexico, believed to be the birthplace of Tequila, to nurture and select specially crafted double-barrel reposado Tequila from the House of Herradura distillery that would be reserved for The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne. The process began a year ago with 100 percent blue weber agave tequila “resting” in toasted oak barrels for 11 months before maturing in a second hand-made barrel. Finally in April, Ovideo journeyed to the distillery to taste-test and choose the best of three barrels awaiting his arrival. The preferred barrel captured smooth, light, earthy flavors and was hand-bottled at Casa Herradura. Only 240 of these exquisite bottles are in existence and will be unveiled July 21 at Cantina Beach, available by the bottle ($450) or 2-ounce glass ($32). Guests can also sign the barrel in which the special tequila was aged.

Pulling Out All the Stops

Blue Diamond Escape Package – $60,310
The ultimate celebratory package for the traveler that desires three days of over-the-top, one-of-a-kind intense luxury and pampering that includes the Presidential Suite and 10 luxurious amenities for two. *For reservations, please contact Mauricio Camacho at (305) 365-4582.

Day One

• Rolls Royce Phantom transfer from Miami airport to The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne, Miami
• Helicopter tour of Key Biscayne and Miami Beach
• Access to the exclusive Club Lounge (five complimentary culinary presentations and beverages throughout the day, private concierge, complimentary wireless access) and Club on the Beach (snacks, refreshments and service in an exclusive gazebo reserved for Club guests)
• Unlimited Spa treatments the entire day
• Private Sensory Odyssey Dinner in the romantic oceanfront gazebo with specially prepared five-course dinner and live music in candle-lit surroundings.
• Dune Cabana experience with Dom Perignon Champagne
• A Natural Blue Diamond pendant necklace from Sabbia jewelers to be placed under your pillow in the evening or presented as you wish. You will be among a very few to own one of the rarest diamonds in the world that most jewelers never see in their lifetime. Because of their amazingly alluring resplendence, natural blue diamonds are a prized possession and highly sought after, yet rarely found. Like your sweetheart, they possess uncommon beauty that can seldom, if ever, be matched.

Day Two

• Unlimited Spa treatments the entire day
• Private catamaran sail and snorkel adventure with personal butler, lunch and water tour of Stiltsville, an historic group of houses in the middle of Biscayne Bay.
• Access to the exclusive Club Lounge (five complimentary culinary presentations and beverages throughout the day, private concierge, complimentary wireless access) and Club on the Beach (snacks, refreshments and service in an exclusive gazebo reserved for Club guests)
• Private tennis lessons with tennis legend Cliff Drysdale (optional) at the largest tennis complex of any Ritz-Carlton in the world.
• Around the World Culinary Tour (includes appetizers and signature cocktails) at each of the resort’s internationally inspired restaurants: Dune Oceanfront Burger Lounge, Cantina Beach, Cioppino and RUMBAR.

Day Three

• Private culinary class with choice of either Executive Chef or Cantina Beach Chef de Cuisine.
• Unlimited Spa treatments the entire day
• Private wine tasting with celebrated wine expert and resort Sommelier, Jorge Mendoza.
• Access to the exclusive Club Lounge (five complimentary culinary presentations and beverages throughout the day, private concierge, complimentary wireless access) and Club on the Beach (snacks, refreshments and service in an exclusive gazebo reserved for Club guests)
• Rolls Royce Phantom transfer to Miami airport

It was my second year of covering the Food Network South Beach Food and Wine Festival so I was a bit more prepared for what was in store than last year. I also knew what a blast it was going to be so I brought along a friend for fun.

This wasn’t the first girls’ getaway for Lynn and I. We have been friends for 20 years thanks to our two daughters who happen to have the same name, were born the same week and decided to play on the same soccer team at the age of six. Though we both had moved away from the Long Island suburb of New York we had grown up in (and raised our girls), we keep in touch and see each other frequently.

Contacts always come in handy at these events and I was able to use mine to get Lynn some invites to join me at a few of the parties and events that were going on in conjunction with the festival. First up for us was my favorite from last year, the Perrier Jouët BubbleQ. I thought it was even better than last year and Lynn was also thrilled with this evening long decadence of Perrier Jouët Champagne, Godiva Chocolate and incredible food (with a barbecue theme) by two dozen chefs, including Bobby Flay and Michelle Bernstein. I am saddened to learn there won’t be a Bubble Q in 2012, but told something even better is waiting for us.

Lynn and I also scored an invite to the Cruzan Rum party to celebrate the release of the brand’s strawberry flavor. An allergy to strawberries was not going to let this spirits traveler’s evening get ruined and Lynn helped me sample through some of Cruzan’s other great flavors, like Pineapple (on the rocks), Black Cherry (with club soda) and Coconut (with pineapple juice). We also savored some great appetizers while enjoying the view from the Presidential Suite of The Royal Palm hotel, which seemed to demand a girly picture pose!

On our final day together in South Beach, Lynn and I were at the Food Festival’s Whole Foods Grand Tasting Village, which you must see to believe. It consists of blocks and blocks of cooking demonstrations, as well as more food and drink samples than you can consume in one day (they do sell passes for the whole weekend, a great idea). I always learn about new products there and discover new versions of familiar ones, like Aboslut Vodka’s Wild Tea.

We had a perfect place to stay for the long weekend, the Riu Hotel South Beach, a bit further down than most of the hotels on a less crowded section of beach. Even though this hotel isn’t all-inclusive like most of the other properties the hotel has, it does have that Caribbean feel, with some added flair from the Spanish company. We had a nice room with a great view and really enjoyed the huge buffet breakfast each day (lunch and dinner was at the festival). Lynn managed to sneak in some quality beach time when I was at some of the seminars and I even hit the pool one day to burn off some calories. I also got to stay in town an extra day and had a wonderful dinner at The Royal restaurant at The Raleigh Hotel, which is located in the heart of all the events for the festival.

I’m looking forward to returning to the South Beach Food and Wine Festival next year. In the meantime, I will be attending the Food Network’s Atlantic City event this summer and just may have to bring along a girlfriend (or two) for support!

You know those hard to reach spots on your shoulder and back that you can never get sunscreen on? Ritz Carlton in South Beach, Miami has a solution for this age old problem. They offer the services of a tanning butler to ensure their hotel guests are well protected from the hot Florida sun. I’m also thinking the availability of a tanning butler would be a perfect addition to your next girl’s getaway. What do you think girls?

The Ritz has recently picked 19-year-old Miguel Pando, a college student, to be their new hot guy for hot times at the Ritz. I’m referring to the heat of the sun of course.

The last two tanning butlers were lured away by lucrative modeling gigs and the hotel launched a media campaign last month to find the next candidate for the “world’s best job.” He says so far he loves his job, after all, what’s not to love? The lucky guy gets paid to slather sunscreen and spritz Evian while hanging out at the Ritz Carlton. You can find Miguel at the Ritz poolside in his paisley swim trunks, and sporting the ‘official’ Tanning Butler t shirt, Friday through Sunday between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.

I’m thinking I need to head down to Miami and check out this guy’s ‘credentials’…

I recently had the opportunity to visit Ritz-Carlton’s Miami Moderne (MiMo) hotel property in South Beach and the hotel scores top marks for ensuring that guests are coddled and taken care of from the second they enter the spectacular lobby with its curved wall of polished cherry wood until the day of departure. Departing from the Ritz-Carlton is such sweet sorrow because one knows that real life awaits once you leave the hotel and it doesn’t include a tanning butler, a luxurious 16,000 square foot Spa, a beachfront restaurant in South Beach, VIP cabanas and, best of all, exclusive Club Level rooms.

The Ritz-Carlton is the only hotel on South Beach to offer Club Level rooms to visitors and I’ll let you in on a little secret that a few smart women have figured out – the Club Level rooms are perfect for a “let’s blow it all” luxe girl’s getaway in Miami. While staying at the hotel I was lucky enough to run into a group of women who had decided to indulge in a Club Level room and they loved it. They told me that if you spend a little extra for this upgrade you get a pretty big bang for your buck.

Guestrooms of the Club Level include use of a luxurious lounge, which offers private check-in and concierge services, wireless internet access, awesome views of Miami Beach, and, what I loved most, five daily food and beverage servings plus CHAMPAGNE served throughout the day. The food offered in the Lounge meets Ritz-Carlton’s higher standards of hotel services; guests are presented with a scrumptious Continental Breakfast each morning, and for the rest of the day, the Lounge puts out a delicious and delectable array of time appropriate ‘petit dejeuners’.

Think about it, this means that while in Miami you don’t need to lay out all sorts of extra cash on eating out or buying those pricey drinks. You can save that money for the more important stuff like shopping, going to the spa or dancing the night away at one of Miami’s top nightclubs and maybe one spectacular meal out. Also by going in on a hotel room with a few women it means that you can keep the costs down. Now, of course, it still will be pricey, but at the Ritz-Carlton you know that your girl’s getaway in Miami will be pampered perfection. And isn’t that the point of a girl’s getaway? Pampered, perfect girl time fun…

More about the Ritz Carlton Hotel, South Beach on UpTake.

Close your eyes and think about the ultimate Mother’s Day treat for you and your daughter.

Does it include luxurious spa time and a leisurely lunch at an oceanfront restaurant in South Beach? If it does, we have found the perfect spot for you. Indulge yourself and your special person with a visit to the Ritz-Carlton in South Beach, Miami. One of the area’s most elegant oceanfront hotels, the Ritz offers “Miami Moderne” style and mid century glamor making a Mother’s Day visit an unforgettable experience.

GirlsGetaway Suggestions for the Ultimate Mother’s Day Treat

Reserve in advance (786.276.4090) and then head over to the Ritz-Carlton Spa to experience the special Mother’s Day Package the hotel has put together for quality pampering at the Spa, a sanctuary of glamor, elegance and serenity.

Mommy and Me

A perfect way to say I love you … The Mommy & Me Mother’s Day package is designed for mothers and daughters to bond over a relaxing visit to the award-winning Ritz-Carlton Spa, South Beach, enjoying the following services:

• A Citrus Manicure and Pedicure for mother and daughter
• A mimosa for mom and a mocktail for daughter

$168 including gratuity, complimentary parking included. Offer available throughout the month of May. Please take note it cannot be combined with any other special promotions.

Another GirlsGetaway recommended experience at the Ritz-Carlton Spa is the “Mane Experience” or more simply put a ‘blowout’. During my recent stay I put my hair in Ritz’s expert stylist’s hands and they transformed the frizzy into sleek and chic.

Once you’ve torn yourself away from the oasis of relaxation at the Spa, stroll over to Ritz’s DiLido Beach Club for lunch. The Moroccan-inspired DiLido Beach Club is the only oceanfront restaurant on South Beach, its location is perfect for people watching and relaxing beachside.

One thing we’ve happily discovered is that the price for dining at the DiLido is reasonable, only the view is priceless! Must-haves for lunch: crudo tuna, watermelon sangria and the ‘my-oh-my’ bread basket with olives and hummus.