Leave the hard work to someone else and experience your own Christmas fairy tale this December with The Ritz-Carlton
LONDON, UK. November 10, 2016 – From charming roof top markets overlooking imperial Vienna to building ‘sandmen’ on the beaches of the Caribbean, The Ritz-Carlton showcases festive celebrations diverse enough to suit both wintry traditionalists and those looking for a sunnier holiday season.
The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, an exceptional resort situated on the edge of the crystal-clear water and nestled in Georgia’s gentle pine-strewn hills, offers young guests the opportunity to create gingerbread gifts with the expert help of Mrs Claus herself. Father Christmas also takes a break from his December chores and joins little ones for breakfast, while his faithful elves round-off the evening, helping parents create magical childhood memories with their ‘tuck in’ service, throughout the holiday season. Fairy tale lakeside cottages provide the ultimate in festive accommodation, with timber-clad walls, slate roofs, stone verandas and wrap-around porches from which to enjoy the wintery wonderland.
Continuing the Christmas culinary theme, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, delights adults and children alike with its larger-than-life edible gingerbread house with its own working fireplace and styled interior. With ingredients including over fifty pounds of cinnamon and ten pounds of nutmeg, the festively fragrant edible house can also be used as a unique private dining room for up to six guests, who can enjoy a specially curated menu, in an extraordinary fable-like setting. Set majestically beside the Sonoran Desert, an area known for its pristine, dark, skies, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, is also the perfect vantage point from which to keep an eye out for Santa Clause’s arrival, whilst stargazing.
The newly renovated Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, set in an iconic bank building and minutes away from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, also celebrates the delights of gingerbread, which was originally introduced from Germany in the 13th Century. With decorating classes held for children throughout the festive season, participants are also provided with a chef’s hat and apron, to set them on the path to master baker, before settling down to an evening of Christmas story telling.
Of course, it’s not all about the gingerbread. For those whose tastes lay elsewhere, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, with its spectacular mountain-side location, has a specialist Marshmologist, who is eager to teach the history of marshmallows and their traditional ingredients, whilst sharing s’mores around the hotel’s glowing fire pit. Perfect relaxation after a strenuous day’s skiing or hiking in the surrounding hills. Consistently named one of the best family-friendly ski resorts, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, with its ski-in / ski-out access to Northstar California and mountain concierge service, is the ideal environment for all of the family to hone their winter sport skills.
Vienna transforms in the winter months, revelling in festive spirit. The holiday celebrations start with the opening of the revered Christmas markets and The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna, is renowned for being home to the loftiest in the city. Situated on the roof of the iconic building, high above the rooftops, it provides an unsurpassed view over the old town and majestic ring boulevard, the perfect outlook from which to enjoy mulled wine and Viennese treats. With its markets, ice rinks and choral performances, the city is one of the most festive in the World, and able to convert even the more stalwart Grinch.
For a very different festive experience that is done island-style, Aruba is unsurpassed. The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba, with each room enjoying its own balcony and an unbroken view of the cerulean Caribbean Sea, doesn’t so much offer guests crisp white snow, but powdery white sand and the opportunity for children to meet Father Christmas basking in glorious sunshine. Christmas Eve sees the resort hosting a ‘sandman’ competition, a tropical alternative to those fashioned from snow, and year-round outdoor activities including mangrove kayaking are a welcome respite to the traditional after-lunch stroll.
Whilst landlubbers may choose to enjoy the hotel’s 30 acre tropical estate, where better to enjoy the 25th December than sailing a luxury 53-foot catamaran on Christmas Cove? The Ritz-Carlton, St Thomas, offers a unique and memorable experience with Santa Claus himself joining in the festivities on-board. With the cove being named after Christopher Columbus who landed there on Christmas Day over 500 years ago, today it provides a safe haven from which to enjoy exemplary snorkelling amongst the coral or a simple celebratory holiday lunch of freshly caught lobster.
For those looking to experience the epitome of luxurious comfort for the whole family over the holiday season, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, is home to the largest suite in the Caribbean. The combined setting sleeps up to eleven guests, and is designed to appeal to a discerning, multi-generational family, with an integrated cinema and library, and an unrivalled panoramic view over the sea. At just under 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor living space, covering an entire top floor wing of the hotel, staying there at any time of the year could almost feel as though Christmas came early.