WhereToStay.com's Review
"Putting on the Ritz" takes on a whole new meaning at this five-star high rise that sits right on the water's edge in St. Thomas. You'll have no end of options for things to do as the facility has all of the amenities you would expect from a property of this stature. Water sports, like wind sailing, snorkeling, kayaking, and scuba diving, are just a few of the many options you'll have. If you're traveling with children, there is a full array of supervised activities available for them through the Ritz Kids Program. You'll have the freedom to enjoy your vacation to the fullest knowing that your children are being well cared for in your absence. The facility has a fully equipped fitness room if you want to maintain your fitness program while on vacation, and after you've worked for a couple of hours to burn off all those calories, you can find your way to one of the three on-site restaurants and pack them right back on.
Villa Description
World-class Ritz-Carlton service beckons you. Right on one of St. Thomas's best white sand beaches, these deluxe residences offer 3-bedroom suites, each with a fully equipped gourmet kitchen with granite counters, central air-conditioning throughout, marble and granite bathrooms with soaking tubs, down pillows and comforters, and interiors with inviting areas for rest and relaxation. As a guest at The Ritz-Carlton Club, you'll receive full access to all hotel amenities of the adjoining Ritz-Carlton Hotel, which has recently completed a $40M renovation which included the fitness facility, the full-service spa and salon, lighted tennis courts, and three restaurants. Optional daily-fee water sports, sailing, and diving, and the popular Ritz Kids program are all on-site for your convenience. Use of the Ritz-Carlton Club's Reception Building, complete with computer and printer stations, a complete library of DVDs, books and games, and a fully staffed Concierge department to arrange any additional services you might require, such as your own private chef to prepare a gourmet meal in your residence, massage, babysitting, daily activities, and water sports, spa treatments, or limos and taxis as you may desire. The Ritz-Carlton's legendary service will greatly enhance the magic of your St. Thomas holiday.
From the covered balcony of your residence, you'll enjoy a private bird's-eye view of the pool, swaying palms, the sound of the surf rolling along the beach below, but once you close your veranda doors, you are in your own hushed and secluded world. The Club's two large heated beachfront swimming pools (including an adult's serenity pool, heated children's wading pool, and two whirlpool spas surrounded by lounge chairs) and tropical landscaping are all located very near Coconut Cove, the Club's beachside restaurant and bar. A short seaside walkway leads to the adjoining Hotel's pool, excellent restaurants, and occasional evening entertainment. This is truly paradise found, bringing The Ritz-Carlton tradition of intimacy and privacy to you and your family or friends into a home-like setting, surrounded by excellent service and world-class resort amenities-exclusive, and with all the privileges of a renowned private club; we very highly recommend these five-star beachfront accommodations.
Additional Amenities:
4 flat-screen cable TVs (a 37-inch TV in Great Room + a 32-inch TV in each bedroom) with extensive premium cable channels, pay-per-view + Nintendo 64, DVD + CD players with surround-sound, central A/C with individual controls, high-speed internet access for your laptop, multi-line telephones, a fully equipped gourmet kitchen, hair dryers, bathrobes, dishwasher, washer + dryer in each residence, plus complimentary stationery and small Bulgari toiletries. Wi-Fi available in all public areas. 2 heated beachfront pools (including an adult's serenity pool), 1 heated children's pool + 2 whirlpool spas; Coconut Cove Beach Bar and Restaurant is just steps from pools + the white sand beach. Use of The Ritz-Carlton Club Reception Building with Concierge service, internet access + Wi-Fi, large libraries of DVDs, books + games. Full use of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel's tennis, health club + spa facilities, salon and three full-service restaurants.
Rental Notes:
Please note that these residences are privately owned, and that The Ritz-Carlton Club is not operated like a hotel or resort. For this reason, early check-ins or late check-outs are NOT available. The RCC staff will be happy to accommodate you if they are able, but due to very high owner occupancy, you will be expected to check out promptly at 11 a.m. And when arriving, check-in time is at 4 p.m., no earlier. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
SATURDAY-TO-SATURDAY RENTALS, PLEASE! UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED HERE, A 7-NIGHT MINIMUM RENTAL PERIOD IS REQUIRED DURING HIGH SEASON and DURING THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR'S AT THE RITZ-CARLTON RESIDENCES. DURING LOW SEASON, A 5-NIGHT MINIMUM RENTAL PERIOD IS SUGGESTED (THANKSGIVING WEEK IS A 7-NIGHT MINIMUM). You may, of course, rent outside this Saturday-to-Saturday period, but you may then be required to move to another nearby residence on the Saturday-please inquire.
ALL RITZ-CARLTON RESIDENCES ARE NON-SMOKING VILLAS. A $250 penalty, strictly enforced, will be charged to guests who smoke inside any Residence.
TRANSFERS: Upon arrival on St. Thomas, all guests who have booked their rental at The Ritz-Carlton Club directly with WhereToStay.com will be met by a private driver + van and driven to The Ritz-Carlton Club. This complimentary one-way transfer is included in the rental rates for all direct guests who pay full rack rate for their rental. Only one transfer is included with each rental; if your group will have more than one arrival time, you are then responsible for the cost of any additional transportation to The Club. Upon arrival at The Ritz-Carlton Club, you will check in at the Club's Reception Building on the property.
AN OPTIONAL RESORT FEE for ACTIVITIES is available to you at check-in: $55 per day, $165 for any 3 days, $250 for any 5 days, or $315 per week (7 days), PER RESIDENCE. This fee includes use of ALL the Resort's non-motorized sports equipment, including Hobie Waves (teenagers + adults), Junior Sailing Optis (ages 7-14 years), snorkel gear, windsurfers, kayaks, paddle boats, sand volleyball games, Water Weights fitness gear, pool floats, and children's beach toys.. The Optional Resort Fee is a great value for our guests at The Ritz-Carlton Club Residences because it covers EVERYONE staying in your Residence (however, if one family is staying in two separate Residences, you will be charged one Resort Fee for each Residence.) You may opt to pay the Resort Fee for a single day, multiple days, or a full week at check-in, and when you visit the Resort's Aquatic Center, the staff will verify your payment and have you sign a liability waiver. You will have unlimited use of the equipment, but when the Resort is very busy, the staff will ask that you use the equipment in 30-minute increments. The staff also reserves the right to limit equipment rental based on weather conditions and safety practices. The fee does NOT include lessons (please visit www.islandsol.net for a complete list of lessons and prices).
One fitness class per day, or the daily "Run and Walk with Niles," for one person, per Residence, is also included with payment of the Resort fee. Additional guests may attend for $20 per class. The "Run and Walk with Niles" begins at 7:00 am at the Fitness Center and encompasses a one-and-a-half hour walk/run on the Ritz-Carlton resort grounds and surrounding area, Monday through Friday.
Your other option for activities is to pay by the hour, per person-the rates for this are as follows:
Snorkel gear rentals (mask, snorkel, fins): $25 half day/$50 full day
Kayak, Paddle Boat rental: $20 half hour/$30 hour
Windsurfer: $30 half hour/$40 hour
Hobie Cats: $30/half hour/$50 hour
Hobie Rides with an Instructor: $50 half hour
SAILING: Each week's sailing schedule may include half-day snorkeling adventures, luncheon outings, St. John shopping trips, full-day excursions and sunset sails on Lady Lynsey, the Ritz-Carlton's 53-foot catamaran. All cruises depart directly from the Resort, and include top-shelf cocktails and hors d'oeuvres served while cruising through the Caribbean waters. Private charters are available upon request.
SCUBA DIVING: Guided scuba dives and snorkeling excursions depart daily from the Resort's on-property full-PADI Dive Center, where beginners, intermediate, and advanced divers will find different dive trips which meet their particular levels of experience. From The Ritz-Carlton's advantageous location on St. Thomas's eastern shores, guests can access a score of small islands and cays which host diverse underwater scenery and marine life, just 10 to 20 minutes away aboard either of the two dive boats. Towels, drinking water, and refreshments are available on board. For international guests, dive courses can also be taught in French, Spanish, or Italian.
RITZ KIDS PROGRAM operates M-F, 10:00 am-4:00 pm, or half day from 10:00 am-1:00 pm, or 1:00 pm-4:00 pm. Children ages 5-12 are welcome to participate. Program encompasses a full schedule of activities, mostly outdoors, including introduction to all water sports equipment. Cost is $75 per day, per child or $50 per half day, per child; lunch is additional.
ART AT THE RITZ-CARLTON: Those interested in capturing the essence of the Caribbean on canvas can take advantage of Resident Artist Lucinda Schutt's watercolor classes, where beginners to advanced-level artists can create a captivating piece of art under her studied tutelage. Only five students are booked per sitting, and for $65, students need only bring their creative eye and imagination.
THE RITZ-CARLTON CLUB is a registered trademark owned by The Ritz-Carlton Club; WhereToStay.com is not affiliated nor sponsored by the Ritz-Carlton Club.
