Hello there :) Just returning from a fantastic vacation in Key Biscayne and I thought that a review of the "happenings" in Key Biscayne and South Beach that I experienced would be a nice jumping off point for the first few entries in my blog in which I hope to share with you my love for travel, food, fashion and family!
So, they say there is no place like home right? Well.......this now well rested Mama (thanks to Mom and Dad C for manning the casa and watching the kiddies!) thinks that the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne holds a pretty close second! This is a return trip for us. The last time was (gulp) five years ago pre-kiddos and we had a great time then too. From the moment of our arrival at which time the Front of House Manager, Chris Lee came out and introduced himself to me and kindly acknowledged my post on the Ritz Carlton Company Facebook Page noting how much I was looking forward to the trip, to when we (sadly) had to check out, our trip was truly fantastic. There was one slight hiccup with the time the room was going to take to be ready (in fairness, we asked to transfer to the ninth floor to be on the club level not on the 10th with access for convenience sake) and the baggage, (both of which were addressed by Chris and Marc Rapp the Manager of the Club floor with a level of customer service even beyond what one would normally expect even for the Ritz) everything was top notch!
Now, we chose (read......desperately needed!) to go away sans babies, but I can honestly tell you that I would not hesitate to go back with the children. They have a kids club and are just generally very welcoming to the young ones :) I would also tell you that should you be considering making this a family trip (or even if you are not), you should seriously consider staying on the club level (or a room with club access). The reason for this is that by the time you factor in breakfast lunch and dinner (you realistically could make the yummy light fare offered in the evening a dinner for the kids) as well as snacks and beverages (to include Champagne and wine) that are always available even if you are on off hours for the "spread", and the new "Club on the Beach" which is a lovely tent just as you enter the main beach entrance that has beverages and fruit and cookies available for club guests from 11-3, it really does pay for itself (and then some) and you always have a place to retreat to that is manned with a staff of many of the most cordial and competent people I have encountered. Marc Rapp who was previously mentioned manages the club to perfection. He can assist you with whatever you need, we even emailed him prior to arrival and pre-made all of our dinner reservations. You will be in GREAT hands!
The rooms, the suites and basics (sadly I have not had what I am sure is the PLEASURE of staying in the penthouse, sniff, sniff) are lovely. They are bright, well decorated and the bathrooms and closets are a very nice size. Again, if traveling with children or just in the mood to cook in your room, there are some rooms that are available with a kitchenette. The housekeeping staff is very courteous and our room was noticeably clean and refreshed after the morning service and then again nicely refreshed in the evening. (special note, the housekeeping staff leaves the TV tuned to their running advertisement for the Ritz which is done in a very unintrustive way and is actually very relaxing to listen to and to watch, it is just soothing music and pictures and words, you forget that you are technically watching an "advertisement" nice work again RC)
The lobby is lovely and relaxing (do enjoy the ice water flavored with fresh fruit, yum!)and the Rum Bar (which offers many different types of rum, light fare, cocktails wines and cigars, to be enjoyed on the outside patio) is like a page out of Casa Blanca (or at least as I would imagine it to be!!) Il Cioppino which is the fine dining restaurant is lovely (review to be posted in the next entry) and there is also a more casual outdoor dining option.
The Spa is everything you would expect from a Ritz Carlton as is the gym. There are two pools, one strictly for adults (we can all appreciate that!) with a nice bar and grill and the other pool is equally as lovely and it has a bar and an icecream shop (smart, smart!) and an outdoor pool shop stocked with suntan lotion, cute cover ups and kids gear. There is also a very nice jewelry store and a shop inside the lobby that offers beautiful itmes from ladies and mens wear to gorgeous and luxurious candles (truly amazing scents) and home accents to your basics such as magazines etc.
The beach staff is amazingly cordial considering they are running around all day is the hot sun and they will happilly set up loung chairs and tables and umbrellas at your request (even if you are not going to go to the beach until later in the day you should consider having your space set up and reserved in the morning) as well as bring food and beverages to you (very nice addition, they bring you a nice sized pitcher of iced water when you first sit down.
Absolutely put this destination on your list of "must go to" in the US!
So, sigh, it is back to reality for now. Foodie reviews of the restaurants we visited to come in the next post!
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