Luxury Travel Advisor - December 2007 - (Page 34) PRESIDENTIAL SUITES (living room shown, left) offer 1,850 square feet of space and open to balconies with sea views. Deluxe Rooms (below) have balconies with ocean or garden views, as well as marble bathrooms. Melanie Silver (340-775-3333, ext. 8192) is readily available to answer any questions your clients might have. General Manager Marc Langevin (340-775-3333, ext. 8005) is a hands-on executive who can often be seen surveying his property and chatting with guests; luxury travel advisors wishing to set up special services for their VIPs, however, should reach out to Patrick McMahon (patrick. mcmahon@ritzcarlton.com; 340775-3333, ext. 8814). One of the highlights of our inspection actually occurred off- property, on the resort’s 53-foot catamaran, the Lady Lynsey. Our charter experience took us to St. John, where we docked at hidden beaches and enjoyed cocktails as we floated around the turquoise waters. Now that’s living. The more adventurous members of our group went snorkeling and reported that they were mesmerized by the quantity and wide variety of sea life they saw. Head Concierge Letticia Bass (340-775-3333) can reserve the Lady Lynsey for your client’s event, which could even include exchanging nuptials; she also can secure a candle-lit dinner on a secluded beach. For weddings, contact Carol Cameron (340-715-9037), who also can secure one of the two oceanfront gazebos for a ceremony. We say clients also must dine at Bleuwater, which is known for its wine-pairing dinners. For those who want to venture off-site, Havana Blue (340715-2583), on Morningstar Beach, serves up unique Cuban/ American fusion cuisine, while Old Stone Farmhouse (340777-6277), on Mahogany Run, creates a casually elegant experi- ence in a plantation-era country residence. We also liked Oceana (340-774-4262), an open-air restaurant in Frenchtown. St. Thomas is a shopper’s mecca. Downtown Charlotte Amalie is known for duty-free fine jewelry, perfume and liquor. Yacht Haven Grande (www. yachthavengrande.com), where mega-yachts drop anchor, has just opened a marina complex with shops such as Louis Vuitton, Coach, Bulgari and Ferragamo. To assist guests in navigating this retail oasis, the hotel works with a specific personal shopper, Carolyn Smith (carolyn@ shoptalkvi.com) of Shop Talk (www.shoptalkvi.com), whose daily shopping talks in the hotel’s lobby are followed by a shuttlebus drive to Charlotte Amalie. She is also available privately for personal shopping needs. Local government restrictions prohibit the Ritz-Carlton from providing transportation to and from the airport, but we found that Executive One Limousine Service (www.executiveonelim ousine.com) supplied fabulous luxury transportation. They also provide private excursions for cruise passengers and for those who want a chauffeured night out on the island. Contact CEO Angel Christian (executiveonelimo@yahoo.com; 340-690-7282). Because the hotel typically sells out over all major holidays, luxury travel advisors should book at least three months out for those periods. St. Thomas Municipal Airport, which is adjacent to the Cyril E. King International Airport, accommodates private jets. 34 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | December 2007 http://www.yachthavengrande.com http://www.yachthavengrande.com http://www.shoptalkvi.com http://www.executiveonelimousine.com http://www.executiveonelimousine.com
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