RSS
So there I was at the new Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale. As you may recall from the last blog, my overnight stay there with Gwendolyn finished up our one week close-to-home vacation. And a terrific week it was too. But the Ritz made for a first-class finale in a gorgeous oceanside suite. Though it was just several days ago, some moments already stand out in my memory. There was our drink in the wine bar. At the hour when civilized people enjoy a cocktail, we got as dressed up as we’d been all week and headed down to the lobby. The main bar was temporarily closed for a law firm’s private reception, but we were happy to enjoy the wine bar for our drinks. It’s an intimate, rich environment with a pleasant open view of the lobby. She had a Cosmo, I ordered a Belvedere martini, extra dry, straight up with olives, thank you.
Our bartender was attentive and very friendly, returning with two silver cocktail shakers that held generous drinks. As we sat there, nibbling from an appetizer tray, I could feel myself relaxing and sinking into the Ritz luxury. We sipped and laughed and munched and were in absolutely no hurry to do anything else. It was delightful.
Then at night, we took a dip in the beautiful 7th floor pool and hot tubs. Well, actually we just dipped ourselves in one hot tub, though there were two. When we arrived, only a couple of other people were in the pool. Soon we were alone, with the lights of A1A strung out below us and the gently illuminated Ritz gardens arrayed all around. The moon was clear and nearly full as we slipped through the water. What could be more romantic than a private moment like this beside the sea in an ultra-luxury hotel? Oh, and then there was that alarm clock I mentioned in my last blog. I can’t leave that out. Actually, it’s a bedside console. I’ve experienced some fairly cool room control units in my international travels but this one takes the cake. In fact, for all I know this thing can literally bake cakes. It’s a flat-screen gizmo that allows you to control nearly every light throughout the large suite, adjust the suite temperature, find the time anywhere in the world, order room service, set a wake-up call, ring for a butler and more. And it’s all digital. And it’s a speakerphone so, yes, you really do talk to your alarm clock. Touch a corner of the screen and a voice suddenly materializes. “Yes, Mr. Knotts, how can I help you?” I want one of these at home. Or better yet, can I just live at the Ritz, please? I promise to eat very small meals and drink just one Belvedere martini a day.
Our bartender was attentive and very friendly, returning with two silver cocktail shakers that held generous drinks. As we sat there, nibbling from an appetizer tray, I could feel myself relaxing and sinking into the Ritz luxury. We sipped and laughed and munched and were in absolutely no hurry to do anything else. It was delightful.
Then at night, we took a dip in the beautiful 7th floor pool and hot tubs. Well, actually we just dipped ourselves in one hot tub, though there were two. When we arrived, only a couple of other people were in the pool. Soon we were alone, with the lights of A1A strung out below us and the gently illuminated Ritz gardens arrayed all around. The moon was clear and nearly full as we slipped through the water. What could be more romantic than a private moment like this beside the sea in an ultra-luxury hotel? Oh, and then there was that alarm clock I mentioned in my last blog. I can’t leave that out. Actually, it’s a bedside console. I’ve experienced some fairly cool room control units in my international travels but this one takes the cake. In fact, for all I know this thing can literally bake cakes. It’s a flat-screen gizmo that allows you to control nearly every light throughout the large suite, adjust the suite temperature, find the time anywhere in the world, order room service, set a wake-up call, ring for a butler and more. And it’s all digital. And it’s a speakerphone so, yes, you really do talk to your alarm clock. Touch a corner of the screen and a voice suddenly materializes. “Yes, Mr. Knotts, how can I help you?” I want one of these at home. Or better yet, can I just live at the Ritz, please? I promise to eat very small meals and drink just one Belvedere martini a day.
posted by LauderBLOGGER at 2:06 PM
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home