More than 700 dignitaries and invited guests attended the Grand Opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester and BLT Steak on December 19, 2007 in downtown White Plains, New York. The debut of The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester is bringing a new level of luxury and guest service to this fast-growing, cosmopolitan suburb located a mere 32 minutes from Manhattan -- yet miles from the ordinary.
The new 118-room hotel is set in a sleek, 44-story glass building designed by renowned architects Costas Kondylis and Partners, and located at Three Renaissance Square -- a newly created block in the vibrant shopping, dining and entertainment enclave that has spurred new business and led to the revival of the city. With very architectural and modern décor by Frank Nicholson Incorporated of Concord, MA, The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester is the area’s first five-star caliber hotel in the sophisticated county.
The property’s prime downtown location places it amidst corporate office buildings and within walking distance from the White Plains train station with its 32-minute express trains to Manhattan. The hotel lies seven miles from Westchester County Airport, a major corporate travel hub, and is close to numerous recreational facilities including many of the picturesque county’s famed golf clubs. Some of the best-known suburban communities in the world, including Scarsdale, Chappaqua, Bedford and Katonah, are in Westchester, which has the eighth highest per capita income in the U.S. Part of the bucolic Hudson Valley, the destination is flanked by the Hudson River to the west and Long Island Sound’s beautiful beaches on the east.
Simon Cooper, president and chief operating officer of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., said, “We are very pleased to add The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester to our growing portfolio of city hotels. The growth of this region, with so many corporate headquarters located in the surrounding area, ensures a solid base of corporate travel. The affluent communities surrounding the hotel are certain to attract a range of social and special events for those seeking the perfect venue for any occasion.”
As modern and current as the 2000 millennium will allow is one way to describe the hotel’s interior. A floating elliptical ceiling runs the length of the lobby in genuine burnished-on silver leaf. Mirrored below, a floor pattern comprised of nattages limestone from France, is outlined in black, blue pearl and translucent grey French Savoy granite.
The two-story Lobby Lounge, Board Room and other important areas feature 100 percent wool carpeting hand-woven in the Far East from 20 to 30 specially dyed-to-order colors. The furniture situated here began as drawings, and then was handcrafted using exceptional veneers including maccassar ebony and sappelli, a figured blonde wood.
Anegre paneling, a medium brown wood that has a muted tiger-striped effect, lines the lobby, grand stairway and pre-function corridors. The sophisticated ballroom accommodates up to 500 guests, as well as intimate meeting space when decision-making requires the participation of a select few.
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, an opulent 10,000 square-foot sanctuary with rooftop indoor pool will be the largest respite in the area where locals and visitors can escape.
Guestrooms and suites at The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester promise the most sumptuous stay in the region with inviting beds draped in 400-thread count Frette linens and oversized bathrooms featuring Bulgari bath essentials and two Ritz-Carlton signature terry bathrobes. Two different color schemes were used in the guest quarters: teal blue and taupe or rich cream and steel grey. Bedside tables and desks are capped with black granite. Lounge and desk chairs are made of uniquely designed handcrafted wood, and the upholstery is down-filled – unusual for most luxury hotels.
Additional room amenities include 42” LCD flat panel television, DVD player, wireless Internet, iPod docking stations, master remote control for the entire room, Sambonet room accessories, in-room dining, fully stocked honor bar, spacious closet with safe, and work desk with dual-line phone. Enhancing the guest experience with personal touches throughout, the hotel will also deliver guests’ laundry in an elegant dia motif box, with garments wrapped in linen and presented with an aromatic sachet. Guests can look forward to twice daily housekeeping, valet parking, and the availability of chauffer-driven luxury sedans and limousines.
The opening rate is $279 per night for a Deluxe Guestroom, single or double occupancy, while an Executive Suite is $329. The rate for a Deluxe Club Guestroom is $359, while a One Bedroom Suite is $379. The Executive Club Suite is $409, the One Bedroom Club Suite is $459, and the Presidential Suite is $3,000.
BLT, or Bistro Laurent Tourondel, is the personal stamp of acclaimed chef and restaurateur Laurent Tourondel who was recently named 2007 Restaurateur of the Year by Bon Appétit Magazine. BLT Steak is the hotel’s premier restaurant, a modern American steakhouse where Tourondel prepares a variety of cuts and classic accompaniments with his signature style, French training and all-around finesse.
BLT Steak opened in Manhattan in 2004 as a revolutionary new Modern American Steakhouse and was named one of “the best new restaurants in America” by Esquire Magazine that same year. Following the restaurant’s overwhelming success, sister locations have opened in Washington, DC, San Juan, Puerto Rico and Dallas.
The hotel is flanked by the two towers of The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester. The two gleaming condominium towers each feature 185 residences and occupy the block-wide Renaissance Square complex developed by Cappelli Enterprises of Valhalla, NY. The towers feature one-, two- and three-bedroom homes ranging in size from 1,100 to 5,000 square feet and priced from $750,000 to $8 million for penthouses. Owners have exclusive access to a wide array of The Ritz-Carlton’s legendary five-star amenities including maid service, room service, concierge, chauffered limousine and luxury spa, as well as the benefits of The Ritz-Carlton privileges around the world. Also included are 32 beautifully furnished, extended-stay Atelier Residences available for lease to Fortune 500 corporations. With direct access to the hotel elevators, they afford guests the same luxuries as The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester hotel guests.
Perched on the 42nd floor of Tower I of The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester, is “42,” a new rooftop restaurant offering world-class dining and spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline, Long Island Sound, and the lower Hudson Valley.
HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS
BLT Steak, the creation of celebrated Chef Laurent Tourondel
• A variety of cuts of USDA Prime, Certified Black Angus, American Wagyu and Japanese Kobe beef, each naturally aged for maximum tenderness and flavor and served finished with herb butter in a cast-iron pan
• Full raw bar
• Wine list of 590 selections, with 13 available by the glass
• Seating for 102 guests in the main dining room with 25 additional seats in the bar and lounge and 40 seats in the enclosed patio
• Private dining room for up to 20 guests
• Breakfast served 7:00 am – 11:00 am daily
• Lunch served 11:45 am – 2:00 pm daily
• Dinner served Monday – Thursday, 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm, Friday and Saturday, 5:30 pm – 11:30 pm
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Westchester
• Westchester’s premier spa, located on the 9th floor, features 10,000 square feet housing 11 treatment rooms, finished in lustrous woods and marble, offering four Ritz-Carlton signature skin care and body treatments, each linked to a particular gemstone and color and designed to provoke optimum health and peace of mind.
• Soothing stone waterfall entryway with exquisite marble and limestone finishes
• State-of-the-art fitness center, featuring foam-style flooring
• Indoor rooftop swimming pool on the 10th floor, with marble finishes and panoramic views
• Men’s and women’s lounges with steam room, sauna and relaxation area in soothing earth tones
• Nail salon with three manicure stations and two pedicure chairs, with a variety of soothing treatments for the hands and feet.
• Spa Boutique, with spa apparel, and an array of skincare products, and scented candles and oils.
• Signature Touch Therapies, including hot stone massage in one of four beautifully appointed massage rooms, equipped with special colored lighting for creating different mood settings
• Skin Prescription service of customized facial treatment in one of three cozy esthetic rooms. Two hydrotherapy rooms and a Vichy shower room offer the perfect serene settings for Water Cures therapies, while Body Remedies feature unique scrubs and wraps for detoxification. A private couple’s suite allows couples to experience their spa treatments together. The spa suite is the perfect space for a bridal shower or girlfriends’ getaway.
Meeting Facilities
• 9,000 square feet of meeting space including board and meeting rooms, large pre-function areas with floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking the courtyard’s fountains and lush seasonal plantings.
• The most modern luxury-hotel ballroom in the Westchester region. At 6,100 square feet, The Ritz-Carlton Ballroom is ideal for large corporate events and the area’s many upscale galas and weddings.
• An expansive culinary catering operation that supplements BLT steak, located directly adjacent to meeting space.
• High-technology meeting space features, from wireless Internet access to cable television in meeting rooms.
The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester and BLT Steak Reservations
Room reservations for The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester may be booked at www.ritzcarlton.com, by dialing 1-800-241-333 or through a travel professional. Group booking, spa appointment and event/catering inquiries may be directed to the hotel at 914-946-5500. BLT Steak reservations may be requested at the same number.
ABOUT THE RITZ-CARLTON COMPANY, L.L.C.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. of Chevy Chase, MD operates 70 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Over 30 projects are under development around the globe with future openings including Sanya; Beijing; and Denver. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award, which recognized outstanding customer service. For more information, contact The Ritz-Carlton toll free reservations line at 1 (800) 241-3333, visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com, or consult a travel professional.
