How do you describe the perfect getaway in just five words? Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay.
When you think of luxury hotels, a few brands spring to mind and the Ritz-Carlton is one of them. This hotel group is renowned for offering luxury accommodations and treating guests like royalty, and the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay is no exception to this generalisation of the Ritz brand. The mantra at this hotel is unapologetic splendour. Think five-star. Think award winning spa. Think luxury.
IDEA
A timeless oceanfront estate providing guests with a relaxed yet refined experience.
LOCATION
Positioned in splendid isolation on a scenic clifftop overlooking the gorgeous Pacific coastline, the location of the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay is truly gasp-worthy. Although it’s just half an hour away from San Francisco airport and close to the highway, it feels like you’ve been transported to a different world full of nature and far away from the hustle and bustle of the world.
Here, you can spend a whole day wandering aimlessly and happily along the bluff, sitting on the nearby beaches or quietly adsorbing the beauty of the Californian coastline that just seems to go on and on (we’re talking about miles and miles of endless rugged and stunning scenery). The location of this hotel is a place that is so beautiful and scenic that you can imagine it would be an inspirational setting for many a romantic novel. It’s a place of elemental power that can make human affairs seem insignificant.
SERVICE
As you would expect from a Ritz-Carlton hotel, the service here is top notch. The staff are attentive without being intrusive and receiving a glass of wine upon arrival is a very nice touch. Although the hotel is unabashedly luxurious and your stay here wont be cheap by an stretch of the imagination, one of the best things about the Ritz-Carlton is that you can indulge in as much or as little as you like during your stay.
For example, you have the option of gratifying yourself with the ultimate Ritz-Carlton experience which includes a luxurious guest room or suite on their renowned Club Level, where a dedicatate concierge team tends to your individual needs. Or you can enjoy a luxury spa treatment where many delightful services are available to you. Or you can simply let the healing power of the Northern California coastline takeover and relax with a good book in the comfort of your room – the choice is yours.
STYLE
The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay seems to have it all. Architectural presence, stunning panoramas, amazing restaurants, an award winning spa and impressive facilities, all wrapped up in a spectacular setting. The hotel itself is meant to evoke a classic Scottish seaside resort and with its elegant facade, perfectly maintained grounds and breathtakingly rugged surroundings, the property is certainly reminiscent of an old Scottish estate that radiates stately ambiance, but with the grand informality of a shingle-style build.
ROOMS
Spread across the main building and several adjacent guesthouses, the 261 rooms are light and airy, simply laid-out with a neutral palette and wooden furnishings. The beds are unsurprisingly sumptuously comfortable and hugged by Egyptian cotton sheets. The bathrooms scream relaxation with great big tubs that invite you to take a long soak and unwind in. There are lots of creature comforts in the rooms including a fully stocked mini bar with refrigerator, a tea/coffee maker and some rooms even have their own firepit. If you really want to treat yourself, book an oceanview room for “dramatic views of the wild Pacific.”
FACILITIES
The facilities that the hotel offers are considerable. You can enjoy the heated indoor pool, use the gym, take surfing lessons, go bike riding and experience the great Northern Californian coastline on a Segway tour. For any golfer, this hotel is paradise as it is surrounded by a beautiful golf course with highly manicured lawns.
TAKE A SPA-CATION
One very special facility that we couldn’t get enough of was the hotel’s award winning spa. It’s long been known that spa-going is extremely effective for relaxation, de-stressing and rejuvenating one’s body. However, with the beautiful setting of the hotel and its relaxing surroundings, it’s very easy to forget to make time to visit the spa at the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay. But doing so would be a mistake. A visit to this award winning spa might just be one of the best gifts you ever give yourself. With a range of treatments that cater for your body, mind and soul, separate ladies and gentlemen’s locker rooms with sauna and steam rooms, as well as the co-ed whirlpool area, this spa has it all and is not to be missed.
FOOD & DRINK
Have you ever dined in the hold of a ship? We can’t say we have either, but after dining at the Ritz-Carlton’s Navio restaurant it certainly feels like you have. Navio (the Portuguese for “ship”) is all about the sea. The room is designed to resemble the inside of an old seafaring vessel and is tastefully decorated with simple seafaring touches. With huge oceanfront windows, the view from the restaurant is simply stunning and the food, which highlights the purest flavours of the Pacific is equally as good.
Elsewhere on the property you can dine at The Conservatory Lounge which serves contemporary American light fare. If you’re interested in wine the ENO wine bar on the property makes you feel like you are in a Napa Tasting Room.
If you like to dine alfresco, it doesn’t get much better than The Ocean Terrace. One thing that you have to do during your stay here is to save some time in the evening to relax by the fire pits overlooking the ocean. It is a fantastic place to relax with a glass of wine and some light bites.
THOSE EXTRA TOUCHES…
When staying at any hotel, it’s those little extra touches that really matter and the Ritz-Carlton doesn’t disappoint. From the bagpipe sunset serenade (which is surprisingly romantic and easy on the ears) to the Hot Chocolate Bar which offers chocolate gratification that is instant and lavish, to the s’more kits and even to the blankets provided on the Ocean Lawn so you can cozy up underneath the stars in comfort, every detail at the Ritz-Carlton is considered to make your stay extra special.
NEARBY DELIGHTS
Apart from enjoying the beaches and scenic trail paths, there is much to in the surrounding areas of the Ritz-Carlton. A nearby winery that is very good is the Thomas Fogarty Winery. It’s about a 40 minute drive from the hotel and has beautiful grounds and the drive takes you past magnificent redwoods.
If it’s Redwoods you’re after, there is a nearby grove just a 15 minute drive away from the hotel called the Purisima Creek. It does gets chilly under the canopy of Redwood trees so take a jacket with you if you decide to visit.
There is local Half Moon Bay Main Street where you can walk around and check out the galleries and little shops and restaurants. Food wise, the PR lady at the Ritz-Carlton recommends The San Benito House (best sandwiches for lunch), It’s Italia (good wine selection, specialty pizzas and delicious bread), Pasta Moon (Contemporary Italian), Sushi Main Street (very cool ambiance and décor, tasty specialty rolls).
Last but not least when it’s low tide visit the local tide pools. It’s a great place to discover sea life and tiny sea creatures like crabs, starfish and anemones.
WHY GO
The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay creates unique and memorable experiences. It is undoubtedly one of the best hotels in Northern California and set in one of the most beautifully scenic places in America.
THE NITTY GRITTY
Address: 1 Miramontes Point Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019, United States
Phone:+1 650-712-7040
IDEAL stayed as a guest of the Ritz Carlton
