Ritz Carlton Amelia Island | upgrade at booking

the beach on Amelia Island, FL

Amelia Island is a beach community in northern Florida with a real southern flavor. Locals will park their pickups right on the beach and bring their coolers and fishing poles for a day of fun and relaxation... and I love the sight of Spanish moss hanging off the trees.

A few degrees cooler than Miami Beach and Naples, that can be an advantage if you're thinking ahead to your Spring and Summer beach vacation. Or come to Amelia Island right now to enjoy bargain rates and a break from the harsh winter storm now dumping feet of snow on the Northeast.

You can get upgraded at the time of booking at the Ritz Carlton Amelia Island for any 2013 reservations until December 30th. Just book through your Virtuoso travel consultant by February 28th. You'll get your confirmed upgrade immediately (if the upgraded room is available), and you'll also receive exclusive Virtuoso amenities throughout your stay:

• complimentary Full Breakfast for two
• $100 spa credit

This upgrade-at-booking is combinable with any available packages, including the Treat You Package during Spring Break which includes fourth night free on the Club Level, Club access, free valet parking, and free wireless internet. Just drop me an email for full details.

Ritz Carlton Amelia Island (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2013 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Ritz-Carlton's new Asprey amenities

This is a scoop, and you read it here first! I have learned that Ritz-Carlton will soon be providing Asprey "Purple Water" amenities for guests in all their hotels and resorts. Asprey will replace Bulgari, which many properties are now using. Modeling in this shot (from left to right) are Asprey shampoo, conditioner, soap, shower gel, and body lotion.

Posing behind the lovely Asprey models is one wing of the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island resort, resplendent in the early morning sun. We are staying in an beautiful and spacious one bedroom suite with a large terrace. The room is decorated in a casual but elegant Florida coastal style. The bathroom is also large with a large soaking tub, immense shower, two vanities, and WC. This morning, we plan to walk the beach!

Ritz Carlton Amelia Island (search here on Google) 

copyright (c) 2013 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Florida beach vacation

sand dunes at Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island

I'm headed to Amelia Island on Thursday for a Florida beach vacation. First stop, a three day weekend event at the Ritz Carlton Amelia Island. The weekend will mark the 10th Anniversary of the Ritz-Carlton STARS program, an exclusive preferred partner program for Ritz-Carlton's biggest producers. STARS clients receive exclusive amenities at every Ritz-Carlton in the world, added perks that make the resort an even better value. I'll get my first chance to experience the resort, its restaurants, and its many activities. I've signed up for a "Death by Chocolate Workshop" on Saturday afternoon, followed by the Gala Dinner on Saturday night.

Then on to Palm Beach for two more evenings in the slightly warmer climate of south Florida. I'll be spending two evenings at the Four Seasons Palm Beach and will do a site inspection of the Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach as well. I've previously stayed at the third Virtuoso resort in Palm Beach, The Breakers.

Be watching for my site inspections here and on FlyerTalk.

Florida beach vacation (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2013 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Ritz Carlton Amelia Island | amazing service story

What is the mark of a luxury hotel? It's more than creature comforts — the beauty of the setting, the comfort of the room, and the elegance of the furnishings. It's the atmosphere of hospitality and the culture of service.

Here is a heart warming story, told by a guest at the Ritz Carlton Amelia Island, about the amazing way the hotel sprang into action after his son left his Joshie the Giraffe blanket behind after their family beach vacation on Amelia Island. I am touched by the human touch shown by the staff of this resort. It's a four minute video but worth watching!

Ritz Carlton Amelia Island is a Virtuoso hotel, and these added-value Virtuoso amenities help make your luxury vacation affordable. Just book through your Virtuoso travel consultant, and you'll get:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily continental breakfast for up to two in-room guests, in restaurant or via room service 
• $100 Spa credit once during stay 
• Complimentary valet parking for duration of stay

Ritz Carlton Amelia Island (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2012 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website. .