The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage Opens this Week

At that time, guest check-ins, restaurant and spa operations will be inaugurated, and neighbors and members of the public may enjoy their first visits to the property's indoor/outdoor State Fare Bar & Kitchen.

The May 15 opening follows an extensive training period for the 297 employees of the resort, who have undergone weeks of orientation and training, followed by an intense ten-day pre-opening Countdown currently underway. During the famed Countdown process, The Ritz-Carlton Gold Standards, Service Values and Employee Promise are enlivened by nearly 100 top Ritz-Carlton corporate trainers and leaders who currently have assembled in Rancho Mirage from around the world. The Ritz-Carlton focus on guest service will dominate this pre-opening experience, and it is one reason why the luxury brand has twice received the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

Currently accepting overnight reservations, The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage offers the following highlights:

• By the numbers: 244 rooms including 16 suites (nearly all accommodations with California-room-style patios or terraces). 23 fire pits, three swimming pools, three restaurants, 30,000 square-feet of indoor/outdoor meeting/event space, located on a 650-foot bluff-top offering spectacular views. Property #86 for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC.

• The spacious and stylish State Fare Bar & Kitchen offers the best of California, serving farm, ranch and fishery items rarely available in a restaurant setting. Bar highlights include cocktails using boutique spirits from small-batch distilleries, and cask-conditioned and bottled carbonated libations hand-prepared in individual batches. Dining highlights are the State Fare Prime Burger with Fiscalini HopScotch Cheddar and Onion/Bacon Jam, Fresh Vegetable Spreads with Grilled Flatbread, coveted prime steaks and seafood, and à la carte Sunday Brunch.

• Air Pool Bar presents not only outdoor favorites but also poolside sushi. Cabana service is available. Swimming pool access is limited to registered guests and a select group of future Resort Members.

• The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Rancho Mirage offers signature experiences to include a Diamond Hydration Lifting Facial, the results-oriented HydraFacial, Quiro Golf Massage, Spirit of the Mountains body treatment for one or two, and coming this summer, outdoor Hammock Massages and a gentleman's Rat Pack Facial using black diamond dust. The spa occupies a free-standing two-story retreat featuring an outdoor terrace waterfall, cliff-top yoga/meditation mesa, and, indoors, dramatic white-on-white interior design with a foyer chandelier of 222 suspended quartz crystals. A complete Fitness Center features TechnoGym equipment, OMNIA workout circuitry, yoga, Pilates and one-on-one assisted stretching.

• Outstanding hiking is available directly from the perimeter of the hillside property, with guided morning nature walks available for guests. Special arrangements will provide preferred guest access to premier golf and tennis destinations in the area.

• The Ritz Kids program occupies a dedicated children's facility with its own movie theater. Offered in partnership with the Jean-Michel Cousteau Ocean Futures Society, Ritz Kids immerses young generations in the natural world and area cultures. The Ritz Kids center in Rancho Mirage presents an interactive learning environment, as well as unique explorations of the living desert.

• The resort offers stunning views of the Palm Springs Valley – the only such views available from Palm Springs-area hotel or resort. Design and construction pay homage to Southern California and its beautiful desert, with soft earth-toned hues, California stacked stone, limestone, woods and coppers highlighting the interiors, and mindful desert landscaping across its 23 unspoiled acres.

• In fall 2014, the resort will further celebrate its arrival, with the openings of The
Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge and The Edge steakhouse, the latter offering dramatic views from an exclusive new luxury dining setting.

For room reservations at The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage, visit https://www.ritzcarlton.com, call 800-241-3333 toll-free, or contact a travel professional. For resort information, visit the website at https://www.ritzcarlton.com/ranchomirage, and for dining and spa reservations, please call 760-321-8282.