filmdncr's Passport
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Send a ComplimentAbout Me & My Family
Three little girls run amuck in this house, so there are days when we just HAVE to get out and get going somewhere. We love zoos, parks, beaches, and traveling around to visit friends and family. We enjoy finding awesome deals for places that are kid friendly. Taking our three girls with us as we travel around the country is by far our most favorite thing to do.
Our Family's Travel Personality
adventurous, curious, relaxed, energetic, easy_going, artsy
We Just Got Back From
Mammoth Lakes!
Our Favorite Vacation Spot
San Francisco
A Place We'd Love To Visit
Vancouver
Favorite Vacation Memory
After a long day of sledding and climbing through the hills in Lake Tahoe, our family sat in front of the fireplace in our hotel and roasted marshmallows. The soft glow on my girl's faces, mixed with their hazy, tired eyes made the warmth of the fire mean so much more.
Worst Travel Moment With My Kids:
Not realizing how crowded the city bus would be with my girls in San Francisco!! We had to make 4 connections and fold and collapse the stroller at each stop. It was back-breaking, frustrating and a LONG DAY!
Websites I Like:
Romantic Getaways in Southern California
Need a kid-free break? These hotels have what it takes to host your kid-free weekend!
4375 Admiralty Way
Marina del Rey, California
reviewed on: March 27 2012
"Simply the Best!"
My family has stayed in quite a few luxury hotels, but never a Ritz-Carlton. When our room was booked to stay at the Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey, a good friend told me that in her opinion, the Ritz is the best place to stay. Ever. I started pondering how one five-diamond hotel could be different from another. Are the incredible sheets even softer? The rooms somehow cleaner? The service faster and more prepared? After my stay in Marina del Rey, now I understand what my friend was talking about.
What completely amazed me about the Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey was the service. From the moment we arrived I noticed that each attendant, each doorman, each concierge, each server, each bellhop, all were bent on our complete satisfaction. We were treated with an incredible amount of respect, addressed by numerous members of the staff by name, and were approached always with a warm smile and an attitude set to please. What surprised me the most, though, was how respectful everyone was to my children and the other children staying in the hotel. They were truly treated as ladies and gentlemen, no matter what their age. But as first class as the hotel truly is, we felt more comfortable and at ease than we have felt at many other luxury hotels. Often we feel as if our children might somehow be hindering the luxurious atmosphere of a hotel, but here, they seemed to encourage youth and fun. The concierge who greeted us at our arrival captivated our children with balloon animals and a scavenger hunt through the hotel for adorable prizes! Every time my kids walked through the lobby, someone greeted them by name and asked if they were enjoying their stay. I was so impressed. One evening, after returning from the pool, my girls found their names spelled out in foam letters above the bath tub! Little touches like this just can’t go unnoticed.
This might certainly be the understatement of the year, but the hotel itself is also amazing. The hotel is set up against Marina del Rey’s actual marina, one of the largest man-made of its kind in the world. Beautiful sail boats and yachts line the boardwalk outside the hotel. The lobby was beautifully designed and actually functions as a rotating art exhibit; while we were staying, it featured one of my long time favorite artists, Henry Mattise. The grounds were perfectly manicured with lush greenery and beautiful flowers. Two lighted tennis courts, a basketball court and one amazingly heated pool and spa are perfectly set for ultimate fun and relaxation. The pool and fitness center are open 24 hours, which is a huge plus for traveling families with kiddos anxious and excited about using pool facilities to their potential. The rooms are breathtaking. We were lucky enough to stay in an executive suite overlooking the marina below; from our balcony, we could watch sailboats begin their journey and see early morning kayakers begin their day on the ocean. My family really enjoyed watching the lively pelicans dive deep into the water to fish out their food. Once inside, we were surprised with a fruit plate and a beautiful and sweet work of edible art shaped like coral. The miniature reef was made of white chocolate and covered with chocolate “shell” candies sitting on a base of brown sugar “sand.” It took my girls quite a while to figure out why daddy would be eating coral, but once they did, they were hooked. The room itself was impeccably clean, beautifully furnished, well designed and thoroughly thought out. The drapes and linens were beautiful, the color palate mirroring the blue and yellow hues of the harbor below, and the comfort level was outstanding. The space felt sprawling and at one point, one of my girls told me that they couldn’t find the restroom! One of my favorite highlights was simply leaving the beautiful paned doors slightly open bringing cool ocean breezes right into our room as we peacefully slept in a purely amazing bed.
We enjoyed an upgrade to the club level access, which I highly recommend for families. Located on the 11th floor overlooking the city of Marina del Rey, the club lounge serves complimentary breakfast, lunch, appetizers and dessert at set times throughout the day. Even here, my children seemed more than welcome, something I can’t say about every club lounge I have been to. My youngest, who is severely allergic to dairy, was given a variety of different options in addition to the plated offerings to accommodate her needs. The servers engaged in conversations with not only us, but also with our children. As an entire family, we felt like valued patrons. In addition to offering food, the lounge offers a hosted bar in the evenings and beverages throughout the day. A full size espresso machine took care of my mocha addiction quite nicely! A lending library, recent magazines, two computers and a printer (which nicely offset the in-room internet charge) and even a candy bar were also in the lounge area for use from 6am-10pm daily.
If the club lounge isn’t in order, or if you are simply looking for more dining options, be sure to head to the jer-ne restaurant adjacent to the lobby. We had the pleasure of dining here while overlooking the marina and it was a fabulous meal. (You can read my full review of jer-ne restaurant here: http://www.trekaroo.com/restaurants/jer-ne-marina-del-rey-california)
Bottom Line: The Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey is truly one of the finest hotels I have ever stayed in. The hotel itself is luxurious, amazingly appointed and beautifully designed, but it is the welcoming above-and-beyond service that truly makes the Ritz memorable.
Disclosure: This review is based on a complimentary stay at the Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey. I received no other compensation besides the hotel stay and meal at jer-ne. The hotel did not state any requirements that I express a particular point of view. All opinions are my own.
9700 N Torrey Pines Road
La Jolla, California
