Ritz Carlton Dana Point

Are the oceanfront bluffs of Dana Point less peaceful and unspoiled these days? The Ritz-Carlton resort, perched atop those bluffs, has been dropped from the list of top 20 resort hotels published annually by Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report, which bills itself as "a connoisseur's worldwide guide to peaceful and unspoiled places." The Ritz, which fell from No. 15 to No. 38, had been in the top 20 since 1987, according to the newsletter release recently.

For the ultimate two-night fantasy at the seaside Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point, better bring cash and credit cards. Creating what appears to be the most expensive promotion ever in the resort industry, the Ritz is offering a weekend stay for three couples--at $500,000.

The City Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday to consider an appeal by residents to revoke a permit allowing the Ritz-Carlton hotel to hold tent parties on the grassy plateau adjacent to the hotel. Residents object to noise levels created by the parties and are also opposed to the construction of a banquet hall facility that would eventually replace the tent. The council meets at 6:30 p.m. in chambers, 33282 Street of the Golden Lantern, Suite 203.

Orange County has for years been one of the nation's top vacation destinations. Then in 1991, the Persian Gulf War, recession and cool summer temperatures combined to zap occupancy at the county's major hotels. The luxurious Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point has felt the chill too. General Manager Henry E. Schielein, who joined the Ritz in 1986, has shaved expenses, cut employee hours and taken other steps to try to cope with the downturn.

The napkin gets tucked under the collar, mes amis, not folded in the lap, because this is serious eating . You can't be sozzled and sit at this table, either, and if you haven't finished your wine course by the time the corresponding food course is finished, too bad. Off with the wine. And absolutely no smoking until the cigars and the cognac come out. No talk of business or personal affairs, politics or religion. No networking, no schmoozing.

The City Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday to consider an appeal by residents to revoke a permit allowing the Ritz-Carlton hotel to hold tent parties on the grassy plateau adjacent to the hotel. Residents object to noise levels created by the parties and are also opposed to the construction of a banquet hall facility that would eventually replace the tent. The council meets at 6:30 p.m. in chambers, 33282 Street of the Golden Lantern, Suite 203.

The world's most romantic hotel looks out upon Catalina sunsets from the bluffs of Dana Point, a survey of Gourmet magazine's tasteful readers has found. They bestowed the honor on the Ritz-Carlton, a Mediterranean-style luxury hotel with sweeping coastal views and unusual options for the romantically inclined.

California's ban on smoking in most public places didn't extinguish the recent 10th annual Gentleman's Smoker at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Dana Point. The tuxedoed cigar enthusiasts just wafted outside, around the main pool at the resort hotel, where they puffed their way through an eight-course meal to the strains of a string quartet. Participants included Tom Wilson, celebrating his election to a first full term as an Orange County supervisor.

The world's most romantic hotel looks out upon Catalina sunsets from the bluffs of Dana Point, a survey of Gourmet magazine's tasteful readers has found. They bestowed the honor on the Ritz-Carlton, a Mediterranean-style luxury hotel with sweeping coastal views and unusual options for the romantically inclined.

California's ban on smoking in most public places didn't extinguish the recent 10th annual Gentleman's Smoker at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Dana Point. The tuxedoed cigar enthusiasts just wafted outside, around the main pool at the resort hotel, where they puffed their way through an eight-course meal to the strains of a string quartet. Participants included Tom Wilson, celebrating his election to a first full term as an Orange County supervisor.

Spring hath sprung. Splurge! The Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point stages a Flower and Herb Garden Tour of its sumptuous grounds that includes a three-course lunch in the Terrace restaurant. (Try identifying those flowers in your food!) MORNING, 1 The tour and lunch is $35 all-inclusive. Helpful hint for budget-busters: Bring about $3 in quarters for the parking meters at the Salt Creek Beach Park lot (opposite the Ritz-Carlton), and you can forgo the hotel's $9 valet fee.

For the ultimate two-night fantasy at the seaside Ritz-Carlton, better bring cash and credit cards. Creating what appears to be the most expensive promotion ever offered by the resort industry, the Ritz is offering a weekend stay for three couples--at $500,000.

For the ultimate two-night fantasy at the seaside Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point, better bring cash and credit cards. Creating what appears to be the most expensive promotion ever in the resort industry, the Ritz is offering a weekend stay for three couples--at $500,000.

The popular Ritz-Carlton hotel in Dana Point is quietly being peddled by owner Prudential Insurance Co. of America, which is betting that this will be a good year for commercial real estate. The asking price is "not public," said Peter C. Krause, a New York investment banker who is handling the sale for Prudential. A spokesman for the insurance company Thursday would not comment on the property. "The company has put this up for sale very quietly," said Donald W.

Whale of a Package: The Ritz-Carlton hotel in Dana Point, in hopes of taking advantage of its seaside location, is offering a whale-watching package. At $199 Sunday through Thursday and $259 on weekends, it includes a room and two tickets for a whale-watching boat excursion from nearby Dana Point harbor. Each participant also gets a free Ritz-Carlton sun visor and a free newspaper.

The popular Ritz-Carlton hotel is quietly being peddled by owner Prudential Insurance Co. of America, which is betting that this will be a good year for commercial real estate. The asking price is "not public," said Peter C. Krause, a New York investment banker who is handling the sale for Prudential. A spokesman for the insurance company Thursday would not comment on the Dana Point property. "The company has put this up for sale very quietly," said Donald W.

About 75 cigar aficionados in tuxedos celebrated their political incorrectness this week at the 7th Annual Gentlemen's Smoker at the Ritz-Carlton hotel. Women in black evening gowns circulated among the guests carrying silver trays heaped with hand-rolled cigars. The seven-course dinner, at which some participants puffed as they dined, featured petite torte of squab, mushroom and oxtail consomme, venison chop, braised vegetables with huckleberry sauce and citrus peppered goat cheese.