REAL Magazine

The Ritz-Carlton Members Club

Sophistication, Sarasota Style

By Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa

Long known for its distinct blend of culture, style and easy elegance, Sarasota offers residents and visitors an enviable lifestyle with a wealth of exciting amenities.  At The Ritz-Carlton Members Club, guests may enjoy unique experiences at the luxurious Spa Club, the relaxing Beach Club and the well-appointed Golf Club.  With unparalleled opportunities for recreation, relaxation and dining, the Member’s Club welcomes guests to take advantage of the luxury and comfort that only The Ritz-Carlton can provide.

The Privileges of Membership

For nearly a century, The Ritz-Carlton name has been steeped in sumptuousness; the most discriminating travelers around the world have booked their stays in anticipation of lavish, well-appointed accommodations and a wealth of ancillary amenities.  Today, Sarasota’s year ‘round and part-time residents have the enviable opportunity to integrate a sense of vacation into their daily life, to experience recreation and relaxation like never before.  Tailoring its membership options to the unique needs of its clientele, Sarasota’s Ritz-Carlton Members Club offers a number of options designed with flexibility and convenience in mind.

“One of our most popular options is the Sterling Membership, which allows our members to utilize our golf, beach and spa clubs any thirty days out of the year,” explains Membership Executive Leslie Cornell.  “We’re unique in offering this, but it makes sense for many individuals who don’t reside year ‘round in Sarasota.  With sixty- and ninety-day plans as well, we’ve made it easy for our members to enjoy the best of Sarasota at their convenience.”  Annual holiday galas, monthly wine dinners, and an exciting calendar of golf tournaments are just a sampling of the events hosted by The Ritz-Carlton Members Club, where there is no shortage of opportunities to network, mingle, and play.

“The Ritz-Carlton Members Club experienced many challenges and opportunities in 2009.  By positioning the Club in the market with strong strategic partnerships, we were able to grow business during this past year.  The Club continues to deliver memorable experiences and strengthen the mystique around The Ritz-Carlton Members Club,” notes Members Club Director Stephen Sowards.  “We made additional investments in the Club to enhance our members experience and promote long-term sustainable growth into the future.  We are very excited about our member programming for the upcoming season and look forward to an outstanding 2010.  The Ritz-Carlton Members Club is the best of Sarasota, where luxury and recreation combine to provide the ultimate in relaxation and recreation.”

The Members Beach Club: Enjoy the Gulf in Comfort and Style

At The Ritz-Carlton Members Beach Club, white sands and Sarasota’s colorful Gulf waters beckon beachgoers, who may choose to unwind in the comfort and quiet of their own private cabanas, generous beachside pavilions which are fully equipped with plush chaise lounges and attentive butler service.  The club features an ample Jacuzzi; a spacious, heated infinity-edge pool offering stunning ocean views and easy refreshment; and over 25,000 square feet of surrounding verandas designed to cultivate an atmosphere that is at once serene and elegant.  Frolicking on the beach is encouraged, and when little ones are present, the Ritz Kids program ensures that children are entertained in an environment that is as safe as it is fun.  With an indoor playground and outdoor recreation and supervision, kids of all ages will enjoy The Ritz-Carlton experience.

As sun-filled days slowly surrender to balmy nights, the Sunset Terrace is an idyllic venue to enjoy Sarasota after hours.  At over 4,000 square feet, the rooftop open-air patio offers guests enviable panoramic Gulf views and an elegant atmosphere for a wealth of special occasions and gatherings.  Beachside, members may enjoy a bonfire sunset celebration on Wednesdays through Saturdays, as they take in the watercolor evening skies that herald the arrival of stunning nighttime stargazing opportunities.

When it comes to refreshment, the award-winning Beach Club Grill offers an unparalleled dining experience.  From casual poolside and beachside fare to delectable Gulf Coast cuisine, the grill features spectacular Gulf-front views and indoor or outdoor terrace dining.  In 2004 the Beach Club Grill was honored to receive Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence.  The grill continues to delight palates and develop exciting culinary adventures.

The Members Golf Club: World-Class Conditions and Amenities

An award-winning course designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, the Members Golf Course features 315 acres of lush tropical terrain, carefully designed to provide players with a pure golf experience.  Designed by Tom Fazio, the course incorporates a series of elevations changes throughout its run, offering challenging holes as well as remarkable views of over 125 types of landscape and plant material.  The course is unfettered by surrounding houses, enabling players to enjoy uninterrupted views of 12 scenic lakes, stunning marsh and wetlands, and a proliferation of flowering shrubs and trees.  In addition to earning honors as one of Zagat Survey’s “America’s Top Golf Courses” in 2007/2008, the club was also featured as one of Golf Digest’s “Top 30 Places to Play in Florida” for 2009.  Director of Golf Operations Glen Murray notes that the club, which houses a nationally-recognized junior golf program, will host a junior’s golf tournament in 2010, sponsored by the American Junior Golf Association.

The Members Golf Course features an ample practice facility that houses one of the country’s largest two-tier driving facilities as well as teaching tees, putting greens and short game greens.  A staff of PGA professionals is available for individual or group instruction, as is a Golf Caddy Concierge, complete with traditional caddy services as well as information on course design, strategy, and food and beverage service. 

In 2009, Golf World rated the Member’s Golf Club Golf Shop as one of the “Top 25 Private Country Club Golf Shops in America.”  This, says Murray, may be due in part to the shop’s commitment to its variety and innovation in product sales.  “We like to provide our clients with custom-fit clubs,” he explains.  In addition to the well-appointed 1,100 square-foot retail shop, the Members Golf Club also features an elevated, full-service clubhouse with stunning views of holes 1, 9, 10 and 18.  An award-winning grill and lounge offers excellent gourmet fare including signature salads and sandwiches, along with an ideal setting to refresh and relax after a day on the fairways.

The Members Spa Club: Where Wellness Meets Luxury
 
At The Ritz-Carlton Members Spa Club, guests are privy to a state-of-the-art fitness center, rejuvenating spa and full-service salon, all designed with wellness in mind.  “Today’s spa goers are looking for more than just pampering,” observes Darlene Davidson, Director of Spa Services with The Ritz-Carlton.  “We are targeting the balance between mind, body and spirit, and have designed our Spa Club accordingly.”

The Wellness Center at the Members Spa Club features a range of cardiovascular equipment with personal flat-screen televisions, as well as free weights and a complete strength-training circuit.  In addition to fitness and wellness classes such as yoga and Pilates, the center also offers personal training and individualized nutrition programs.

The Members Spa Club offers guests a wealth of natural options for whole-body renewal and rejuvenation, many of them organic.  In addition to traditional spa products including facials, conventional and couples’ massages, and hydrotherapy, the center also offers innovative treatments such as exotic body wraps, detoxifying treatments and chakra-balancing massages.  The spa features a full menu of relaxing and pampering services designed specifically for mothers-to-be, and has incorporated a program for four-legged guests, as well.  Privileged Pup Pet Massage enables canines to enjoy in-room massages, while owners receive a hands-on lesson on how to care for their beloved companions.

At the Spa Boutique, guests may indulge in a variety of cosmeceutical products, homeopathic sprays, and other unique products and accessories.  With soothing views of a lush tropical garden, The Relaxation Terrace offers guests a tranquil setting for flavorful and healthy spa cuisine.

To complete the spa experience, The Salon at The Ritz-Carlton Members Spa Club offers an array of services including manicures and pedicures as well as hair styling and coloring.  Makeup artistry and a special teen program are also available, all created to keep guests looking and feeling their best.

In 2008 the Members Spa Club was named a Forbes “Four Star Spa,” an honor reserved for fewer than 50 spas throughout the country that year.  The Members Spa Club was also named among the top 25 World’s Best Spas by Travel + Leisure in 2007.

When Only The Best Will Do

The Ritz-Carlton Members Club is designed to please the most discriminating of guests, with world-class, award-winning amenities at every turn.  Corporate and individual membership categories enable guests to tailor their Members Club experience to their specific needs.  It’s the best of Sarasota, where luxury and recreation combine to provide the ultimate in relaxation and recreation.

The Ritz-Carlton Members Club
1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive
Sarasota, FL 34236
P 941.309.2608
F 941.309.2952
membersclub.sarasota@ritzcarlton.com
www.rcmcsarasota.com