The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

WARM UP WITH WINTER “HOT” DATES AND SIZZLING RATES
AT THE RITZ-CARLTON, LAGUNA NIGUEL

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel offers winter hot dates with rates that sizzle for group bookings at the ocean-front resort. Hot dates include February 1 through 5, February 10 through 13, March 14 to 17, March 21 to 24 and March 23 through 25. Sizzling rates start at $229 per night.

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel’s environment with ocean front meeting space allows guests to be refreshed, renewed and rejuvenated encouraging participants to be more engaged, more thoughtful and more productive. Additionally, a meeting at the resort allows planners to feel confident that attendees will receive unparalleled personalized service from the highly trained Ladies and Gentlemen, including a superior culinary team, onsite pastry chef and meetings and special event professionals. The magnificent location of the resort atop a 150 foot bluff provides some of the most memorable views of the famous coastal California Riviera.

Hot dates are available to groups utilizing 10 or more guest rooms at the ocean-front resort. These dates are not applicable to groups already confirmed at the resort and rates are based on availability and subject to change without notice.

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel offers nearly 30,000 square feet of meeting, conference and banquet function space. With eighteen unique meeting rooms, the resort can accommodate gatherings ranging in size from seven to 700. The Pacific Promenade is a stand-alone ballroom that offers guests sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and 5,400 square feet of unobstructed space. The resort’s indoor meeting space is complemented by 18 acres of outdoor garden courtyards, pool terraces, oceanfront lawns and two miles of sandy beach.

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel premiered as the first luxury resort along coastal Orange County in August 1984. Today, the resort is a re-imagined surfside retreat that awakens guests’ senses with its unique ocean-front setting and remarkable service heritage. The resort has been the recipient of many awards over the years, but is proud to boast earning AAA Five Diamond status for the 27th year, the longest in California. The resort offers many extraordinary luxury experiences including Raya, 180blũ, The Market Place, Eno, Bar Raya, The Spa and Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment. The resort is the premiere destination for travelers who desire a playful approach to Southern California luxury. For more information or reservations call 800-241-3333, the hotel directly at 949-240-2000, a travel professional or visit the web site at www.ritzcarlton.com/lagunameetings.

Are you an Ambassador?

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel and Jean -Michel Cousteau partner to bring you eco-adventures that promise to open your eyes to Southern California’s unique ecosystems, and open your heart to their connection to the larger global systems. Led by expert naturalists, choose from 15 different excursions, dedicated to showcasing Southern California’s natural wonders. Throughout these unique California eco-tours, our Southern California surroundings become a natural classroom and living laboratory in which adults, families and kids learn while having so much fun, they’ll never imagine these Laguna activities are educational.

Through exploration and active study, Ambassadors have meaningful experiences that imbue them with a deep appreciation and respect for nature, as well as an understanding of how to live more environmentally responsibly back home. At the heart of these Laguna Niguel activities are four principles: everything is connected; there is no waste in nature; everything runs on energy; and biodiversity is good.

Through customized program for your group attendees, adult adventures are a discovery experience that will transform the way you appreciate and value the planet that sustains us and provide a platform for a unique team building activity for your group. These captivating and educational journeys bring individuals in touch with our ocean, our planet and ourselves.

How does Ambassadors of the Environment make a connection with your Group?

It is now becoming apparent that the business of nature and the business of human societies have much in common. A careful look at ocean ecosystems reveals that our more important institutions and enterprises already exist in the sea. An investigation into the business of nature and humanity will reveal delightful insights and maybe even some lessons for us who are looking to create more sustainable societies.

For example, kelp beds and coral reefs are like cities under the sea with large structures (kelp plants or coral colonies), which provide a place for thousands to millions of residents to live. These buildings are quite special. They run totally on solar energy, waste is recycled and used to produce food, there is no pollution or toxic waste and they repair and replace themselves when required. These are good models indeed for human communities of the future.

Below we examine in more detail key businesses and their counterparts in the sea. Activities in which groups can participate will be both field excursions and AV presentations. Staff on site will customize and suggest specific adventures/excursions that will be meaningful to your group and that will provide you a rewarding adventure as many vary from season to season.

Financial
Capitalism and nature have a lot in common. Innovate, in nature species adapt and evolve into new species and in human economies we create new goods and services. In both systems there is competition where the most fit survive. In nature, individual organisms and species compete for food, space or mates and thrive or die. In our world businesses compete and succeed or fail according to market selection. Energy is the currency of nature. It is saved, invested, used and either managed wisely or poorly.

Insurance
Biodiversity is insurance in nature. A variety of species each doing its own job insures that the work necessary to keep the community running is taking place. We diversify our investments because we cannot predict the future. Nature does the same thing by having different species that have overlapping functions. Protecting nature and our investments by diversification is insurance against an unpredictable future.

Advertising, Marketing, Publicity and Communication
In society communication with the goal of selling a commodity or service is often reduced to condensed, highly visible messages. This is especially true in advertising, where simple visual symbols are designed to catch the eye and convey a clear and unmistakable message. Advertising, marketing, publicity and related communication were first invented by nature. Color, songs, decoration, perfumes and more are used by ocean creatures to convey important messages and sell their goods or services. There is even false advertising in the sea.

Information Storage and Retrieval
Information is necessary in any system, human or nature, to keep it running in good order. This information, about how to maintain a healthy business or ecosystem, needs to be kept secure, accessible and easily understood. We invented story telling, then writing/printing, and now computers to manage our data. Nature has also found wonderful solutions to data management, storage, retrieval and security. Stored in the genes of snails, crabs and whales is all of the information needed to make a new one and repair an existing one, along with detailed instructions on how to behave, find food and stay alive.

Medicine
When ill we go to a doctor to be cured. We visit an office where the doctor works and generally wait to be seen. After being treated we pay and then go about our lives, feeling better. In the ocean there are cleaner fish that remove parasites from their hosts. These fishy doctors have an “office” or place where patients know to come and be treated. They usually wait to be treated. Payment to these doctors is in the form of food since they eat what they remove from their patients.

Pharmaceutical Industry
Humans use chemicals to help restore and maintain health. In many cases our pharmaceuticals are “stolen” from plants and animals that originally created these sophisticated chemicals for their own use. Many marine creatures also steal chemicals from other organisms for protection. Some snails, called nudibranchs, don’t make a protective shell and instead use the chemicals from sponges they eat to protect them from predators. We are now prospecting the sea for new drugs and making many exciting discoveries.

To customize your group excursion today, please call Lyn Evins, Director of Ambassadors of the Environment at 949-240-2000 extension 5839 or via email at Lyn.Evins@ritzcarlton.com.

As part of Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel has partnered with ValleyCrest Landscape Companies to create an Outdoor Learning Center. The Center highlights a variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs, as well as a Green House and life-size game board.

“It was a natural fit to partner with ValleyCrest for our Outdoor Learning Center,” says Ritz-Carlton, General Manager Bruce Brainerd. “ValleyCrest shares our desire to become advocates of protecting and preserving the planet for future generations and, just like The Ritz-Carlton, part of their mission is to embrace environmental stewardship,” he added.

The organic garden features California pepper trees and fruits trees including lemon, orange, grapefruit, plum, peach, loquat and fig. Various lettuces, tomatoes, red and yellow peppers, squash, and watermelons are all planted in raised beds. Rosemary, thyme, basil, parsley, mint and chives are also highlighted in the garden. Native plants, such as Evergreen Currant, Douglas Iris, Chalk Dudleya, Coral Bells and California Wild Lilac, have been incorporated into the garden and grow beside plants that were used many years ago by the Native Americans that lived in the region. These native plants include White Sage, Cleveland Sage, California Sagebrush, Lemonade Sumac, Creeping Manzanita, Spiny Rush and Deergrass. As the fruits, vegetables and herbs mature, they will be incorporated into the menus in Raya, the resort’s new restaurant concept by Chef Richard Sandoval.

The greenhouse showcases the growth of native species of plants as well as organic, healthy vegetables that are used in the organic cooking activity, Ambassadors in the Kitchen. Participants discover that organic gardening can be easy and fun, and it yields produce that is the most local that you can get. The greenhouse also serves as a perfect example of how the “greenhouse effect” works, and how it relates to our global climate and the interconnections between human action and the preservation of our environment. Rain gutters on the Greenhouse collect moisture that is used to irrigate the garden and an underground cistern collects runoff that is used in the greenhouse and the garden. On the complimentary Garden Tour, guests have the opportunity to explore the garden and learn about the greenhouse.

The Outdoor Learning Center is incorporated into several of the Ambassadors of the Environment eco-excursions. Gardening Gurus allows guests to discover the real story about organic gardening, composting, and the wonderful world of plants. A Vegetation Vacation starts with a hike in the Dana Point Preserve where guests discover the native plants and animals of the Dana Point coastal region. Upon returning to the resort, guests enjoy a gardening experience in the organic garden. Ambassadors in the Kitchen offers a tour the organic garden where guests learn about the benefits of sustainable gardening and eating organic foods. Then they don their chef hat and learn about cooking with organic ingredients.

The Center’s life-size game board is a fun and interactive way to teach guests about sustainable living. The game is divided into nine sections – energy, water, biodiversity, food, waste, toxic waste, transportation, homes and buildings, and being an Ambassador of the Environment. Guests are the game pieces and they roll giant die to move forward. They read questions from the Sustainable Living cards and if they answer correctly, they advance in the game. At the conclusion of the game, participants discuss what they learned and talk about each section and how it relates to their life and sustainable living.

“ValleyCrest is proud to support efforts to protect and improve the environment through innovative organic gardens and sustainable landscape programs such as what The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel has created,” said Roger Zino, president of ValleyCrest Landscape Maintenance, which has taken care of the property’s landscape needs since 1997. “These eco-conscious efforts showcase fun and relevant ways to educate guests and incorporate more sustainable practices into their travel experiences.”

About Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment
Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment, which includes an environmental and cultural education center with excursions led by expert naturalists, is designed to give guests of all ages the most fun and enriching experience possible in nature. This is achieved through excursions, games, multimedia presentations, discussions and activities. The natural wonders of Southern California make it a natural classroom and living laboratory where kids, families and adults can learn and grow during a fun, interactive activity. Guests will develop a deep appreciation for the wonders of nature, an understanding of how coastal ecosystems function, the value of culture, why it is important to be environmentally aware and what each of us can do when we return home to help protect and preserve our planet.

About ValleyCrest Landscape Companies
ValleyCrest’s essential purpose is to expand and enhance the presence of plants and trees in the world, and those endeavors inextricably link ValleyCrest to the ongoing process of creating a more sustainable planet. Environmentally responsible landscapes – ones that protect, support and safeguard our natural resources – are the intrinsic result of their efforts to continually innovate and educate through the array of design, development and maintenance services. Founded in 1949, ValleyCrest is the nation’s largest integrated landscape services company with annual revenue of nearly $940 million, 10,000 employees and more than 100 locations nationwide. For more information about ValleyCrest, please visit www.valleycrest.com.

About The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Situated atop a 150-foot bluff in picturesque Dana Point, California, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel has catered to the world’s most discriminating guests for more than 25 years. Whether guests are looking to get away for a second honeymoon, try surfing for the first time, or just relax on the beach, this seaside retreat boasts luxuriously appointed guestrooms, casual and upscale dining options, a recently renovated spa and access to several local golf courses. With nearly 400 rooms and oceanfront views, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel offers guests refined elegance, a graceful atmosphere and impeccable oceanfront service.

Consistently ranked among the best resorts in the world, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel offers a variety of recreational activities, award-winning dining and personalized service. For more information or reservations call 800/241-3333, the hotel directly at 949/240-2000, a travel professional or visit The Ritz-Carlton website at www.ritzcarlton.com/laguna.

In celebration of the giving season, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel is collecting canned goods, non-perishable food items, toys, books and stuffed animals to be donated to local Orange County charities. In return, the resort will give guests the gift of an Anniversary Card that provides fifteen percent off in the resort's restaurants, spa and retail shops, as well as complimentary day valet parking.

The season kicks off with the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting on Sunday, November 21 at 4 p.m. KTTV-TV FOX11 Anchor Carlos Amezcua will assist the resort's General Manager Bruce Brainerd with turning on the tree lights. The Jeeps Band will perform as Santa Claus arrives in a red Woody. Guests will also be invited inside The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel to enjoy the resort's holiday decorations, which includes a Holiday Gingerbread Woody Car.

At the Thanks-for-Giving Buffet on Thursday, November 25 and the Christmas Day Buffet on Saturday, December 25, canned goods and non-perishable items are being and all items will be donated to the Orange County Rescue Mission. The OC Rescue Mission serves the least, the last, and the lost of Orange County and has programs designed to give comprehensive services that move homeless men, women, and children to self-sufficiency.

Children's books and toys are being collected at the Holiday Tree Lighting on Sunday, November 21 and at Holiday Story Telling, which will be held Fridays and Saturdays from December 3 to December 18. All toys and books collected will go to Miracles for Kids whose mission is to improve the lives of children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

Guests are asked to bring a new teddy bear when they attend Teddy Bear Tea, Sunday, December 5, 12 and 19. Children's Hospital of Orange County relies on community support to provide leading-edge care for infants, children and adolescents close to home and is the recipient of all of the stuffed animals that are collected.

The Third Annual Surfboard Auction runs from Saturday, November 20 through December 31 and proceeds go to Surfers Healing, an organization that seeks to enrich the lives of children with autism by exposing them to the unique experience of surfing. Surfers Healing is also the beneficiary of the Surfing Santa Competition to be held at Salt Creek on Saturday, November 20.

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel has also partnered with Getaway to Give to provide both travelers with a new way to give back to their communities. When guests reserve the Getaway to Give package, they enjoy a two-night stay with breakfast for two each morning, and 10 percent of the room rate will be donated to the four sponsored charities, including Lupus LA, Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire, Oceana and Special Olympics Southern California.

The Season of Giving is part of The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel's Community Footprints program that was created to encourage leadership in volunteerism, fundraising, product donations and mentoring programs at a local level. No project is considered too large or too small. Dedicated Ritz-Carlton Ladies and Gentlemen provide a wide range of support and services to their community, including fund-raising for local charities, reading to the blind, preparing and serving lunches at homeless shelters, donating books to schools and volunteering at food banks. The Ritz-Carlton Community Footprints stresses that the most important resource is not always money, but time.

Located halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel is one of Southern California's most luxurious and exciting hideaways. For more information or reservations call 800-241-3333, the hotel directly at 949-240-2000, a travel professional or visit the web site at [url]www.ritzcarlton.com/lagunaevents[/url].

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The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel introduces Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment, which includes an environmental and cultural education center with excursions led by expert naturalists. Ambassadors of the Environment officially launches at the ocean front resort on Earth Day, April 22, 2010.

"The launch of Ambassadors of the Environment demonstrates our strong commitment to our community and our planet," said General Manager Bruce Brainerd. "The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel will be the first luxury resort in the continental United States to offer a comprehensive program that provides guests the opportunity to become advocates of protecting and preserving the planet for future generations through social responsibility and stewardship," he added.

Ambassadors of the Environment is designed to give guests of all ages the most fun and enriching experience possible in nature. This is achieved through excursions, games, multimedia presentations, discussions and activities. The natural wonders of Southern California make it a natural classroom and living laboratory where kids, families and adults can learn and grow during a fun, interactive activity.

Guests will develop a deep appreciation for the wonders of nature, an understanding of how coastal ecosystems (marine and terrestrial) function, the value of culture, why it is important to be environmentally aware and what each of us can do when we return home to help protect and preserve our planet. A fundamental theme running through the program is everything - land and sea, humans and nature, people and other people, and the past, present and future - is connected.

Each day will be dedicated to different aspects of Southern California's natural wonders - kelp beds, the intertidal zone, the sandy beach, terrestrial ecology, native culture, sustainable living and becoming an Ambassador of the Environment.

"We want the guest's experience to continue even after they have departed the resort," said Brainerd. "As an Ambassador, every participant will take with them a piece of their experience to share with others. All Ambassadors of the Environment participants also become a member of Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society and are encouraged to visit the Ambassadors of the Environment website for more information about his adventures. The website offers guidance for sustainable living and educational resources for Ambassadors and their families," added Brainerd.

According to Jean-Michel Cousteau, "We expect everyone, by learning more about our natural world and their places within it, to return to their communities as environmental stewards - ambassadors of the environment."

Ambassadors of the Environment is part of an agreement between The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., and renowned diplomat for the environment, Jean-Michel Cousteau and his Ocean Futures Society to develop Ambassadors of the Environment programs in select Ritz-Carlton locations worldwide. The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel's program follows the successful launch of programs at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua and The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.

About Ocean Futures Society
Ocean Futures Society (OFS) is a non-profit organization with the motto, "Protect the ocean and you protect yourself." The mission of OFS is to explore our global ocean, inspiring and educating people throughout the world to act responsibly for its protection, documenting the critical connection between humanity and nature, and celebrating the ocean's vital importance to the survival of all life on our planet. OFS is based in Santa Barbara, CA, USA with offices in Paris, France; Lucca, Italy; and So Paulo, Brazil. For more information, visit [url]www.oceanfutures.org[/url].

About The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Situated atop a 150-foot bluff in picturesque Dana Point, California, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel has catered to the world's most discriminating guests for more than 25 years. Whether guests are looking to get away for a second honeymoon, try surfing for the first time, or just relax on the beach, this seaside retreat boasts luxuriously appointed guestrooms, casual and upscale dining options, a recently renovated spa and access to several local golf courses. With nearly 400 rooms and oceanfront views, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel offers guests refined elegance, a graceful atmosphere and impeccable oceanfront service.

Consistently ranked among the best resorts in the world, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel offers a variety of recreational activities, award-winning dining and personalized service. For more information or reservations call 800/241-3333, the hotel directly at 949/240-2000, a travel professional or visit The Ritz-Carlton website at [url]www.ritzcarlton.com[/url].

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Give Back Getaway Program Offers Travelers the Opportunity to Make a Difference

This summer, guests at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel may volunteer their time to improve and assist the local community where they are vacationing. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, guests staying at the oceanfront resort can spend the day sport fishing. Any fish that are caught are cleaned and donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.

Fishing for Second Harvest is offered daily between May 31 and September 6, 2010. The excursion is operated by Dana Wharf Sportfishing and includes live bait and frozen squid, conventional rod rental with tackle pack, one-day California State License, and a food voucher to be used on board the boat. The cost is $70 per adult and $50 per child (3 to 12).

Give Back Getaways is an opportunity for Ritz-Carlton guests to volunteer under Community Footprints, The Ritz-Carlton social and environmental responsibility program. Many Ritz-Carlton guests are active volunteers in worthwhile activities at home and also have an interest in becoming more involved in the region where they are spending their vacation. The Give Back Getaway is a unique way for the resort to partner with guests to provide an experience both memorable and personally enriching.

About Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County
The Second Harvest Food Bank is dedicated to alleviating hunger, developing programs to increase awareness of the hunger problem and providing an opportunity for volunteerism and community involvement. The primary work of the Food Bank is acquiring and distributing donated and surplus food. Food sources include local grocery stores and supermarket chains, food manufacturers and distributors, the government, restaurants, trade shows, gleaning efforts, food drives and private individuals. Each dollar donated provides about $12 worth of food to the hungry in our community.

About Dana Wharf Sportfishing
At Dana Wharf Sportfishing, the crew is an experienced, family-oriented crew who are there to make the fishing experience as enjoyable and educational as possible - every skill and experience level is welcome, from first timers to seasoned fisherman. The thriving coastal waters provide bountiful fishing of Sand Bass, Calico Bass, Halibut, Bonito, Yellowtail, Yellowfin Tuna, Bluefin Tuna, Albacore, and Dorado.

About The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Consistently ranked among the best resorts in the world, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel is located halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego and sits on a 150-foot bluff with panoramic white-water views of the Pacific Ocean. The dramatic and elegant resort and offers luxurious guestrooms that indulge guests with stylish comfort and an array of pampering amenities including 42-inch flat screen plasma televisions and DVD players. The resort offers the finest dining opportunities including Restaurant 162', which provides magnificent ocean views, and ENO, a unique wine, cheese and chocolate tasting room. For refreshment and relaxation, guest can enjoy The Ritz-Carlton Spa, the ocean front fitness center, two heated pools and two outdoor whirlpools. Adjacent to the resort is an 18-hole golf course and two miles of sandy beach. For more information or reservations call 800-241-3333, the hotel directly at 949-240-2000, a travel professional or visit the web site at [url]www.ritzcarlton.com[/url].

[url]http://www.elitemeetings.com/property/the-ritz-carlton-laguna-niguel/[/url]

Celebrate The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel's 25th Anniversary with a Silver Facial in The Spa. Guests are invited to celebrate the resort's Silver Anniversary with the newest treatment in The Spa, a Silver Facial. The luxurious facial is designed for all skin types. It cleanses, tones and exfoliates for softer and smoother skin. The Silver Mask regulates skin temperature, provides natural cooling, improves blood circulation and imparts a luminating glow to the skin. The facial is $195 for 60 minutes or $265 for 90 minutes.

"We are excited about the resort's Silver Anniversary and are thrilled to be able to offer this unique facial as a way to celebrate," says Spa Director Amelia Winfrey. "Like all of our therapies, the Silver Facial is designed to nurture the body and mind and provide a return to balance."

Guests hoping to unwind can escape to a gentler pace at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Laguna Niguel, where the constant presence of the ocean inspires renewal. All 12 treatment rooms in the spa are bathed in soft hues of aqua and beige, including an oversized treatment room which is perfect for couples' massages as well as bridal parties. The oval-shaped fitness room, which offers high-style locker rooms, saunas, and top-of-the-line Precor and Icarian equipment, overlooks the ocean with "infinity views" of the Pacific through floor to ceiling windows. An outdoor gazebo also hosts early morning yoga and Pilates classes while the resort's concierge can organize hikes up and down the bluff.

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel is a coastal retreat dedicated to creating an unforgettable experience. From the koi pond to the exemplary culinary offerings at ENO and Restaurant 162' to the Adirondack chairs which dot the property, The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel's natural beauty provides the perfect backdrop for any occasion.

Consistently ranked among the best resorts in the world, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel offers a variety of recreational activities, award-winning dining and personalized service. Located halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, the resort sits on a 150-foot bluff with panoramic white-water views of the Pacific Ocean and two-miles of sandy beach. For more information or reservations call 800-241-3333, the hotel directly at 949-240-2000, a travel professional or visit The Ritz-Carlton web site at [url]www.ritzcarlton.com[/url].

[url]http://www.elitemeetings.com/property/the-ritz-carlton-laguna-niguel/[/url]

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You don't need to travel to the Caribbean or Mexico this summer to revitalize your mind, body and soul. Relief can be found by breaking away to The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel - the only beachfront resort in this quintessential Southern California resort town. The Break Away to the Beach Package starts at $379 per night.

The package includes:

* Overnight accommodations in a pool/garden view guestroom, ocean view guestroom or an executive suite (depending on availability)
* A Beach Pail welcome amenity
* A VIP Shopping Passport from South Coast Plaza
* A Silver Anniversary Card that provides 15 percent off in Restaurant 162', Eno, The Spa, Gift Shop, The Bar and The Dana Pool Café.

Situated atop a 150-foot bluff in picturesque Dana Point, California, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel has catered to the world's most discriminating guests for more than 20 years. Whether guests are looking to get away for a second honeymoon, try surfing for the first time, or just relax on the beach, this seaside retreat boasts luxuriously appointed guestrooms, casual and upscale dining options, a recently renovated spa and access to several local golf courses. With nearly 400 rooms and oceanfront views, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel offers guests refined elegance, a graceful atmosphere and impeccable oceanfront service.

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel prides itself on gracious hospitality and personal service throughout the resort, but harried travelers and vacationers desiring added value are guaranteed extra pampering while staying on The Ritz-Carlton Club. Guests often say the Club experience is like coming home to family. The personal relationships between the guest and Club staff are truly nurtured, with individual preferences provided and special occasions honored. Travelers can also enjoy one of the resort's specialty room such as a direct ocean view suite. The ocean view suite offers a separate bedroom and living room, as well as a dining area that seats up to six people. Guests who choose an ocean view suite enjoy the extra amenity of waking to the sounds of the surf crashing below and fresh ocean breezes flowing from the balcony.

The mild California climate invites guests to enjoy a variety of activities at the resort and surrounding area. Located on the property are four tennis courts with a full-time teaching professional; two heated swimming pools; two outdoor whirlpools and an ocean-front Fitness Center. Adjacent to the hotel is an 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. and two-miles of sandy beach.

Consistently ranked among the best resorts in the world, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel is located halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego and sits on a 150-foot bluff with panoramic white-water views of the Pacific Ocean and two-miles of sandy beach. For more information or reservations call 800-241-3333, the hotel directly at 949-240-2000, a travel professional or visit The Ritz-Carlton Web site at http://www.ritzcarlton.com/.

Top Brands Demonstrate Outstanding Service and Value across Varied Price Levels

TripAdvisor®, the world's largest travel community, today announced that the Ritz-Carlton brand took top-brand honors in TripAdvisor's seventh annual Travelers' Choice® Awards. In a separate announcement today, TripAdvisor released this year's entire Travelers' Choice Awards list, which is the biggest ever, with 443 hotels honored from among the 270,000+ hotels on TripAdvisor.

The Ritz-Carlton brand originated with the Ritz-Carlton in Boston and now includes properties across the globe with expansion into many markets planned for 2009.

"Ritz-Carlton is the highest rated brand on TripAdvisor, and continues to impress its guests as it sets the standard for excellence with its properties throughout the world," said Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor. "This top-ten list demonstrates that regardless of price level, travelers today seek out and reward brands that deliver outstanding service and value for the money."

Ten best brands for 2009:

* Ritz-Carlton
* Four Seasons
* Iberostar
* Sofitel
* Westin
* Hyatt
* Marriott
* Mandarin
* Hilton
* Meridien

Unlike any other hotel awards programs that survey perhaps thousands of people, TripAdvisor® Travelers' Choice® winners are based on the millions of real and unbiased reviews and opinions about hotels on tripadvisor.com™ and content from across the web.