The Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey has all the class and service that one would expect from the Ritz brand with an updated chic new look.  The Ritz had a several million-dollar face-lift. With redesigned guest rooms, a new spa, a state-of-the-art work out room, a luxurious lap pool, whirlpool and tennis courts, this Ritz has it all!  Only 5 miles from LAX the Ritz-Carlton’s convenient location is a favorite for business travelers and tourists alike. Located on one of the world’s largest marinas the views from all of the rooms are spectacular! Guests of the Ritz enjoy beach proximity as well as close freeway access to all Los Angeles attractions.

 

Upon checking in we enjoyed a refreshing watermelon/mint water and a fresh granny smith apple in the lobby. Once up in our room we were pleased that it overlooked the pool and had a fabulous view of the marina and the city. If you want to really spoil yourself enjoy one of the rooms on the Ritz-Carlton Club level.  The 11^th and 12^th floors offer exclusive services and amenities. There is a lounge with two workstation areas with high speed internet access and a printer, a library stocked with best sellers, a CD library for your in-room CD player and best of all, five food presentations a day. We ate breakfast in the lounge one morning. There were eggs, muffins, bagels, fruit, hot and cold cereals, juices- a full breakfast buffet right down the hallway! Coffee and tea was delivered to our room along with the daily newspaper. All the rooms are furnished with the most comfortable of featherbeds and down comforters, complete with Egyptian cotton bed linens, marble bathtubs with European bath essentials and big LCD or plasma screen televisions. Of course, DVD players and wireless Internet access are included in all the rooms.

 

One of our favorite treats about The Ritz Marina del Rey is their swimming pool.

Their large outdoor heated pool is located right on the cusp of the marina surrounded by swaying palm trees and lush landscaping complete with a babbling waterfall.  The pool is environmentally friendly with a saline purification system using only pure, natural salt from the ocean. No wonder we felt like we could stay in it all day! Secluded near a beautiful rose garden, the whirlpool is hot and seats many. This area of The Ritz is a nice waterfront escape from the hustle and bustle of LA.

 

The Ritz recently opened a Spa and the $4 million that they spent on it shows! It is decorated with a blue water theme and is an intimate oasis where guests and locals are luxuriously pampered.  The spa at The Ritz has all the amenities one could desire of a larger spa without the crowds. This spa blends the personalized service of The Ritz in an intimate setting amongst the most luxurious background, all just steps from the pool area. One could stay within the Ritz for a week without leaving and have everything he or she needs! Everyone is greeted by name at the Ritz making the guests feel extra special.  The spa’s indulgent skincare and massage treatments utilize product lines from Prada Beauty, Murad, Payaot and Mama Mio. There is a tranquil co-ed lounge for before and after treatments offering light snacks and teas, beautiful calming treatment rooms, two exquisite salons for manicures and pedicures, steam rooms and shower facilities, a couples suite for honeymoon massages and other treatments, even a poolside cabana for an outdoor spa experience.

 

We recommend the 60-minute deep tissue massage by Irena. Compared to hundreds of massages that we have had all around the world hers was one of the best. She really personalized the experience working on any problem areas. This massage is offered in 30, 60 and 90 minute sessions. We suggest 60 or 90 minutes to get the full effect. Some of the spa’s other signature treatments are warm stone massages, aromatherapy reflexology and couples massages. There are an assortment of wraps, scrubs, facials and manicures and pedicures. Make sure to experience a facial at the Ritz. The Glitz and Glam uses an exfoliant from sugar cane to purify your skin and special moisturizers to leave your skin fresh and rejuvenated. Facials include a lovely massage of one’s face, neck and chest and the therapists take extra care to make sure that their guests are satisfied.

 

Right off of the spa is the Ritz’ workout room. The room overlooks the pool and marina and has floor to ceiling windows all around making the facility bright and airy. It boasts state-of-the-art equipment, personal televisions at each cardiovascular station, free weights and circuit training machines-anything you would need for a full workout. A new addition to the Ritz is their YAS classes. YAS (Yoga and Spinning) is the latest hip workout founded by Kimberley Fowler, who has her own studio in Venice. The Ritz-Carlton now offers her YAS classes outside by the pool at 10am Saturdays and Sundays open to the public.  Utilizing upbeat music, the work out starts with 30 minutes of energetic spinning (stationary bicycling) and ends with calming and strength building yoga. All of this is experienced while poolside gazing up at the swaying palm trees and feeling the ocean breeze right off of the marina. What a great way to kick start your weekend!

 

Jer-ne Restaurant and Bar located off of the lobby is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant is elegant and stylish with custom-designed leather, wood and glass furnishings. Whether you are entertaining business clients, having a family meal or meeting friends for drinks by the fireplace, Jer-ne will accommodate! When the bread is good we always know the food will be good too. Well, this bread at Jer-ne was incredible.  We had to cut ourselves off! The California regional cuisine was fresh and created with local ingredients. To start the meal off we had the delicious heirloom tomato salad with burrata cheese, which is not to miss! Instead of deep-frying their calamari, as do many restaurants, the Ritz braises their calamari, which is another word for sautéing. The Ritz’ creative preparation was the most tender calamari that we have had in LA. For the main course we enjoyed the fresh and delicious Ahi tuna, which was cooked medium rare as the chef suggested. It was served on a bed of black forbidden rice and snap peas with a variety of seasonings to make this dish a winner. The John Dory from New Zealand was cooked to perfection. This tasty white fish is served on top of unique English pea gnocchi and accompanied by carrots and beans. John Dory is hard to find in local restaurants and was our top choice here. Another rarity we found was that Jer-ne serves Cake bread Chardonnay by the glass. It is usually only sold by the bottle. We recommend having one of their signature cocktails or glasses of wine with your dinner. Don’t miss out on Jer-ne’s desserts! Their Hazelnut Banana Chocolate Mousse cake is crunchy, chocolaty with a nice blend of hazelnut flavoring. The blueberry crepes are a great alternate choice to a chocolate dessert. See their dinner and dessert menu below for other choices.

 

 

If you are coming to the Los Angeles area we highly recommend staying at The Ritz Marina del Rey located at 4375 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292 For more information visit their website www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/MarinadelRey or call (310) 823-1700

 

heirloom tomatoes 16
burrata mozzarella, green goddess mousseline, minus 8 vinegar

caesar 14
roasted garlic crostini, white anchovy

garden greens 16
hearts of palm, currant tomatoes, radishes, banyuls vinaigrette

baby arugala 14
vermont cheddar crisp, marcona almonds, lemon poppy seed vinaigrette

poached shrimp 17
green zebra Tomato Salsa, Kettle One Citron Horseradish Sauce

taleggio flat bread 15
prosciutto de parma, truffles, dandelion greens

beef tartare 18
violet mustard, reggiano, fried capers, grilled baguette

ahi carpaccio 21
lotus chips, baby tatsoi, daikon sprouts, soy vinaigrette

cannellini bean fondue 13
gorgonzola, eggplant chips, garlic nan

gazpacho 12
scallop ceviche, avocado crème

braised calamari 16
spanish chorizo, crushed tomatoes, caramelized onions, nicoise olives

mussels 14
cured tomatoes, herb croutons, roasted fennel, sherry nage

oysters 16
white balsamic grapefruit granita, tarragon

foie gras 25
“au torchon”, pistachio corn muffin, rhubarb vanilla compote
seared, anise french toast, pickled meyer lemon

scottish salmon 36
lobster and basil ravioli, morels, pea leaves, sauce cheron

halibut 39
petit vegetable “pot au feu”, chinese sausage, gold nugget potatoes

ahi 39
coriander dusted, snap peas, forbidden rice, dill aioli, preserved lemon ginger vinaigrette

john dory 37
stewed carrots, english pea gnocchi, sea beans

trofie pasta 25
baby heirloom tomatoes, rainbow chard, roasted garlic, ricotta salata

delmonico 39
potato confit, haricot verts, chive fondant, pommerey jus

colorado lamb loin 42
flageolet, matignon, petite wax beans, baby carrots, port wine mint jus

petaluma chicken 33
fresh polenta, charred broccolini, truffle jus

pork tenderloin 36
soba noodles, baby bok choy, hon shemeji mushrooms, red curry broth

filet mignon 44
fingerling potatoes, cepes, spring onions, foie gras, marchand de vins, cabernet gastrique

Executive Chef – Drew Sayes
Sous Chefs – John Malpass III and Miguel Magana

 

DESSERTS

 

Vanilla Crème Brûlée 11
Almond Financier, Sour Cherry Compote

Warm Pineapple Samosas 12
Coconut Yogurt Sherbet, Pomegranate Molasses

Blueberry Crepes 12
Crème Frâiche Mousse, Honey Lavender Ice Cream

Grilled Peach Napoleon 13
Saffron Ice Cream, Ice Wine Gelee

Hazelnut Banana Chocolate Mousse cake 13
Fleur De Sel Caramel Ice Cream, Caramelized Bananas

Wild Strawberry and Mango Tart 12
Palm Sugar Ice Cream, Balsamic Sauce

Molten Chocolate Cake 13
Cinnamon Coffee Ice Cream, Cognac Vanilla Anglaise

Daily Selection of Ice Cream or Sorbets 11

Pastry Chef Adam Thomas