Virtuoso Property Profile: Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay

Virtuoso Best of the Best Property Profile: Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay

The Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay is Northern California’s premier ocean-front resort with a jaw-dropping setting perched on a bluff above the Pacific Ocean and is only a thirty minute drive from San Francisco.  The elegant luxury, yet resort casual, hotel is a destination in and of itself offering the very best in service, dining, golfing, amenities and activities.

Detailed Review of the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay

Check Virtuoso Amenities and Pricing

When booking your next stay through a Virtuoso Travel Advisor, Virtuoso amenities for your stay here will include the following:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests
• $100 USD Equivalent Spa Services credit, to be utilized during stay (valid for treatments and/or spa retail products, not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

Read more about Virtuoso and travel services offered here.  Also, read more about the Ritz Carlton STARS Program here and how these benefits can also be applied to your next stay at any Ritz Carlton property.

Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay Resort Highlights:

The Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay is the only San Francisco Bay Area luxury ocean front resort hotel and features 261 guestrooms, a 16,000 square-foot spa, 36 holes of championship golf and wonderful amenities and activities perfect for families or a couples getaway.

Ocean Lawn

• The Ocean Lawn is a courtyard area overlooking the Pacific ocean and the 18th green of the Arnold Palmer designed Old Course.  Relax with a glass of wine and make smores along one of the three gas firepits.  

• Insider Tip: Book a Terrace Fire Pit room for your very own firepit outside on your personal patio

• Bagpiper at Sunset: From Thursday to Sunday and on Tuesdays, beginning an hour from sunset, a bagpiper walks the grounds and serenades the sunset

Dining
The three restaurants at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay offer innovative cuisine with great ocean-views.

• Navio - Ocean inspired cuisine crafted with farm-fresh ingredients.  Serves breakfast daily, dinner and offers a weekend brunch.  The Virtuoso breakfast benefit is at Navio.

• The Conservatory - Completed a recent renovation and refresh of the decor.  Offers fresh organic and community grown ingredients, with a full bar specializing in homegrown cocktails.

• The Ocean Terrace - Open for a limited dining menu Monday through Thursday from 12-5 PM and offers a raw bar and grill menu from Friday through Sunday, 12 PM to Sunset.  Also offers cocktails, craft beers and wine daily from 12 PM to sunset (weather permitting) 

• Club Lounge - The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge offers private lounge access with a personal concierge staff and complimentary culinary presentations throughout the day.  The views from the Club Lounge are spectacular as well!

Accommodations
The ocean-inspired color palette of subtle blues and grays creates a tranquil, soothing atmosphere in the spacious guest rooms. Duvets and 400-thread-count Egyptian sheets top the feather beds and the luxurious marble bathrooms feature a separate tub and rainforest shower, Asprey bath amenities and terry robes.

There are a few different room choices available at this modern coastal retreat providing two distinctive experiences:

• Main House: Easy access to the lobby, restaurants, spa, and the Ocean Lawn.
• Guest Houses: Just a short stroll away, a respite from the activity of the main building and additional privacy with access to the Mar Vista Lawn and fire pits, pool, golf course, and tennis courts.

Room choices range from Courtyard Views, Coastal Views, Ocean Views and Ocean Front rooms and suites, with some also offering fire pits right outside your door.

Ocean View Room with Two Double Beds in Main Building

Amenities and Activities
The resort is home to two championship 18-hole, par 72 courses.

• The Ocean Course was designed by Arthur Hills in a traditional Scottish style with prevailing ocean winds, tight fairways and knolls and Pacific ocean views from every hole.
• The parkland-style Old Course was originally created by Arnold Palmer and Francis Duane and redesigned by Arthur Hills.  The final hole is spectacular as it parallels the ocean and concludes in front of the resort

The daily resort fee includes putter and wedge for use on practice green from Half Moon Bay Golf Links Pro Shop and its dedicated golf concierge.  There is also a practice green that includes two pitching greens, a bunker and large putting green

Coastside jogging and biking path

• Coastal jogging and biking path for outdoor exercise
• Bicycle use included in resort fee and available to borrow daily

Six lighted tennis courts

Indoor heated swimming pool located adjacent to the resort at the Colony Club

• The heated indoor pool sets aside early morning hours for adult lap swim, then opens up for family use. Swim noodles and beach balls are available for pool play, as well as kick boards and buoys for adults participating in swim aerobics.
• Pool is open from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday
• Room service meals can be ordered and enjoyed in the lounge area adjacent to the pool deck

16,000-square-foot spa

• The spa and full-service salon draw inspiration from the beauty of the Northern California coast. Among the 16 treatment rooms are two couple’s suites and a Vichy shower room. Signature treatments include the Matanzas Creek luxurious lavender body massage and ocean mist stone ritual.
• The daily resort fee includes access to the spa’s co-ed Roman mineral bath, locker rooms, relaxation lounges, whirlpool, sauna and steam room.  Spa services are available for guests ages 18 and older

Fitness center with Cybex gym

• The 24-hour fitness center provides weight-training and cardio equipment, including Cybex treadmills and stair climbers. The daily resort fee includes daily group exercise classes as well as use of the six tennis courts and such amenities as rackets, balls, ball machine and private or group lessons with reservations.

Book Your Next Trip

The Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay is a stunning hotel with picturesque views and amenities and activities great for a family trip or couples getaway. 

If you're planning a trip here (or any Ritz Carlton property), be sure to send me a message to learn more about Virtuoso amenities and the STARS program.

Read more about Virtuoso and travel services offered here.  Also, read more about the Ritz Carlton STARS Program here and how these benefits can also be applied to your next stay at any Ritz Carlton property.