The Ritz Carlton at Half Moon Bay sits right on the coast about an hour’s drive south of San Francisco (roughly 23 miles southwest of the San Francisco International Airport). It is nestled in a cove and has spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, with beautiful lighting anytime of year.
They tout everything from bikes and golf to long walks, games and spa treatments. I had been to this Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay several times in the past for industry events but never to stay. By industry events, I am referring to technology and business functions or networking parties which have been held at the property over the years since I moved to the Bay Area. That said, I had never stayed overnight, hung out in the bar for drinks and appetizers or dined in their top notch restaurant Navio, which is on-site.
Recently, I headed south for the full blown experience, which started with a juice outside at one of the cafe tables. There are several things you can take advantage of on the property, such as their indoor swimming pool and hot tub or if the weather is nice (which it was in our case), you can take a bike ride along the path that runs along the coast — the path can be picked up directly from the hotel grounds. They offer their guests complimentary bikes which you can take out for the afternoon to explore.
The wind was breezy but warm and while the sky was somewhat cloudy, we had a serene experience from start to finish.
I just picked up a fisheye lens and was playing around with it for the first time in late December. Below are a few shots I took on our bike ride not far from the hotel.
The shot below looks like it was taken from another planet looking down at Earth, not from a bike trail in Half Moon Bay.
Once you’re done with your bike ride, I’d recommend jumping in one of their comfy beach chairs that face the ocean and watching the sun go down. There are fire pits outside many of the rooms which are perfect for late night drinks or at sunset.
The beautiful grounds make for great day walks as well. Since it is quiet, it’s a perfect place to get away for a little serenity. Want to meditate or read a good novel? What a better place to do so with a view like this!!
The rooms themselves are elegant but not overly decadent. The style is simple but luxurious with spacious bathrooms and rooms loaded with amenities, from a fridge to an espresso machine to bottles of bath suds for their oversized tubs. If the room doesn’t have a firepit, you’ll likely get one with a fabulous view of the ocean like we did. Both have their merits, so it largely depends on what you’re in the mood for and if you’re heading there for a romantic weekend or with kids. We noticed a lot of kids when we visited, so it’s clearly a destination hotel that also caters to families. (they offer babysitting services btw)
They offer feather beds with duvets, 100% goose down and non-allergenic foam pillows and Egyptian cotton sheets. The bathrooms are marble (and modern) and like most 5 star properties, they have plush terry bathrobes, safes, an executive desk, a DVD player and a fully stocked honor bar.
More fisheye experimenting inside the room.
Other things to note about the property. They have a Ritz Carlton Club, with a private lounge, a personal concierge staff and complimentary food and beverage presentations throughout the day. If you’re not there for fun or relaxation, and are trying to get a little work done, they also have an executive business center and a technology butler (yes a butler) for your computer needs.
The spa is worth noting since it is more luxurious than most and takes up 16,000 square feet of the property on one of the floors. Next to the spa, there’s a complete Cybex gym (also more comprehensive than most) and on-site, they also have six lighted tennis courts, a basketball half court and access to two Half Moon Bay Golf Links championship golf courses on the property. There’s even a golf pro shop on site with a dedicated golf concierge for those who are really serious about the game.
Even if you don’t have a room with outside chairs and a fire pit, remember there are a few fire pits outside near the pool with plenty of tables around them, so….if you want a little romance or to toast marshmallows with the kids at night, head to the fire pit after dinner.
It is an incredible getaway if you want to relax and unwind and the views are truly stunning. Be sure to also check out our write-ups on the spa and the Navio Restaurant. Both are exquisite!
Details:
Half Moon Bay Ritz Carlton
One Miramontes Point Road
Half Moon Bay, California 94019 USA
Note: I was hosted by the hotel but all opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
