The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester is an excellent start to a premier shopping weekend…
Combining a wonderful hotel stay and spa visit could ease the pain or heighten the joy depending on your thoughts on” back-to-school” shopping. A tradition started some time ago for some families to travel outside their area to visit outlets or free-standing stores not available to us yet in the Capital Region of New York and perhaps in other areas throughout the country. While that list of what isn’t available here is certainly shrinking with the retail developments going on, it is still great fun to grab the kids and the credit cards and do a weekend shopping trip for fall/winter school clothes. To that note—do I have an idea for you!
Set in the heart of White Plains, NY, the Ritz-Carlton sits regally in one of the country’s wealthiest counties —Westchester. This tony downtown property not only offers stylish and chic accommodations, it houses the Ritz-Carlton Spa Westchester and is the perfect central destination to enjoy some of New York’s greatest shopping.
The rooms are spacious and worthy of all the songs and sayings about putting on “the Ritz.” Wonderfully comfortable beds with pretty outrageous bedding including your initials printed on the pillow cases. All designed to make you most comfortable and pampered.
The Spa
This spa sanctuary has 11 treatment rooms always humming with activity and also offers healing hydrotherapy emphasizing its own Vichy rain room and a sumptuous Japanese soaking tub. Whether indulging in a massage, body treatment, facial or just a swim in the rooftop pool, you can make this family shopping trip relaxing and productive. After a full day of bargain- and trend-seeking for the fall, I urge you to head to the BLT Steak White Plains, located in the hotel, street side. Every meal is served with its signature warm popovers that are worth the trip on their own. BLT Steak also offers some pretty terrific steaks and fresh seafood—much like one of the great NYC steakhouses, with simply amazing side dishes served in cast iron charm. Every meal can be shared with a pretty solid wine list choice. The wonderful staff is extremely helpful and always willing to store away your shopping bags from the day so you can head for a cocktail or two before dinner and enjoy some storytelling from the bargain wars. In fact, the staff will guide you, advise you and be there to assist in all matters.
The Shopping
Close by the property, within walking distance in downtown White Plains is a store for every type of shopper. The Westchester provides the ultimate in a shopping experience, featuring Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus, along with some very high end retailers like Tiffany, Salvatore Ferragamo and more. Woodbury Commons is not far (within 40 minutes) and the outlet shopping is endless there. In a pleasant strolling town-like setting with park benches to cool your heels, you can literally shop to you drop. Two hundred and twenty stores are available. Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th is just one of the many that teenagers will love. If it is possible to not find what you and your family desire for the school year, Greenwich CT’s Greenwich Avenue and NYC are a short train ride away where you will find that certain something, but certainly at higher prices then staying in Westchester. The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester is located at 3 Renaissance Square, White Plains; for more information call 914.946.5500.
