I am so excited to tell you about The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Marina Del Ray, California. Its charm and waterfront getaway atmosphere gave me a feeling that you only read about in storybooks. The Marina Ritz-Carlton offers both the excitement of the city and the calmness of the Ocean through its sophisticated laid-back surroundings.

As you sit in front of the tea room area windows, you can oversee the world's largest man-made marina, boasting panoramic views of the city, the marina, mountains, and the Pacific Ocean . You couldn't find a more gorgeous setting for a spectacular, memorable, tea service. It was so relaxing and serene, I never wanted to leave.

The Ritz has recently modernized its afternoon tea affair. The service is elegant and traditional but in a modern stepped-up approach. No longer is tea served on traditional china, but on its own personally designed artisan hand-blown glass Sontu Teapot and dishes. It is graceful, divine and so fitting with the awesome view of more than 5,000 beautiful sailboats and yachts in the marina. Tea Forte, founded by renowned American designer Peter Hewitt, artistically blended teas (hand bagged in Germany ) with custom-designed glass accessories to put the average cup of tea on a pedestal. You can purchase these stunning individual teapots and cups for hot or iced tea and matching dishes at Neiman Marcus. They are gorgeous. The pot goes on top of the cup and the tea bag goes out the pot's top. Tea service at the Ritz Marina Del Rey is now quite an extraordinary experience and I believe to be one of the best I have ever seen or tasted.

Tea goers have the choice to savor their tea solo or with a variety of accompaniments available on the signature menu.

The menu includes The Ritz Royal: which offers your choice from the numerous tea selections, savory finger sandwiches and sweet pastries. The sandwiches include: Smoked salmon with caviar, Crab herb salad, Egg salad with pear, Cucumber and Roquefort Cheese Mousse, Prosciutto with asparagus and ham mousse, and Smoked chicken and goat cheese mousse. Each delicate, expertly prepared sandwich holds, "the perfect bite". The sweet pastries include: Raspberry Pistachio Éclair (sinful), Coffee chocolate macaroon (this is where I died and went to sweet chocolate heaven), Seasonal fresh fruit tart (yum... ok yum again), Orange Grand Marnier Cake (refreshing), the Almond butter cookie (surprisingly wonderful), Fresh baked raspberry and blueberry scones served with Devonshire cream, lemon curd and fresh fruit preserves (Now here is where I literally embarrassed myself and remarkably did not care one bit!). Don't forget to add your favorite glass of Champagne .

Marina Sweets: comes with your choice of tea, and a selection of the delectable sweet pastries mentioned above.

The cocktails and tea option: infuses tea with one's favorite libation.

I am a huge afternoon tea junkie, and this tea service will no doubt impress the most avid, passionate, ardent, devoted tea connoisseur anywhere from the view, ambiance, and service, to the perfectly crafted tasty foods, teas, and of course the dishes it is all served on. The service I enjoyed was not only flawless but impeccable. I extend a huge bravo to my beautiful server, Megan Duffey. She added even more charm to an already brilliant afternoon of teatime.

The Ritz-Carlton Marina Del Rey

Spa-aaaaaaaaaa....

The Ritz-Carlton hotel has recently completed a $4 million expansion and make-over of its Fitness & Massage Center into a luxurious Boutique Spa. The highly-anticipated spa features eight treatment rooms, manicure and pedicure services, a superb steam room, tranquil lounges, a spa retail shop and a new state-of-the-art cardio/weight studio furnished with high-tech equipment. I discovered the lavish atmosphere and retreat, and for the moment, all my cares melted away as the nurturing hands of my masseuse revived and soothed the energy of my soul. I enjoyed an inviting, peaceful environment with attentive, personalized service from the highly-trained spa and fitness professionals. The day spa features eight relaxing treatment rooms for massage, skin care and facials, including a couples' massage suite, plus two specialty salons for the manicures and pedicures. This was an awesome day at the spa.

Here are some more reasons to stay at the Ritz Carlton Marina Del Rey:

The perfect setting, 304 recently remodeled guest rooms and suites with marina and city skyline views, exclusive key-access-only Ritz-Carlton Club level rooms, L.A.'s only waterfront pool and whirlpool, contemporary lobby lounge featuring a house DJ mix Thursday-Saturday nights, rejuvenating spa, More than 30,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor function space, hotel offers yacht and sailing charters and reserves several slips for boat-bound customers and pet-friendly accommodations. Furthermore, the hotel has one of the most beautiful outdoor swimming pools in West Los Angeles .

I don't know when I have had the pleasure of enjoying such a magnificent day. I am delighted to urge everyone on their next California trip to go to the Marina Del Rey Ritz-Carlton, for afternoon tea, the spa, or a marvelous hotel retreat. I rate it all, an A+.

For more information contact:

4375 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey , California , 90292 USA

Phone: (310) 823-1700, (800) 241-3333, fax: (310) 305-0019

Web site:  www.ritzcarlton.com/hotels/marina_delray