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THE RITZ-CARLTON, SARASOTA REVEALS ENCHANTING HOLIDAY SEASON EXPERIENCES FOR 2023 Guests And Locals Alike Will Enjoy Holiday Culinary Offerings, Rejuvenating Wellness Options And A Host Of Family Friendly Activities MEDIA CONTACT: Sofie Wachtmeister 941.544.7204 Sofie.Wachtmeister@ritzcarlton.com SARASOTA, Fla. (OCTOBER 31, 2023) – The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, the area’s premier 5-star resort and luxury landmark, is preparing for a magical holiday season on Florida’s central Gulf coast. The resort just announced an extensive program of seasonal experiences, culinary delights, wellness offerings and family friendly activities that will take place from late November through New Year’s Day. “The esteemed Ladies and Gentlemen at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota have surpassed all expectations in enhancing the joy of the holidays this year,” said the property’s Executive Assistant Manager of Rooms, Bayan Sabermanesh. “We eagerly anticipate enchanting our guests and Sarasota residents with a touch of holiday magic as they visit ‘the Gulf Pole’ throughout this festive season.” Holiday-Themed Family Fun Family is what the holidays are all about — and at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, all ages will make lifelong memories. • The Ritz-Carlton Gingerbread Experience (Nov. 22): The most wonderful time of the year gets even more wonderful with the unveiling of The Ritz-Carlton’s life-sized gingerbread display, a beloved tradition back for the first time since 2019. This year, the resort’s pastry team will be conceptualizing and creating incredible thematic gingerbread structures using up to 400 lbs. of gingerbread, 300 lbs. of candy and 300 lbs. of chocolate. Step into the lobby and be mesmerized by one of their most intricate and edible creations. • Breakfast With Santa On The Bay (Dec. 9): Have breakfast with Santa himself. Children will enjoy fun, interactive activities including face painting, balloon art, cookie decorating and photos with Santa. • Letters to the North Pole (Dec. 15-24): Let the little ones express their wishes by writing a letter to Santa. Festive stationery is available at the Front Desk along with a magical mailbox making special deliveries to the North Pole. • Holiday Gnome Scavenger Hunt (Dec. 15-24): Pick up clues at the Front Desk and search for holiday gnomes hidden around the hotel. Take photos of each gnome to claim your prize. • Gingerbread House Decorating (Dec. 16 and Dec. 23): After donning chef’s hats and aprons, decorate a festive gingerbread house guided by The Ritz-Carlton’s pastry team. • Santa Hotline (Dec. 22-25): Want to hear how Mr. and Mrs. Claus and the Elves are preparing for the big day? Receive daily updates from the North Pole to our Gulf Pole. • Pop-Up Santa (Dec. 23-24): Before his big day, Santa is making a special visit to The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota to spread holiday cheer. You may even find him over at The Beach Club catching some rays. • Reindeer Games On The Beach: Challenge friends and family to Cornhole, Giant Jenga, and Connect Four. • Daily Lobby Surprise and Delights: Including culinary creations and festive libations from the Jack Dusty team, hand-shaved ice-cold snow cones, holiday-inspired frosted drinks, and more. Parents won’t want to miss the chance to get a holiday card-worthy family photo, with the resort’s beautiful holiday living room scene at the Healing Garden providing a scenic backdrop. Hanukkah and Christmas Tree Festive Bundles are also available to enliven guests’ in-room experience with holiday cheer and décor. Seasonal Food & Drink Festivities Celebrate the holidays in style with these festive dining experiences at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. • Thanksgiving Grand Ballroom Brunch (Nov. 23): Experience a traditional Thanksgiving feast in The Ritz-Carlton Grand Ballroom featuring chef-attended action stations. Guests and Members can also enjoy holiday-inspired favorites accompanied by live entertainment at Ridley’s Porch. • Christmas Eve & Day Dinner at Jack Dusty and Ridley’s Porch (Dec. 24 and Dec. 25): Make The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota’s signature restaurants, part of your holiday traditions and indulge in a three-course pre-fixe dinner with friends and family. • Christmas Day Grand Ballroom Brunch (Dec. 25): ‘Tis the season to indulge in an exquisite brunch in The Ritz-Carlton Grand Ballroom featuring chef-attended action stations. • New Year’s Eve Dinner & Cocktails at Jack Dusty (Dec. 31): Ring in the New Year with The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. Gaze upon waterfront views at Jack Dusty during a three-course pre-fixe menu, and then celebrate with cocktails and live entertainment in reserved lounge seating. (Admission includes a bottle of champagne, of course). • New Year’s Day Breakfast & Brunch at Jack Dusty (Jan. 1): Rise and shine to Celebrate the New Year at Jack Dusty with a sumptuous breakfast or brunch featuring live entertainment. In the lobby, overnight guests can indulge in daily surprise and delight experiences including culinary creations from the resort’s talented chefs, après-sun hand-shaved ice-cold snow cones, decadent holiday-inspired frosted drinks and mocktails, morning fresh mimosas, and more. For Club Lounge guests, a host of decadent and festive-inspired food experiences await all season long, including autumn sangria, cookie decorating and hot cocoa, twelve-days of Christmas champagne pairings, a caviar and raw bar, New Year’s Day Mimosa and Bloody Mary stations and more. Wintry Wellness At The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, the holidays are a time of relaxation and rejuvenation. Take advantage of these special wellness offerings and experiences in December. • Peppermint Mocha Pedicure: Designed to relieve dry skin and inflammation, especially valuable for those visiting from a cooler climate. The CBD coffee scrub will help buff away cracked dry skin, the cooling peppermint oil massage will reenergize tired feet and the marshmallow cream will soothe and hydrate. • Winter Wonderland Massage: Envision walking through a wintry landscape, sweeping through pine trees as your therapist begins with a full body dry brush to increase circulation and stimulate the lymphatic system followed by a full body massage. • Jingle Jog (Dec. 18): Start your day with a 2.3-mile guided jog (or walk) over John Ringling Causeway to Bird Key Park and back. Take in beautiful views of Sarasota Bay and stop by the park to enjoy the scenery. Peppermint infused cool towels will be waiting upon your return. • Bike Ride With Santa And His Reindeer (Dec. 19): On a 2.3-mile loop, cruise under the John Ringling Causeway through Eloise Werlin Park where you can take in the bay breeze and watch the pelicans dive for fish. Ginger shots will be waiting upon your return. • Holiday Retail Therapy Sip & Shop (Every Wednesday Dec. 15 – Jan. 5): After your workout in our Wellness Center, stop by The Signature Shop for that last minute perfect present and receive a glass of bubbly to enjoy while shopping. • Closest To The Pole (Every Thursday in December): Players that complete The Ritz-Carlton, Golf Club’s Lion’s Den (the course’s last three holes, recognized as three of the hardest consecutive holes in Florida) in par or better will receive a shirt from the golf club celebrating the achievement. For more information, please click here to view The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota’s full festive brochure. For reservations, please visit http://www.ritzcarlton.com/sarasota. To access images please click here. About The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota A luxury landmark on Florida's central Gulf coast, The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota is conveniently located near the city center overlooking Sarasota Bay, just minutes from premier arts venues, nature sanctuaries, distinctive shopping, fishing, and watersports. Named one of the Top Golf Resorts in the World by Conde´ Nast Traveler, this destination resort is also home to The Ritz- Carlton Spa, Sarasota, named the No. 3 Spa in the U.S. and Canada by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine. In addition to a Gulf-front Beach Club, Tom Fazio-designed Golf Club, Spa and Wellness Center, children’s recreation programs and 276 guest rooms with Ritz-Carlton Club Level accommodations, The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota offers 291 Residences and a private country club-style Membership.