Highlights: The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay

•Dramatic setting atop a bluff overlooking 50 miles of pristine coastline

•Sensational design with a New England-meets-California style

•Delightful gourmet coastal cuisine offered at Navio

•Creative activities offered for children through the Ritz Kids program

•36 holes of championship golf overlooking the Pacific Ocean

•Mobil Four-Star spa features fantastic facilities, well-rounded services, and an ocean view

Amenities: The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay

• 261 rooms, 5 story. Pets accepted, some restrictions; fee. Check-in 4 pm, check-out Noon. High-speed Internet access, wireless Internet access. Four restaurants, two bars. Children's activity center. Fitness room, fitness classes available, spa. Beach. Indoor pool, whirlpool. Golf, 36 holes. Tennis. Airport transportation available. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay

The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay is just less than one hour south of San Francisco, making it the perfect choice for city slickers in need of a rest, or travelers who want to take in the sights of the city while enjoying the beauty and relaxation of the California coast.

The Ritz-Carlton, with its gray shingles and triangular rooflines, looks like a grand East Coast beach house with a decidedly West Coast attitude. While Ritz-Carlton hotels are often associated with formal, European-influenced design, this resort bears a uniquely appealing beach chic style.

Relaxation is paramount at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, which is defined by its 36 holes of oceanfront golf and its 16,000-square-foot oceanview spa. This resort’s laidback luxury appeals to couples and single travelers alike. Families traveling with children can be reassured that even the youngest guests will enjoy their visit with creative activities scheduled through the Ritz Kids program.

The resort’s multitude of large function rooms makes it an ideal choice for corporate groups, weddings, or other events. The individual business traveler also will find the resort well equipped with an executive center in addition to in-room amenities.

Navio and The Conservatory feature coastal cuisine with ocean views, while a very British afternoon tea is available in The Library. Each afternoon, the hotel hosts a complimentary wine tasting, and the Wine Room, with its 5,000 international bottles of inventory, is an oenophile’s delight.

(+) Perfect setting for a relaxing getaway

Guest Services: The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay

The Ritz-Carlton is known throughout the world for providing fine-tuned, anticipatory service to its guests. Many of the resort’s services, including complimentary shuttle service to Half Moon Bay and on-call technology butlers to assist with computer problems, are especially thoughtful.

I found the service to be competent, pleasant, efficient, and professional, as expected of a Ritz-Carlton and of a Four-Star resort. On several occasions, I encountered the staff had more of a relaxed attitude than I expected, but the service was never rude or incompetent.

(+) Thoughtful touches are incorporated into the service mantra
(-) Relaxed attitude of several staff members was out of character for a Ritz-Carlton hotel, but not out of context within the overall relaxed atmosphere of this location.

Guest Rooms: The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay

The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay has 239 guest rooms and 22 suites. Rooms feature ocean and coastal views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and golf course vistas. Binoculars and telescopes are available in some rooms for even better viewing.

Striped and floral fabrics set a mood-elevating tone in the stylish guest rooms and suites, and English and Portuguese art add to the elegance. Adirondack chairs complete the patios and balconies offered in many rooms. Club Level rooms, a feature available at all Ritz-Carlton properties, entitle guests to a host of extras, including a private lounge with five food and beverage presentations daily and a personal concierge staff.

Feather beds with 300-thread-count sheets, goose-down pillows, and plush bathrobes and towels are among the many comforts at this luxurious resort.

(+) Casually elegant rooms complete with many comforts and dazzling ocean and coastal views

Facilities & Activities: The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay

The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay is a relaxing playground for adults and children. The Mobil Four-Star spa attracts couples and singles with its amazing array of treatments and its beautiful setting. A co-ed candlelit Roman mineral bath and an oceanfront Jacuzzi are romantic spots, while inside, 16 treatment rooms await your arrival. The reception staff may be all-business, but the warm therapists cater to your every need with a caring, respectful attitude.

Golf is a signature of this resort, which showcases views of the emerald greens from many of the public and private spaces. The Half Moon Bay Golf Links’ 36 holes at the Old Course and the Ocean Course are as challenging as they are inspiring.

Six lighted tennis courts along with the Peter Burwash International tennis pro are provided for players of all levels. Fitness-minded visitors also will appreciate the coastside jogging and biking path, half-court basketball, and the workout facility with Cybex equipment and yoga studio.

The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay earns smiles from its pint-sized guests who enjoy the Ritz Kids program. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance for the program, which invites kids to fly kites, go on nature walks, take cooking classes, and enjoy arts and crafts. The resort also provides family-focused board games and videos, and even provides sand toys and beach accessories.

Outside of the resort, Half Moon Bay is a sleepy resort town complete with antique shops and art galleries. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the area’s plentiful recreational activities, including sea kayaking, horseback riding on the beach, deep sea fishing, and bike riding.

(+) Nice balance of active and relaxing pursuits on and off property that appeal to young and old guests

Dining & Lounge: The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay

Navio, (Portuguese for ship), is a restaurant true to its namesake in both design and menu. This dining area is delightfully styled with a wooden ceiling carved to look like the inside of a ship. Its gourmet coastal cuisine -- offered for lunch, brunch, and dinner, -- is complemented with stunning ocean views.

Large windows framing ocean views and hardwood floors create a relaxed elegance at The Conservatory, which serves lighter fare from sun up to sun down. Its bar also makes cocktails and other drinks that are inspired by locals. Afternoon tea is served daily in the Library, while the Wine Room entices with its diverse collection of international labels and a gourmet menu.

I enjoyed my meals, including room service, and found the food to be good quality. The service was slightly more relaxed than I expected of a Ritz-Carlton property, but in most cases, I was too relaxed myself to even worry about.

(+) Stylish spaces with great views appeal to romantics and families alike
(-) Service staff is slightly relaxed, though very friendly

Business Services: The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay

The Ritz-Carlton has 17,000 square feet of meeting space, including several outdoor venues, and a Conference Concierge dedicated to help with the details for your work-related meeting or event. Coupled with fantastic golf and spa opportunities, this resort is a wonderful destination for corporate retreats, meetings, or incentive travel.

Its sleepy resort town location 45 minutes from San Francisco means that business travelers, most likely, aren’t plentiful. However, the business center is well equipped with PC workstations, office supplies, secretarial services, and shipping and receiving areas for those travelers who need additional help finishing business.

Those who just need some privacy can take advantage of the in-room amenities, which include high-speed Internet, fax and computer hookups, and three phones with voicemail.

(+) Spacious areas and select staff assigned to accommodate corporate groups