Highlights: The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner

•The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner is a shopper’s paradise, with convenient access to the renowned shops of Tysons Corner

•Convenient to Washington, D.C., businesses and attractions, with the relaxed pace of an exclusive Northern Virginia suburb

•Luxurious guest rooms and suites offer traditional elegance

•Hotel is home to the Mobil Four-Star restaurant Maestro , as well as The Steak House, and The Lobby Lounge

•Signature treatments at the spa include European- and Asian-inspired therapies

Amenities: The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner

• 398 rooms, 24 story. Pets accepted, with restrictions. Check-in 3 pm, check-out Noon. High-speed Internet access. Two restaurants, bar. Fitness room, spa. Indoor pool, whirlpool. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner

Close enough to Washington, D.C. to make this hotel workable for business travelers with meetings in the city, yet far enough away to feel resort-like, The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, in McLean, Virginia, offers the best of both worlds to its privileged guests. This first-class hotel is adjacent to Tysons Corner Center and adjoins Tysons Galleria, two of the Washington area’s most renowned shopping centers. The hotel provides classic Ritz-Carlton service and attention to detail.

While the hotel’s elegant service and luxurious design are well known, it is perhaps better known as the home of the Mobil Four-Star-rated Maestro restaurant. Hotel dining is far from standard at this exclusive eatery, where Washington power brokers and discerning travelers mingle nightly. Carnivores will also find a traditional steak-house restaurant, while The Lobby Lounge offers more than just cocktails, and provides lunch, dinner, and light fare seven days a week. The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner also boasts a popular day spa, perfect for those visitors who want a full spa experience, or simply want to enjoy a post-shopping massage.

Since The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, is less than 12 miles from Washington, D.C. it remains a business traveler’s hotel as much as it is a leisure destination. Travelers who appreciate fine dining and want to fit in a bit of leisure while traveling for business will enjoy this hotel. It’s also a fantastic off-site destination for meetings, offering more than 30,000 square feet of meeting space.

The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner is particularly well suited to travelers with a penchant for shopping. Some of the region’s finest shopping is adjacent or adjoining the hotel, making it convenient to drop some of the bags off while hunting for more treasures. The spa, fitness center, and fine dining make it a great choice for travelers who want to get away from it all while still enjoying the attractions, cultural events, and museums that Washington offers.

The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner is ideal for mother-daughter getaways and shopping trips, and this hotel also appeals to couples wanting to sneak away from the city without going too far.

Although the hotel is not within walking distance of D.C. landmarks, and many of the hotel’s facilities, including the spa and fitness center, are restricted to adults and older children, travelers with young children will still feel welcome. The hotel offers concessions to little ones with coloring book menus at the restaurants, child toiletries, and childproofing kits to keep the rooms safe for toddlers.

(+) Hotel’s location and amenities appeal to getaway and business travelers
(-) While location is great for leisure visitors and some business travelers, its suburban location outside Washington, D.C., may be inconvenient for others

Guest Services: The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner

Like other Ritz-Carlton hotels, guests arriving at the Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner can expect to be greeted by a uniformed bellman with a gracious smile and a professional demeanor. This good service is the first sign that this hotel knows how to treat its guests. No matter where you encounter a staff member at this hotel, you’ll find a highly trained individual who takes the extra step to ensure a smooth and pleasant visit. Staff members in the restaurants are attentive without being intrusive; housekeeping executes efficient service with a pleasant personality; and the front desk and concierge provide solid advice and well-timed service.

(+) Staff service upholds The Ritz-Carlton’s tradition of excellence

Guest Rooms: The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner

There are 398 guest accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, including 50 suites and 34 club-level rooms. The rooms share a classic elegance with guests. Soft peach and yellow tones create a soothing, somewhat feminine atmosphere in the rooms and suites. From the walls and curtains to the upholstered chairs, stripes are used often throughout the accommodations.

While the rooms and suites look princely, they are exceedingly comfortable. Spacious marble bathrooms and large closet spaces are among the guest-focused features. Lovely views of Washington, D.C., in the distance or the Blue Ridge Mountains accompany the rooms and suites. The 34 club-level rooms invite their occupants to enjoy an even higher level of luxury and privacy. Guests staying on these floors are granted access to a private lounge, complete with five food and beverage presentations daily, as well as a private concierge.

(+) Beautiful, classic taste in the rooms and suites

Facilities & Activities: The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner

Whether you’re a Washingtonian escaping from the city or a tourist wanting to shop until you drop, The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, is a relaxing, elegant retreat. Its location near two major shopping centers defines this hotel as a shopper’s paradise, but the hotel itself offers several ways to spend the day, too.

The fitness center, equipped with weight-training machines, free weights, and cardiovascular equipment, provides a way to fit in your workout while on the road. The heated, indoor pool is open year-round for an active swim or relaxing dip.

Hotel guests and area residents alike book treatments at The Spa. Open seven days a week with extended hours running until 9 p.m., this delightful spa excels at working out the kinks after a stressful meeting or day of sightseeing. Signature treatments include a variety of European- and Asian-inspired therapies. Reiki massage, four-hands massage (two therapists), wild lime botanical massage and scalp treatment, champagne facial, and coffee body wraps are among the spa’s unique, and scrumptious-sounding, treatments.

While it may be tempting to remain within the sheltered confines of the hotel, a whole world exists just outside its polished doors. Great Falls National Park, where kayakers, hikers, and rock climbers will find plenty to keep their hearts racing, is only 10 minutes from the hotel. Washington, D.C. is 20 minutes by car and provides a gold mine of opportunities, offering everything from world-class museums and universities to outstanding dining and theater.

(+) Tysons Corner and the hotel are a destination alone; surrounding Washington area provides countless activities

Dining & Lounge: The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner

The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner offers the choice of three dining venues, as well as 24-hour room service. The Lobby Lounge is the hotel’s most casual venue, offering a comfortable bar-like setting with the services of a full restaurant. Lunch, dinner, and an elaborate cocktail menu are provided at the lounge, which enjoys a thriving happy-hour scene. The Steak House is the Ritz-Carlton’s answer for carnivores. Guests feast on steaks and seafood at this traditional, private club-like restaurant.

The jewel in the crown is the Mobil Four-Star-rated Maestro restaurant, which draws diners from around the D.C. area. Patrons flock to this lively Italian restaurant, where a talented chef presents sophisticated updates on food from his homeland. The menu is divided into four sections: La Creazione, La Tradizione, L’Evoluzione, and I Colori dell’Orto. La Creazione offers a regularly changing, creative sampling of the chef’s whimsy, while La Tradizione will please die-hards who want a taste of their nana’s kitchen. L’Evoluzione teases taste buds with modern riffs on the classics, while I Colori dell’Orto presents a tantalizing selection of vegetarian options. The wine cellar is equally impressive, with more than 800 different European and American vintages. The mood is upbeat and the scene, with its mix of power brokers, hotel guests, and Washington insiders, is unbeatable.

(+) Great dining choices, including the Mobil Four-Star Maestro restaurant.

Business Services: The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner

Solo business travelers who want to walk to off-site meetings should not book The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, but this hotel is a great choice for executives who want to stay away from the hubbub and enjoy a little downtime while traveling for business. The rooms and suites easily handle the needs of a business traveler, while the concierge and front desk at this hotel are the right hands of many top executives.

There’s no question that The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner’s specialty is handling corporate events and meetings. This hotel has more than 30,000 square feet of function space, and with state-of-the-art technology and a wizard-like conference concierge, no detail goes overlooked at this first-rate facility.

The hotel’s setting away from the city makes it a good place for brainstorming sessions and corporate retreats, allowing businesspeople to think outside the box in an elegant setting.

(+) Ideal location for off-site meetings and corporate events; also appeals to some single business travelers
(-) May not be the best choice for business travelers who want walking access to Washington, D.C.