CHARLOTTE, N.C.—The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte has unveiled plans for its first-ever Summer Honey Festival—three months of special events and dining festivities celebrating the 100,000 honeybees which live on the hotel’s green, vegetated roof. The Summer Honey Festival began this June 1, as the hotel’s Bar Cocoa all-dessert dining experience and The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Charlotte introduced a roster of seasonal honey-based offerings available until September.
On June 20, the first honey harvest of the summer will take place, reaping more than 30 pounds of natural honey to be used in Bar Cocoa’s breakfasts, all-day desserts and freshly-made gelato. The honey may also be enjoyed at the property’s weekend ice cream socials, which feature house-made honey-pecan gelato, and in several specialty treatments presented by the spa. For the first time, the hotel’s signature honey-pecan gelato will also be available for purchase directly at Bar Cocoa.
The Summer Honey Festival at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte is set to offer the following highlights:
Dining
Rooftop Honey Brandy Sour: Available on the Lobby Lounge and Urban Sip cocktail menus, the hotel’s handcrafted signature Rooftop Honey Brandy Sour cocktail offers the very best of sweet and tart, served nicely chilled.
Daily Chocolate Afternoon Tea: Featuring this season’s annual harvest, summer honey is offered to sweeten a variety of loose-leaf teas presented alongside the hotel’s contemporary take on afternoon tea.
Freshly-Baked Honey Bread: Offered from June through August, this new summer treat will be served with compliments to every weekend brunch guest of Bar Cocoa.
Events & Activities
Lobby Gelato Socials and Honey Tastings: Featuring the hotel’s hand-made honey-pecan gelato, seasonal weekend gelato socials and honey tastings will be offered to guests checking into the hotel every Friday and Saturday afternoon this summer.
June 20 Demonstration of the Bees and Summer Honey Harvest, presented by Cloister Honey: On June 20, some 30 pounds of natural honey will be harvested by the hotel’s beekeepers, for use in The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte kitchens and spa. Watch for live coverage of the harvest and honeycomb activity both online and on local television, including a video tour of the hotel’s green vegetated roof, its chef’s garden and two active beehives, and a special beekeeping demonstration by the renowned beekeepers from Cloister Honey.
Saturday Morning Rooftop Tour for Hotel Guests: This summer, registered guests of The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte can enjoy guided Saturday morning tours of the hotel’s rooftop herb garden and beehive. The complimentary tours will also allow guests to see the green, vegetated roof’s 18,000 sedum plants in their full summer bloom. The hotel’s two beehives and 100,000 resident honeybees have called the rooftop home since early 2010.
Cooking Classes
You Scream, I Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream: Presented July 13, 9 a.m. to noon or 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Learn how to craft homemade ice cream, working alongside the hotel’s chefs in Bar Cocoa’s Cocoa Lab pastry kitchen. Tips will be shared for finding the perfect balance of cream and flavorings. Desserts to be mastered will include The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte Signature Honey Pecan gelato. The class is open to hotel guests and the public and is priced at $75 per person (age 18 and up).
The Spa & Wellness Center
Offering panoramic views of the heart of Charlotte, The Ritz-Carlton Spa & Wellness Center will present several special honey-based treatments this summer. The bi-level penthouse Spa & Wellness Center features four treatment rooms, a luxury nail salon, relaxation and vitality lounges, complete fitness center, movement and cycling/kinesis studios, and the Aqua Lounge with swimming pool, whirlpool, poolside dining and complimentary WiFi. Spa treatments may be booked by the public as well as by hotel guests.
Honey Detox Body Treatment: This cleansing indulgence uses honey harvested from the beehives and hand-carried to the Spa & Wellness Center. The treatment exfoliates and tones, ending with a rich shea butter full-body massage fragranced with natural citrus and vanilla oils.
Honey Detox and Chocolate Truffle Signature Treatment: A true spa treat, this treatment features a light skin brushing, natural honey exfoliation and detox, and a rich chocolate truffle wrap to help rehydrate and refine the skin. After a warm shower, an included Swedish massage seals in relaxation and moisture.
The Queen City Signature Manicure or Pedicure: The Spa & Wellness Center’s signature scent, Honey and Chocolate, softens the skin and replenishes nutrients, followed by a restorative hot towel wrap and careful polish application.
Shopping
Freshly-Harvested Natural Honey: This summer, fresh natural honey from Cloister Honey’s exclusive collection will be available for purchase at Bar Cocoa. Flavors will include traditional, bourbon-infused, wildflower, vanilla-infused, cinnamon-whipped and more.
The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte Signature Honey-Pecan Gelato: Also this summer, the hotel’s signature chilled gelato delight will be presented at Bar Cocoa, offered for purchase by the pint, cup or cone.
Bar Macaron Sweet Honey Macaron: Bar Cocoa’s Bar Macaron will feature a special new honey-infused French-style macaron this June through August.
Honey-Chocolate ME! Bath Effervescent Bath Soak: Perfect for re-creation of the spa experience in one’s own home, this bubbling bath treat is available at The Spa & Wellness Center Boutique.
Go to The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte.
