Ritz-Carlton, Westchester

White Plains, a city 25 miles north of midtown Manhattan, has undergone a makeover and the Ritz-Carlton, Westchester sits in the middle of the revitalization. The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester, part of the $400 million complex known as Renaissance Square, which opened in 2007, is a combination 146-room hotel and 200+ condominium units. This glass enrobed triple-tower complex is the tallest building between Manhattan and Albany. The hotel’s decor combines light-colored wood and marble, abstract paintings and sharp angles, all giving the Ritz-Carlton, Westchester a clean, vaguely Japanese look.

Guest rooms and suites at the Ritz-Carlton, Westchester are similarly furnished—like all things here, they are smart, stylish, comfortable, and conservative. The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester rooms are finely appointed, spacious, and equipped with enormous flat-screen TVs and a bedside controller that manages lights in the foyer and bathroom and opens and closes the drapes at a touch of a finger. Bathrooms in the Ritz-Carlton, Westchester are marble, with a smallish bathtub, a shower stall big enough for two, and a double sink vanity. The Ritz Carlton, Westchester guest rooms are astonishingly quiet.

There are two restaurants at the Ritz-Carlton, Westchester—BLT Steak House and the not-to-be-missed 42 Restaurant. With floor-to-ceiling windows and a far-off view of the sun setting over Manhattan, 42 is the place to dine. The chef offered to cook for us and we’re glad we said yes. The seven-course meal included a striking presentation of yellow and red beets, foie gras, and salmon. The dinner was capped with a clever take on Creamsicles where, at our table, the chef combined orange sauce with a vanilla ice cream made with liquid nitrogen.

The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester spa is connected to a state-of-the-art fitness center and rooftop indoor swimming pool. The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester spa has saunas and steam rooms for men and women and Japanese soaking tubs -- metal hot tubs with jet streams. One of us enjoyed a buttermilk bath filled with bubbles reflecting the small twinkling ceiling lights while the other indulged in a 90-minute massage. The spa gave us our herbal compress (sweet basil, Kaffir lime, and dried jasmine), which can be reused at home in one or two more baths. There is also a hair and nail salon.

The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester is a popular wedding venue not only for locals but for couples from Manhattan. It is especially popular with older couples – mid to late 30s – who are attracted to the sleek, understated feel of the place. Bridal showers, afternoon tea for the wedding party, and martini nights for bachelor parties can all be arranged. The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester can accommodate parties from 10 to 600. Find out more at Ritz-Carlton, Westchester Weddings.

A romantic weekend away can be customized according to guests’ wishes by phoning ahead and speaking with a member of the guest relations team. The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester is a good choice for local newlywed couples who are delaying a honeymoon but still want to get away for a bit before beginning official married life.

The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester is three blocks from the Metro North train station's White Plains stop and a 30-40 minute train ride from midtown Manhattan. So everything that New York City has to offer is within easy distance. There are several things to do within walking distance of the Ritz-Carlton, Westchester as well. The White Plains Performing Arts Center features concerts, theater, and dance. Short rides away are the Music Conservatory of Westchester, Tarrytown Music Hall, and the Jacob Burns Film Center showcasing independent and foreign films.

While the Ritz-Carlton, Westchester has a nice free service that makes it easy to printing out boarding passes, it is astonishing that there is a charge for the use of computer in the business center. We enjoyed the Japanese soaking tub at the Ritz-Carlton, Westchester spa, but it is slightly claustrophobic to be seated facing a black granite wall. The experience can use a little more visual stimulation. The clever placing of the room safe in a dresser does have the drawback of being small.

The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester is right for those who desire to stay in a luxury hotel near New York City but in a smaller urban environment.