Pampered Paws for a Cause at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch

BEAVER CREEK, Colo., June 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Pamper your pooch at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch this summer with a bevy of enhanced dog-friendly services and amenities – and simultaneously improve the lives of less-fortunate pups.

Through November, the resort will donate $25 of the $125-per stay dog fee to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).  The worthy organization has recently provided funds to teams responding to animal emergencies resulting from the Gulf Coast oil spill.

Plus, every furry guest that sleeps under our grand lodge's "woof" will be provided new, dog-friendly amenities:

• V.I.P. ("Very Important Pooch")  pet supplies loaned to guests upon check-in, including food and water bowls and an overstuffed dog bed
• Complimentary V.I.P. Handbook and Canvas Tote
• Organic, all-natural gourmet dog food and treats available for in-room dining
• 'Fido's Spa & Fitness' services, presented by The Bachelor Gulch Spa
• Brisk 'Doggie Daybreak & Twilight' guided hikes, offered twice-daily from '7' deli's terrace
• Canine-friendly retail items for purchase in the resort's Signature Shop

Guests who can't travel with their buddy or those who simply prefer a more temporary relationship with man's best friend are invited to participate in our signature Loan-A-Lab hiking program, available by reservation through the Concierge. Visitors may take the resort's resident Labrador Retriever, Bachelor, for a 30-minute or one-hour hike or snowshoe on two designated trails. Bachelor also greets guests in the lobby daily, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Loan-A-Lab program is a complimentary service to hotel guests.

"As evidenced by our signature Loan-A-Lab program, a wholly unique feature of the resort since its opening eight years ago, The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch takes great pride in supporting compassionate causes, such as ASPCA, that facilitate the adoption, rescue and comfort of animals in need," said General Manager John Garth.  "Each of our beloved 'Bachelors' was rescued from Colorado shelters, and the joy of having a 'resident Labrador Retriever' on property is shared by all of our guests – especially those that 'speak canine.'"

For more information or to make reservations at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, please contact a travel professional or call (800) 241-3333.

The grand lodge architectural style of The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch exudes authentic Rocky Mountain luxury and captures the essence of the surrounding national forest. Consistently touted by Travel & Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler as one of North America's top hotels, the AAA Five-Diamond year-round destination resort offers limitless outdoor adventure, including unparalleled ski-in/ski-out access on Beaver Creek Mountain and preferred tee times at the private Red Sky Golf Club, which includes two 18-hole championship courses designed by the renowned Tom Fazio and Greg Norman.  After a day of activity, The Bachelor Gulch Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, is the ideal place to relax and rejuvenate. The soothing Forbes Four-Star, 21,000 square-foot spa and fitness center features 19 treatment rooms, a co-ed rock-lined grotto with lazy-river hot tub, an integrated wellness program, and both Pilates and yoga studios. Bachelor, the resort's resident Labrador Retriever, is available for walks through the resort's signature Loan-a-Lab program and is the perfect activity for the entire family. Designed by world-renowned hospitality designer Tony Chi, Spago by Wolfgang Puck opened at the resort in late 2007 as the only Colorado outpost of his legendary Beverly Hills restaurant.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Chevy Chase, Md., currently operates 73 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. More than 30 hotel and residential projects are under development around the globe with future openings including Dubai International Financial Centre, United Arab Emirates; Shanghai, Pudong, China; and Kowloon, Hong Kong. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, which recognizes outstanding customer service. For more information, or reservations, contact a travel professional, call toll free in the U.S. 1-800-241-3333, or visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR)      

SOURCE The Ritz-Carlton