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The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte Opens Today But is Booked for the Next Week

Where: 201 East Trade Street [map], Charlotte, NC, United States, 28202

Devoted readers know just how much we like to hype new hotels — and, well, chronicle their delays and opening flubs. But what it boils down to is that we love new hotels, and we especially love new hotels that open on time.

And so with that we offer congratulations to the Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, which successfully opened today, as planned (albeit a very long time coming)! And even better: When we called to check on availability, we found out the 146-room hotel is all sold-out tonight and through the weekend. (Just don't break out the confetti — remember, this place is all about the green scene.)

In fact, the first day the online reservation system showed availability is for next Friday, Oct. 9, with introductory rates starting at $199 for a standard room (1 king or 2 queen beds). In the meantime, you’ll have to get your Charlotte Ritz fix at the hotel’s two restaurants: BLT Steak and the Lobby Lounge, featuring organic fare and signature cocktails.

Tags: Hotel Openings / Business Hotels / Ritz-Carlton Hotels / Charlotte Hotels / → All Tags

The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte's Five Business 'Firsts'

Where: 201 E Trade St [map], Charlotte, NC, United States, 28202

Earlier this month we told you about the green spa at the coming-soon Ritz-Carlton Charlotte (set to open Oct. 1!). The latest word from the North Carolina city’s first Ritz? The hotel also claims five “business travel firsts” to help stressed-out, working travelers feel at home.

1. The Nook, located on the hotel’s executive floor, will offer fully equipped, free private offices, complete with desktop computers, printers, office supplies, teleconferencing equipment, Wi-Fi, copy/fax machine access, and even tech help. This is in addition to the hotel’s full 24-hour biz center.

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Tags: Hotel Spas / Green Hotels / Hotel Openings / Hotel Opening Rates / Charlotte Hotels / → All Tags

Ritz-Carlton Charlotte to Open Oct. 1 with Green Spa

Where: 201 East Trade Street [map], Charlotte, NC, United States, 28202

Not only is the long-awaited Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte opening Oct. 1 with $199 rates, but the place seems genuinely committed to the environment in an “it’s easy to be green” sort of way. A first for both the city and the brand, the hotel has been built using LEED practices and also features an eco-friendly new spa called the Wellness Center.

The 13,000-square-foot, bi-level penthouse spa will use all-organic products and services and four oversize treatment rooms, complete with Tempur-Pedic memory foam bed-tops, a complete Fitness Center with personal TVs (hmm…not sure how green that is!), a sunlit movement studio with floor-to-ceiling windows, and an Aqua Lounge with saline-treated swimming pool and whirlpool.

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Ritz-Carlton Charlotte Will Open at $199 a Night

Where: 201 East Trade Street [map], Charlotte, NC, United States, 28202

Woohoo! The much-hyped upcoming Ritz-Carlton Charlotte hotel is on its way. Finally. Like, the plans to build this thing were announced in 2005. And it is so on its way, in fact, that it begins taking reservations today for stays beginning October first!

According to the Charlotte Observer:

The 18-story, environmentally friendly luxury hotel will offer 146 rooms, a 13,000-square-foot “Wellness Center with Aqua Lounge,” a saline-treated swimming pool and a streetside BLT Steak restaurant.

For a while, the hotel was going to be called "Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte at Bank of America Corporate Center" — Bank of America owns the actual property — but, uh, someone did the right thing and got B of A to drop that weirdo corporate insertion there.

Opening rates start at $199.

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Good Charlotte

Where: 895 West Trade Street [map], Charlotte, NC, United States, 28202

What does it take for a truly average hotel experience to become a memorable one? Good service.

Ostensibly, the Double Tree Charlotte Gateway Village is what it is. A clean, decent hotel in the middle of downtown Charlotte. However, business travel manager Byron Gittens went out of his way to get us anything and everything we needed, leaving us feeling good about the Double Tree and Charlotte.

Byron poured us lemonade, offered us extra cookies, and willingly gave us directions. He even refused a tip--not sure why, maybe he was demonstrating Southern hospitality.

In any event, at the Double Tree Charlotte you will have to pay $9.99 for the Internet, $9.00 for parking, and the room temperature will go from tropical to polar all in a matter of minutes. On the contrary, you will get a clean room in a great location, and if you are as lucky as us, top notch service.

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