The RITZ-CARLTON, powersourt, county wicklow to open in IRELAND, late fall 2007

Set amidst one of the most scenic and historic estates in Ireland, The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt, County Wicklow, a 200-room resort showcasing Palladian style architecture, will open late fall 2007. Two championship-calibre golf courses on the grounds, a 30,000 square foot ESPA, and Gordon Ramsay signature restaurant are among the distinctive attractions of this first Ritz-Carlton in Ireland.

Situated just outside the southwest corner of the capital city of Dublin, and on the grounds of the 1,000 acre Powerscourt House and Gardens, the resort’s tranquil countryside location traces its origins to the 12th century With a wooded site overlooking the slopes of Sugarloaf Mountain, The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt has been designed to graciously blend into the estate landscape which is dotted with cultivated gardens, expansive terraces, fountains, statuary and waterfalls.. The estate is one of the most frequently visited attractions in Ireland.

“Ireland is one of the world’s favorite destinations, known for both its natural beauty and the warm hospitality of the Irish people. We believe the Powerscourt location on the east coast is the perfect spot for a resort which will cater to individuals and groups looking for the best of all worlds—a site close to the city of Dublin yet offering the beautiful garden country and charm for which Wicklow is renowned,” said Simon F. Cooper, president and chief operating officer, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C..

The Georgian-inspired interiors of The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt blend classic design with updated services and amenities. Guestrooms are the most spacious in the region, and include 133 suites with a minimum size of 700 square feet. Many will offer floor to ceiling windows, as well as outside terraces, to fully appreciate the beauty of the gardens and surrounding Wicklow countryside. Walk-in dressing rooms, bathrooms with rainforest showers and in-mirror televisions, as well as touch panel controls and high-speed internet access make rooms a model of comfort and convenience. For those guests preferring an extra level of privacy, accommodations are offered on The Ritz-Carlton Club, reached by elevator key access and including a private lounge where frequent refreshments and light fare are served.

The Presidential Suite at The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt will feature surroundings suitable to the lords and ladies of The Wingfield family, who in the 1700s first commissioned the original Powerscourt mansion. With 2,500 square feet of space, the apartment includes two bedrooms, a private dining room, secluded rooftop garden, and a plunge pool, as well as panoramic views of the estate. These palatial surroundings will be available for $6,500 per night.

The Gordon Ramsay restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt will be the acclaimed celebrity chef’s first location in Ireland. “Ireland is internationally renowned for the quality of its food and the warmth of its hospitality. We are committed to providing an amazing dining experience in this magnificent setting,”’ the London-based chef explained. The restaurant, on the hotel’s second floor, will offer al fresco dining on the terrace to take full advantage of the Sugarloaf Mountain views.

For guests of The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt, the ESPA spa experience will be both a pampering and relaxing experience. The 30,000 square foot facility includes 18 treatment rooms and two VIP treatment suites. A full range of both traditional and cutting edge beauty and wellness treatments will be on the spa menu. A fully-equipped fitness center includes a black marble lap pool, inlaid with Swarovski crystals for an extra measure of Indulgence.

Other recreational activities include a focus on golf at the estate’s two championship courses, among the best in Ireland. Outdoor sports and entertainment choices will include tennis, fly fishing in mountain streams, horse back riding through the wooded acres of the estate and nearby countryside. The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt will feature many running trails and the opportunity for guided hikes in the area of Sugarloaf Mountain.

When the sun goes down over Powerscourt guests can enjoy a pint of Guinness or an Irish coffee in the traditional setting of an Irish pub located in the hotel. Some may wish to stroll down the road to the town of Enniskerry where shopping for Irish crafts and listening to traditional Gaelic music is a memorable part of any visit to Ireland.

Special events and meeting space at the hotel will be flexible and varied. The Grand Ballroom measures 5,959 square feet and can serve 450 for a seated dinner, up to 1,000 for a reception. A spacious terrace on the second floor is the perfect venue for pre-event cocktails and other social gatherings, especially weddings.