Ritz Unveils ‘Prada Experience’

In the middle of the event one very lucky (and on display) person received a facial.

What: The Launch of Prada Beauty Treatments at The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown

Where: The Brickyard Room at The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown

When: Thursday, November 16, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Scene: Visitors passed through The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown's cozy fireplace lobby and headed downstairs to the Brickyard Room, a small meeting room that was outfitted with a full bar and cocktail tables dressed up with candles and Prada Beauty product displays. In the back corner of the room, a model was receiving a Prada facial, one of the new treatments this soiree was put together to introduce. A Prada spokesperson gave a brief explanation of the partnership between Ritz-Carlton and Prada—in January of this year, Ritz-Carlton Hotels across the country began offering facials and full-body treatments that use Prada Beauty's care products. Although Georgetown is the twelfth Ritz-Carlton Hotel to offer the treatments, it's the first one that's not in a resort location.

Visitors also got a tour of the boutique spa right around the corner. I had a hard time returning to the cocktail party after getting a glimpse of the four massage rooms—one of which is designed especially for couples massages and has two head-to-head massage tables—gym, sauna, and steam room.

Who: This media preview wasn't open to the public so the crowd of about thirty people consisted of mostly Ritz-Carlton and Marriott employees and members of the press.

Food: Waiters passed out pomegranate, scallion, and basil shooters, chicken satays with peanut sauce, sundried tomato and goat cheese crisps, and grilled vegetable skewers.

Drink: Despite a full bar, most patrons sipped on the two signature drinks of the evening—pumpkin martinis and blueberry gimlets.

Gift Bag: The evening highlight came when I picked up the gift bag which contained an array of Prada Beauty products: seven miniature lip glosses in a rainbow of colors, eau de parfum, purifying gel, reviving eye cream, moisturizer, and night cream. The biggest surprise was the complimentary 90-minute Prada Beauty treatment, valued between $275 and $375. As one guest giddily proclaimed, "Oh my God! It's like Oprah!"

Allen Highfield, General Manager of the Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown; Melanie Edwards from Prada; and Sarah Banker, The Ritz Spa manager.

Mary Clare Glover