You’d rightfully assume the roof of The Ritz-Carlton would offer a magnificent view of the city, but there’s something else up there you might not expect.
In addition to a garden of fruits, veggies and herbs, the rooftop is home to more than 50,000 bees who are always busy making the honey used in the delicious cocktails at The Punch Room, the sumptuous sweets at Bar Cocoa and even a detox treatment at the spa.
The Ritz’s foray into the apiary world began as a partnership with Cloister Honey, who’s had the Queen City “buzzing” for years (yeah we’re doing bee puns, so go ahead and get ready). Seamus Gallagher, the Ritz’s director of sales and marketing, told us Cloister provided the bees and would regularly send beekeper-suited helpers to harvest the honey for Ritz staff to use in honey zinger flatbread with chipotle peppers, as well as macaroons and other recipes.
But a couple of months ago the Ritz upgraded to what Seamus called “the Cadillac of beehives,” which allow Head Pastry Chef Crystal Broadbent to harvest the honey herself — no beekeper suit required.
“They’re very friendly,” Crystal says, adding that the bees are most active during the day, so it’s best to harvest honey after the sun goes down. There are two hives on the roof: one is home to 20,000 bees and the other hosts more than 30,000.
The queen bees and their loyal subjects live a good life on the roof of the Ritz. Although bees can travel up to five miles for the nectar they need to make their honey, the Ritz’s bees only have to travel a few feet to the hotel’s urban garden, where they’ll find tomatoes, chili peppers, kiwi, lavender, mint, basil and more.
Crystal said one hive is closer to the herbs while the other is closer to the fruits, meaning each hive creates honey with a distinct color, flavor and consistency. Thanks to the simple process of honey harvesting with the new hives (they essentially have faucets that allow honey to flow freely), she’s able to get almost five gallons of honey every two weeks. And unlike some traditional honey-harvesting methods, it’s totally safe for the little guys inside the hive.
Where can you try the sweet stuff? Head over to Bar Cocoa for the honey pecan gelato and snicker doodle cookies, or to buy Cloister Honey by the jar (the bourbon infused variety is to die for).
If you’re looking for a fun bee-themed treat, grab one of the eclairs filled with honey-cream pastry and topped with a chocolate honeycomb and bee. (Side note to the folks at The Ritz: Can we suggest that the name be changed to a “BEE-clair”? No need to pay us for naming rights — we’ll accept compensation in the form of pastries.)
If a cocktail is more your style (candy is dandy but liquor is quicker), head over to The Punch Room and try one of mixologist Bob Peters‘ creations. The guy is a cocktail visionary with more than 37,000 followers on Instagram. He uses honey in lots of drinks, including the King of the Mountain, which features Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey, muddled blackberries, Liquor 43 and ginger honey syrup.
If you’re ready to be pampered, head over to the Ritz spa for the honey detox and chocolate truffle treatment, which begins with a honey-infused natural exfoliation followed by a hydrating chocolate truffle wrap, and ends with a relaxing Swedish massage.
Seamus says he hopes to be able to offer rooftop tours to guests soon so that others can see the bees for themselves. For now, guests are content to get a small jar of honey as a parting gift when they check out.
Stay tuned to The Ritz’s Facebook page for more buzz on the bees, and check out Bar Cocoa and The Punch Room’s Instagram accounts to find out what delicious treats are rolling out next.
