Fantastic experience!

I stayed with a group of friends for 6 nights (Mar 10-16). We had a fabulous time, and the hotel was one of the highlights of our trip. The room was smaller than I expected (though not uncomfortable) -- but the bathroom was large and luxurious - separate shower and bath, private toilet, double sinks, and fully marble. The beds were incredibly comfortable. Our room faced south and at nights the noise from the Collins & Lincoln Road intersection was loud enough that we needed earplugs to sleep, but the room A/C helped drown some of that out. The Bose CD player in the room was a nice addition.

The breakfast buffet was great - we ate there most mornings. The pool wait staff and attendants were friendly and helpful, although when it got busy by mid afternoon it's took a bit more time. The menu options are diverse and tasty, and if there's something you want that's not on the menu, the kitchen will do their best (but you'll pay for that kind of service!)

The gym was small, but the equipment was top notch, with brand new cardio machines, weight machines, and free weights. One of our friends visited the spa and raved about it.

The property staff went out of their way to make us feel comfortable and welcome. It's all the little things that made us feel special: welcome and parting gifts, complementary bottled water, ice service, pool attendants, friendly door staff, a selection of morning newpapers at our door. The lobby and pool area are beautiful compared to most SoBe properties.

Definitely highly recommended.

Great Trip...Will visit again

I stayed for five nights and had typical, wonderful Ritz-Carlton service. Everyone was helpful and polite - bellhop, maid service, room service, concierge etc...They definitely went out of their way to meet any needs. I do think the pool service could have been better, though.

The gym was awesome!! Individual flat screen TV's for each piece of equipment!!!! The resort property was beautiful-great beach, beautiful pool, walking distance to Lincoln Mall was awesome. Bed and breakfast room deal was great, includes breakfast and valet parking. The city view wasn't that great, but we didn't pay for it either, and still had a larger than normal room with great amenities - Beautiful, spacious bathroom. I think they still might be ironing out some minor touches, but overall and excellent experience. I would definitely go back.

Beautiful hotel, uneven rooms

Beautiful hotel, altough some rooms aren't so great. We checked in at 11:30 am and even though the hotel was overbooked for that night (and the next), our room was actually ready. It was small but gorgeously furnished and had a cruddy view into the bathrooms of the Sagamore next door. There must be a lot of rooms with equally bad views but the manager sent us a bottle of Perrier-Jouet to compensate us (we booked a room with no view so he really didn't have to do anything.) We loved the hotel's pool, beach, and beach club. The public spaces are stunning and we never had to wait for anything--check-in, check-out, bellmen, housekeeping, etc. so it seems they have worked out the kinks. I highly recommend this hotel.

Agree with the February 18th review

I too was there the week of February 15th and agree with the review of February 18th. This Ritz property truly needs to take a good hard look at it's staff and send them back to training. As soon as we checked in we felt the front desk clerk was rude and preoccupied. The rooms are nicely decorated...however the amenities that you expect at a Ritz - the flowers, the shampoo, Q tips - were missing from our room. When we didnt receive turn down service we contacted housekeeping only to be told that there wont be any turn down that evening because there were too many rooms that requested it. I understand this Ritz took an existing hotel and revamped it to their standards... HOWEVER I can not see charging 400.00 plus for rooms overlooking roof tops or the Delano.

Numerous times during our stay we tried contacting the front desk for various things - one being security alarms set off in the middle of the night - and COULD NOT reach anyone. The valet team left a very bad taste in our mouths...they literally followed you around almost begging for a tip. We dreaded getting our car knowing we had to go thru that scene every single time. The list can go on and on.... The only redeeming quality of this hotel was the breakfast wait staff who were EXTREMELY efficient and nice!!!!! When you check into a Ritz property ...you want to be pampered....you expect great service and wonderful amenities....we did NOT get these things at this property.

Where do I start....?

Headed down to the International Boat Show with a group of three couples for the Valentine's Day weekend. What could be more relaxing?

Definately not this hotel! Without going into any great detail, here is a list of our major problems we encountered: one couples first room was so bad that they were given a different room where (get this!) the shower head was actually ripped from the wall in a bathroom, keycards not opening the room doors, therefore, having to go back down to the front desk repeatedly for new keycards, one hand towel for two adults to share for dry off after showering, construction materials still on outside balcany from remodeling months ago, service at the outdoor bar/rest. was horrid, and when one bar wench finally waited on us she was so rude, pool and area around it looked like the city landfill. I could add more, but, I think you get the idea. All these problems and paying more than $500 a night! Would any of us stay here again? Nope!

It really seemed like we were part of a scene where actors were told to act out, "pretend you are trying to run a 5 star hotel!"

Off to a great start

I would beg to differ with the Feb 5 reviewer. I must've been there the same weekend (Super Bowl weekend, 3 nights). The hotel was very crowded, and check-in was slow, and made slower by the fact that every customer at the front desk had his/her sad story about how they were sure the hotel had guaranteed them a Club Room/ Suite/ Ocean view room, which the hotel had no record of. I can't believe the hotel was wrong on every one of those. Had it not been for the crowds and somewhat slow service, I'd have given it five stars. I ate one breakfast and one dinner in the hotel, and I thought the food was great; not innovative, as in Mark's South Beach, but very well executed. As for the decor, I loved it -- not the usual stuffy Ritz Carlton yards o'chintz and English country house hunting prints, but black granite, warm woods, stainless steel, very contemporary but obviously expensive materials.

My room was a bit on the small side, and strangely enough, some of the rooms on the highest floors have windows that DO NOT OPEN, including mine! But the finish / materials in the room were clearly first class, such as the heavy etched glass shower door (there was a separate tub).

This is supposed to be a modern take on an art deco hotel, not the Ritz Carlton in mid-town Manhattan (or St. Louis). I found the employees' attitude and service to be extremely helpful and courteous, worthy of a five-star designation. Also, the spa and workout facilities were the nicest and most well-equipped I've ever seen for a hotel of that size, and for one that was NOT a huge, free-standing club open to the public as with the R-C in Washington DC. My only really bad experience was trying to get a drink at the pool. The waiters seem to pay plenty of attention to attractive women, much less so to men. I finally gave up on getting my drink after 30 minutes and left. But overall, I'd rate the hotel an easy four stars, and with minor improvements, a five.

At last, Perfection and Class in South Beach...Ritz style!!!

Finally! A hotel that possess the Vibe of South Beach yet provides the sophistication and class of a Ritz Carlton! Perfectly situated just north of Ocaen Drive and walking distance from first rate dining and shopping. I spent 48 hours here but still had the opportunity to explore every wonderful amenity that one could endulge in. The rooms were modern, nicley furnished and most importantly provided a warm and incredibly comfortable place to retreat to for a afternoon siesta or lazy morning.The Spa was first rate and immediately provided an oasis for R&R. The fitness room was perfect for those looking for state of the art cardio and weights! The breakfast and lunch offered unique-progressive delights, and of course, the basics that we have all come to enjoy. The setting...cant get better...one cant help but feel as if they are on a deck of a cruise, looking out into the deep blue Atlantic. Finally, the staff could not have been more hospitable and courteous. This is truly a gem on the beach...perfect for a short getaway or a week vaca!

Great

Returned from weekend stay on Friday and Saturday night and could not ask for a better place to stay. The decor was great, beach and pool great. No problems, everyone went out of their way to help. Nice room with big bathooom, and really comfortable bed. Will go back again.

Disappointed

Checking in was a nightmare. We had paid for an ocean front view and when we arrived, they gave us a room with the view of the Delano Hotel.

. . not exactly ocean view. . . I had to wait 2 hours before they gave us the room that we wanted. There is no ATM machine or hotel giftshop on the premises. You have to walk across the street to Walgreens. For a "five star" hotel, I don't consider this place to provide top services.

The decor was disappointing. Not elegant or classy as you would expect from a Ritz Carlton. It does not carry itself as a "luxury hotel" for the prices you pay. The restaurant food was terrible and the waiters had no clue about the wine list or the type of wine there was on the menu. Staff is friendly but most definately not trained to perform with the hight standards expected from a 5 star hotel i.e. The Four Seasons.

ONly good thing was the Executive Club Lounge, friendly pool and beach service and the celebrity spotting. . . rockstars and movie actors. So it just opened and one should give them a chance to iron things out. .

but if things are not TOP NOTCH at the get go, it could only get worse.

Hopefully the other hotels will finally learn what good service is !!

I can not wait...this should let Shore Club, Delano, and (the worst place) Sagamore what good service means! WMC here we come! Oh and to have a clean room....unlike staying at Sagaless.