The Ritz Hotel London

We had been bought a Tea for Two voucher for Tea at The Ritz and went on Sat 4 Sept 2004.

We arrived early and had two Kier Royale champagne cocktails in the lounge (a mere GBP14 each!) before going into the stunning Palm Court for Afternoon Tea.

The service was excellent - as soon as we had finished anything - it was replenished. The tea, sandwiches and cakes were all delicious.

A quintessentially English experience - everyone should go once in a lifetime.

The Ritz has a strong reputation amongst London's finest and it is one well earned. We checked in after longer than expected flights and were certainly not dressed as we might normally be. Upon check in, we were welcomed and the clerk took us to a beautiful room, complete with plush bathrobes, fireplace and park views. What was most impressive is how the staff made us feel welcome as if visiting an old friend's home. They even brought us a bucket of ice for a bottle of champagne we picked up in transit without being asked and were service oriented without being overbearing. As compared to other Four Seasons, the Ritz London is most certainly a cut above and well worth the price if only for a night or two.

We had tea at the Ritz, which is rumored to be the height of British tea culture. Yes, it was lovely & opulent, but quite honestly we both thought tea at Harrod's was better for the food quality. (And one doesn't need a one month advance reservation for a slot at noon). Granted Harrod's IS more casual (no need for a tie) and there's no harpist. The Ritz also offered gratis seconds on their slightly dry tea sandwiches.

The surprise of the day was ...the scones! In America they generally aren't really worth eating, but both the London Ritz (and Harrod's) delivered tender, tasty scones.

Staying at the Ritz is the experience of a lifetime. Of course, it is hard to justify such inflated prices even for such imposing architecture, magnificent decor, elegant furnishings, world-class service as well as more than a dash of olde English pomp and ceremony.

But the Ritz can also provide some experiences that money can't buy. At dinner one evening, my partner nodded in the direction of an adjacent table and declared 'Who is that old guy with Jerry Hall?' It was just another guest ... a knighted rock-star.

For a treat I decided to stay at The Ritz for Xmas day - a bit unusual because I also live in London and consider London's top hotels possibly the worst value for money in the world. I'd already eaten at the Ritz and given it 7/10. To get my 5-star money's worth as usual I checked in early at 11am. The room was a junior suite discounted at £470 for the one night (I'd recently stayed at the Ritz Madrid in a superior room for about £140.) It had an acre of luxurious carpet, gorgeous swagged curtains - and some elegant Regency furniture which was however too undersized to be of any real comfort - typical of the furniture (and decor) throughout the hotel. I felt uncomfortable and disappointed. Also there was no complementary platter of cakes or bottle of red (unlike Ritz Madrid which has different ownership). For added value, the Ritz is stingy. Dissatisfied I phoned the nearby Lanesborough and Claridges to check out their junior suites in case I wanted to splurge another vast sum for Boxing Night. Lanesborough's heavy oak furniture looked more luxurious and usable. Claridges upstairs was unexpectedly tatty. But back at the Ritz, my room heating didn't work properly and they couldn't fix it. So they offered me another similar room - or a one-bedroom suite free upgrade. Guess which I took: a huge 2-room 2-bathroom suite with its own corridor normally costing £1765 per night. Quite regal with four big windows overlooking Piccadilly. The furniture was similar to the junior suite but twice as much - plus an Xmas tree! Service is impeccable with dedicated staff per floor. They are at your door within minutes. Since the dining-room was fully booked for the £520 Xmas dinner+dance I had to do with room service food - great. Oh - I took afternoon tea in the Palm Court (sickly if you try to eat everything). The let down for an impressive stay was the sparse buffet breakfast - below usual 5-star standards. However, for its lack of personal touches the Ritz cannot be London's best 5-star hotel. Sometime I'll try the Lanesborough.

And so they should throw you out if you are wearing jeans. Tea at The Ritz is an English institution. They take tremendous trouble and make a huge effort to make sure everything is perfect, and it is only right that patrons copy that effort. The result of all this trouble and effort is an experience of luxurious opulence that cannot be repeated anywhere else in the world, and makes the whole thing well worth donning a jacket and tie for.

The Ritz is truly a great hotel. There is only one reason I have given it 4 instead of 5 stars. The hotel is a bit more formal that I wanted for my visit. If you are there on business, no problem, but if you are there for pleasure, it is not relaxing to have to feel you need to dress up a bit all the time. The conceige, Michael, is GREAT. All we needed he obtained for us and in the best quality and location, etc. We could never have arranged for ourselves the same quality of theatre tickets, dinner reservations, etc. Rooms are very good and some quite spacious. The public rooms are incredible and worth the experience. YOu will not be disappointed by the Ritz.

When we checked in, our writing desk was unclean and we discovered jam all over our passports, hands and wallets.On two separate occasions, we had to call for our dry cleaning To be sent to our room. The work was complete, but no one took the initiative to deliver it.We also requested an iron and ironing board, and waited two hours for delivery and we had to call twice.When we went to the Ritz bar for drinks, a man at the door told me I must return to my room and don a jacket. An hour later, another man, without a jacket, was escorted to a table and served. I asked our waiter why I was required to wear one and the man was not. He replied that the man was sitting with the manager and since he was behind a pillar in the room, they thought no one would mind.My sister arrived a day after I did and called the front desk from the airport and asked to be connected to my room. The desk attendant told her that no such guest was staying there. We had been there for a whole day by then. Fortunately, my sister had the good sense to call back and spoke to someone else, who told her that we were indeed there.For two nights, we got no turndown service or fresh bath towels.Avoid this place, it's too much money for too little service. Try the Mandarin Oriental.

The whole stay was an absolutely super treat. The service was excellent and although formal the staff were helpful and polite. The room was delightful, spacious and above all spotless. If you are booking for a weekend stay ensure you book the restaurant. Residentsa do not have automatic access.

Do NOT try and have high tea at The Ritz wearing jeans. They will toss you out!!! :)