It seems odd that I had a bad experience but still defending the Ritz Carlton. I agree with the posts above in relation to Tripadvisor, most of them don't have any experience whatsoever in the Maldives and hence why there are plenty of positive reviews. I have been going to the Maldives since 2008 (FS Landaa Giravaruu, W Maldives, Shangri-La, 3 times at the St. Regis, and lastly Patina and the Ritz). But let me talk more about what I have experienced last August. Keep in mind this is after staying at the STR for 15 nights.
I noticed there are alot of talk regarding the Villa's size. Keep in mind I stayed in a beach villa and not an Overwater villa, which are basically the same in size but the beach area gives you more space. I never felt it was tiny and loved the outdoor area, even more than the St. Regis Suite, we loved the fact that you can open the sliding windows all the way and made the place even more spacious.
When we left to Patina, we noticed the Overwater villas the Facebook poster mentioned, and yes, I would not be happy if I was given that view. But the sunrise view beach villas were just great, we saw quite a few but it was never bothersome, and the beach area is like your private beach in a way with other 3 or 4 Villas. Sunrise for me is > sunset. Keep in mind we were staying with out 9 year old.
I'll mention the experience we had regarding the Food. In august the Summer Pavillion had only 1 set menu and it was really, really bad (something you can get it in your local P.F Changs). But they told me while I was at the Restaurant that they will have a menu in 2 days time. I would've still been at the resort then and was not happy with knowing this info while we were having dinner. (This was before storming off to the villa when the table next to us started smoking and no one did anything). And mind you they REALLY care about signing even if your not happy. I mean you guys can always send it to the villa as I will not be going anywhere.
As for the resort, we loved it how it is laid out. Given that the employee complex is located in a different island made the Ritz feel more spacious than other resorts. Our daughter had the best time in the Kids club, she didn't enjoy the St. Regis, Patina and Fairmont. Maybe that's on of the reasons were going back as she asked for it when we left :_(
Even though there were so many mishaps, I liked the attitude of one of the managers over there who was loaned out from the Ritz Singapore to help with the opening. He promised several times and was not happy with how are stay went. Hence why I think they are in good hands and these are things that will resolve over time. But honestly I couldn't accept paying $2000++ per night for that kind of treatment. (Sadly Patina charged us the same and it was even worse).