Ritz Carlton South Beach, Florida - Any recent reports? (consolidated thread)
May 4, 2017, 4:18 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, *A Silver
Posts: 4,896
Not sure why all the love for RC when so many other options exist. The RC SoBe has dated hardware in rooms and offers almost nothing over the many other choices in SoBe or Miami area in general. If you're going there for the beach, you can find a cheaper luxury hotel, if you're going there for the hotel, you can find a nicer hotel.
Regarding the dated hardware though - I feel like the same can be said for most if not all RC in the US.
Regarding the dated hardware though - I feel like the same can be said for most if not all RC in the US.
May 5, 2017, 1:54 am
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,515
May 5, 2017, 6:08 am
#20
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, *A Silver
Posts: 4,896
But are they though? Even the new ones have the most ubiquitous faintly-veined beige marble in bathrooms (if they even have marbles), short beige headboard, and the uninspiring brown night stand, and a 50 shades of brown palette of decor in general. Just because some properties were recently renovated does not necessarily make them new in appearance. Maybe I'm spoiled by luxury hotels in Asia but I feel like the design and hard product is very important.
May 5, 2017, 7:08 am
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,515
Without question and many RC-Hotels don´t meet my requirements. Lake Tahoe and Dove Mountain were build completely new, but the bathroom at least at LT (have to check DM) isn´t full marble. Did stay myself last time in a RC in 2015 (Penha Longa), before in 2013. So not a real fan. Only think that they are not that bad and have some good properties.
May 6, 2017, 4:16 pm
#22
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Proud resident of flyover country.....
Programs: MS AMEX PLAT- Marriott Titanium-HH G- UA Silver-JPM RC . DL-AA-BA
Posts: 3,892
How did you get upgraded to Club Level from a Lanai view? That's at least two steps down from the best non-suite and non-club rooms.
I'm Club Level on a AAA rate for Club City View that includes valet parking for my stay. Didn't make sense to burn a RC upgrade cert in this instance.
I'm Club Level on a AAA rate for Club City View that includes valet parking for my stay. Didn't make sense to burn a RC upgrade cert in this instance.
May 7, 2017, 5:57 pm
#23
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Left Coast
Posts: 225
This place has gone waaaay down hill. I had to stay there a few moments ago and service is awful and the rooms are tired, small and strangely laid out compared to other options. Go to Soho Beach House, The Faena, Setai or 1Hotel.
May 7, 2017, 7:57 pm
#24
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 686
May 13, 2017, 3:04 pm
#26
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: FLL
Programs: US CP, AA Plat, DL Silver, EY Gold, Kimpton IC, SPG Plat
Posts: 409
Just completed another stay as platinum. Booked interior room on points. Was glad to see online that we were upgraded to partial ocean view before check-in. Interior rooms are terrible.
At check-in, asked for a balcony and was further upgraded. Accepted $150 club upgrade per night instead of $250. New club is nice although small. Even when it was busy, there was always seating available. Food and beverage offerings are good for a US property but nothing compared to Dubai or Asian RC.
Service in the club is pretty good but the rest of the hotel seems understaffed, as usual.
At check-in, asked for a balcony and was further upgraded. Accepted $150 club upgrade per night instead of $250. New club is nice although small. Even when it was busy, there was always seating available. Food and beverage offerings are good for a US property but nothing compared to Dubai or Asian RC.
Service in the club is pretty good but the rest of the hotel seems understaffed, as usual.
May 14, 2017, 6:04 pm
#27
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 686
Just completed another stay as platinum. Booked interior room on points. Was glad to see online that we were upgraded to partial ocean view before check-in. Interior rooms are terrible.
At check-in, asked for a balcony and was further upgraded. Accepted $150 club upgrade per night instead of $250. New club is nice although small. Even when it was busy, there was always seating available. Food and beverage offerings are good for a US property but nothing compared to Dubai or Asian RC.
Service in the club is pretty good but the rest of the hotel seems understaffed, as usual.
At check-in, asked for a balcony and was further upgraded. Accepted $150 club upgrade per night instead of $250. New club is nice although small. Even when it was busy, there was always seating available. Food and beverage offerings are good for a US property but nothing compared to Dubai or Asian RC.
Service in the club is pretty good but the rest of the hotel seems understaffed, as usual.
Booked Club interior view on a AAA rate and upgraded to Partial Ocean view, which seemed like pulling teeth to get any type of upgrade despite wide open Club rooms.
Aug 31, 2020, 2:05 pm
#30
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Canada
Programs: Virtuoso TA, Four Seasons Pref Partner, Rosewood Elite TA, Ritz Carlton STARS TA
Posts: 4,737
Four Seasons Surf Side would be another great option, but the pool lacks that resort feel - but beach is wide open and spacious
If you want something in the Ritz family maybe take a look at Key Biscayne which is closer to South Beach than Bal Harbour