hockeyinsider

I've stayed at the Ritz-Carlton in San Juan, St. Thomas, Pentagon City, Georgetown, Washington and Toronto. Not a single one of these properties served expensive wine in the club lounge, unless a bottle priced between $7 and $14 is your definition of expensive.

The Pentagon City club lounge served the Hôtel Ritz private label champagne from Barons de Rothschild one night when I complained about the $7 sparkling wine being served. The rest of my stay they served me Chanon sparkling wine from California. Inexpensive, but drinkable.

If Ritz-Carlton can't afford to open a couple bottles of champagne every night in the club lounge, when access is generally at least $100-$150 more expensive than regular rooms without access, then the properties have a serious revenue problem.

Some of the new M Club lounges at Marriott's flagship Marriott properties have food offerings as good as some of the Ritz-Carlton club lounges. The only difference is most M Club lounges don't have daytime food offerings.

hockeyinsider

This is off-topic, but I honestly do not know Edition's raison d'etre. I believe most or all Edition properties are managed by Ritz-Carlton, but the brand is confusing, doesn't offer much value (there isn't even a paid-access club lounge) and properties are few and far between, but I digress.

jinrop

My experience in the club lounge in Hong Kong was wildly different than your experiences. There were 2 people walking around pouring Veuve 24 hours a day, Im not sure how many cases they must go through a day as they have full bar 24 hours a day there and there were always people drinking champagne every time we went,. Im guessing the quality will vary quite a bit from property to property, but the liqour was all top shelf and they were pouring champagne like it was water at $50 a bottle. I feel like I definitely got my money's worth between the food and drink in that lounge. It was impressive. There were always at least 10 people working/serving in the lounge at all times as well. I dont expect this type of quality just for being titanium. If the lounge in other places isn't to this level I can see being a little upset at the charge.

Dav77

hockeyinsider

As all of us should know, just every every hotel brand's properties in Asia are better than the same brand's properties in North America.

hockeyinsider

The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City claimed "corporate's standards" forced them to serve Ruffino prosecco, which was horrible and just plain undrinkable.

I doubt that's true. My guess is corporate sets a minimum standard, which more likely than not is "sparkling wine" and not specifically champagne, prosecco, or cava. The individual property's general manager or food-and-beverage manager probably then selects what they serve, based on whatever budgetary considerations thay have to make.

Personally, I prefer a good cava (Spanish sparkling wine) over a good prosecco since the cava is made using the same traditional or champagne method as French champagne.

etsmyers

Sorry for the rant, not providing breakfast is bogus. Are RC eggs more expensive than courtyard eggs? Or the bacon?
As a GOV traveler, the chance to stay at a RC on the GOV rate is rare, VERY RARE. Last month when booking travel to CLE, the RC had
a GOV rate open. I booked it, but quickly cancelled it because of the restrictions. In lieu, I booked at the REN which is a great old dame of a
property. A GORGEOUS lounge, great offerings and huge room.

One of the reasons I originally departed MR for SPG was the consistent inconsistency.

Dav77

hockeyinsider

I agree, but especially in the club lounge when there isn't a chef and the eggs are just in warming plates.

Even if the property is relatively empty the profit margin off the food served in most Ritz-Carlton club lounges has to be pretty high, given the significant up-charge for club lounge access. Ritz-Carlton's owners likely don't want to give up this flow of cash by opening up the lounges with complimentary access for those with otherwise eligible elite status.

The Ritz-Carlton Washington, Georgetown and Pentagon City properties are generally available on the government rate, at least if booked far ahead of time. Additionally, the Pentagon City property often has regular rates under $200 on the weekend.

hockeyinsider

I can't imagine the Ritz-Carlton is paying more than $4 (3.55 euros) for a bottle of Ruffino prosecco. I also wouldn't be surprised if Ritz-Carlton gets paid by some wine brands to stock their brands in the club lounge.

michelin

SkiAdcock

Perhaps we could start a thread saying post which champagne which hotels offers? When I've stayed at RCs, the lounges had 'real' champagne. My guess is that's still more the norm than the exception. Perhaps Pentagon went w/ less because room rates are normally cheaper there, but that's a topic for a different thread. The OP's original question/complaint has been answered.

Cheers.

Ripley62

What I've found is that you can ask in the RC Club Lounges for pretty much any spirt if hotel bar has it. I know at the RCs Tysons Corners, Washington, SF, Half Moon Bay, Ft Lauderdale and Cancun this is the case. When they ask if they can get you anything they mean it at least that's what I've found.

The RC Washington serves a decent smaller house French Champagne normally but at times a prosecco, not Ruffino, and it was no problem to ask for true champagne. I've gotten pretty good pours of Machallan 12, I haven't ask for better than that.

The RC in Tysons Corners is pretty much the same, normally decent small house French Champagne. I've never stayed at the PC RC. The room rates at Tysons Corners is often less than RC PC. My and daughter go for shopping weekends and its often $135 (AAA rate)

hockeyinsider

Of course, but it may or may not come with a bill.

MSPeconomist