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Originally Posted by Ken C
(Post 36993579)
Just completed a weekend stay, during the what I guess is considered spring break. Staff at check in told me traffic during spring break in the area can be awful. The resort is located an easy 25 min drive from SQR. I was able to check in early around 11am and FDA detailed elite benefits including $100 breakfast credit. No late checkout honored after requested. The hard product of this resort is spectacular and rooms, common spaces, gym, pools, and restaurants all meet brand standards. Service on the other hand is lackluster and needs significant improvements.
Some noteworthy things pending travel preferences…some of the hotel amenities lend itself to being a family friendly hotel such as the lagoon/lazy river, but this property is overrun with small children. I dont imagine based on the branding which is quite unique and has a gilded age feel, this was originally their target guest. Pool chairs are a mad scrabble first thing in the AM, and quickly reminds you that you are in FL. Had dinner at CW Prime and the meal was excellent. They allow you to select your steak knife of preference out of 4-5 options, different and fun. Breakfast at Riva is an absolute nightmare. Every morning the wait was a min 30 mins for a table. The hotel GM needs to fire the entire staff, and start over. There were tables that did not get bused during our entire meal, wait staff just never showed up or refused to service tables outside of their section. The manager was left to try to clear tables, pickup checks, pour coffees, and listen to wait staff complain about how guests were irritated with the lack of service. The buffet itself does not meet the expectations of a St Regis. Overall this resort fits into the visiting friends and family business model well and is literally the only luxury property in close proximity. Most of the key is drab looking condos from circa 1970s. For families it may check a lot of boxes, for couples I would not recommend and I will not return. |
any recent stays?
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Mixed feelings about this one. Stayed early March, and while many rave about it, I didn't find the rooms to be overly special, and it just felt like they overall missed the mark on a few things. I'd say it's a nice, modern hotel with (usually) good service and fun amenities, but some cautions and considerations to be aware of.
Room: We booked with points and had the step above entry level, “partial bay view” and it mostly looked at the roof and parking entry. Balcony was nice but we didn’t use it much given the view. Room itself was spacious enough but oddly laid out…no enclosed closet, no luggage rack, very minimal counter space in bathroom for toiletries, minimal towel hooks etc. No upgrades as Titanium and NUAs did not go through. Dining: I thought the breakfast buffet was very disappointing compared to other St. Regis and Ritz properties - just not a lot of selection or changes day after day, plus service was lackluster (had to wait 20+ min for more coffee on some days etc.). Dinner at Riva was okay but again not amazing service and some of the food was just average. CW prime was delicious but of course $$$$. Poolside restaurant was good, not a huge menu, but everything tasted fresh and they had good seating options. Loved having drinks at OSHEN overlooking the water, and the lobby bar had some good drinks and desserts. Pool/Beach: We didn't have issues getting chairs in the morning, but the manager said during peak school breaks, there would be waitlists for pool and beach chairs - yikes! Lazy river was nice…adult pool was fine but only had about 16 chairs total, almost all of which don't face the ocean. Overall, the pool areas felt a little sterile…lots of concrete when looking around. Service at the pool was fine, and they gave you individual mini coolers for water which was a fun touch. As an FYI, there are many chairs without umbrellas (silly), so that can also be an issue during peak times. If you have any older folks joining, the pool chairs are also pretty low/can be a little hard to get in and out of. Beach experience was similar and solid. Service: Bit of a mixed bag. A few amazing people but some places were extremely slow, even when it wasn’t very crowded. Housekeeping was also a little strange - they went in the drawers and reorganized things, including taking and throwing away turndown chocolates we had stored from the night before - odd! For adults, I'd recommend the St. Regis Bal Harbour over LBK 100%. Adult pool in Bal Harbour is way nicer (and larger) and all rooms (even basic points rooms) have huge balconies that face the ocean. Ritz Naples is another solid option. |
Originally Posted by svo242
(Post 37686167)
Mixed feelings about this one. Stayed early March, and while many rave about it, I didn't find the rooms to be overly special, and it just felt like they overall missed the mark on a few things. I'd say it's a nice, modern hotel with (usually) good service and fun amenities, but some cautions and considerations to be aware of.
Room: We booked with points and had the step above entry level, “partial bay view” and it mostly looked at the roof and parking entry. Balcony was nice but we didn’t use it much given the view. Room itself was spacious enough but oddly laid out…no enclosed closet, no luggage rack, very minimal counter space in bathroom for toiletries, minimal towel hooks etc. No upgrades as Titanium and NUAs did not go through. Dining: I thought the breakfast buffet was very disappointing compared to other St. Regis and Ritz properties - just not a lot of selection or changes day after day, plus service was lackluster (had to wait 20+ min for more coffee on some days etc.). Dinner at Riva was okay but again not amazing service and some of the food was just average. CW prime was delicious but of course $$$$. Poolside restaurant was good, not a huge menu, but everything tasted fresh and they had good seating options. Loved having drinks at OSHEN overlooking the water, and the lobby bar had some good drinks and desserts. Pool/Beach: We didn't have issues getting chairs in the morning, but the manager said during peak school breaks, there would be waitlists for pool and beach chairs - yikes! Lazy river was nice…adult pool was fine but only had about 16 chairs total, almost all of which don't face the ocean. Overall, the pool areas felt a little sterile…lots of concrete when looking around. Service at the pool was fine, and they gave you individual mini coolers for water which was a fun touch. As an FYI, there are many chairs without umbrellas (silly), so that can also be an issue during peak times. If you have any older folks joining, the pool chairs are also pretty low/can be a little hard to get in and out of. Beach experience was similar and solid. Service: Bit of a mixed bag. A few amazing people but some places were extremely slow, even when it wasn’t very crowded. Housekeeping was also a little strange - they went in the drawers and reorganized things, including taking and throwing away turndown chocolates we had stored from the night before - odd! For adults, I'd recommend the St. Regis Bal Harbour over LBK 100%. Adult pool in Bal Harbour is way nicer (and larger) and all rooms (even basic points rooms) have huge balconies that face the ocean. Ritz Naples is another solid option. |
Originally Posted by PoincianaKings
(Post 37712606)
yikes! I’ve just booked five nights here for July our first time in a St Regis and save for staying at RC Sarasota in 2007 my first premium Marriott stay. We are West Coast based so we usually vacation at the Four Seasons in Maui or for short breaks head to Park Hyatt Aviara. We are in Atlanta for a wedding so decided to summer vacation in FL with the kids. Given the price point I was expecting more. Based on your review It looks like we are going to be in for a shock.
Especially if you're not used to premium brands, you'll love it. |
Originally Posted by PoincianaKings
(Post 37712606)
yikes! I’ve just booked five nights here for July our first time in a St Regis and save for staying at RC Sarasota in 2007 my first premium Marriott stay. We are West Coast based so we usually vacation at the Four Seasons in Maui or for short breaks head to Park Hyatt Aviara. We are in Atlanta for a wedding so decided to summer vacation in FL with the kids. Given the price point I was expecting more. Based on your review It looks like we are going to be in for a shock.
If you care about view and are able to book an ocean view, I would definitely recommend. :) |
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