The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu

The pool is beautiful and a lovely place to unwind, and the fitness center has everything needed for a good workout. I also had four meals at the hotel, and every one was delicious, with a great balance of flavors and presentation. My stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu was a real pleasure. The staff gave outstanding service and took care with every detail. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Chengdu. It feels like true luxury.

The breakfast buffet marked allergens on each dish, which made it easier for me to choose safely with my food intolerances. I would have liked more gluten-free noodle options. The chef was lovely and even made pear syrup for my niece’s cough, though sadly I didn’t get his name. Luca and the other staff who greeted us in the morning were polite and professional. My family and I spent six nights here. The rooms were comfortable and spacious, and the location was handy for Tianfu square and the nearby museums. This was my first Ritz-Carlton, and after such a nice stay I’d definitely choose other Ritz hotels too. One evening, the cleaning lady came in to bring towels she hadn’t replaced during the cleaning. That was the only downside.

We ate only at the Chinese restaurant, where the tasting menu was a lovely experience and, at around 700 RMB per couple, great value. The water was another matter. We chose still water, assuming complimentary water might not be available, but I was shocked to see it cost about $27 AUD per bottle. Two bottles came to about $55, roughly a third of our bill, which left a sour note. We spent six nights here for the League of Legends event in Chengdu. It was my first stay at a Ritz. The staff were very friendly and accommodating, and the service added to the luxury-hotel feel. The Marriott app concierge was quick and helpful, and several of the door staff, including Abid, were eager to assist. We appreciated getting a higher-floor room on request with Gold status, and they also accommodated our late checkout. The location is central, with plenty of places to eat close by. It’s a bit of a walk to the nearest MRT, but Didi was cheap and easy to use. Our room was spacious, had a nice view, and felt like a high-class hotel. The downside was the centrally heated AC and locked windows, which made it too warm for comfort. Some appliances, like the TV, also seemed a little old. All in all, it was a great, standout 5-star stay, and I’d gladly come back.

We had a hard time choosing between the Ritz-Carlton, JW, and St Regis because the room rates in Chengdu were so close, even though Ritz-Carlton rates are generally much higher. The Club and breakfast food were delicious, a notch above the other MB hotels, as expected. We were upgraded to a lovely suite. Just note that MB Platinum Elite members and above don’t receive Club access or daily breakfast. The hotel is close to R&F plaza, where there’s a popular massage place called Golden Impression. Chunxi street is about a 5-minute Didi ride away, or around a 15-20 minute walk.