The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey

The staff are delightful, and with some investment this place could be much better. Right now, though, it’s average at best, and the Ritz brand feels far from what it used to be. The problems start with the first phone call. A computer answers to save money, then the front desk rang 15 times without anyone picking up before the call dropped. On my second try it rang 11 times before someone answered. The hotel needs a major renovation. The decor is old and tired, the paint is deteriorating, the carpet has seen better days, and the furniture is old. The coffee service tray in our room looked like it came from a flea market, and the bathrooms need work too. It’s a prime location, but they should close for a year and redo the whole place.

The room looked out over the boat deck and city, with spectacular views at sunset. I also loved wandering the hallways, where the famous paintings make the hotel feel like an art gallery. We ate well at Cast & Plow, and the location made it easy to walk to local restaurants. The beach is very close, and the waterfront tennis courts were a nice bonus. A beautiful stay at the Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey.

Cast & Plow in the lobby and the SPA are my two favorite things here. The menu has lots of good food. If you like Brussels Sprouts, the way they prepare them is just short of Heaven. You don’t need anything else, though maybe get the burger too, and don’t forget the smoked bacon on top! What’s not to like about the Ritz-Carlton? The location is perfect, very near LAX, and the staff are always accommodating.

After a long day of flying, being welcomed warmly and told my room was ready at 2pm was lovely. The lobby bar and restaurant staff were outstanding, and the concierge was excellent. The Club Lounge staff were wonderful too. It’s a Ritz, so expectations are high, and they were exceeded. I won’t book anywhere else again.