The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach

The Club Lounge was the standout, with great food and drink choices and amazing service. We also liked the fish tacos and guacamole at the beach, though service there was slow. Room service breakfast was good, and the attendant was amazing, but $14 for two eggs without toast felt like a lot. Zaytinya had good cocktails, but the food was mediocre and overpriced for a Jose Andres spot. We spent two nights here for our anniversary, and the stay was a major letdown overall. The property is dated and, to us, one of the least attractive Ritz hotels we’ve seen. We were upgraded to a one-bedroom suite, but it was filthy. Dust and someone else’s makeup under the TV stand remained there for the whole stay. We complained the first night, but the Housekeeping Manager didn’t call back until five minutes before checkout on day three. There were problems with service too. At check-in, a staff member moved a newly arrived guest to the front of a long line because they had just got off a flight, as had the rest of us. A weak offer of water didn’t ease our frustration. The champagne and strawberries promised for our anniversary took three follow-ups and two days to arrive. Pool service was slow, and staff ignored us while handing fruit to everyone else. The spa was short-staffed and couldn’t accommodate us. I appreciated that they called multiple times a day with staffing updates, but a hotel of this caliber should be prepared. The 20% automatic service charge seems to have taken away any incentive for staff to provide actual luxury service. Apart from the Club Lounge and beach food, the experience fell well short.

The location is a huge plus, near everything and easy to pull into, unlike many hotels. The beach is right in front, which is a must for me in Miami. Service was over the top amazing, and valet handled a busy weekend really well. Dinner was 5/5, though lunch was subpar and the good service helped make up for it. The price is a little high, but the attention to customer service shows in the details. I’ll probably stay here from now on. The fees and add-ons on some bills were the only bad part, though they’re common in the area, so I can’t fault the hotel for that. Room service wasn’t good, so I’d go downstairs for dinner instead. They have a great evening selection.

We booked a month ahead for Valentine’s Day at The Ritz-Carlton South Beach, but arrived to find that our balcony room with a view had been downgraded to a window room with no view, without notice or our consent. As Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite members, we expected transparency and professionalism. Instead, we were put in Room 506, facing a rooftop full of AC units. There was no ocean, city, or street view at all. In South Beach, with its water and scenery, it was awful to be in a room where we couldn’t even tell where we were. The room was far below expectations. No one contacted us proactively, and after we reached out several times, customer service made no real effort to fix the situation. What should have been a special Valentine’s celebration became stressful and disappointing. Don’t trust reservations at this property if your booking and basic respect matter to you. DO NOT BOOK THIS HOTEL ON SPECIAL DATES OR BUSY TIMES IN MIAMI BEACHo. The hotel failed to deliver the service expected from the Ritz-Carlton name.

I was very happy with this hotel. I’ve visited lots of places and hotels, but the service here was more than I expected. Cielo checked us in and helped us so much. I was there a few days after surgery, and everyone was attentive. They sent four extra pillows and a special pillow too. In the afternoon, a woman asked if I needed anything to eat or drink. I said I couldn’t drink, but could have yogurt and fruit. A little later, a cart arrived with that and even more than I’d asked for. Dining manager Ingry was amazing too, and all the food she sent to my room was great. Thanks to my housekeeper for making sure I had plenty of water. Everyone was friendly, kind, and hardworking, and did their best to make guests happy and want to return with the whole family.