The Ritz-Carlton South Beach

The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, a distinguished Michelin Key Selected property, offers a luxurious and vibrant experience in the heart of Miami's iconic South Beach. Following a comprehensive $90 million renovation that concluded in 2019, the hotel beautifully blends its 1950s Art Deco heritage with contemporary design and modern amenities, appealing to both leisure and business travelers seeking an upscale escape.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, is largely positive, with guests frequently praising its prime location, exceptional service, and refreshed ambiance. Review scores typically range from "Very Good" to "Exceptional" (e.g., 8.0 to 9.0 on some platforms), though some express concerns regarding value for money and occasional inconsistencies. The hotel is considered a strong choice for those seeking a polished and welcoming luxury experience in Miami.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of their stay:

• Location: Its beachfront position at the intersection of Lincoln Road and Collins Avenue places guests directly amidst South Beach's vibrant energy, with easy access to shopping, dining, and attractions.
• Service: The staff frequently receives accolades for being polite, professional, helpful, and going "above and beyond" to ensure a comfortable stay.
• Design & Atmosphere: The hotel's "dark, sexy, and luxurious aesthetic" lobby, a "bold and quirky" interior, and overall Art Deco architecture are highlights, with many appreciating the blend of classic Miami modernism and crisp contemporary design after its renovation.
• Amenities: The elevated, cross-shaped outdoor pool overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, a full-service spa, and a 24-hour fitness center with modern equipment (including Peloton Bikes) are consistently praised. Beach access with complimentary chairs and umbrellas is another cherished amenity. The exclusive Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge, offering five daily culinary offerings and personalized concierge service, is also a significant draw for those with access.

3. Room Quality

The 376 newly renovated guest rooms and suites are described as spacious, light-filled, and elegantly appointed, blending 1950s Art Deco style with modern luxury. Rooms feature high-end amenities, plush bedding, luxurious linens, and marble bathrooms, often stocked with Diptyque products. Guests can choose from city, partial ocean, pool, or oceanfront views. Suites range from 800 to 2,800 square feet, with larger options offering panoramic ocean views and wraparound balconies. While most reviews praise the refreshed and luxurious feel of the rooms, some older sections might have less appealing views or minor maintenance issues.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel offers a variety of dining options:

• Zaytinya: An innovative mezze-style restaurant inspired by Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese cuisines, offering both indoor and outdoor dining with ocean and pool views, under the direction of Michelin-starred Chef José Andrés.
• DiLido Beach Club: A beachfront club offering coastal favorite dishes and a relaxed ambiance for all-day dining.
• Lapidus Bar: Named after the hotel's original architect, Morris Lapidus, this stunning Art Deco lobby bar is known for its extensive cocktail list and sophisticated atmosphere, often highlighted as a swanky nightspot.
• Breakfast: Options often include a vast buffet at restaurants like Fuego Y Mar, with a full coffee bar and excellent food and service. Club Lounge access also provides complimentary breakfast, lunch, light snacks, hors d'oeuvres, and desserts daily, with food described as excellent, fresh, and beautifully presented.

5. Service & Staff

The hospitality at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, is frequently cited as a standout feature. Guests consistently report friendly, professional, and accommodating staff who provide a "high level of customer service." Examples include warm greetings, early room readiness, and staff going "above and beyond" to assist guests, even with issues like returning rental bikes. While some isolated reports mention inconsistent service, particularly during high occupancy, the overall sentiment towards the staff is overwhelmingly positive.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, boasts an "unbeatable" and "phenomenal" location at One Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, directly on the beach. This central position offers immediate access to the beach and is just steps away from the Lincoln Road Mall, famous for its shops, restaurants, and vibrant atmosphere. It's also conveniently located near the Miami Beach Convention Center (less than 1 mile away) and approximately 30-35 minutes from Miami International Airport (MIA). Valet parking is available for a daily fee.

7. Value & Pricing

As a Michelin Key Selected luxury property, The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, commands premium pricing. The average price of a room is around $517, though rates can vary significantly. Standard room rates observed range from approximately $349 to over $1,700, with suites ranging from $1,202 to over $7,000 per night, and even up to $10,000 for high-end suites during peak season. While many guests acknowledge the high cost, they often feel it's a worthwhile indulgence for the luxurious experience, prime location, and exceptional service. However, some reviews indicate that certain guests found it to be "very expensive for what you get" and expressed disappointment regarding the value for money, scoring it around 7.1 out of 10. A daily resort fee is also common.

8. Common Complaints

Despite its many strengths, some recurring criticisms include:

• Value for Money: As mentioned, some guests feel the price point, including resort fees, doesn't always align with the perceived value, particularly if they encounter minor issues.
• Room Views: While oceanfront rooms are highly desirable, some standard rooms or those on lower floors may have less impressive "not-views" of other buildings or air conditioning units.
• Inconsistent Service (during high occupancy): While service is generally excellent, a few reports suggest that during busy periods, staff can appear overwhelmed or disorganized, leading to minor inconveniences like long lines at the coffee bar or delays in housekeeping requests.
• Minor Room Maintenance Issues: Isolated complaints have included issues like spilled coffee on walls, dirty windows, cracked tiles, mildew in showers, or non-working phones in older parts of the hotel.
• Pool Area Crowding: On high-occupancy days, securing a desirable lounge chair by the pool can be competitive.

In conclusion, The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, stands as a highly-rated luxury destination, particularly appealing for its vibrant Art Deco design, prime beachfront location, comprehensive amenities, and generally outstanding service, earning its place as a Michelin Key Selected property. While the price point and occasional minor inconsistencies are noted, the overall experience is consistently described as polished, welcoming, and ideal for an upscale Miami escape.

Sources

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