The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas

The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas: A Comprehensive Review of a Michelin Key Selected Property

The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, a Michelin Key Selected property, offers a luxurious and family-friendly escape on the eastern tip of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Following an extensive $100 million renovation completed in 2020 after Hurricane Irma, the resort presents a blend of classic Caribbean elegance and contemporary comforts, set against breathtaking ocean vistas.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Guest sentiment for The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas is generally positive, with many describing it as a top-notch luxury hotel with five-star accommodations. It's particularly lauded as an excellent choice for families and multi-generational trips due to its array of amenities and engaging activities. However, some guests have noted that while it is the most exquisite place on St. Thomas, the service and food, at times, may not compare to other Ritz-Carlton properties globally. On a 20-point scale based on post-stay ratings from verified Michelin Guide guests, the hotel scores an 18.0. Booking.com reviews show an overall rating for "Value for money" at 6.7 and "Staff" at 8.5, with "Location" scoring 8.9 and "Cleanliness" at 8.7.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise several aspects of the resort:

• Spectacular Views & Design: The property sprawls over thirty secluded acres on a peninsula, offering postcard-perfect views of the deep turquoise sea and St. John in the distance from almost everywhere. The open-air reception features neutral colors and contemporary island style, creating a welcoming ambiance. The resort's design successfully combines its natural surroundings with pleasing aesthetics.
• Family-Friendly Amenities: The resort shines for families, boasting multiple newly-renovated outdoor swimming pools, including a zero-entry family pool with a fun waterslide that keeps children entertained for hours. The Ritz Kids Club offers programs for ages 4 to 12.
• Marine Sanctuary & Water Activities: Located on Great Bay, a protected marine-life sanctuary, the resort's beach is ideal for snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, windsurfing, and paddleboarding. Guests can also take advantage of the resort's 53-foot catamaran, Lady Lynsey, for excursions to nearby islands or sunset sails.
• Proximity to Red Hook: The resort's location, about five minutes from Red Hook, is a significant plus, offering easy access to additional dining options and the public ferry to St. John.

3. Room Quality

The 180 guest rooms and suites at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas are described as beautifully appointed, spacious, and very comfortable, ranging from 450 to nearly 1,000 square feet. They are designed in a classic Caribbean colonial style or a modern beach-chic aesthetic, with soothing, sand-colored tones. Key features include:

• Luxurious Comfort: Rooms are plush and luxurious, even at the entry level, featuring the signature Ritz-Carlton bed.
• Impressive Bathrooms: Bathrooms are often highlighted as one of the nicest seen in a Ritz property, equipped with double sinks, light-grain wood vanities, large rain showers, and standalone tubs, complemented by Asprey toiletries. Presidential suites boast even more generous bathroom sizes with two showers and two sinks.
• Private Balconies/Terraces: Every room includes a private, furnished balcony or terrace, many offering great sunset views or ocean views of Cruz Bay and St. John.
• Club Level Enhancements: Club Level Rooms and Suites offer a dedicated concierge and access to the newly-redesigned Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge, which provides four food and beverage presentations daily, including breakfast, light lunch, hors d'oeuvres, and a dessert buffet.

4. Dining Experience

The resort features four restaurants, offering a diverse culinary experience:

• Alloro: An Italian-inspired restaurant, often cited as a highlight of the resort's culinary offerings, with spectacular vistas.
• Bleuwater: A contemporary restaurant with an international menu, also serving an extensive breakfast buffet with omelet and waffle stations, cheese, charcuterie, pastries, and breakfast meats, along with an à la carte menu. Dining is available indoors and on an outdoor veranda overlooking Cruz Bay and St. John.
• Sails: A casual beachfront restaurant offering fish tacos, poke bowls, chicken sandwiches, and burgers for lunch. It also serves as an evening spot with sports broadcasts.
• Coconut Cove: Located at the Ritz Residences, this seafood restaurant offers Caribbean flavors.
• Club Lounge Dining: For Club Level guests, the lounge provides an extensive breakfast buffet, light lunch, robust evening hors d'oeuvres, and a dessert buffet.

While many find the food to be very good, some guests have experienced "hits and misses" and note that dining can be expensive.

5. Service & Staff

Feedback on service and staff is mixed but generally leans positive:

• Friendly and Professional: Many guests describe the staff as wonderful, friendly, and professional, going out of their way to be helpful. Some individual employees are highlighted for their extraordinary service.
• Inconsistencies: Some veteran Ritz-Carlton guests have noted that the service, while nice, might be less warm, friendly, or attentive compared to other Ritz-Carlton properties globally. There have been occasional reports of slow room cleaning, missed turndown service, and a perceived need for more staff when the property is busy.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas is situated on the island's east end, approximately a 40-minute drive over hilly terrain from the Cyril E. King Airport (STT).

• Secluded Setting: The resort's thirty-acre compound offers a secluded and private atmosphere.
• Proximity to Red Hook: It is conveniently located just five to ten minutes from Red Hook, a town offering additional dining options, nightlife, and the public ferry to St. John.
• Transport: Taxis and Ubers are available, but taxi fares on the island can be expensive and are often shared. Renting a car may not be deemed necessary by some, though the resort is not easily walkable to outside attractions. The hotel does not typically provide airport shuttle service.

7. Value & Pricing

The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas is considered a luxury property with pricing reflecting its upscale offerings and the general cost of travel in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Room prices can range from approximately $622 to over $1,500 nightly, with some double rooms listed at $652 to $1,500, and up to $10,894 for certain suites. Guests often find the overall experience expensive, particularly regarding food and transportation. While some reviews suggest the Club Level upgrade is worth it for the added food and beverage perks, others question the value of the daily per-person cost if one is not a heavy drinker or diner in the lounge.

8. Common Complaints

While generally positive, recurring criticisms include:

• Maintenance Issues: Guests have reported occasional issues such as non-working hot tubs, AC problems, and pool temperatures being too hot.
• Service Inconsistencies: Despite generally friendly staff, some guests experienced slow room cleaning and missed turndown service. A few have noted that the service might not always meet the exceptionally high standards found at other Ritz-Carlton properties.
• High Costs: The cost of food, drinks, and island transportation (taxis) is frequently mentioned as very expensive.
• Beach Quality: While the resort has two private white-sand beaches, some guests have found the main beach to be "subpar" or "not that nice" compared to other Caribbean islands, with occasional seaweed debris.
• Hidden or Additional Charges: A few guests have reported unexpected additional charges upon check-in or departure, leading to frustration and accusations of "fraud."
• Lack of a Dedicated Bar/Lounge: Some guests expressed disappointment about the absence of a proper lobby lounge or dedicated bar space for evening entertainment beyond the restaurant bars.

Sources

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7. michelin.com
8. booking.com
9. luxurylink.com
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12. momondo.com
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