The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami

On special occasions my wife and I will book a weekend at a Ritz Carlton hotel. Over the past few years we have been to a few, Montreal - an absolute favorite, St. Petersburg FL, also great, and this past weekend, the Ritz Carlton in Coconut Grove, Miami. The best I can say about the hotel itself, is disappointing. Ritz Carlton is part of the Marriott group and this particular location has a Marriott corporate vibe to it, not the charming boutique feeling of the other two. As a Marriott Bonvoy member I am offered upgrades when available at their properties. Sometimes that means a modestly better room, other times a big score with a junior suite or something I would never book in the first place. We were offered a "city view" room on an upper floor and were told it was a three category upgrade to the standard room we booked. The room was nice enough, not particularly impressive with a view of two adjacent buildings with just enough space between them for a seagull to fly to the beach a few blocks away. I started to wonder what the lowest category we booked might look like. About the room. The standards we experienced during other Ritz Carlton visits, was, well, missing here in Coconut Grove. It started with little things, one robe in the closet for a two person reservation, none of those slippers you usually find in upscale hotels, OK, that may seem like nit-picking but the bigger issues were low quality scratchy linens on the bed and a way too soft, lumpy uncomfortable mattress. The "city view" description of the room was inadequate, it was also the "prominent road noise" room from the traffic below. Something the desk clerk could have warned us about before placing us in that room. If the lumpy mattress didn't keep me awake, the trucks and busses roaring down the road through the night did. While all of these things were annoying, there was one thing that left me dumbfounded. We forgot a charging cable for our phone and called the desk to see if they had one. While many hotels do, this one didn't. The person at the desk told me they did have charging stations with all the necessary cables in the lobby with a charge of $2.00 for 20 minutes. I said "Wait, you charge your guests to use electricity in the lobby ... at a Ritz Carlton?" Like I said, dumbfounded. While I understand that these hotels are owned by various people or groups operating under the Ritz Carlton moniker, they set their own rates and fees. If you are charging a lowest regular rate of $1,039 a night - for the lowest catagory room, do you really have to ding your guests $2.00 for 20 minutes of phone charging? Man, that's just cheap. After my lengthly diatribe I do want to emphasize one thing. The staff at the hotel is great, they absolutely responded immediately to almost any request. Everyone helpful, courteous and friendly, rising to the Ritz Carlton standard and above.

Did a girls trip and stayed here. Hotel is gorgeous and very clean. The pool is so relaxing and always the best temperature. The staff are so intuitive, kind, and attentive. Any time we needed something for the room it was brought right away. Had the best time.

Big suite with two balconies and really high ceilings for about $800 a night. I thought it was a great deal. Easy walk to the charming village and its restaurants. Convenient to the baseball park and to Miami proper.

We stayed at this Hotel for our Wedding weekend, which was perfect. The staff and team were extremely accommodating, and the rooms were beautiful. The staff went above and beyond by sending us champagne with a nice note and helping us with anything we needed. I enjoyed the workout facilities as well as the great restaurant and bar, like the Commodore and Isabelle's. Would stay at this hotel again.

Management really understands how to run a hotel. My room was immaculately clean, the service was top notch, the facilities were very nice, and the location was great. There was lots to do within walking distance of the hotel. The Commodore (their bar) was lively and we were enjoyed the live music there. Lastly- and I cannot stress this enough- enjoy brunch at Isabelle's. They currently have a Spring brunch theme that has some of the most delicious cocktails and exquisite desserts I have had in a long time. The atmosphere is delightful and the food is quite good too.

I have stayed at a number of Ritz Carlton’s and St. Regis properties, I am a Marriott loyalist, but the service/staff here is unsurpassed in courtesy, kindness and 5 star service. The front desk manager, Eugenia Morgana, has gone over and above expectations. Christina and Christian were also terrific. EVERYONE on the staff here treats you like royalty. The pool and spa are incredible as well as the restaurant on the property. Close to the bay and Gulfstream Park racetrack. Fortunate to get a beautiful executive suite with great views, 2 balconies and a bath and a half. The room was appointed beautifully. Few better than this place. 5 star and a must stay.