Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas Review

Reviewed by SBB from Boston, MA on 12/11/08
I've worked in the hotel industry for years and have very reasonable expectations. Our experience here was very poor. During our stay, we went without hot water, then without hot and cold water (they purposefully shut it off without warning -- so much for brushing my teeth), then electricity. If I wanted to go camping, I wouldn't have gone to the Ritz. No apology from managment, no response when we asked for accommodation. The staff is clearly unmotivated -- they do only what is necessary and repeatedly screwed up food/drink orders and were incapable of delivering a fax. Food in the minibar was actually stale. Very disappointing. I will not return.

Member Rating: 1.0
Ratings details: Room: 1.0 Atmosphere: 1.0 Service: 1.0 Value: 1.0

Reviewed by Corinn45 from St. Louis, MO on 8/8/08
Very nice resort, greeted with free cocktail. Rooms were exquisite with jacuzzis, flat-screen TVs and beautiful balconies with view of caribbean. A bit over-priced, especially the restaurants, but the food was decent. I would recommend renting a car to go outside resort for most meals if you're strapped on $$$. Red Hook is close by, great restaurants there, as well as close to ferry to St. John's. If you have extra cash, great place to stay and be pampered! Long beach with water sports and can get dinner trips on the resort's own private boat. Spa was nice, but also a bit expensive.

Member Rating: 4.2
Ratings details: Room: 5.0 Atmosphere: 4.0 Service: 4.0 Value: 3.0

Reviewed by mbt from Long Island, New York on 3/30/08
Jut returned from 5-nite stay during the post-Easter week. Ocean front Club level suite with our 2 kids, age 9. Have stayed at many Ritz Carlton properties and the service here is mediocre at best. Hotel is located on Great Bay, shallow, narrow beach with plentiful water sports. And, wear your comfortable shoes because property is a very hilly venue, many steps not for the faint of heart or those with mobility difficulties--and the elevators in the Fresia building were not working for two (2) days! Most restaurants harried, rooms phones did not work and guests complained of no hot water, and STRAY CATS in all the outdoor restaurants, which is fine if you think feral cats are charming--but at a Ritz? At full freight Ritz Carlton prices, service should be top-rate, but it wasn't. During our stay, we wondered if the family of presidential candidate Barack Obama --who was there at the same time we were--had the same kind of so-so service. Hallways had dark corners and lights that were out in places, but at least we felt safe due to the presence of low-key U.S. Secret Service detail.
And, by 7:30 am every morning every single pool and beach chair was "claimed." Something has to be done to police this practice of chairs claimed, but unoccupied for hours.
On a plus note, Prada spa was lovely, immaculate. And several concierge staff (Meghan) were cheerful and helpful. Of all the dining venues, Bleuwater is best-But, at $1,690 a nite we will take our vacation dollars elsewhere during high season, perhaps back to Bermuda which is pristine and beautiful by comparison. St. Thomas really is down on its heels with abandoned vehicles littering the roads and litter everywhere and lots of scrubby foliage. I can't imagine St. Thomas will become the Caribbean White House--it's a mess.

Member Rating: 2.4
Ratings details: Room: 3.0 Atmosphere: 3.0 Service: 2.0 Value: 1.0

Reviewed by cake4fun from Silver Spring, Maryland on 6/26/07
We attended a friends wedding and really loved the beach. However our room was a little beat up (marks on the wall and headboard not connected to bed) and the cleaning service had issues replenishing basic items, such as wine glasses. Other than those issues we had a wonderful time and we thought the food was better at the hotel than any place we ate off the Ritz.

Member Rating: 4.0
Ratings details: Room: 4.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 3.0 Value: 4.0

Reviewed by djtrigg from Chicago on 12/24/06
The hotel is still under construction as of 12/16/06. As a result there is some noise and dust as well as room snafus (all minor). Having said that, we felt that the service was on par with other Ritz's. The beach was beautiful and the boat cruises amazingly enjoyable. The food was very good though priced as if gilded in fine metals. Overall it was a relaxing trip, though I would very much like to see the resort in about 6-12 months when the renovation are complete.

Member Rating: 4.4
Ratings details: Room: 4.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 5.0 Value: 4.0