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The Ritz-Carlton
Category: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Hotels [Edit]
600 Stockton St(at Pine St)
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 296-7465
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Paid
157 reviews for The Ritz-Carlton
Review Highlights
"I highly recommend the club level for the full experience."
(in 14 reviews)
"The rooms were nice with flat screen tv and dvd player."
(in 4 reviews)
"They had an uncanny attention to detail."
(in 6 reviews)
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157 reviews in English
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Review from Jennifer C P.
San Francisco, CA
Whether you are a local or a tourist, the Ritz Carlton San Francisco will show you why so many people leave their hearts in San Francisco, the most amazing city.
Every staff member I encountered effortlessly displayed careful attention to excellent service. Ritz Carlton is consistent with their outstanding service no matter which property you are visiting.
The professional front desk interaction I had at check in set the tone for my visit. She was friendly, helpful with details I needed to know to make the most of my stay and she gave me a King Bedroom Suite upgrade. I like how she welcomed me back as a member - I forgot the wording but it was really nice. When I walked to the restaurant, the same front desk specialist who checked me in stopped what she was doing on the computer and greeted me by name as I walked past. I really love it when people call me by my name.
When I first opened the door to my suite some of the lights were on, shades drawn, music playing. The Ritz Carlton hotel knows how to treat their guests! I really love that because service is important to me.
I've stayed in a King Suite before - so there is not much I can elaborate on except the abundance of space. I love how they always have a separate shower and tub. The size of their suites are literally like a 1 bedroom SF apartment without a kitchen. The bed is so comfortable with quality linens. Feel free to check out my photographs for an idea of what I am talking about.
I asked to have turn down service while I was having dinner downstairs at Parallel 37 so they do not disturb me when I return. Sadly, my room was never turned down.
Later in the evening when we went for a moonlit midnight stroll, we noticed they had construction going on. Even the construction crew were quiet - just doing their work - no throwing of boards and tools, no shouting to each other. . . just working with a sense of respect for the guests who are there sleeping coupled with acknowledging the time.
Again, the staff at the Ritz Carlton put great care and attention to providing excellent service.
The valet will bring your car quickly if you ring them before you go downstairs. You also have the option to have the hotel car take you where you want to go.
The views of the city are breathtaking. The San Francisco centered menu at Parallel 37 along with a wine list that has a strong California offering is a wonderful taste of the beauty of being here offers!
I had an relaxing evening in a wonderful suite with peace and quiet. . . lots of towels and pillows. . . just like I request on my profile. I was pampered like a queen for the entirety of my stay. The beauty of a stay like this? You don't have the phone, the laundry, the tv with your recorded shows, your laptop - you can just leave the world behind and relax for a mini vacation. . . without boarding an airplane.
Thank you to everyone on staff during my stay for taking care of everything I needed and for your your commitment to excellent, thoughtful service. Take a bow for your 5 stars!
Thank you Ritz Carlton for reminding me why I love my hometown!
I love my life.
I highly recommend. I will be back!Listed in: Home Away From Home
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Review from Emme E.
1/30/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I'll say that for a Ritz Carlton I was under impressed. They were nice enough, but very inconsistently. I worked in hotel mgmt for 9 years & the Ritz Carlton was always the standard of service we were held to & I only saw that standard once. I spoke w/Mark at the front desk about getting passes to the club lounge to treat my sweetie. Mark wasn't able to do that but graciously offered us complimentary drinks & appetizers in their restaurant bar (Parallel 37). The bell staff were the most consistently nice and helpful.
My hubby got there the day before for business & slept poorly due to being situated right next to the exit stairs. They are metal stair casings & make plenty of noise when people are going up & down them. He had already alerted Karen at the front desk to this & asked me to get our room moved once I arrived. Karen was pleasant, but she seemed out of sorts? and I felt like I was keeping her from something else. We only asked random questions of the concierge so no major interaction there.
Their lobby lounge was undergoing renovation & we were told it would be open Saturday, then Sunday, but still wasn't open Sunday evening. The fitness facility was nice, but I have some bones to pick with their Spa de Vie & staff which will get a separate review. I think this is a nice hotel, but I'd definitely try some others places to stay in San Francisco before I went back to this one. -
Review from Fishcalldwanda k.
Burlingame, CA
12/26/2011
It has been a tradition in our family to go somewhere for Christmas day brunch. We have been to the Ritz quite a few times. We have tried their location in Half Moon Bay ever since they opened there. But we have always gone back to the SF location. Especially for Christmas day brunch. I admit, we have tried other locations too.
This year, we went back for an early seating at 1100h. They had it at the ballroom. We were seated well inside but not at the back, which was good. They have proudly declared their commitment to buying local, to making their own this and that, including their own lolipops! The kids are grown now but when they were little I remember the Nutcracker theme, the train running around the dessert buffet table. What a site it was! Now, they are just elegant. And it's okay with us. No more little children in tow.
The Highlights: The Eggs Benedict done several ways was wonderful--crab benedict, on duck confit hash, and traditional. That was worth watching the chef put it together. Thank goodness, he did not overdo the Hollandaise sauce. Just the right dollop over the eggs. Did I point out that they put a dollop of caviar over your scramble?
They had real full length anchovies to compliment their Caesar salad in the fresh greens section. The different dressings were wonderful.
The roast beef was ordinary but the lamb with the Greek sauces and sides was sublime. The salt-baked fish was a little too salty. As was the cold seafood line with 4 choices for sauces including a saffron aioli. We were enamored with the duck pate, the kabocha squash with chevre, the house-made cuts of coppa, and some cowgirl creamery aged cheese.
The hamburger at the kid's buffet was very tasty! Yes, we snuck one (or two!) out, even if we're not under 12. So what!
The bananas foster made in front of you was a perfect finish for a swell meal. The other offerings --- tiramisu cake, black and white cake, bread pudding, and other goodies too many to name here, well, they're meant to be shared, unless you plan to be wheeled out of there.
Some missed items: No Almond croissant. No herring this year? We only saw the smoked salmon. No lobster bisque either. Maybe we're the only ones who like these? Perhaps.
We love the service. Never condescending. Never intrusive. Respectful but not overdone nor prostrate. Never arrogant nor too slick or flip. Just plain friendly. Attentive without trying too hard. Like Anthony Hopkins in The Remains of the Day. So Cool! We felt pampered and hugged. -
Review from Mike V.
If you want to be away from the throngs of people on Union Square but still in very short walking distance and enjoy all the little joys from an amazing restaurant, to incredible service (free shoe shines for the AM) and some of the most comfortable beds and spacious bathrooms in a downtown filled with hotels built in the first half of the last century (and not changed much since)... there's no comparison.
Compared to the Mark Hopkins and the Fairmont, the Ritz is a cut above. -
Review from Ola P.
Benicia, CA
1/10/2012
I would have given it two stars but the dining staff was amazing. Dirty towels were left in my room by the previous guest. When I told the Customer Service person, she apologized and asked if there was anything else she could assist me with. End of story. Never heard another thing from Ritz people again. At over $400 a night with parking and tax, I should have been either comped or given another night for this. It was gross to pull back my curtains and find towels with stains all over them behind the curtains. I've stayed at much cheaper hotels and never had to deal with dirty towels. I say look at the Westin or Mark Hopkins. Service is great and the rooms are really clean.
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Review from Lisa L.
12/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
I attended the Rivel Conference in Salon I on the first level of the Ritz and was pleasantly surprised that the catering at the hotel was far better than most conference meals I've had... ever? I mean, who has beef tenderloin, salmon, fancy salads and vegetables along with a dessert selection of a half a dozen... for a half day conference?!
I guess it could be the fact that we were at the RITZ and with the prices that you're paying for the food, it better be darn tasty.
There was something quite magical about the hotel as well. Wasn't sure if it was the decor or sentiment about being at a Ritz near Nob Hill... but would recommend it for a special occasion for a couple in town. -
Review from Aidan B.
Los Angeles, CA
11/6/2011
"I dont like to make my gf mad! Not because she will yell at me; but because... when i make my gf mad.... it costs me $500 a night to make her happy!"
My Punjabi Booo surprised me with a stay here. He said: 'Only the best for you!... As long as its under $500 bucks a night! ;)".
As soon as we arrived i felt like I'm no longer the girl from the hood, but more like sleeping beauty who cant sleep through the night because a pea is hurting her back.
They welcomed us at the front desk by name. Took us to our room and gave us a quick tour. The rooms are a bit outdated but the service was great. I called to have them send up some Advil and a shaving kit and they did so right away.
Everything was super pricey though, i felt guilty even taking a beer from the minibar even though my BF raided the minibar without thinking twice.
I loved it! I will be back :) Hopefully.... -
Review from WJ P.
Sacramento, CA
9/4/2011
K-Mart service at Neiman-Marcus prices.
The classic beauty of the building's exterior conceals an internal rot which permeates the place. The service is so laughably bad that it plays out more like a satirical review of itself which should be published in The Onion.
The food is spotty. The grilled cheese sandwich and the turkey sandwich were actually good. But some of the food is awful. And when I say awful, think Burger King breakfast: grease deep-fried in grease.... slathered with a butter-like substance, of course.
I know that when rating a hotel, the food is not the most important point, it's the service that counts. Sadly, service is where the Ritz-Carlton fails most completely.
The 'Lobby Lounge' is staffed by rude and bizarre men who seem to be sharing some private joke amongst themselves, with the hapless guests undeservedly suffering as the unfunny punchline. They lounge, we wait, hence the name, I guess. It is no wonder that we were nearly the only people there.
The other bar in the hotel is worse.
I will never stay here again, and will probably avoid Ritz for the rest of my life.
Give your money away to strangers before you think about spending it here.
p.s.
The Ritz in Lake Tahoe is a dump. -
Review from Tara L.
San Jose, CA
1/13/2012
My boyfriend at the time, now Fiance, took me to SF for a weekend trip and we stayed at the Ritz Carlton in SF... AMAZING!!! I have always worked in Customer Service and can now say that they live up to all the high standards they set and all the standards that others alike try to be like!!! The Ritz is a one of a kind experience from the time you are greeted by the Valet men to the time you check-in and out. Everytime we walked by ANY staff, they ALWAYS lifted their head and said "hello". I will never forget that and it made me feel as sense of belonging and they they genuinely cared I was their guest. I can be critical of others, since I worked at a high end gym, where they stress the Ritz Carlton Customer Service Standards, and to witness it first hand, I can say I was VERY impressed and I would spend the extra money to come back again. My Fiance informed them before our stay that he would be proposing that weekend and so the Ritz went out of their way to have the beds pulled down, lights dimmed, low classical music playing, and rose pedals on the bed, when we walked in the room each night. I had no idea that this wasn't their normal standard, as I hadn't stayed there before, but it was so nice and the weekend was great that I thought it was routine. It was only later that I found out that they went over and beyond their service to make my engagement weekend special ;) We enjoyed that delicious food, coffee bar in the room, shoe shine service (complimentary), and everything we could imagine. When we would step out for the night to dinner, they would tell us see you soon and when we came back in, they would ask how dinner was? It was as if they knew when we were there and gone :) I could go on and on... but you need to stay there to know what I am talking about. Spend the extra $ and do it, you will NOT be disappointed.
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Review from Daniel K.
New York, NY
9/25/2011
Rooms are noisy. $15 a day charge for wifi. Best part - room service breakfast includes two eggs, bacon, toast, potatoes, orange juice, and coffee - for $52.
Poor construction concealed by tacky marble everywhere.
A client put me up, so I didn't pay, and still was disappointed. -
Review from Berg W.
San Jose, CA
8/11/2011
Let me first say that I was highly looking forward to my first stay at the Ritz in San Francisco on August 6. I have several friends in SF and book hotels over a dozen times a year.
This time, it was for my bachelor party, and my best man made a significantly higher investment than normal in booking the Ritz, so we could have a nice base of operations for my bachelor party. We didn't book it as a party room, in fact we weren't even barely in the room.
With all the expectations, I'm sorry to say the customer service we received at the Ritz was by far the worst experience of any of the hotels I've stayed at in San Francisco.
The woman at the front desk was short, rude, and completely unwilling to give us any kind of service. She didn't even tell us what floor our room was on, or where the elevators were.
Sure, it was post Giants game, we were in our gear, and may have been boisterous at the time, but we felt like we were being treated like second-class citizens. Like our worthiness was being defined by our perceived tax bracket.
Later, we called the front desk to complain that we got a room with 1 bed, when we really needed 2. After putting us on hold for 10 minutes, she was basically unwilling to do anything to accommodate us whatsoever. Not even an "I'm sorry". This experience felt like Nordstrom prices with Burlington Coat Factory service.
I know that the antique-looking furniture and the marble floors are meant to impress the guest with its opulence, and the Ritz is a very impressive-looking hotel. Unfortunately, that's the only thing that impressed me. Everything else was very disappointing.
There's no reason to pay the extra money, even on a special night, when you can get an equivalent room (only without marble floors) and better service at the Parc 55, for 1/4 the price. I think that's a no-brainer. If you want to step it up, you can get the intercontinental on Hotwire for like $170 every day. Even further, you can get a room in the tower at the St. Francis that overlooks the entire city for less than $300. Why on earth would you pay $400 for their small rooms in their upside-down hotel overlooking nasty Chinatown rooftops?
If you like to over-enunciate your syllables and wear khakis, top-siders, and a Rolex, maybe they'll treat you like a human being. If you're not a yacht-owning blue-blooded aristocrat, like me, they can smell the plebeian on you from a mile away, and will make sure they know you don't belong there. Epic waste of money. -
Review from Michael W.
Sunnyvale, CA
8/7/2011
The building is beautiful and it is located at the top of a hill near downtown. The Ritz Carlton is a cut above other places.
I stayed in the Club One Bedroom Suite which has a 800-900 sq ft floorplan that has a living room, bedroom, and 1-1/2 baths. It is perfect for getting away. It felt like a home away from home. The living room area is very large with a very comfortable couch, loveseat set and of course a TV. The bedroom is separate by a door and has a very comfortable bed with another TV. Then there is a closet area that connects the bedroom to the large bathroom. Very spacious room. I got club level access and you should too if available.
Club Level:
Getting club level access gives you special benefits during your stay. You get complimentary Internet, unlimited garment pressing, coffee service with wake-up calls and access to newspapers from around the world. You also get access to the club lounge which gives you access to a multi-lingual concierge that will attend to your individual needs, such as helping with travel agendas. The lounge also has complimentary culinary offerings throughout the day (breakfast, light snacks, hor d' oeuvres, beverages and sweets). You also get access to the 24-hour business lounge. The food offerings alone are worth it. They offer a large selection of foods and it is all very high quality. My favorite there were their macaroons (not the coconut ones, the real almond paste ones), one of the best macaroons I have ever had and they make them in all different flavors!
The service here is stellar, everyone is very attentive, courteous and patient.
I look forward to the next time I can stay at the Ritz Carlton San Francisco. I will definitely get Club Level Access, it's so worth it. Great place for a romantic getaway, heck it's perfect just to get away from anything. The Ritz Carlton is what try luxury is all about. I only have praise for everything about this place. I would gladly recommend it to anyone I know. Book a room here with club level access, trust me thats what you want. you might never even need to leave the hotel premises. -
Review from Emily C.
12/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
It never hurts to have a friend with the hookups. I was lucky to stay at the Ritz Carlton for a one-day girl's trip getaway. It's at a perfect location, just a short walk away from Union Square and a lot of other San Francisco landmarks (but, as with any walking in SF, keep in mind that there are hills). Staff was friendly, remembered our names, and welcomed us each time they saw us. I was lucky enough to be hooked up with the club perks, and got four mini meals at the club lounge (breakfast, lunch, appetizers, and dessert) with delicious cookies, hors d'oeuvres, wine, and drinks. I liked the freshly squeezed watermelon, honeydew, orange, and grapefruit juices at breakfast. Beds were super comfortable, and rooms were clean. It was my friend's birthday, so they even left us chocolate-covered strawberries decorated as tuxedos. Overall, I felt welcomed and valued as a guest, and I would definitely stay here if I had the money and means.
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Review from Patrick C.
San Francisco, CA
8/4/2011
Just the name...old feel to the lobby, lounge, and rooms. Like a old mansion. I personally like the more modern look...like W Hotel's or even A-Loft hotels...not as renowned as the Ritz but definitely a better bang for the buck. As I am a hotel guy...much better choices to stay at then this Ritz.
I should give it a 3-star but It gets that extra one for...what else...the name. -
Review from Chris N.
7/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Beautiful place, but messed up parking even with valet.
A must if you're planning to do it big. Location is great too since you're at downtown and can walk to Chinatown.
Lots of decor and great ambience, but the food is bland.
When you're paying at MINIMUM $500 for a room, you would probably want better amentities but when you're rich enough to burn cash for the Ritz, you probably dont give a rat's ass anyway. -
Review from Lita L.
Santa Clara, CA
10/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
I loved staying here! My friend came to visit me for my birthday and I chose the city as a place to party. We ended up staying the weekend here and it was great. From the room to the service. Plus the wine bar that they have is pretty nice.
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Review from Nick S.
San Francisco, CA
5/7/2011
I was hoping I could express a negative dining experience without implicating the hotel, exactly...but since the event happened in their conference center on the bottom floor, and NOT the lovely restaurant with wonderful atmosphere and staff, I can't likely list it as being the RC restaurant.
So it was Easter Brunch yesterday. We were all looking forward to it, but possibly me more than the others because I have enjoyed dinner at their (pricey) restaurant many years ago with my partner and ex-partner (desperate to make good impressions on one another). The food and service were memorable, so I had that positive experience to help me decide that I was up for paying the steep $110++ for brunch with friends.
As we started walking towards the dining room, we were told to take the elevators to the bottom floor (the hotel entrance is on the top floor). Brunch was being served in their banquet hall/conference facility ... whatever it is you call one of those vast clammy rooms filled with 60s inspired plastic and metal combo furniture and large round tables.
The Food & Beverage manager took us on a cheerful tour of the (suprisingly few) food stations, and we were seated by our waiter, Michael, who was personable and friendly. He brought us to a table surrounded by families with young children and infants. We asked if we could be moved to an area that wasn't so child-heavy, and were told that the entire (football field-size) room was filled with children! So with that we sat.
Now, to backtrack: Alvin, who had made the reservation, took it upon himself to call all the better hotel properties in town and ask about Easter Brunch. When he made his decision to go with the RItz Carlton, it was based on the fact that the employee he spoke with told him that families with children would be eating on the 2nd floor, where they were also going to enjoy a petting zoo and egg hunt.
Perfect! If it were true. So we were about half way through enjoying a very mediocre selection of eats, all the while enduring the escalating pitch of young children competing for attention. Then the inevitable happened: an infant let out his signature banshee howl, the kind that says "I am not happy, pay attention to me" and brings adults to their knees, often with blood coming out of the ears.
I turned to the offender (seated at the table next to us) and very gruffly said, "THAT has got to STOP!" (Which of course worked, it always works when a total stranger challenges a child.) But just then, the father rose abruptly from his table and very loudly expressed his displeasure with my comment, along with a dozen uses of an expletive that I can't mention here, but is the one that's most commonly bleeped on The Osborne's."
He got into my personal comfort space and kept saying "let's take it outside." Do people really say that? At that point, the Assistant F&B Manager, Mwanza Major, rushed over. Well aware that it was the other guy, the heterosexual man with a wife and cluster of children, was the aggressor, he nonetheless asked ME to step out with him. We went up the the 2nd floor, where I explained what had happened and demanded that the threatening offender and his family be moved to the other side of the dining hall.
Mr. Major urged that instead, me and my friends switch over to the other side of the room. "I didn't do anything" I said. "Why should I move?" So Mr. Major asked me to wait on the 2nd floor while he went down to resolve the situation to "everyone's satisfaction," which bothered me, since I don't see why a perpetrator should be satisfied for committing his offense.
After more than 20 minutes, Mr. Major returned to tell me that they were getting ready to leave, so the situation resolved itself. So in reality, our party was made to suffer, as I was intentionally ushered away, and kept away from my friends and my $110 mediocre brunch until the straight man and his family were ready to leave.
To make matters worse still, I was told that they were on there way up to the 2nd floor and would pass me on their way to the petting zoo! I expressed my disgust with how he handled the situation, stating that it was clear that, since the perpetrator was straight, married, with kids, he would receive preferential treatment. Mr. Major balked at that, saying, "There are two things I can not change, and that is the color of a man's skin or his sexual preference." Yes! he said 'preference,' implying that, to him, it was a choice. But wait! He took it a step further by adding, "If I could change it, I would, but I can't." He repeated himself twice, just in case I didn't get it the first time. -
Review from Mike C.
Long Beach, CA
4/26/2011
When we are in San Francisco, we make every effort to stay here.
Not because it's fancy (though it is), but because the service is absolutely fabulous.
All of the staff have consistently gone above and beyond to ensure we had a great experience.
Earlier this month, we took our 4 month old baby on her first vacation.
From the moment we checked in, we were treated like a VIP.
The front desk provided a wonderful room, with enough space to accommodate us and a crib comfortably and even provided us with a late morning check in.
The room was wonderful. It was larger than most of the rooms we had been in previously and had an separate area for the crib, giving us a lot of extra room.
When the crib arrived, we discovered a little gift bag for our baby, with some really thoughtful amenities including a really soft blanket, a night light, outlet covers, a baby thermometer and some lotions.
Totally unexpected and very much appreciated.
The staff at the Ritz are always doing something special to make our stay memorable. When I took my wife here for her birthday, they made a mix CD, with music from the year she was born and had it playing in the room when we arrived.
Our experience here has always been wonderful.
Everyone knew our name, treated us exceptionally well and made our 1st vacation with our baby very special.
It's service like this that has us returning again and again to our "home away from home" in San Francisco. -
Review from Elysia S.
Alameda, CA
6/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
My cousin had his wedding reception here and our entire family received the wedding special discount on their hotel rooms!
This hotel is on top of a hill around the China town and downtown San Francisco area. This hotel is beautiful and fancy! The employees are VERY generous (I can't stress this enough) and welcoming. They reassure every guest there that they'll have a wonderful experience at The Ritz.
LOBBY:
The lobby has a dining area, tea area, and provides ice lemonade & iced water for all guests!
ROOMS:
The master suites provide a walk-in closet, vanity, and a huge bathroom. Then there's a living room w/ a couch & 2 chairs, a coffee table, a desk, flat screen tv, fridgerator, and a complimentary coffee/coffee maker. The bedroom provides a king size bed and a small table with the huge window that has a view of SF. It's a very nice and romantic room for a couple get away.
The regular 2 king size bedrooms were just as wonderful as the master suites. This room provides 2 king size beds, a desk, a flat screen tv, a refridgerator, a complimentary coffee/coffee maker and huge bathroom for the entire family! This also had the view of SF. Very spacious compared to other hotels I've been to.
They provide a buffet breakfast for ALL guest for just $5!
PARKING:
Everyone who is from the Bay Area KNOWS parking is horrible at/or around downtown San Francisco. ALL DAY parking at The Ritz Carlton is $35. OVERNIGHT parking is $70/night. If you would like to go the cheap way, I'd park at the St. Mary's garage which is less than $20/night AND is only next door from the Ritz-Carlton!
VENUE:
The reception was held at the last floor of the hotel. Some people are allowed in this area and must use a key to get down to the bottom level. The venue was big especially to fit a LARGE Filipino family! The set-up was beautiful! It was quite fancy but beyond amazing! The big PLUS was the open bar the ENTIRE night! (:
Overall, my stay at the Ritz-Carlton was wonderful! I've never received such wonderful service until I stayed here. This hotel may be pricey but I believe it's all worth the money! I hope all you foreigners & visitors enjoy your stay here! -
Review from Erin A.
2/21/2011
Great service; Dessert was so-so.
The most expensive cookies and milk I've ever had. I've baked better cookies than the ones I had. The Ambiance was very classy though. We were served milk in wine glasses and the service was impeccable. A good experience, however, I will not be coming back to eat there. -
Review from Brooke t.
Coronado, CA
12/21/2011
Beautiful entryway, excellent service, great location, and a superb new restaurant- Parallel 37. The only reason this hotel gets 4 stars instead of 5 is because the rooms are just okay. Besides the bathroom which is outfitted in marble, the room is quite plain and non-descript. I've heard the rooms on the club floor might be better though.
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Review from John C.
San Jose, CA
3/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Second stay here in the last couple of years on the club level. Our first stay was phenomenal and carried us for a long time. This time it wasn't quite as impressive.
This time around wasn't quite as warm and personal. This was true for the personnel throughout the Hotel. The Club Level crew, although polite and helpful, were standoffish and not as engaged with our party as they had been last time. Not even an unprompted good morning smile in the morning.
Food in the Club lounge was excellent. Cocktails for "free" was great. We hung out there pretty much our whole stay so we definitely had a good sampling of it all. Caviar at 6 was also nice but the size of the portions were small to say the least. For this kind of money I think they could indulge us a bit more...
Room was a nice size for a standard sized room with two Double Beds. Clean and well appointed as one would expect.
The indoor pool was a hit with the kids as that was something different for them than the usual outdoor pool. It's only 4.5ft deep at the deepest part so our 7 year old felt safe.
No water bottles waiting for us in the car this time at checkout.
Overall one step down from our last visit. Hopefully an anomaly... -
Review from Chitown D.
Chicago, IL
3/16/2011
I usually stay here 2-3 times a year and have for almost ten years. I have never had a bad experience. As far as Ritz' go, it's one of the nicest I've been too (better than Marina del Ray and Battery Park and just as nice as Laguna Beach and The Huntington in Pasadena, which is now The Langham).
Outside of the expense, there's nothing to complain about. The location, the rooms, the hotel itself, the food, the staff, the atmosphere are all superb. Also, the The Dining Room is a fantastic place to dine in the lap of luxury or just get a fancy pants drink in the Bar. Also, if you're ever in the Lobby Lounge for lunch, get the Oven Roasted Turkey Sandwich with avocado- it's to die for. -
Review from Dean W.
4/4/2011
4.5 Stars and this is for Afternoon Tea
We came for one of our favorites, afternoon tea, which is now in The Dining Room and not in the Lobby Lounge. How was it? Fantabulous! Great selection of teas, warm scones with devonshire and strawberry jam, macarons, tea sandwiches, and selections of sweet and savories that are perfect for tea.
The service was exceptional; pouring tea and champagne for us when our glasses and cups were half full, bringing us extras sweets and savories, and everything was very fresh. Some of the highlights include the ahi tuna sandwich, salmon profiteroles, scones, madeleines, and etc.
Anyway I'm taking away half a star because I enjoyed the atmosphere and ambiance when tea was in the Lobby Lounge. At The Dining Room it doesn't have the same buzz. Perhaps it is because there were only a few tables or perhaps because the room isn't as bright and doesn't have the view of the courtyard.
I hope they bring tea back to the Lobby Lounge but other than that it is perfect. -
Review from Anthony N.
Darien, CT
9/30/2011
Great location relative to financial district. Decent amentities; wireless connection in room, good bar for meeting, solid room service, new renovated workout facility, and very responsive to last minute needs.
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Review from vivian l.
San Francisco, CA
1/7/2011
Super gorgeous, best architecture from the outside-- the Ritz is complete with spa, gift shop, fitness center, pool area, lobby lounge, bar and of course, The pool is indoor so, go for a swim or enjoy a nice, relaxing soak in the jacuzzi. Staff are the best--It's a bit expensive but worth it, very nicely kept and a great place to take a quiet stroll and grab some fresh air.
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Review from Mike P.
12/23/2010 2 Check-ins Here
This is the hotel where I have my annual conference and I just love it when I return here. Christmas decorations abound, the friend staff awaits, and the amenities are great. Given that I haven't really stayed here in the rooms, but I could just assume that they are great.
The Good:
1. The staff - the friendliest in town (Fairmont - do you have something to stay?)
2. The decor - it just makes you feel so invited and cozy, just the thing you need for Christmas.
3. The food - the catered lunch and the hors d'oeuvres were wonderful - well prepared, albeit in mass quantities.
The Not-So-Good:
1. The valet parking could take a really long time...
2. The location makes you really work off the cookie calories by walking up and down the hills.
In conclusion: One of the best hotels in San Francisco in all respects! -
Review from Vijay P.
Morgan Hill, CA
10/23/2010 1 Check-in Here
* Bar only review *
This is the Ritz-Carlton, what more can you say about this landmark hotel. Your door man is dressed in a top hat and long coat. The interior decorated in typical contemporary Ritz Carlton decor. The bar is a bit bland with a stogy crowd of old fogies, but we needed a break from our bar crawl. After by best friend downed his Single Barrel Jack Daniels with Coke we were off to our next stop. Expect to pay a premium because it's the Ritz... -
Review from Jan J.
Roseville, CA
9/15/2011
The first time I stayed here was fantastic, with a clean room and nice Bvlgari bath products and lavender bath salt. What I loved more was that they stock toothbrushes and shaving kits in the bathroom, so you don't have to go through the hassle of calling a man to run them up.
I returned two days later and was told I was getting an "upgrade," which seems to equate with a larger room but poorer cleanliness and amenities. Literally, it was almost like a completely different hotel in the bathroom. The bath products were downgraded to the generic Ritz branded stuff, no bath salts, no toothbrush or kit in sight. After taking a shower, I was about to grab the towel hanging so conveniently at the end of the tub, only to notice that it had pink lipstick stains and a hair on it.
I then went to my bedside and noticed that they'd forgotten to clear out a note thanking some Mr. A_ for staying there the night before. Which made me wonder if they'd even cleaned the room at all. I reported this to the front desk, who reassured me that they did clean it, and offering fresh towels. As it was 4:30am, I decided to just stick out the night after thoroughly examining the bed, but still feel vaguely dirty from that place.
Furniture was also very old and diseased looking; I didn't dare sit on anything directly.
They do stock shoe polish in the rooms though, which is very useful. -
Review from Marty L.
Burlingame, CA
3/2/2011
When it comes to quality, beauty, and attention to detail the Ritz is the shitz. For a weekend getaway we stayed in a suite with the most beautiful and elegant decor. Loved their Bvlgari toiletries. What I loved most was the caliber of service, they knew our names and greeted us accordingly. What other hotel does that!!
We didn't get the chance to dine at the Ritz, we ended up having dinner at Gary Danko, but I will for sure return and wine, dine, and sleep (sorry couldn't think of a synonym for sleep that rhymed) .
Unsurpassed quality, luxury, and service. Hands down the best hotel I've stayed in, in quite a while. -
Review from Mish L.
9/3/2010
The Ritz is the perfect place to stay for a weekend getaway in SF. Valet is so easy, service is on point and check in is effortless. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a nice lady in the lobby with flutes of bubbly and given fresh hot towels to wipe our hands.
The staff are all cheerful, professional, and very helpful. You'll have doors opened for you, and staff eager to help with your bags.
Super elegant and gorgeous, lovely architecture from the outside-- the Ritz is complete with spa, gift shop, fitness center, pool area, lobby lounge, bar and of course, The Dining Room (which unfortunately, we didn't get to try). The pool is indoor so forget the sunblock, go for a swim or enjoy a nice, relaxing soak in the jacuzzi. Go outside and check out the courtyard area-- very nicely kept and a great place to take a quiet stroll and grab some fresh air.
If you're wanting to ride the cable car down to the Embarcadero, there's a cable car stop off right by the hotel-- very convenient!
Room offered up a great view of Chinatown. Multi-cultural influences are reflected in the Chinoiserie cabinets, European influenced bed chests and intricately detailed bedside tables and headboards. And I loved the attention to detail and presentation of the gourmet tea & coffee box. 32- LCD flat screen, built in wireless... the best, comfortable beds, lovely spacey bathroom. What's not to love? :-)
Will definitely recommend this to anyone who's looking for a weekend getaway or is visiting SF. -
Review from Michelle Z.
San Francisco, CA
8/3/2011
We recently had our wedding held at the hotel. And we cannot be any happier! The service, the staff, and location/ballroom was all beyond our expectation. The staff was flexible and willing to do pretty much anything to help our day go without a hitch. The service staff during our wedding was impecable. And all of our vendors have told me afterwards they have never seen service like they experienced at the Ritz before. And the ballrooms are just gorgeous. Those chandeliers are just to die for. The food that we ordered from the hotel was impecable. And thank g-d they let in outside catering to accomodate our Russian/Jewish heritage. It was beyond a five star and five diamond experience!!
Listed in: Wedding Bliss
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Review from Donna B.
2/27/2011 3 Check-ins Here
This Ritz is beautiful inside and out, though it's not quite up to the par of the immaculate Philadelphia Ritz. And if you thought the rest of San Francisco was expensive, just wait til you stay here! My company has a per diem for eating, and I can only have one meal per day if I order anything from the Ritz!
The Ritz is up on Nob Hill, a great part of San Francisco. I stayed here because the rest of my colleagues were, but I won't do it again: when in town, we work over in the Financial District. I love walking and the *distance* is perfectly doable, but you cannot walk down this massive hill in 3" heels. I took my shoes off - we walked both days - and when I got back to the East Coast I had blisters on both feet. So, something to keep in mind if you're working in San Francisco anywhere other than Nob Hill: wear comfortable shoes, or you'll need to cab it.
The staff is great; however, they still haven't emailed my bill as I requested...and they even mentioned it upon check out. The in-room guide lists the business center as being on the third floor (it's not) and once I was finally directed to the second floor, it was hard to see when it's behind you! I also ordered dessert one evening, and for $12 was very disappointed at what arrived...it was tasty but too tiny for that price.
Loved the bed, linens and comforter as well as the large flat screen TV. The bathroom was a very nice size, and has a full size hair dryer.
Big kudos to them for having Prima water (and complimentary!) - that's water which is in bottles which fully compost in 30 days! If you buy bottled water, that's what you need to buy! So a big shout-out to the Ritz for doing the right thing there. -
Review from Byron C.
Tustin, CA
12/6/2010 1 Check-in Here
It's Christmas time and you're staying at the Ritz-Carlton, what could go wrong?
Absolutely nothing! This place is amazing. Upon entering the lobby, you are greeted properly in front of a beautiful tall Christmas tree that guards the area of the dining room. Which is where they hosted daily Teas for the children.
I was a little removed by the "ambiguously gay singing elf" with companion "dancing giant bear" which polluted my eardrums with possibly the worse version of "Feliz Navidad" ever performed in public!
http://www.youtube.com...
However, the kids enjoyed it, so what do I know?
Great service, impeccable rooms and perfect location for those looking to paint the town red around Union Square. -
Review from Ciara G.
I have worked for Marriott for 5 years and have been dying to stay at a Ritz Carlton. And after staying here I am kicking myself in the B-hind for not snagging the Central Park Ritz last year.
I was super lucky to score the employee rate (and be upgraded to a suite) on this recent Napa/SF trip. I will not rub it in, but I will say that even with the $62 dollar Valet parking fee it was still cheaper than one nights stay at their lowest rate.
To start, the service is above and beyond and truly doesn't get any better. From Miguel at Valet, to our front desk check in service from Karen (former South Bayer woo woo Marina del Rey) to Dino the bell hop we were pretty much treated like royalty.
The what I take as "the going the extra mile" is the standard level of service the Ritz provides. My favorite was when we got back to our room for the evening after stepping out to get some ice cream and we returned to a comfortable relaxed room. Turn down service was completed while we were out and when we returned there was a bucket of ice on the mini bar, the radio was softly playing soothing classical tunes, the night stand light was dimly lit with two water bottles in the center, the window curtain was closed and the millions of pillows on the beds were neatly stacked on the floor and our beds were ready for us to sleep peacefully on through the night.
The bathroom amenities blew me away! A nail file, ring holder, toothbrush holder, a digital scale (not that I dare wanted to stand on it after all I was in SF to EAT), uber comfy bath robe and two pairs of slippers. They had me at the nail file I tell you. I will agree with other reviews that the water pressure was on the weak side but the water was hot so that's really the deciding factor there when it comes to rating the shower experience at a hotel.
The cost for Valet is outrageous ($62 per 24 hours) but it's SF so what do you expect. The guys hustle and your car is brought around in no time. They also do a great job at getting you a cab as I saw the Valet Manager this morning give a loud whistle and a "Valet" with a hand wave and one drove right up.
My only gripe is that there was not one outlet near the bed nightstand area so I was not able to charge my phone and still use it while in bed. ):
I know it's totally minor but it's HUGE to me! I have moved lamps around in hotel rooms before to put the lamp with the outlet base on the nightstand. Guess I'll carry an extension cord with me next time I stay here. Hmmm....I bet if I called and asked them for one they would have brought it.Listed in: Hotel, Motel, Holiday Inn
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Review from Vivian W.
San Jose, CA
10/7/2010
My boyfriend surprised me by booking the Ritz Carlton for my birthday weekend in SF! I'm a lucky girl. As usual, valet parking is over $60/night, so we decided to park down the street for $35 instead. It's a little bit of an uphill trek up to the hotel, but it was worth it. It's an older hotel located near Chinatown. It was a bit hard to find unless you are familiar with the area.
As we walked in to the hotel, we noticed that what really makes the Ritz stand out is the service. We were greeted by a hostess that led us to the registration area. She asked if we wanted anything to drink which was a great touch. I felt like a celebrity! We were given a corner room which was very spacious. I didn't walk into the room jumping up and down in delight, but it was still a very nice room. It's kind of hard to appreciate hotels around here when we had just returned from Vegas a few weeks prior!
We headed out to lunch and a bay cruise and I came back to a nice bottle of champagne on ice. My boyfriend is so sweet! He also had the bed and floor covered in rose petals for when we returned from dinner and dancing. It was a rowdy night, so unfortunately I was in no condition to enjoy them when we got back. Our stay also included a breakfast, so we ordered room service. Everything was really tasty.
The Ritz isn't a place to stay if you want to be close to all the happening places or if you are looking for a hip atmosphere. It's a place to stay if you want to appreciate service and elegance. It is an ideal hotel for a weekend getaway, a wedding, or other big events.Listed in: San Francisco
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Review from Viennelyn C.
San Francisco, CA
4/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
My company held a Technology conference at the Ritz-Carlton and I was asked to help with the morning registration process. Although I was not a guest at this hotel, I was surely treated like one! The service at the Ritz-Carlton is quite impressive! I left my laptop in my car and one of the staff members offered to grab it for me. He went all the way to my car, which was parked in Valet, and brought it down to me. I also forgot my phone charger at home and soon realized an hour before I had to dial into a conference call. Again, I decided to ask the staff if they had a charger and sure enough I was brought a charger within a matter of 5 minutes. To top it all off, I was brought down a breakfast plate from the press conference upstairs. Not only was the service amazing, the hotel and architecture was extremely beautiful. My favorite thing about this hotel is that they carry hand towels instead of paper towels in their bathrooms. Very chic and environmentally friendly!
My only gripe about this place was my experience with the Valet attendant. While I was parking my car in the valet area, the valet attendant asked me if I was sure that I wanted to park my car in valet because it was expensive, a supposedly $40+ fee for the whole day. I found his biased judgments to be a bit rude. Business professionals can surely afford $40+ for valet.
Other than that, I would love to stay at the Ritz-Carlton as a guest. What a lovely hotel...Listed in: I left my heart in San…
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Review from Lynn C.
San Francisco, CA
8/26/2010
This might be a little ridiculous seeing that I wasn't a guest at the hotel this time. But this is outrageous seeing that this is a five-star hotel, the service was just not there.
I've stayed at other Ritz before and it's never been this bad.
The story:
Came here for a conference three weeks back and lost my valet receipt.
I need the receipt to be reimbursed (because yes, parking is $35 for a day).
Went back, waited for more than an hour to get the receipt when the front desk girl told me that she would continue to try to get a hold of Accounting Department. (She lied because she didn't pick up the phone ever again after that.)
I walked back up to the front desk and asked if she had a chance to contact the Accounting Department. She said, "no, but you can try dialing 0 on that phone in the lobby."
Um... front desk lady of the Ritz Carlton, why couldn't you have told me that from the beginning instead of making me wait 30 minutes?
So I call the Accounting Department, they were able to get me my receipt... another 30 minutes later.
Yup, over promise, UNDER deliver.
I won't be staying at this hotel. Because if you can't take care of parking receipts, how can you take care of your guests? -
Review from Joe H.
Berkeley, CA
8/31/2011
Just ok. Sort of disappointing actually. The service was great and we were greeted as we walked in and directed to the front desk with beverages in tow. But the room was a big disappointment. It was small and we were surprised by how average the furnishings were. No better than a low end marriott, but I wish I could say that about the rates because we sure didnt get what we paid for. Average gym and pool, but they have a free car service that will drop off to nearby restaurants and stores which was pretty cool.
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Review from Los H.
2/5/2011
Classic Ritz service, treatments, & amenities! Darling staff & beautiful venue overall. The weddings here always look stunning (at least the still photographs'll be).
Don't forget to ask to swap if you get a room that doesn't suit you - I imagine they're yet working through an upgrade schedule from the early-90's.
Relatively central location to S.F. tourist haunts, local holes, with nearby steps to better ease down the altitude towards Market. Just a few blocks from the Marriott conference centre, SF MOMA, & the SF W.
