The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay

Over the years this resort has been a go to for us. Last Monday we checked in and sat at the sea food bar by the lawn. Cody was our bartender and we had the best experience with him. He was so kind and personable which really added more joy to our stay. Also at the front desk Anya & Manny were so warm and welcoming just like any other times.

As Bay Area locals, my husband and I have enjoyed many lovely lunches and dinners at the Ritz Half Moon Bay over the years. We’ve always appreciated the beautiful setting and the sense of luxury the Ritz brand represents. That’s why we chose to bring our son here to celebrate his 23rd birthday in January 2025 — it felt like a meaningful and special place for such an occasion. Unfortunately, this visit was deeply disappointing. It was an extremely windy day, and while we opted to sit outside, I now wish we had asked to be moved indoors. That’s on us. What was most upsetting, however, was the service. The waitress we had was unwelcoming from the start. She asked for a credit card the moment we sat down — something that has never happened to us at any Ritz property or fine dining experience. She was inattentive throughout the lunch, never acknowledged the birthday we had clearly noted when making the reservation, and didn’t contribute anything to make the day feel special. While the food was good, the lack of hospitality and care made the entire experience feel cold and impersonal. I took a photo of our receipt and reached out via Instagram to the Ritz Half Moon Bay’s profile. After receiving no response for over a month, I searched online and sent an email directly. I’ve now followed up twice in the past three months and still haven’t received any acknowledgment — not even a courtesy reply. I could’ve called, but at this point, the silence speaks volumes. What hurts most is that we’ve always been treated so well at other Ritz Carlton locations around the country. This one, our most local and most frequently visited, has been the only one to truly let us down. We haven’t returned since, and sadly, neither have several of our friends who used to frequent the resort on our recommendation. We still believe in the Ritz brand, but the Half Moon Bay location has a long way to go in terms of service recovery and valuing loyal, local guests.

We had an amazing experience! I had high hopes, as I had been looking at this hotel for several years, and the experience was a dream! We took advantage of a lot the resort has to offer. We enjoyed the sunset bugle playing each night, we went to the pool and got a short, warm chauffeured ride back to the hotel, and we walked down the the beach each day. Exploring the tidal pools was one of my favorite California memories of all time! Please inquire about the times of the tides when you visit. It’s amazing what you can see! We also enjoyed a little putting, which was a resort perk you could utilize, even though we didn’t actually play golf during our stay. Also, the town of Half Moon Bay is extremely charming. I hope to go again some day!

I’ve spent many of my favorite days on earth sitting by the Half Moon Bay fire pits. The recent renovations made an already beautiful place that much greater. Half Moon Bay is busier than a Big Sur property (try Alila Ventana, a Hyatt property for a similar experience with more privacy and seclusion).

Definitely some of the most Spectacular Coastal views in Northern California can be seen along the hotel’s pathway. Unfortunately the drivers of the golf carts have a sense of entitlement so if you don’t move out of the way quickly enough they can get aggressive. The views from the outdoor restaurant are amazing and the shrimp cocktail was the perfect choice. The service was average but did not meet the expectation for a Ritz Carlton.