The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas

Lovely experience. Hotel rooms are stunning and clean while the food is delectable. The resort includes many pools and activities. Yet most of the staff are hostile or snarky.

My stay here was amazing, mainly thanks to the outstanding service from Wendalyn, Kailya and Finel at the italian restaurant, they were absolutely phenomenal. Wendalyn made us feel like family, very attentive to our children and told us a lot about the island, while Kailya at the bar gave us a lot of information about dining options in st. John, and Finel checked on us many times during our dinner, laughed with us and was very joyful. The rooms are a bit outdated, but I liked the style for within the hotel, the location is ideal and the water activites was great. The spa is luxurious, with great amenities and complimentary drinks that add a nice touch.

Our stay at the Ritz this year has been very disappointing compared to our previous visits. Unfortunately, the overall experience has declined significantly. The level of service is no longer what we’ve come to expect. Staff interactions feel noticeably less attentive and welcoming than in the past. Additionally, the condition of the facilities—particularly our poolside cabana—is poor. The curtain is extremely difficult to operate, requiring significant effort to slide along a deteriorating rod. The television is missing a remote, the overhead fan is not functioning, and the refrigerator was minimally stocked with only two bottles of water. The cabinetry is also in disrepair. Having just come from another resort, the difference in quality is stark. This experience has not met the standards we associate with the Ritz.

I want to start with an important caveat: if this resort were half the price, I’d be giving it a solid 4–5 star review without hesitation. But at the rates they charge, the experience just doesn’t measure up—and that gap is hard to ignore. Let’s start with the food, because that was probably the biggest letdown. Nothing we had stood out in a meaningful way. It wasn’t bad, but it also wasn’t memorable, which is a problem at this price point. The Italian restaurant in particular felt more like an upscale chain experience—closer to Olive Garden than something you’d expect from a luxury resort. When you’re paying premium prices, you expect at least one meal that makes you say “wow,” and we just didn’t get that. Service is something I saw a lot of complaints about before arriving, and honestly, I think those reviews are a bit harsh. The staff we encountered were generally friendly, polite, and attentive. Were they over-the-top, anticipatory, or exceptionally polished? Not really. But they were perfectly pleasant and did their jobs well. If you’re expecting ultra-refined, next-level service, you might feel it falls short—but it wasn’t a negative part of our stay. The beach was actually one of the highlights. It never felt overcrowded, and we had no problem finding chairs at any time of day. That made for a much more relaxing experience compared to other resorts where you’re scrambling early in the morning. On the flip side, the pool situation was the opposite. It filled up quickly—very early in the day—and stayed crowded. That may have been due to the timing of our trip (right at the start of Spring Break season, week of March 17), but it’s something to be aware of if pool time is important to you. At the end of the day, this place isn’t terrible—it’s just overpriced for what it delivers. If nightly rates were in the $600–$700 range or below, I’d say go for it and you’ll likely have a great time. But at the higher price points, there are simply better options out there that offer a more elevated overall experience. Bottom line: decent resort, good beach, acceptable service—but not worth the premium price. Keep your expectations (and your budget) in check.

The Ritz Carlton in st Thomas is living off the company's reputation. While the room was clean, it was highly overpriced and completely overrated. For the price we paid, which actually was a discounted price for a wedding, it should be all inclusive. And that still wouldn't be worth it.