The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach

I’m not sure why there are 1 star reviews! My guess is that some people are never happy or satisfied. I traveled with my business partner to Miami for BioHackers World conference at the Ritz Carlton. From the moment we arrived until we left we were absolutely happy with our choice to stay at the Ritz Miami, South Beach. The attendants when we arrived were attentive and immediately took our bags and directed us to the front desk. The room was clean, beds comfortable, room service spot-on and employees friendly and helpful! The food at both the pool and the Mediterranean restaurant were delicious and service outstanding!

My stay at the Ritz Carlton in South Beach was amazing. The customer service is top tier and the rooms are cleaned every day to perfection. I traveled to Miami for business, but obviously could not resist taking a little lunch break on the beach. David got me set up quickly to ensure I had as much relaxation as possible in that short time.

I stayed at the Ritz-Carlton South Beach on August , 2025 to celebrate my boyfriend’s 35th birthday — an occasion I called ahead about and was assured would be made “very special.” Unfortunately, it was one of the most disappointing hotel experiences I’ve ever had and completely inconsistent with what the Ritz-Carlton name is supposed to represent. Upon arrival, we were placed in an old, dark, and extremely noisy room in a run-down wing of the hotel. To get there, we had to take a service elevator and walk through broken hallways with missing curtains. It felt more like a forgotten back corner of a budget motel than a Ritz-Carlton. Inside the room, the bedside lights and phone didn’t work at all, forcing me to call the front desk from my cell phone to request a new room. What followed was nearly an hour and a half of miscommunication and delays — on my boyfriend’s birthday, no less. I was told someone would call me back with room options, but no one ever did. When I called again, I was told there were no other rooms in our category, only a downgrade with no balcony and no view. I asked to upgrade to a suite (which should have been offered complimentary considering the circumstances) and was told I’d receive pricing “shortly.” After waiting 40 more minutes with no response, I called again, only to be met with rude and dismissive service. When I finally got upgrade options, I was misled — the “suite” they quoted was not a suite at all, just a standard room with a better view. We ultimately stayed in the original room, where electricians had to come repair the lights. The bathroom drain didn’t work either. At no point during our stay did anyone acknowledge my boyfriend’s birthday — not even a card, a dessert, or a simple “happy birthday.” I had called and emailed in advance to make sure it would be noted, and I was ignored entirely. The disappointment extended beyond the room. Poolside service was painfully slow, and even the cookies in the minibar were stale. At the beach, the restaurant blared music so loud it drowned out the sound of the ocean — and bizarrely, the pool area was playing different music at the same time, creating a headache-inducing clash of noise. The beach bar was practically empty, making the volume completely unnecessary, and the bathrooms were dirty and poorly maintained. To make matters worse, when I tried to follow up after my stay to share this feedback, it was nearly impossible to reach anyone. Emails went unanswered, and there was no clear contact for management. For a property that trades on its “legendary service,” this total lack of accountability is unacceptable. I have stayed at Ritz-Carlton properties all over the world, and I specifically chose this hotel over the Four Seasons and Faena because of my lifelong loyalty to the brand. I regret that decision. This stay was chaotic, mismanaged, and completely beneath the Ritz-Carlton standard. From the outdated, broken-down room to the unresponsive staff and complete indifference to a special occasion, the experience was a total letdown. Avoid this property if you’re expecting the real Ritz-Carlton experience — you won’t find it here.

Caleb and Giovanni took great care of us during our stay in Miami Beach. The service was impeccable. You are amazing, thank you!

Big thank you to Myriam and Esteban for their lovely service. Truly, all the employees were amazing. It’s an amazing hotel to just relax and enjoy bathing in the sun by the pool.