Has anyone stayed at the Ritz-Carlton?

[CustardTart]

If so, what's it like? It looks rather nice on the web-site. Just found out DH has a company off-site in March based there and I really think I have to tag along if only to make extra use of my Universal and WDW APs...

 

[Miffy2003]

It looks glorious I've not stayed there though (sadly )

 

[Boo Boo Too]

If so, what's it like? It looks rather nice on the web-site. Just found out DH has a company off-site in March based there and I really think I have to tag along if only to make extra use of my Universal and WDW APs...

Have a look at the reviews on tripadvisor.com - http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...ton_Orlando_Grande_Lakes-Orlando_Florida.html

To be honest, most of the reviews are not great - if you stay at a Ritz Carlton you, rightly, have high expectations... looks as though this particular Ritz Carlton may not be delivering to those expectations...

We have just returned from a trip to the US (4th - 21st October). We were only in Florida for 4 days and nights, but I looked into a LOT of hotels when I was booking the stay (last March/April/May). I pretty much narrowed it down to the Ritz Carlton or the Hyatt Grand Cypress. Because of the reviews on Tripadvisor I chose the Hyatt (which gets consistently very good reviews - http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...t_Regency_Grand_Cypress-Orlando_Florida.html). However, in the end we opted for a VERY nice private villa in the Reunion Resort (http://www.reunionresort.us.com). That worked out well for us: we got a lot more space, a fab private pool and a lot of privacy and peace and quiet for about the same price as a "Regency Club" room at the Hyatt...

So I wouldn't choose the Ritz (due to the reviews on tripadvisor) - I think that there are better options for the money (either the Hyatt or a private villa), BUT if someone was paying for me to stay there... I probably wouldn't complain too much . However, read the reviews and let them "manage your expectations".

Boo

 

[UKDEB]

Well, although we stayed in precisely the same villa at Reunion (which is, without question, the best kept secret in the Orlando area), my view of the Ritz-Carlton is diametrically opposed to that of Boo.

For our January 2004 trip I was sold on the Hyatt Grand Cypress. Based on the Trip Advisor reviews at the time, it was the best hotel in the Disney area (topped only by the Westin Grand Bohemian which didn't qualify due to its Downtown Orlando location). Thanks to this forum (and specifically Simon Veness) the R-C at Grande Lakes came to my attention at the crucial moment and we ended up booking it at an amazing introductory price ($173 per night). Following 3 nights in New York and prior to a stay in a private villa, we stayed at the R-C for 4 nights during a trip to celebrate my brother's 40th birthday (dh, db, ds-i-l and me). We were all blown away by the R-C. The fact that it was brand new certainly didn't detract from its appeal, but we have been back several times since (not to stay, but to dine) and it hasn't lost its sparkle. We've stayed at some top-notch hotels around the globe, but these people could teach all of them a thing or two about customer service. Disney; eat your heart out.

Norman's (the signature restaurant) is almost a match for Victoria and Albert's. We also love Fairways (the Golf Clubhouse bar and restaurant). The Vineyard Grill is surprisingly good as the 'regular' offering. As a guest of the R-C, you can also avail yourselves of the facilities of the adjacent JW Marriott. The two are connected physically via their conferencing facilities, or you can take the outside walkways. The JW Marriott has its own fine dining options (we ate at Primo) and its pool includes a lazy river.

Just to be sure we'd done the right thing, we stopped by the Hyatt Grand Cypress. In comparison it was drab, jaded and 'Convention City'. I'm a frequent user of Trip Advisor, but you have to read between the lines and trust your own judgement.

Last weekend we stayed at the new Rosen Shingle Creek. It's a fabulous resort and has that newness that I just adore. However, it still doesn't quite match the R-C. We have also visited the (newish, i.e. post R-C) Omni ChampionsGate on several occasions. Again, it is a stunning resort, but doesn't quite beat the R-C.

I love the R-C and would stay there again in a heartbeat. For my money, it tops every other hotel in the WDW area. It's a classy resort, with an amazing ambiance. Disney doesn't even come close - and I have stayed at most of Disney's Deluxes - they just 'play' at it.

 

[CustardTart]

Thanks guys! Wow, Debs, that's some endorsement! And, seeing as how I have no choice in this (i.e: I'm not paying for it), I'd be mad not to fork out for the flight and enjoy! I thought the R-C spa sounded fab and, as we loved V&A when we stayed at GF, it's good to know there are alternatives... I'm really excited now!

 

[UKDEB]

Oh yes, I forgot to mention that my s-i-l and I had treatments at the spa. It's top class and has its own pool (separate to that of the hotel).

I hope you enjoy your stay.

 

[Red-Snapper]

R
Just to be sure we'd done the right thing, we stopped by the Hyatt Grand Cypress. In comparison it was drab, jaded and 'Convention City'. .

Really cant agree Deb. It is a fantastic hotel and certainly not jaded in any way. Whilst they do hold conventions these have never interferred with our stay. It is a very big property with plenty of room for everyone.

Maybe stay there for a night (as I did at RC) before posting an opinion ?

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Well, although we stayed in precisely the same villa at Reunion (which is, without question, the best kept secret in the Orlando area), my view of the Ritz-Carlton is diametrically opposed to that of Boo.

Since UKDEB has actually had the experience of staying at the Orlando R-C, then that is a lot of peace of mind .

My reservations about the hotel - as stated in my earlier post - are just based on seeing a large amount of negative reviews on the place. Although, to be honest, the more receint reviews seem to be more positive . Internet reviews should always be taken with a pinch of salt (as UKDEB says, "read between the lines")... in general I don't take any one review as gospel, but rather the general trend of a larger sample of reviews.

I think that the problem with Ritz-Carltons is that the people who stay there generally have VERY high expectations. This is fine if it lives up to those expectations (like it did in UKDEB's experience ), but it doesn't take much to really shatter those high expectations... (so a few little things go wrong and some people let it "ruin" their stay...). If that makes sense. Also people are more likely to post a review of a bad experience, than of a good experience... just the way it is.

Since someone else is paying for you to stay there, you really CAN'T go wrong - that is fantastic! With any luck your stay will be as fantastic as UKDEB's. But, if anything goes a little awry... just take it with a pinch of salt and enjoy yourself

Boo

 

[UKDEB]

Really cant agree Deb. It is a fantastic hotel and certainly not jaded in any way. Whilst they do hold conventions these have never interferred with our stay. It is a very big property with plenty of room for everyone.

Maybe stay there for a night (as I did at RC) before posting an opinion ?

Apologies, R-S. I didn't mean my remark to come across quite as disrespectfully as it did. The Hyatt Grand Cypress is clearly an upmarket and classy hotel. The R-C was only a few months old when we stayed there and, IMHO, the HGC was, in comparison drab, jaded and 'Convention City'. Upon reflection, that paints an unfair picture - it was my way of trying to explain, in just a few words, why I preferred the R-C.