The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

Reviews 3

YA

Yanna Morrishall

Disappointing, mediocre service. We were sorely disappointed tonight as we tried to celebrate our daughters 12th birthday at the Ritz Carlton Sarasota. This bad experience was in stark contrast to our visit here in October 2016 for my sons birthday. I had made a reservation and told them we were coming for a birthday dinner. We received a very rude reception being curtly told that our birthday balloons were not welcome and they could not seat us. I told the lady that I had not known that balloons were disallowed because when we came in October it wasnt a problem. In fact in October the valet carried the balloons and cake into the hotel for us, our cake was whisked away to the pastry kitchen and it was white glove service from beginning to end, but not today. Second I said that I had told them we had a birthday that evening. She told me I should have asked whether I could bring balloons - again I said it never crossed my mind because we had brought balloons to that very restaurant before. It felt like being reprimanded. We felt very unwelcome. Even before that we had to carry the cake from the car and it sat on the table until we asked the waitress to please take it to the back so it would not be in the way of our appetizers. We ordered and as soon as the food was set down the waitress asked how the food was - well we had barely started eating so we said positive things because it certainly looked good. However my piocino was over cooked. The shrimp was tough and the fish was like pieces of rubber. The fish should break apart when pierced but it was like skewering a piece of meat and chewy. Wait a minute, where was I? The Ritz Carlton? This was very disappointing. My son had ordered the same dish and his shrimp were tough although his fish fell apart when pierced. I had ordered this dish before - in October 2016 - and it had been mouth watering. We looked and waited in vain for our waitress. After 30 minutes or more my husband went in search of the head waitress. She came over but her apologies were defensive saying, "it depends which fish we have fresh today" to which I answered, "well my sons fish is much softer although his shrimp are also tough. Time for the cake? Well no one offered us any coffee or tea. Also, the waitress did not come and ask me if it was now a good time for the cake and we could have sang happy birthday, she just brought it with candles already lit, some not lit, and some falling over... this was a $60 cake! We had no time to take pictures (I tried and got some blurry shaky photos) and we were very distracted in trying to save the falling candles. In October the pastry chef herself came and offered to cut the cake to which we had replied no we want to and she handed my daughter the knife to cut my sons cake making the occasion special. Instead she took it away and cut it and then instead of offering the birthday girl the first piece she offered it to me. EShe was about to serve my son and I said no serve the birthday girl (who will never be 12 again) FIRST. Nevertheless the birthday cake (which we had brought with us, not made by the Ritz) was a scrumptious carrot cake that would have gone wonderfully with a nice cup of tea or espresso if we had been served some. Again we looked around and waited in vain for our waitress...until my husband, again, got up and got the head waitress. My husband was fed up of all the inconsistencies and said to me, "lets just make tea at home - but who wants to eat cake twice? It defeats the purpose. By this time the children were tired and we just wanted to leave. Time to go, the still open cake box was set on the table and left there for us to take - a far cry from October when the cake box was closed with fresh tape and again carried and loaded into the back of our car. We felt cheated out of a nice evening. They still let us pay for the meal. ...and this was the Ritz Carlton. Jack Dusty is not a separate entity, it is part and parcel of the Ritz brand. Apologies just wont do.

CH

Chad Stevens

I was here today doing a shoot for a production company and the valet gentlemen that took my keys asked me if my truck really had a super​charger then he took off in my truck and I could hear my truck going down the road fast I and I see him out the window of the building. I then went to sign in at the conference room and I heard the valet squealing the tires on my truck for several seconds I of course was pissed but then it stopped so I continued signing in when I heard him stopping on the gas again and you could hear the tires squealing again I was really pissed this time I started walking to the front entrance when I heard it again for the 3rd time I told the manager he said he would talk to him and then said tires squeal easy in the garage, so I realized then he wasnt going to do anything but make accuses. I had to work so I worked the rest of the day and when I went to get my truck the manager brought me my truck and when he got out he said I talk to the gentlemen that drove your truck and he said it was an accident. I looked at him and said you and I both know that wasnt an accident and I cant believe you are trying to tell me it was. After he could see I was upset about the way he handled it he said the gentlemen was being punished which I know was a lie and I said that to him... He then asked if he could get me a bottle of water. I accidentally gave him $10 tip because when I handed him the ticket I noticed 10 bucks stuck to it. So I was upset I did that as well. I am posting this because this has happened to be before and I am tired of leaving my truck with people and they disrespect it and they dont have the right to do it. Moral of this story is think twice before letting these guys valet your vehicle as at least one of them thinks its ok to beat on your vehicle. Not professional at all.

KE

kelly hannon

My boyfriend and I experienced our first stay at the Ritz Carlton just last week for two nights. Ive always heard of their reputation for outstanding service but was still hesitant upon arrival due to a few negative reviews I read about - others feeling dissatisfied with service since they are not wealthy and that the hotel treated them differently for it. However, I can honestly say I have never experienced quality service like this before (and I do not fall under the definition of wealthy)! We never felt like we were treated less than any other guest during our stay; if anything it was the opposite - We felt that we were treated truly special (even though Im sure this is simply their service level for all). The most outstanding person we came in contact with was a Matthew Vessella. Not only did he let us in on resort services that we were not thoroughly told about when we first arrived (mostly the services at the beach club), but he alone made our stay truly memorable. Some of the things he did, besides give us a detailed description of the beach club and all it had to offer (we went and he was spot on with his details including just how lovely it was there), he opened the retail shop for me due to a beauty emergency, clued us in on the $20 daily credit we are allotted as guests, and surprised us with a farewell card and complimentary bottle of champagne on the last night of our stay. We were in awe with how kind Matt was to us; he made us feel truly special as guests at the hotel. We also experienced wonderful service from the bartender (I believe his name was Jeff), valet, and all of the staff at the beach club. I look forward to returning to this location again in the future!

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