Kudos to Ruben, He Made Our Ritz Experience Truly Unforgettable! But Some Things Need Immediate Attention.
The Ritz has always been one of my favorite places to stay, whether it’s in California, Istanbul, Spain, or anywhere else, the name comes with an expectation of luxury and world-class service. But this stay at Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage went above and beyond, all thanks to Ruben at reception.
We were celebrating an anniversary, and Ruben made it incredibly special from the start. He welcomed us with wine and chocolate-covered strawberries
Here’s your full, polished review, ready to share, it balances warm praise with clear, respectful critique:
Kudos to Ruben, He Made Our Ritz Experience Truly Unforgettable!
The Ritz has always been one of my favorite places to stay, whether it’s in California, Istanbul, Spain, or anywhere else. The name carries the promise of luxury and world-class service. But this stay at Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage went above and beyond, all thanks to Ruben at reception.
We were celebrating our anniversary, and Ruben truly elevated the experience. He greeted us warmly with a bottle of wine, chocolate-covered strawberries, and even a complimentary room upgrade! His hospitality set the tone for a beautiful, relaxing getaway.
Our room was gorgeous, with a breathtaking panoramic view of the desert and Coachella Valley. The bed was incredibly comfortable, and we loved every detail. The drinks by the pool were excellent, refreshing, perfectly mixed, and served by friendly staff who made sure we were well taken care of. The food throughout our stay was top quality, and breakfast was a highlight: delicious, fresh, and beautifully presented.
Ritz also has a lovely boutique store with premium products. I didn’t plan on shopping but couldn’t resist and ended up with some amazing finds.
BUT NOW TO THE BIG NEGATIVE: THE ADULT POOL AREA AT NIGHT WAS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.
We were hoping to enjoy a calm and classy evening by the pool, but instead, we were surrounded by a group of intoxicated guests whose behavior was completely inappropriate for a luxury property like the Ritz. One man aggressively shoved a woman into the pool, and she screamed loudly in a way that made everyone uncomfortable. It was disturbing, not playful, absolutely not the vibe of a 5-star resort.
Even worse, in the morning we noticed multiple cigarette butts left behind near the pool. It was disgusting, and no one had cleaned it up. The smell was strange and unpleasant, and for a place that emphasizes elegance, this kind of mess is unacceptable.
Let’s be clear: just because it’s an “adult pool” doesn’t mean it stops being a public space. There should be strong supervision, especially at night.
Drunk behavior, physical roughness, loud yelling, public intimacy, and smoking by the pool, none of this fits the Ritz standard. It ruins the ambiance and turns what should be a peaceful retreat into a noisy and uncomfortable space. There needs to be better control, stricter policies, and staff presence at the pool in the evenings.
It’s a shame because everything else, the room, the food, the view, and especially Ruben’s service, was flawless. But this pool experience really disrupted our stay. If that issue gets fixed, this property would be perfection. I still give high praise to Ruben and the day staff, but please, management: tighten your oversight on the pool area. It matters.
Another disappointing aspect of our stay was the experience with the on-site steakhouse. We had planned a special dinner there but were told it was fully booked, with no exceptions, not even for hotel guests. Honestly, that was a turn-off.
It felt unprofessional and poorly managed, especially for a luxury resort. If your restaurant is small and
GB