We usually try and stay in the Four Seasons whereever possible, but as we didn't want to stay in downtown Miami, we chose the RCCG.. Had heard great stuff about Ritz Carlton and how they were on a par with Four Seasons so were really looking forward to seeing if that was the case - it wasn't.

The hotel itself is beautiful and the facilities and location are great. The staff are all really really lovely - especially the concierge who was fabulous- however there just wans't that extra mile that you get with a Four Seasons. If we rang down and asked for eg extra towels, it took quite a while for them to come up. Also the housekeeping was quite sporradic time-wise - one day we went out until about 4pm and when we got back they were only just doing up our room which I felt was unacceptable. Also there didn't appear to be any turndown service - or if there was it went unnoticed as there were no weather cards/chocs on pillow/slippers by bed etc.

All in all it made me realise have become spoiled and I do notice the little things however The RCCG is a wonderful hotelbut I would only recommend it to anyone who HASN'T stayed at a Four Seasons!!!

My husband and I decided to do a last minute getaway to Miami and a family member recommended the Ritz as a great place to stay. We were very excited to make reservations there, the hotel was full via their website but we were able to get in at a very good rate via AA vacations. com. After booking the trip but before going to Miami, I purused Trip Advisor to see what people thought. Lots of negative reviews and I approached our hotel stay with trepidation and shared that with the staff as I registered at arrival.

Well, nothing was farther from the truth! We had an absolutely fantastic time at this hotel! We were greeted with open arms, came in relatively later in the evening and were greeted in our room with a spectacular food platter full of fruit cheeses, and chocolates. Delicious!

Our room was great, the staff was great, pool area was great. Also used the fitness center which was fabulous. Concierge service was excellent. They gave us great restaurant recommendations. Rooms looked brand new, great bed and balcony was wonderful. Very quiet spot which my husband and I loved.

The Ritz has a high quality service ethic. I was by the pool and left my i touch (value of $350) by the pool and after we went back to our room we got a call from the staff at the pool saying they had my i touch and they brought it back to our room. I thought that was extremely classy.

I would highly recommend this hotel. We are baby boomer travelers and I think this was perfect for our needs and the price was relatively reasonable compared to the expensive South Beach hotels.

We are frequent travelers around the world so we have seen many hotels and many Ritz's If you are visiting the Miami area, stay there! You will not be sorry!

We tried to stay here after a cruise to the Bahamas. We when arrived we found out that the pool was closed for emergency repairs. They explained that they could shuttle us over to their sister property on Key Biscayne to use the pool. We asked what time we would be picked up they told us 5. It was already 11am and the property was 45 minutes away. We asked if we could have our reservation transfered to the other site at the same price. They told us no. There was nothing that they could do. I ended getting into a fight with another worker at the front desk about the price of the sister property. Nice huh!. I did win the fight BTW. In the end we paid about $150 more a night and all the comped us was parking. What to go out of your way..not. Would never stay at a Ritz's again.

although it is not in my nature, I will keep this brief.

This hotel is good, and we enjoyed our time here. However, many of the fittings are more in line with the hotel's Marriott sister. The lobby is mediocre, and the reception staff a little dim.

The rooms however, are pretty well proportioned with the usual refinements.

A must during your stay is the afternoon tea, An excellent way to spend the afternoon. There are always pompous idiots in the lobby, wearing school ties, preppy loafers, talking nonsense and generally making one doubt the safe future of the world. Regardless of these twits, afternoon tea is delightful!

Oh, and I had to pay for valet service? what is with that?