Ritz Carlton St Thomas - Update - No Longer Disappointed

[TravelTime]

This review does a good job of explaining the situation in this resort. I had to cut and paste it since I do not think this link goes directly to the post. This person mentions a lot of the same things I said. I guess these are common issues here. I think we are in a handicapped unit too actually. If you read through the reviews, quite a few people do not like some of the things I mentioned originally. The hotel next door only gets 4 circles. The club side is rated higher overall With 4.5 circles.

THE RITZ-CARLTON CLUB, ST. THOMAS - Updated 2024 Prices & Condominium Reviews (U.S. Virgin Islands)

Book The Ritz-Carlton Club, St. Thomas, East End on Tripadvisor: See 347 traveler reviews, 372 candid photos, and great deals for The Ritz-Carlton Club, St. Thomas, ranked #1 of 14 specialty lodging in East End and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor.

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Travelmore057 wrote a review Jan 2022
Brentwood, California56 contributions63 helpful votes

The Best, and Most Expensive, Condo in St. Thomas

We (couple) spent two weeks in January 2022 at the Ritz Carlton St Thomas in a two bedroom "suite" on the Residence side of the property. The beachfront property is 300 yards wide with 500 hotel units and lobby/restaurants/pool-beach area on one side of a point and six (4-6 story) residence buildings containing 109 units (two and three bedrooms) on the other side. The residence side has its own pools, beach area and one casual restaurant. Four buildings are reserved for Ritz fractional week owners (“owners”) using two or three bedroom units, all with full kitchens, large balconies with bay views. Two buildings closest to the hotel contain two bedroom “suites” which are slightly smaller with mini-kitchens. These units are available to Ritz owners, exchangers (MVC or II) and possibly renters (“guests”).

As MVC exchangers (“guests”) we were assigned a handicapped 2BR/2B unit on the first floor of the building closest to the hotel. At check-in we were not informed of being assigned to a handicapped unit. The unit had no storage below the recessed sinks or under the kitchen sink (wheel chair accessible). The toilet area had a large vacant space for a wheel chair. Other than those modifications, the unit was normal. Residence guests pay a $25/day "environmental fee," but do not pay the hotel's high resort fee.

General comments about the unit (from a MVC owner who has stayed in many 2BR Marriott units). Note: the units were remodeled in 2019 after a hurricane, so any reviews prior to that date are likely not accurate. Example: most “suites” reviews refer to two (2) small under-counter refrigerator/freezers with no ice maker. Now there is one “tiny” under-counter refrigerator which is 40% ice maker and 60% refrigerator with no freezer (picture attached). “Tiny” is the appropriate description. It does not allow a milk carton, mayo jar,etc. to stand up. The microwave opening is 12” from the floor requiring microwaving on your knees. The Ritz clearly wants "guests vs. owners" to eat meals at the resort and not in their unit. If you accept that option, bring your wallet. Buffet breakfast for two adults and two kids with tip is $135. Over the two weeks, we ate dinner at Red Hook restaurants rather than the hotel.

Our 2BR/2B suite was quite comfortable, but not “special” given the extraordinary price. The small round dining table (seats 4) was not adequate for a unit designated to sleep 8 people. The living area was compact and seated a max of four people. The bedrooms were spacious. The decor is Ritz subtle, but with almost no pictures on the walls. The largest picture was over the bathtub in the master bedroom. As a minor issue, we found the light switches bizarre. Switches were on opposite walls and in different rooms than the lights they controlled.
The Ritz property is at the end of a 1.25 mile narrow, winding, hilly dead-end road on a peninsula at the east end of St. Thomas near the Red Hook community and ferry to St. John. The residences face east with views of St. John and south. It is secluded and not walkable to anywhere. Although we had a rental car, we used a taxi to dinner in Red Hook several times for safety concerns about the narrow road returning to the resort after dark (price is $5 per person each way).

The buildings are located on a relatively steep hillside and are not accessible by vehicle, only by Ritz golf carts and by foot. The lone parking lot for "guests" is on the opposite side of the road requiring a walk uphill or downhill to any unit. The Ritz is known for service and service is required for bringing groceries or luggage to a unit. When we indicated concern about the limited refrigerator storage we were advised we could cold storage at reception (1/8 mile) and they would bring our milk to us when needed. Not very practical.

Notwithstanding the above issues, service at the resort was outstanding. We enjoyed lying on the plush loungers at the beach which has numerous shade trees and at the pool. A small amount of sea grass washed on shore in some areas during the afternoon, but was removed every evening. We had no difficulty finding a lounger mid-morning even though only "owners" were allowed to reserve loungers. Pool attendants provided towel covers on each lounger. Residence guests may also use the hotel pool and beach, although we found the residence common area less crowded. I would say the small number of guests at the residence pools and beach area (maybe 150 total) and the large number of service staff to be the main distinguishing factors from a MVC property (much more crowded).

Among St Thomas options, the Ritz is undoubtedly the best upscale property. Although the beach is narrow, it is a very relaxing property with a beach, pools, restaurants and lots of service. If you are a "Ritz level" person and are used to paying the very high price for lodging, meals and drinks you will enjoy the property. We find the MVC 2BR/2B with full kitchen units to provide a comparable standard at significantly lower cost, but with larger crowds.

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Date of stay: January 2022
Room Tip: Higher floors have better bay views
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Service
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[Dean]

I have not heard of someone going to the front desk to brag about how much they paid. I am saying MVC should take that into consideration. Owners here are still complaining about how much they paid. So I guess you could say they are acting “entitled.”

I paid a lot to get all my MVC stuff enrolled. However, I still paid 1/3 of what retail DP owners pay. I am saying retail DP owners should have priority over me. I just do not think resale week owners should have priority since they paid pennies on the dollar. They are not enrolled and MVC knows that.

I have on several occasions. No bragging but complaining loudly and for an extended period. It's really discusting in it's extreme. Personally I think they shouldn't make any difference if what they own is the same no matter resale or retail. That's related to an owned deeded or similar situation. An exchange, as a DP reservation clearly is, is a different entity. If one were going to stratify based on what was paid, the one who paid less should likely get the nod because they were more astute or owned longer (or both).

The way I look at it is when people pay to book the best room at a hotel and they pay more, they get the better room with the better location and view. I see it the same way for people who bought retail from MVC who paid the most so shouldn’t they get better room assignments? I do not see this as elitist or unfair.

Folks are right that MVC may not have the IT systems to determine that. However, they might be able to track this in the future. From what I read from another Tugger recently, MVC has already created accounts for Vistana owners and entered a lot of their data.

The same way MVC does not allow post-2010 resale owners to enroll their week without buying more points or an enrolled week, couldn’t they decide the best room assignments will go to retail purchasers who paid a fortune via direct retail purchases of DPs? If I paid over $15 pp for DPs (possibly $100K to $200K), I would not like it if a resale owner who paid $5000 or $10,000 or maybe ever 1 penny got priority over me (hypothetically but not me bc I purchased resale and then enrolled my weeks/trust points so I would be lower on the totem pole).

Again, this is just my opinion.

We'll have to disagree and to me that does come across as entitlement thinking. The way you worded your complaint in this thread strongly suggested that you complained strongly rather than simply asking if a change could be made. I realize we weren't there but the disgust was obvious in your OP and had you even subliminally communicated that disgust, it would have been more than just a request. If they made such a change it would be reasonable for them to charge a cleaning fee in this situation..

Well, I have gotten some good oceanfront and ocean views via exchange over owners who own island view. I don't think that's right. I think if an owner is staying at MOC, for example, owners should get the week another owner deposited to II with a better view. I don't mind an island view on exchange. I figure I am getting the week for $1,000, while an owner is paying upwards of $2,200 for an island view. Give that unit to an owner and label all views as island view for exchange purposes. But that is me.

What are AP points?

IMO it's questionable and maybe even inappropriate for a resort to upgrade an owner above what they own. Truthfully even if they could have done so easily.

The travel industry is rife with inconsistencies. Just look at airline seats. Why should those who paid for a first class seat have to sit next to someone that paid for economy fare with points and received a lucky upgrade?

I've seen people say they'd never do business with a company that treat's different customers differently. This stance basically says they're moving off the grid completely because every single company does so to some degree or another though some more than others.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

I don't believe that the OP acted this way because the travel industry now ignores those who complain with entitlement - they go passive aggressive.

I find the best way to get what you want is by being polite (and sometimes inquiring about a paid upgrade.)

We were at the Waldorf in Rome and I remember some jerk complaining loudly at the front desk because he couldn't get an upgrade to the executive lounge floor. He was blah, blah, blah important...

Little did he know, I was speaking with an agent next to him who had just upgraded us up to the Executive Lounge floor for a small upgrade fee of about $50/night. We were staying on a special for $120/night plus a small amount of points to get into the Waldorf. So $170/night plus a few points for a $1000/night room with 3x/day lounge food. I was very polite, and low key about the ask and engaged in small talk about how this was our first visit to Rome and we are excited to come all the way from California to stay in their hotel and tour the city. (which was true.)

 

[vacation dreaming]

Okay I am elitist! I will take the title. It does not bother me at all.

This thread has become really exhausting. It seems like there is a lot of group think on TUG and personal attacks going on just for expressing an opinion. I am not going to share any of my experiences on TUG anymore. It is not valued at all. I will just read and ask advice going forward. I will not talk about my travels. If you really want to know what’s elitist, don’t ask me about a trip I am planning for next year.

I appreciated reading about your experience. Everyone has a different perspective and goals with travel and I think we can all learn from each other. I don’t agree with everything that is said but like to hear from others -this helps set expectations which we all agree is important.

 

[frank808]

Just to be clear, here at the Ritz St Thomas, where owners paid often 6 figures for their units and have $15K MFs, I strongly believe they should be given priority. I have a different opinion for the regular resale timeshare owners. The only product MVC sells now are DPs. DPs should be given priority or at least be equivalent to weeks owners. It is really unfair to sell points for $15 pp (can get into 6 figures) and then they find out they are second class citizens especially when resale owners paid pennies on the dollar. This is my opinion.

I bought my Spain week direct from MVC and enrolled my Ko Olina week. It was not cheap. I also paid that high junk fee to buy trust points to be in the MVC orbit. I really think DP owners in the MVC world should have priority over resale weeks owners outside the MVC world. Just my opinion.

I suspect MVC is following this philosophy because when I stay at an MVC, they give me the best units. They set my expectations very high. Even at Marbella in Spain, they assigned me a seafront 3 BR. It was incredible. I own a Gold 1BR there with no view but I was just lucky with the room assignment. They acknowledge my ownership level everywhere I stay, even here at the Ritz Carlton

I have not had the same experience as you. Have bought weeks and DC points direct to enroll. I paid into the 6 figures to enroll them resale weeks.

Also weeks owner at MKO. I really do not ask for a certain view and have had room assignments from 3rd floor all the way to 15 as an exchanger and owner. Can not really say that being an owner of MKO weeks, using II to exchange or using DC points i get better placement.

But also I am of the mind where we like to stay in the same unit as priority over everything else.

Even going to other MVC properties in Florida we have been assigned first floor using II. This as being a multi week owner at Grand Vista.

Guess for our family, view is not so important as enjoying ourselves. We just let it go and roll with it.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

 

[Eric B]

Most of the time I spent in our unit (4205) the one week we stayed at Ritz Carlton STT, my view was of my laptop as I was teleworking. The rest of the time I was loving the view from the Lady Lynsey II or the chairs on the beach and by the pool. Can't even remember what the view was from the room, guess it's just not that important to me either.

 

[Steve Fatula]

There does appear to be a lot of judgement in this thread. Judgement based on what you think the OP did, and extrapolating from there. I don't see why the hate. It's their opinion and they are entitled to it. Some may disagree, that's fine, but a lot of aggressive stuff said. I personally don't think that's how TUG should be.

 

[GregT]

There does appear to be a lot of judgement in this thread. Judgement based on what you think the OP did, and extrapolating from there. I don't see why the hate. It's their opinion and they are entitled to it. Some may disagree, that's fine, but a lot of aggressive stuff said. I personally don't think that's how TUG should be.

I agree -- it was surprising to me too.

@TravelTime enjoy your trip and now I really want to know what your trip is next year!!! I feel like Pavlov's dog!

Best,

Greg

 

[noreenkate]

There does appear to be a lot of judgement in this thread. Judgement based on what you think the OP did, and extrapolating from there. I don't see why the hate. It's their opinion and they are entitled to it. Some may disagree, that's fine, but a lot of aggressive stuff said. I personally don't think that's how TUG should be.

agreed-

it seems from brief reading through the thread - posting a negative review based on our own experiences is now a no-no. i thought that’s kinda how tug started - https://tug2.net/tuginfo.html
for those worried about Ritz or MVC reading tug and being somehow offended by a bad review that’s IMO, f$&@ ridiculous- and laughable bring up “certain“ Mexico resorts.

While I disagree with a lot of what @TravelTime stated as far as opinions on resale owner vs direct, she should be allowed to state her disappointment.
- I don’t know but room views aren’t my thing, last thing I ever want is a high floor. I prefer ground floor access to relying on elevator. And I often ask politely but firmly if a different room is available.

 

[SueDonJ]

As a participant in this thread and the one who introduced the "certain Mexico resorts" comment into it, I thought I was perfectly clear in explaining the context of how resort personnel sometimes will ask TUG posters to edit their posts/threads after the resorts respond to negative comments here and it's something that happens most often with "certain Mexico resorts." That's it, no other correlation was implied, and I clearly asked the OP if that were the case. I apologize if the context wasn't explained sufficiently when I first commented.

And now as moderator of this forum, I think I need somebody to explain to me what the supposed impropriety is in daring to have a different opinion from someone who posts on a discussion board, and stating that difference of opinion with the same or similar vehemence that's displayed in the first post in the discussion. Because as the moderator I'm not seeing anything that is against the TUG Rules other than the few posts from people who have taken it upon themselves to lecture others about the correct way to post. As always, I and the other mods/Admin are more than willing to review any objectionable posts if anyone wants to click the "Report" button on them. (And per usual, as just another TUGger participating in the thread, if my posts are reported then I step away and let the other mods/Admin handle those Reports.)

 

[WBP]

As a participant in this thread and the one who introduced the "certain Mexico resorts" comment into it, I thought I was perfectly clear in explaining the context of how resort personnel sometimes will ask TUG posters to edit their posts/threads after the resorts respond to negative comments here and it's something that happens most often with "certain Mexico resorts." That's it, no other correlation was implied, and I clearly asked the OP if that were the case. I apologize if the context wasn't explained sufficiently when I first commented.

And now as moderator of this forum, I think I need somebody to explain to me what the supposed impropriety is in daring to have a different opinion from someone who posts on a discussion board, and stating that difference of opinion with the same or similar vehemence that's displayed in the first post in the discussion. Because as the moderator I'm not seeing anything that is against the TUG Rules other than the few posts from people who have taken it upon themselves to lecture others about the correct way to post. As always, I and the other mods/Admin are more than willing to review any objectionable posts if anyone wants to click the "Report" button on them. (And per usual, as just another TUGger participating in the thread, if my posts are reported then I step away and let the other mods/Admin handle those Reports.)

You'd be naive to think that the objectionable comments were not directed specifically to you.

As the Moderator, I think your posts were offensive and inappropriate. You rode the original posters ass, repeatedly, and for as long as you could, for her negative comments about the resort. You would not let go or relent.

I've seen these behaviors before, in this very forum by your predecessor, Dave M., and then by you; I've seen this behavior before, in other venue, disciplines, and forum, by volunteers who get a little bit of power, that they become so full of themselves, that, for example, the job of a volunteer Moderator becomes the centerpiece of their life. These individuals have a need to become the "big man or big woman on campus," and the funny thing, they think the hours of uncompensated time that they spend on a project like this one, makes them special.

There's my explanation (and personal opinion). The one that you asked for.

 

[noreenkate]

You'd be naive to think that the objectionable comments were not directed specifically to you.

As the Moderator, I think your posts were offensive and inappropriate. You rode the original posters ass, repeatedly, and for as long as you could, for her negative comments about the resort. You would not let go or relent.

I've seen these behaviors before, in this very forum by your predecessor, Dave M., and then by you; I've seen this behavior before, in other venue, disciplines, and forum, by volunteers who get a little bit of power, that they become so full of themselves, that, for example, the job of a volunteer Moderator becomes the centerpiece of their life. These individuals have a need to become the "big man or big woman on campus," and the funny thing, they think the hours of uncompensated time that they spend on a project like this one, makes them special.

There's my explanation (and personal opinion). The one that you asked for.

You said that much better than I did...

We all know who the moderators are the big green banner clearly visible under a screen/profile name - but if thats just not clear enough there there is always the big bad bold button.

Daring to have a different opinion is exactly what the OP did, instead this was seen as blasting them negatively & was accused of bullying- which implies aggressive, intimidating cruel & abusive behavior of the vulnerable. How is stating a tread here on tug blasting. Seriously, I not see anything the OP wrote as requiring that kind of hostility.

The reason I even looked at the post was the original title- disappointed caught my attention. After reading why the OP was disappointed, I realized their opinions/expectations are way different than mine. The lesson I learned from this post is that @TravelTime have very different opinions on what makes a room and or its placement acceptable and that pretty much if your gonna state anything remotely negative about a resort even if its just an opinion you need moderator permission first