Ritz Carlton St Thomas - Update - No Longer Disappointed

[rickandcindy23]

Ocean views are important to me. I understand your disappointment.

 

[dougp26364]

@Dean @CalGalTraveler @dougp26364 @pedro47 @Pamplemousse @Mlvnsmly @PaulaC @timsi @GregT @CPNY @WBP @GregT @Eric B @rthib @jwalk03 @rthib @rickandcindy23

Please see my update in the original post.

I appreciate everyone’s feedback. I am delighted with the exceptional service of the Ritz Carlton St Thomas and the outcome. I am sure the new room will be perfect. I was happier this morning even before they called me. Everyone’s feedback helped me re-set expectations and that was extremely helpful.

The level of service is the entire reason for even considering a Ritz property.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

@TravelTime So glad this worked out for you. I can imagine that you were exhausted after 24 hours of travel to have been let down in this way.

I would expect this type of service at the Ritz. If you wouldn't mind, could you take a photo of the before and after view from the balcony and the new room so we can visualize?

 

[vacation dreaming]

I think setting expectations is important. I agree it would be helpful to see before and after photos so I would know what to expect.

 

[TravelTime]

@TravelTime So glad this worked out for you. I would expect this type of service at the Ritz. If you wouldn't mind, could you take a photo of the before and after view and the new room so we can visualize?

Yes I will do that. BTW, I believe you can buy resale from owners here for significantly less than retail. I believe it might be in the $65K to $75K these days but I can double check. Original prices were 6 figures probably close to $200K. I am part of the RC St Thomas Facebook group. Technically I should not be in there but they admitted me. I have also heard of some agent who handle resales.

I met a woman on the shuttle to the local grocery store. She said her friend transferred her ownership to her for free but they are friends. She said she uses 1-2 weeks per year and rents the other week(s). She said if she rents 1 week she does not break even on MFs but if she rents 2 weeks, she does.

Anything else you want me to check on?

 

[TravelTime]

Are the 2BR villa and 2BR suite different bookable room types, or do you just get one or the other based on availability?

I knew the 2BR and 2BR suite are different. The 2BR suite has a limited kitchen. As long as I know something, and I choose it, I am happy with what I get. In the MVC system, you can choose 2BR or 2BR suite. Maybe I could have gotten a 2BR if I has split the stay into two 7 days stays but I put in 15 days and grabbed it before someone else did. I booked right at 13 months when the booking window opened.

 

[vacation dreaming]

Yes I will do that. BTW, I believe you can buy resale from owners here for significantly less than retail. I believe it might be in the $65K to $75K these days but I can double check. Original prices were 6 figures probably close to $200K. I am part of the RC St Thomas Facebook group. Technically I should not be in there but they admitted me. I have also heard of some agent who handle resales.

I met a woman on the shuttle to the local grocery store. She said her friend transferred her ownership to her for free but they are friends. She said she uses 1-2 weeks per year and rents the other week(s). She said if she rents 1 week she does not break even on MFs but if she rents 2 weeks, she does.

Anything else you want me to check on?

I would also love to hear about your experiences over the next two weeks. I stayed at the property on the hotel side maybe 18 years ago and it was the final trigger for us to buy the Westin OF Maui property. I did not enjoy St Thomas nearly as much as Maui and although I was staying at a Ritz, was disappointed with the infrastructure - I think we lost hot water every late afternoon when everyone was showering for dinner, and had other similar issues. The highlight of the trip was a catamaran owned by the Ritz which sailed to St. John. I think we were there less than a week and went out 3 or 4 times.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Thanks. Interesting info. St. Thomas is too far for us to own and consistently visit, but *might* be interested in resale Tahoe or Maui or ????

If you do get a chance now or after your trip to talk with Ritz owners:

• Wondering where to look for resales.
• It sounds like they sell only multi-week fractionals?
• What are the MFs?
• Do Ritz only trade in MVC? Is there Ritz to Ritz preference?
• How easy to rent extra weeks i.e. do extra weeks always get rented and what is the typical premium vs. MF/week? Does MVC or Marriott.com rent extra weeks out for owners?

 

[TravelTime]

I would also love to hear about your experiences over the next two weeks. I stayed at the property on the hotel side maybe 18 years ago and it was the final trigger for us to buy the Westin OF Maui property. I did not enjoy St Thomas nearly as much as Maui and although I was staying at a Ritz, was disappointed with the infrastructure - I think we lost hot water every late afternoon when everyone was showering for dinner, and had other similar issues. The highlight of the trip was a catamaran owned by the Ritz which sailed to St. John. I think we were there less than a week and went out 3 or 4 times.

We are going on the catamaran at the Ritz tomorrow. I am managing my expectations now. I hope it is nice but if it is amazing, I will be delighted.

 

[sail27bill]

So happy for you that it all worked out! I hope that you and your family enjoy the rest of your stay!

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Please do share your travels so we can vacation through you. Because of the distance and difficulty from Calif I haven't been for 30 years but loved St. John.

Is the catamaran free with the Ritz? If so, that is a huge value.

 

[TravelTime]

Thanks. Interesting info. St. Thomas is too far for us to own and consistently visit, but *might* be interested in resale Tahoe or Maui or ???? Wondering where to look for resales.

It sounds like they sell only multi-week fractionals?
What are the MFs?
Do Ritz only trade in MVC? Is there Ritz to Ritz preference?
How easy to rent extra weeks i.e. do extra weeks always get rented and what is the typical premium vs. MF/week? Does MVC or Marriott.com rent extra weeks out for owners?

I do not know about the other properties in terms of resales. These are fractionals here with 3 weeks a year. I am assuming MFs are about $15K a year. The Ritz resorts that trade in MVC are St Thomas, Tahoe, San Fransisco, Aspen and Vail. It is nearly impossible to get Vail with DPs and Tahoe is very hard for more than a few days. We have stayed here in St Thomas, Tahoe and San Francisco. We lucked out with getting 8 nights in Tahoe in the 2BR during Spring Break. It was during Covid so that was an exception to the ability to book so many nights in a 2BR. They only have two 2BRs. The have more 3BRs which cost a lot more points. The 3BRs are easier to book but still hard to come by. During Covid, we also spent a weekend in San Francisco. For San Francisco, it is an amazing deal. As you probably know, it would be hard to find a 2BR with a kitchen in San Francisco in a nice property like the Ritz. I liked the location on Market St and we were able to walk all the way down to Pier 39, although we took a taxi back.

We almost bought a fractional at Four Seasons Costa Rica. We were waiting for the contract for 4 months to show up. The agent kept saying she was working on it. We were buying from the developer at reduced prices for $150K. The MFs were $15K. Because it was taking so long, we backed out. The real reason we backed out is at Four Seasons Costa Rica, they do not allow you to rent unused weeks. I know we would have rarely used 3 weeks and 2 weeks were platinum and 1 week was gold. It would have been hard to combine them into one 3 week stay.

As a Ritz fractional owner here, you get preference for the high floors. That is why we are on a lower floor. Last time we were here, we got 4th floor with an unobstructed oceanfront view. I guess I know now that is an exception. There are only 2 buildings with the 2BR suites. There are many buildings with the regular 2BRs. So I wonder if we had booked a regular 2BR like last time, if we would have gotten a higher floor.

It is very easy to rent weeks from owners but it would cost about double or so from what it costs from MVC. I could check on that in the FB group, if you want to know. Using MVC, we are paying 3750 points (I think but it might be 100 points less, I do not remember exactly). I think our average MFs right now is 0.54 pp. So the dollar value is a little over $2000 a week. That is extremely affordable for a week in a 2BR at the Ritz. June is off season but still, a pretty great price. I love June because the weather is great, the pool and ocean are warm and no hurricanes yet.

 

[TravelTime]

Please do share your travels so we can vacation through you. Because of the distance and difficulty from Calif I haven't been for 30 years but loved St. John.

Is the catamaran free with the Ritz? If so, that is a huge value.

Not free. For the 4 of us, it is over $500 for a 5 hour sailing excursion to St John plus 20% tip.

 

[vacation dreaming]

I do not know about the other properties in terms of resales. These are fractionals here with 3 weeks a year. I am assuming MFs are about $15K a year. The Ritz resorts that trade in MVC are St Thomas, Tahoe, San Fransisco, Aspen and Vail. It is nearly impossible to get Vail with DPs and Tahoe is very hard for more than a few days. We have stayed here in St Thomas, Tahoe and San Francisco. We lucked out with getting 8 nights in Tahoe in the 2BR during Spring Break. It was during Covid so that was an exception to the ability to book so many nights in a 2BR. They only have two 2BRs. The have more 3BRs which cost a lot more points. The 3BRs are easier to book but still hard to come by. During Covid, we also spent a weekend in San Francisco. For San Francisco, it is an amazing deal. As you probably know, it would be hard to find a 2BR with a kitchen in San Francisco in a nice property like the Ritz. I liked the location on Market St and we were able to walk all the way down to Pier 39, although we took a taxi back.

We almost bought a fractional at Four Seasons Costa Rica. We were waiting for the contract for 4 months to show up. The agent kept saying she was working on it. We were buying from the developer at reduced prices for $150K. The MFs were $15K. Because it was taking so long, we backed out. The real reason we backed out is at Four Seasons Costa Rica, they do not allow you to rent unused weeks. I know we would have rarely used 3 weeks and 2 weeks were platinum and 1 week was gold. It would have been hard to combine them into one 3 week stay.

As a Ritz fractional owner here, you get preference for the high floors. That is why we are on a lower floor. Last time we were here, we got 4th floor with an unobstructed oceanfront view. I guess I know now that is an exception. There are only 2 buildings with the 2BR suites. There are many buildings with the regular 2BRs. So I wonder if we had booked a regular 2BR like last time, if we would have gotten a higher floor.

It is very easy to rent weeks from owners but it would cost about double or so from what it costs from MVC. I could check on that in the FB group, if you want to know. Using MVC, we are paying 3750 points (I think but it might be 100 points less, I do not remember exactly). I think our average MFs right now is 0.54 pp. So the dollar value is a little over $2000 a week. That is extremely affordable for a week in a 2BR at the Ritz. June is off season but still, a pretty great price. I love June because the weather is great, the pool and ocean are warm and no hurricanes yet.

I think I was there in June and was eaten alive by little bugs - I think they call them no see-ums. I tend to have trouble with bug bites in the summer but usually an ocean breeze keeps them under control. I really enjoy sitting on my balcony with a glass of wine watching a sunset and am curious if this is often a problem there? I use bug spray but hate to do that after dinner once I have showered.

 

[pedro47]

@Dean @CalGalTraveler @dougp26364 @pedro47 @Pamplemousse @Mlvnsmly @PaulaC @timsi @GregT @CPNY @WBP @GregT @Eric B @rthib @jwalk03 @rthib @rickandcindy23

Please see my update in the original post.

I appreciate everyone’s feedback. I am delighted with the exceptional service of the Ritz Carlton St Thomas and the outcome. I am sure the new room will be perfect. I was happier this morning even before they called me. Everyone’s feedback helped me re-set expectations and that was extremely helpful.

The Timeshare fairy heard your pleas. Thanks for your update. Now enjoy your vacation time

 

[Dean]

Did MVC list the room as having a limited kitchen and partial view? It is surprising to have a limited kitchen in a 2 bdrm unit, however that may be the way Ritz rolls for residences.

We stayed briefly at the Ritz Residences Kapalua on Maui after a stay at WKORVN. I applied extra Bonvoy points to get the residences instead of the hotel. Although the room and view were very nice, the limited kitchen was difficult to use. Only a 2-burner unvented stove and a convention/microwave combo. I had the entire family on this trip. I don't think the kitchen had ever been used before. We didn't have access to BBQs. If it had bbqs to cook meat we would have been fine.

The grounds and pools at the Ritz were amazing. I liked how they had a concierge at the pool to help you find seats. Not crowded and no chair hogs. We enjoyed our visit but next time would simply stay at the hotel with 2 and eat out or go elsewhere with the family and save the money.

Can you buy Ritz Residences resale? If so, where?

The MVC sites lists the suite as a kitchenette and the regular 2 BR as a full Kitchen.

 

[TravelTime]

I think I was there in June and was eaten alive by little bugs - I think they call them no see-ums. I tend to have trouble with bug bites in the summer but usually an ocean breeze keeps them under control. I really enjoy sitting on my balcony with a glass of wine watching a sunset and am curious if this is often a problem there? I use bug spray but hate to do that after dinner once I have showered.

3 of us have not gotten any bug bites. My 10 year old daughter has gotten 1 or 2 bug bites. I bought her some bug spray and she seems fine now. There is a strong ocean breeze.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

It is very easy to rent weeks from owners but it would cost about double or so from what it costs from MVC. I could check on that in the FB group, if you want to know. Using MVC, we are paying 3750 points (I think but it might be 100 points less, I do not remember exactly). I think our average MFs right now is 0.54 pp. So the dollar value is a little over $2000 a week. That is extremely affordable for a week in a 2BR at the Ritz.

If MF are $5000/week ($15k/3 weeks) then $2000 a week is a great deal. Is it better to be in the "worst" room (2 bdrm suite) in a luxe resort, or the best room in an "above average" resort?

 

[vacation dreaming]

Do you get daily housekeeping at Ritz properties when staying on points?

 

[TravelTime]

If MF are $5000/week ($15k/3 weeks) then $2000 a week is a great deal. Is it better to be in the "worst" room (2 bdrm suite) in a luxe resort, or the best room in an "above average" resort?

I confirmed MFs are $15K a year. So using DPs are a much better value. You only book when you want to visit so you do not need to bother with renting out unused weeks or depositing them into ThirdHome where they under value the keys assigned. One consideration is being able to get the reservations using DPs. There may be times when it is harder than other times. Overall, the main thing for me would not being committed to 3 weeks a year or having to rent or find another use for the unused weeks. I think MVC underpriced the weeks in their system. In terms of getting the worst room or a slightly better room (since a DP booking will never get the best room), my new philosophy is expect the worse and hope for something slightly better than the worst. LOL

 

[TravelTime]

Do you get daily housekeeping at Ritz properties when staying on points?

Yes twice a day. That is too much for us but I am not going to turn it away.

 

[Eric B]

Yes twice a day. That is too much for us but I am not going to turn it away.

We turned down the turn down service several times our last visit as we didn't really need it. The housekeeping folks were quite happy with that and gave me a handful of the turn down chocolates anyway. If you don't need it, they're happy to have the free time back....

 

[Mlvnsmly]

In the MVC system, you can choose 2BR or 2BR suite.

Thanks for the info. I've never looked at this resort before and didn't know there were different types of kitchens. That will be helpful if I want to try and reserve this in the future.

 

[GregT]

Update

Ritz Carlton Has Saved the Day! I requested a room change and they called today offering a new room. The new room is a level higher and does not have a concrete wall blocking the view from the bedrooms. The best part is they will move everything. We do not need to pack anything except personal items that we do not want them to touch. They will pack everything in the closet and drawers as well as transfer all of our food! This is amazing service. I am so impressed! I am thrilled, delighted and wowed. The new room should have less of an obstructed view since it is a level higher. They are moving us on Thursday. Since we are here for 15 nights that will be 11 nights in the new room. We have been hanging out at the pool today. I just asked my daughter if she prefers Hawaii (Ko Olina) or here. She nodded her head to indicate here. I will definitely consider more visits to the resort now. I will update here again after we see the new room.


Original Post

Well, we just checked into the Ritz Carlton St Thomas. They gave us a horrible room on the second floor with very little ocean view and it is set back so that further limits the little view we have. Last time I was here they gave us an amazing 4th floor room with a panoramic ocean view. I do not think I would ever stay here again. They said the owners get the better rooms and MVC members are lower priority ie second class. They asked for my request before we got here. Why ask if they will not honor it. They should have told me then that I would not get what I requested. I asked for a high floor but now they said they could not honor the request. If we ever come back to the US Virgin Islands, I would stay at Frenchman’s Reef or Westin St John. I really no longer like it here. I do not think I would ever stay here again. I understand the rationale of why owners get the better rooms but this has ruined my trip and has not met expectations. I feel like we could be in Miami or something. So why fly almost 24 hours from SFO to come to look at grass and trees. I just thought I would share my terrible review. Later in the trip, I can write a more complete review. I just need to vent.

TravelTime, that is great news -- congratulations! Can you let us know the Room number of the original room? I typically will do room requests and I have a few favorites (and a few disfavorites). Would love to expand the knowledge base.

My son had the same reaction -- he loved our April trip and is eager to return, so we are going again next June when he graduates high school. Excited to return!

Best,

Greg

 

[Steve Fatula]

I’ve been searching around for a way to use my points and was curious so I took a look-
On the MVC site it does show floor plans for 3Br residences, 2Br residences and 2Br suites.
And when you book with points it lists the room types and tapping on them brings up the floor plan.
It says kitchenette for the 2Br suite.
It doesn’t give a choice of view, which I believe is what OP is most disappointed about.

Yeah, I have a 2 bedroom residence upcoming and that has a full kitchen according to the site. Perhaps Traveltime picked the suite instead of the residence.