This was our third stay at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, normally booked through American Express…read moreFine Hotels + Resorts, but our first stay at the Club Level, which we booked through Marriott. A very special thank-you to Cielo for helping us celebrate our birthdays in grand style, including a delicious chocolate mousse cake delivered to our room that evening. She also gave us wonderful advice about what to expect in the Club Lounge and even shared some of her favorite snacks to look for. We especially appreciated being able to enjoy lunch in the Club Lounge before our room was ready.
As for the staff in the Club -- Alexander, John, Luis, Domenica, and Benjamin -- they ruined our Miami experience.
They were so genuinely warm, welcoming, helpful, and caring, and went so far above and beyond for us, that they have now made The Ritz-Carlton Club Level our favorite hotel experience in Miami. They didn't simply provide excellent service; they made us feel welcomed, remembered, and genuinely cared for.
Alexander had our suitcases delivered to our room and made sure we received our complimentary pool drink vouchers -- as if the open bar in the Club wasn't already enough.
John gave me a glimpse into how the other 1% live. I asked him if there were any more of the key lime cookies Cielo had recommended. They were out, so John actually went downstairs to the kitchen to check and returned to tell me they could make some for me in half an hour. I didn't want anyone going to that much trouble, so I happily accepted his promise to save me some the next day.
Apparently, these are specialty cookies that aren't made every day. But the next morning, John went back to the kitchen to make sure they made them for me and had two set aside. When he went on break, he even entrusted them to Domenica to make sure I received them. And Domenica, who was an absolute sweetheart, made sure I got my coveted key lime cookies. It was such a small thing in the grand scheme of a hotel stay, but the care behind it made me feel extraordinarily special.
Luis seemed to genuinely look for ways to connect with us and make our stay better. He shared insights about a town and sights near a city we'll be visiting in a week and recommended restaurants he thought we would enjoy. He also made me my favorite drink, an amaretto sour with freshly squeezed lemon juice.
And then there was Benjamin. His genuine caring, love for his work, and many years in hospitality showed in every interaction. He greeted guests warmly and spoke to people in different languages, making them feel comfortable and welcome. He was the consummate host, always seeming to appear with an offer of a cappuccino or a drink just when you might want one. I was already missing those offers before I had even left.
Together, these five people turned excellent service into something much more personal. By the end of our stay, we didn't feel as though we were simply guests using a hotel Club Lounge. We felt cared for by people who genuinely wanted us to have a wonderful time -- and they are the biggest reason we are already looking forward to coming back.
The five daily food presentations prepared by the José Andrés Group were exceptionally high quality, delicious, and beautifully presented -- so much so that they made it extremely difficult to want to leave the hotel for dinner. There were also always nine choices of very good wines and sparkling wines available, along with San Pellegrino, beer, sodas, juices, and other beverages.
We come to Miami regularly before Celebrity cruises and have stayed at the Retreat suite level several times. We thought the quality and flavor of both the food and wine in the Ritz-Carlton Club were actually above what we've experienced on Celebrity. Even the three dessert selections each evening looked more like something you might expect at a fine-dining restaurant, with beautiful presentations, delicious flavors, and, on some evenings, touches of gold leaf.
For anyone booking the Club Level, here are the five daily presentations so you can plan your arrival -- and your appetite:
* Breakfast: 7:00-11:00 a.m.
* Lunch: 12:00-3:00 p.m.
* Light Snacks: 3:00-4:30 p.m.
* Hors d'Oeuvres: 5:00-7:30 p.m.
* Desserts & Cordials: 8:00-10:00 p.m.
Breakfast included hot eggs, bacon, chicken sausage, pancakes, pastries, and other choices, although I particularly enjoyed creating my own European-style breakfast from the cold cuts, including prosciutto, and a selection of three cheeses.
Lunch and Hors d'Oeuvres both offered several hot dishes along with salads and a variety of cold selections. D We found the offerings substantial and filling enough that we skipped dinner several nights, although if you prefer a big steak or hearty entrée, then keep your dinner reservations.
The menus rotate among four themes -- Caribbean, Mediterranean, Asian, and European -- which helped keep the selections interesting throughout our stay.