The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

I liked this place a lot. First, it's a beautiful property, well-maintained. The staff is all so professional. We had a suite that was laid out very well, with ample space. The furnishings were both elegant and comfortable. Adequate dresser space. There were one-and-a half bathrooms, very nice, and the master had two sinks, which is a big plus. Nice set up at the nearby beach, and the pool set up also nice and relaxed. Very attentive staff. Many hotels - I mean many - that purport to be in this top-tier luxury are pretenders who just charge alot. This place delivers and I look forward to returning.

I had the pleasure of working at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota as a wedding photographer, and the experience was exceptional from the very first moment. From the moment I drove up, I was treated like royalty and greeted with a warm welcome (and yes — even a cookie at the door!), which immediately set the tone for the incredible hospitality that continued all day. The venue itself is absolutely stunning from elegant architecture, beautifully maintained grounds, and timeless, light-filled spaces that photograph so beautifully. Beyond the aesthetics, what truly stood out was the staff. Every single team member exceeded my expectations and treated me with the same care and respect they extend to their guests, which makes such a difference as a wedding vendor. The team was incredibly supportive, proactive, and communicative, ensuring that everything ran smoothly from start to finish. Their seamless coordination and attention to detail allowed all vendors to focus on doing their best work and contributed to an elevated, stress-free experience for the couple. I would absolutely recommend The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota to any couple looking for a venue, and would love to work there again and photograph weddings in such a beautiful, well-run, and welcoming luxury venue anytime. It’s a place I would confidently recommend to couples and hope to return to often!

Our Christmas stay at the Ritz-Carlton was absolutely outstanding from start to finish. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly greeted by so many staff members, making us feel genuinely welcomed and cared for.||The holiday touches were exceptional. We were greeted with welcome champagne, enjoyed free bellinis and mimosas for two hours one day, and were constantly surprised with thoughtful details — free Christmas cookies, beautiful Christmas chocolates delivered to our door on Christmas morning, and even personalized letters from Santa hand-delivered under the door with treats hanging on the handle. Santa and Mrs. Claus were incredibly sweet, and the Christmas events throughout the hotel were adorable and so well done.||The decorations were stunning and truly created a magical Christmas atmosphere. The food across the resort was amazing, and restaurant service was excellent everywhere we went. Live music on Saturday night was fantastic — we honestly wished there had been even more of it.||The beach club was a highlight — relaxing, beautiful, and fun. Drinks served in coconuts were such a great touch. Raul at the beach club was especially kind and memorable, and Joe, one of the bellmen, was incredibly sweet and helpful. The people truly make this hotel special.||We also loved the thoughtful extras like free fishing poles and the incredible welcome snack served on beautiful sand — everything was edible, creative, and delicious.||The Candy Cane Café is such a cute idea and very festive visually. The only small suggestion would be to lean even more into the holiday theme with specialty drinks like candy cane lattes or eggnog lattes, as it currently serves regular coffee only.||A couple of very minor notes: the pool temperature could be just one degree warmer, and the beach club store could be expanded a bit — but these are small details in an otherwise perfect experience.i also wish the shuttle ran every 30 minutes. ||Overall, this was one of the most magical Christmas experiences we’ve ever had. The Ritz-Carlton exceeded every expectation. Everyone at the hotel was kind, attentive, and genuinely warm. We can’t wait to return.

Wonderful experience at the Ritz Tiki Bar during the New Year’s weekend. From the minute we arrived we were greeted by the bartender, Ryan. I had the pleasure of meeting him at a previous Marriott property and to my surprise he had relocated to this property. ||The Ritz Carlton has a true star on their staff in Ryan. He is amazing at his craft and a true professional. I will definitely be back to the property because of Ryan. The experience he provides patrons and families is unmatched. ||Absolutely amazing experience!!! ||Thank you Ryan!!!

The check in and valet service was excellent. Jack dusty the restaurant was 1/5 for its breakfast buffet. The fruit kept disappearing before you could get any at all. It was quite small as well for a 5 star luxury breakfast. We decided to eat all breakfasts out of the hotel which is a time sink. The mattresses were saggy in the room. The bathroom was nice but old. overall a dated property. I would probably just pick the next door Westin and save the $/points.

Our family of 5 spent 3 nights over the Thanksgiving holiday at The Ritz Carlton Sarasota. We had 3 rooms. ||It was the most wonderful stay. From check in, the condition of the room and property, the holiday decorations (which went up the day we arrived), all our meals, the beach club- no notes! ||10/10. A magnificent visit. ||This was our 3rd visit in 4 years. ||I don’t know if there has been a change in management or not, but everything was fantastic. ||The staff were, to a person, friendly and professional. And, everyone seemed to enjoy their job. The vibe was one of cohesion and good energy. ||Massive shout out to Zach at the front desk. I had a request that has had other hotels acting like I’d asked for the furniture to be moved. One of our family members wants all alcohol and food out of the minibar/room. It’s a preference. ||I always dread asking because virtually all other properties (and of similar status to RC) are so ungracious and weird about it. ||Zach was immediately “Not a problem. I am sending someone right now to remove everything.” He has a true spirit of hospitality and a really special way about him. We interacted with him a few times and I predict Zach will be extremely successful in the hospitality industry (or anything he chooses). Thank you, Zach for being the ONLY person at any property to deal with this request so elegantly. ||We spent time at the beach club and enjoyed soooo much delicious food. Jack Dusty was also a place with amazing service and food. ||Our family is all working adults who travel a lot for business and pleasure. We all agreed, The Ritz Carlton Sarasota is a very special place.

This review is specifically for the restaurant. We had the seafood chowder, the charcuterie board, and shared the Siren drink. The board was excellent, great variety and quality. The Siren drink was great, but way overpriced. The seafood chowder, specifically, gave my wife food poisoning. It was not up to temperature. We spent the night at the hotel taking care of her as she was "explosive". I expected more...

This Ritz location is FANTASTIC!! The Beach Club is a blast, food was good but what really stood out was the service. We did Club level and it was totally worth the additional cost- so kid friendly and the food was awesome (as were the drinks- the Espresso Martinis were fab!). Ben in the Club went above and beyond in every way. He was always ready to help and always with the most authentic smile and kind word. Our kids were 5 and 7 and we had such special breakfasts each morning where we played chess, UNO and a bunch of other games that were available at the Club. They helped us get reservations (Ben even physically walked downstairs to a restaurant to see if he could make more progress to get us a spot!), held our luggage for us, got us new keys when we lost them and on and on. Thank you to the entire team for such a truly wonderful week where we made memories to last a lifetime!!

Genuinely friendly service from all of the staff at the Ritz which is why I start here. Zach at the front desk checked us in with ease, even though we had two reservations. The welcome Champaign or Mimosa eases you into your stay. The lobby is comfortable and a conduit to the conference center, the shop (including a Champaign vending machine - yes, vending), to the room elevators or to Jack Dusty for a great dining experience. The rooms are modern and comfortable. Get a marina view if water views are limited, even if you have a lower floor. The halls showed a little wear and tear but that is about the only flaw here. Rooms are equipped with waters, coffee, and all the normal amenities. Brooke led us through a wonderful al fresco dining experience at Jack Dusty - and the wonderful story behind the name (which I won't spoil). The shrimp and grits were original and tasty. The Jack tots were a treat. The mixed drink menu was solid as was the wine list. But talking with Brooke personalized our experience. The free shuttle to St. Armand's Circle and on to the Ritz Carlton Beach club expands your vacation territory with little effort. Waters on board the shuttle are available to guests and you get all the details you need on where and when to pick the shuttle back up. St. Armand's Circle has an old school Florida feel with amazing shopping and dining options, as well as lots of live music. We need more time to explore. The beach club has beach access, a stunning pol, and a beach yet upscale casual dining room and bar. The drink menu here is not to be missed. While we were here for a wedding, our long weekend experience exceeded expectations and delivered just what we needed.

I stayed several nights in June for a wedding and sadly, I cannot recommend this hotel. While the lobby is lovely and the valet efficient, the room was average by hotel grade standards, had the faint aroma of moldy bread near the entrance, and the flat pillows were the worst I've ever rested upon. The fitness center was okay, but I expected something a bit more grand. I would also like to suggest to the front desk that they ask prior to selecting a room for you if you don't mind if your room has a balcony- and the only thing protecting you from concrete seven floors below... is a low railing... While this chain is not related to the actual 'Ritz' hotels themselves, it does try to sell that 'elite' image to the world (a poor man's version of those iconic hotels), and should, at the very least, try it's very hardest to live up to those standards.

Always love the Holiday Tasty Treats at the Ritz! Hot Chocolate & Desserts are very Good! Staff & Management are Always a Pleasure!!!

My recent stay at The Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota was nothing short of magical! Whether you're planning a romantic getaway with your partner or a fun-filled trip with your besties, this hotel is the epitome of luxury and relaxation. From the moment you step foot in the hotel, you're greeted with sheer elegance and beauty. The amenities are what you would expect from a luxurious hotel, but what sets this one apart is the complimentary rentals of kayaks and paddle-boards. It's a fantastic way to explore the surrounding waters and add some adventure to your stay. One of the highlights of our trip was taking advantage of the hotel's shuttle service to the Ritz-Carlton Beach Club. The exclusive beach area reserved for residents and guests of the Ritz-Carlton provided the perfect setting for a day of sun-soaked bliss. The complimentary amenities provided, including iced cold buckets of water, umbrellas, and chairs, made our beach experience even more enjoyable. Watching the sunset from the beach club was truly a magical experience that left us in awe. The serene atmosphere and breathtaking views created memories that will last a lifetime. I'm already counting down the days until I can visit again and indulge in another unforgettable stay at The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota! * * * Follow my IG for more food/hotel content! @alienlola @hangrymemories

I was robbed of $1000 cash out of my briefcase while I was out of room exercising. I'm assuming it was the evening maid service. I've filed a claim and expect to hear nothing back

Sad used to be stellar. What's going on here? Been here twice this week, met clients for dinner. Sorry Ritz. Sticky table, dirty seat cushion (on deck) dirty coaster under my coffee.... Don't mind very high prices but let's clean this place. I'm a fan but....Come on people.

I stayed here for a wedding, and unfortunately, the Ritz missed the mark on several aspects. The hospitality was unfriendly, which was unexpected and unwelcoming. Additionally, the rooms felt outdated and didn't match the luxurious standard often associated with the Ritz brand. There are other Marriott brand hotels in the area that offer much better quality and hospitality, making them potentially better choices for future stays. The saving grace of my experience was the great pool area and the amazing beach club. These amenities provided some enjoyment during my stay, despite the overall disappointments. In summary, while the pool and beach club are commendable, the lack of friendly hospitality and dated room design detracted significantly from the experience, making it fall short of the Ritz's usual standards.

Not very Ritz quality pretty dated property needs a lot of updating Front desk staff not very friendly almost rude. As we were checking in over heard 2 phone calls of internet not properly working and some service issues not a good sign Did not tell us anything about what our $60 a night resort fee included or that the elevators were not working A guest informed us that they were not working and we went to desk about getting to the 6 th floor and he acted surprised that the elevator was not working and escorted us to the service elevator . The beach club the chair cushions were worn and dirty very surprised with the up keep of this property We had lunch at Jack Dusty and have eaten here before while not staying at the Ritz and really enjoyed it not this time service was slow and served cold soup. Food was just average for price Room was nothing special did not feel Like you were in a Ritz . Westin across way I'd much nicer and updated room

The property does not meet your to the usual ritz Carlton standards. Nothing blatantly wrong or bad, but it's just not nice. The property is super dated, nothing grand about the lobby or the 2 janky elevators. Service is not bad but not good. Feels like the same treatment you get at a standard Hyatt or Hilton. Nothing special. For over $1000/night, you'd expect more.

After hurricane Milton I was displaced from my home here in Florida needed a hotel to stay in. My concern was which hotel was not affected by the storm. There was only one. This one, supposedly. I was Completely mislead upon booking as to the operational functions of the hotel after the storm. I was told everything is in working order except the elevators. That was a complete lie as the pools were down, the hallways had dehumidifiers because of the musty smell, the dining area had no lighting, there was no Wi-Fi or cable, the food was terrible, the staircase to get to the rooms were a nightmare and overall the exorbitant price I paid was the same as if it all functioned. Bait and switch. Shame on you Ritz Carlton. Shame on you.

Ryna M recently stated: "While this chain is not related to the actual 'Ritz' hotels themselves..." Can anyone explain just what he means by this? I've been to the restaurant twice and it's terrific.

The venue is gorgeous but I feel that the service is dismal (the equivalent of one star in my book) considering that this is a luxury hotel. We were told by the hostess that the outdoor couches are open / communal seating, and that if we sat down, a server could take our drink orders. Given that we were headed to dinner in about an hour, my boyfriend kindly got our drinks at the bar and I waited for a spot to open up. When one did, I snagged the table which had a fantastic view of the garden and a wedding on the right. However, when a server came up, she stated that she was only there to clear the table and that she could let another server know that we were new. I don't recall anyone coming back to check on us for the next 30 minutes or so. Thankfully, we were fine with just our one drink but it would've been nice if we could have had the option to order more drinks. The drinks themselves were great, which is why this review is landing at 3 stars. The Bloody Mary was perfect and the Siren was equally delicious.

so disappointed in the Ritz Sarasota. Went to the hotel pool, it was so dirty. There was numerous bugs, floating in it, and there was a film, floating around the pool. we waited 20 minutes in line to get a seat for breakfast at Jack Dusty's. There were only three people in front of us. By the time we sat down, there were eight more behind us. We decided to try the private beach club. We had a drive ourselves as a shuttle only goes once every hour. The beach and the pool are beautiful. That being said they need an adult pool. I felt like I was in Disney World. Kids everywhere. Not my vibe on adults only weekend. Also took an hour and 15 minutes to get our first drink.

Everything. The rooms and restaurant are a bit dated. The food was sub par. Third visit and nothing has changed. The view's on the terrace are beautiful and that is the only good thing about this Ritz Carlton. Will not be going back.

Jack Dusty is a great spot. I was a bit turned off at first, as the layout and aesthetic wasn't anything that great, that I have not seen before. But...let me tell you... THIS BAR IS DIFFERENT! The bartender, named Joel, is a phenomenal mixologist. He can not only recreate the listings on the menu, but he has proven his true knowledge and when asked to turn a shot of 4 roses into something more palatable for a novice bourbon drinker- he delivered!!!! Conversation was effortless, as he multitasked. He was engaging, efficient, and professional. We entered this bar to have one drink, and leave..... We ended up having 4 drinks and dinner! Would have never had dinner there after being disappointed in dinner choices on menu. BUT, friendly staff kept us there spending money. 5 stars for great service!!!

The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota is a beautiful hotel with an amazing pool club. We had a small issue where our TV wasn't working (our daughter liked to watch it after a day outside), and when they couldn't fix it right away, the room manager bought us dinner a few times and gave our daughter an awesome teddy bear. She still loves the teddy bear too! Note - the rooms aren't large, and while they have suites, they are very expensive. They can upgrade you though on check-in though, which beats paying the rate on the site. Housekeeping was awesome. The housekeeper gave us her phone number so we could text her when we left (our daughter would take naps and she didn't want to knock), which was super helpful. She was also really engaging with her daughter too, like most of the staff! The pool club is top-notch as well. This is the one time where the resort fee is actually worth it!

Had a wonderful dinner here after my wedding. Small group of us. The corvina was fantastic, the cheese board, the calamari, and everyone else enjoyed their dishes as well. The ambiance is beautiful and we took some pictures outside, it's a lovely view! Highly recommend Jack Dusty and the Ritz

So I treated myself yesterday and got the ultimate manicure and pedicure. It was ok, but for the price I wasn't super impressed, the nail tech was nice but chatty, cut my toe nails way too short, wasn't shaping them the way I wanted and kept emphasizing how long she's been doing nails, like ok nice but you're not listening to what I want, and she forgot to scrub my right foot so I had to say something bc she thought she did. The pedicure chair was not my favorite. My pedicure was scheduled for 75 minutes and after a while my butt started to hurt bc it was like the cushion was warped unless it's supposed to be like that, also every time the chair massage was over it would take away the reclined position and sit me straight up, and the tables on the side of the chair are so slanted that you can't really put anything on them all of that was super annoying. My manicure was fine and I had no issues. I am very picky when it comes to my hands and feet. I did enjoy myself but I've been other places like the hard rock spa and they did more for less so for the ritz I was a bit disappointed. The newly renovated spa is beautiful and so is the property. The free valet was nice as well, but I think they are still renovating certain areas so I wasn't able to take advantage of the other amenities. I was given complimentary Prosecco and some nuts. Overall of course I enjoyed myself and the fact that everything was clean. I would say they should invest in more comfortable pedicure chairs because if someone has to sit there for 75 minutes it should be enjoyable.

I can't say enough about this place! But if you're not a patient reader let me just tell you that: the people there will race each other to make you happy!! Starting from the great valet people, bell men , front desk , waiters and waitresses at the pool, restaurants and to my favorite place! The Exclusive Club Lounge !! Everyone is friendly, nice , smiling at you , greeting you, checking on you and going above and beyond to make you happy!! The Club lounge , the pool and the beach club are really my favorite about this place! The club lounge comes by booking a room at the club level which is what we did or I think you can also purchase access . They service breakfast, lunch, light snacks , Hors d'oeuvres & Cocktails and Desserts & Cordials. Buffet style , small plates but really high quality and the chef is amazing at surprising you with something different everyday. Soft drinks and alcohol are included. An amazing espresso drinks machine is available for you to use. Wine dispenser with many different kinds of wine to let you do your own flights and try different tastes. I really want to give a special thanks to THREE WONDERFUL PEOPLE who made my stay and my time at the line fantastic! They pampered me! They made sure I'm happy! They made me and everyone in my family very happy and satisfied! They are ENKELA , MARK & ANYELA !! Thank you Thank you and Thank you for unforgettable experience ! I wish I can see them in every Ritz Carlton I go to but since that is impossible I'll come back and soon to enjoy my time at this amazing place with those wonderful people! The most amazing incident that I'll never forget was when I was looking for Bacon and was gone from the buffet and they replaced it with sausage , I didn't want to ask and I was fine because there was many other items that I can get .. all of a sudden I find Enkela is coming to my table and saying I think you want bacon right ? I was like WOW How did you know?!! Lol she smiled and said let me bring it to you!! ;) Mark and Aneyla was constantly checking on me in a very nice sweet way. The beach club is a take by itself!! Private beach, towel service , drinks and food at the beach . There is also nice Pool that beautifully surrounded with Palm trees . There is also a nice big hot tub . You can use the hotel shuttle or drive yourself and they will valet your car upon arrival! Again, wonderful experience , worth every penny!

The worst thing of all is their exclusionary policies. After a long weekend of attending my uncle's funeral, I wanted to treat my 2 grown cousins to their great dinner restaurant with ocean views that RC staff had pitched to me. Unfortunately, BECAUSE MY 2 COUSINS WEREN'T STAYING AT THE RITZ, we were not allowed to eat at this restaurant overlooking the beach. There were only 3 of us, and it was in August Heat -- was not crowded in restaurant; we just weren't good enough. So we went to Jack Dusty's where we spent $440 for dinner for 3. Food was passable. Stay did not measure up to the RC branding. In my Room with a balcony you couldn't sit out there long bc the noise of air conditioning units for entire building were next to room. Also construction noise. When the construction noise stopped at 5 pm the balcony smelled like pizza, as the restaurant vents emptied out by the room. Inside the room, iron & board detached from wall, iron hit me on way down to the floor (a glancing blow but it could have broken my face, if I wouldn't have quickly moved away.) Outside my room was a 2'x1' large brown spot; stayed there for 2 days until they put a piece of carpet over it. Not ever repaired. The room service brought me a Margarita with sugar rim and sides. I ordered on the rocks with salt rim. I can't have sugar, so that was a wasted $18 plus tip. On the good side, all staff were very professional, better than most hotels. They just couldn't do anything to improve my situation. I bought this 4 day bundled packet from United Airlines Vacations. They didn't mention daily resort fees, and the additional $50+ valet parking fee per day was ONLY option. No self parking. Overall, I spent an extra $500+ I didn't expect. This was a Bait and Switch $$$$. I don't plan to ever stay there again.

My cousin had given me a gift card for the Spa. I decided to have a Facial on my spring break. I work for a school and I felt this is great and was so excited. Let me start by saying the Ritz Carlton has great service from the minute you drive up. They missed their mark with their Esthetician, very nice lady but did not know what she was doing. She put some creams on my face and she was done with me. I always had facials and this one was by far the worst one ever!!! I had to tell her several times it's okay I am good!!! I wouldn't spend the $250 go elsewhere!!!

Excellent excellent excellent service, hotel, staff, spa, pool, beach club, everything. We are driving back to the airport now and I cannot rave enough about this hotel. We stayed in room 933 and it was absolutely stunning and quiet! No screaming kids or loud hotel guests. Rachel and Bryan checked us in and made sure we were well taken care of. As all of my Yelp review followers know, I am a very light sleeper, and they were thrilled that I expressed that to them so they could put me in the appropriate room. All of the hotel extras were appreciated too - champs cart serving complimentary champagne when coming back from the beach club, the shuttle to/from the beach club, and the water bottles and "spa" water available everywhere. They took into account the sheer volume of guests and even scheduled more shuttles so people did not have to wait. Can't wait to return and would recommend!!!!

This stay was my second trip at this location and I am so impressed again!! This trip was a very short stay, and from the moment we walked in we were greeted by Rachel K. who is the Assistant Manager of Rooms. She is lovely! Her customer service skills are like.. master level. The Ritz has a real gem in her! The next day after checking in, me and my husband ran into her in the morning and asked her opinion on a breakfast location that we could ride the Ritz bikes to. She was spot on and ready to set up the bikes for us to use, and gave the best suggestions. For two newly weds who were having a tough week prior to coming, we left relaxed and eager to come back again soon!

I read so many negative reviews on TripAdvisor, so I was expecting low quality. However, my expectations were blown away. I'm glad that I gave it a chance. I went to a work conference and stayed here because of their room block rate, which was way less. They have so many amenities that I didn't get to take advantage of since I was mainly at the conference. The amenities are as follows: complimentary internet access and wi-fi at the hotel, beach club, and golf club. Complimentary exercise classes, use of bicycles at the hotel, unlimited local calls, gold practice area privileges with driver and shoes at the golf club. Use of tennis courts with racquets and balls at the hotel and golf club, use of umbrellas, beach chairs, and towels at the beach club, use of kayaks, and paddleboards at the hotel. Use of fishing poles and the game room area with complimentary Nintendo switch usage. I mean, all of these with great service, what more can you ask for? The employees were so great and very helpful throughout my stay.

The Ritz never disappoints. This was our first stay at this particular location and it was an incredible experience. We were greeted with water and champagne at the reception desk. The check in process was fast, efficient and very smooth. The reception staff and concierge were true professionals. They made us feel very welcome and provided recommendations for the love restaurant scene. The facility was spotless clean and elegantly decorated. The shuttle service to the beach run on the clock and was very efficient. We couldn't have ask for a better service! Keep it up, Ritz Carlton!!!!

Had dinner at Jack Dusty. Sat outside and enjoyed the view with family. The Fish trio is more than enough to share.

This old girl has long overstayed her welcome in Sarasota. The Ritz Carlton Sarasota is in need of a major refresh, including upgrading its management, staff, rooms, common areas, policies, and gym. There are now several better - and much more elegant - options in the neighborhood. First, communication between the national reservation center and on-site staff is a joke. We confirmed prior to coming into town that as Titanium Elite would be entitled to automatic club level access (we also had club level certificates just in case). Of course, on site staff wouldn't permit that, and had a ton of excuses for why we couldn't have club level access (none of which made sense). They did allegedly "upgrade us," which I believe gave us a Marina view (in a normal, small room). Still, it's not what we were promised. The hotel itself is just nearing the end of its "life," with peeling wallpaper, chipped paint, last century technology, and old decor. The bathroom had a SHOWER CURTAIN. In a Ritz Carlton? Really? 1972 called and wants grandma's bathroom back. And only TWO bath towels? Is there an national towel shortage of which I'm unaware? Just series of strange choices made at this property. Remember the amazing metal, Ritz branded pens by the bed? Not anymore. Bottom-of-the-barrel cheap, white Bic pens instead. The bottled water also isn't Ritz branded; instead, it's tiny "Pure Life" generic water. Not a huge deal, but the room service attendant brought the food, and actually dropped and broke a plate with food. He then had to go back downstairs and have it redone and brought back up. Again, they're moving too fast - they need to slow down and take care of each customer personally. Oh, and the shuttle to the Ritz Beach Club is not continuous, so when we went down to the lobby, we were told it would be another 45 minutes until the next shuttle. Uh, excuse me, but this is the Ritz Carlton; when a guest asks when the next shuttle is, your answer is "whenever you need it to be, sir/ma'am." You don't make people spend extra money on an Uber to get to another part of your own property. That's just downright rude. So many of the gym cardio machines don't work or have issues; out of order, won't start, stop during a workout, glitch out, screens not functioning, headphone outputs busted - the list of maintenance issues is long. I also didn't see one staff member in the hour and a half that I was in the gym come in and wipe down the machines or disinfect anything. There did seem to be a trainer in some small office, but he was back there on his phone the whole time I was exercising. Towels and empty bottles littered the gym and no one cleaned it up. That's totally unacceptable for a Ritz branded property. I remember when Ritz Carlton was THE high end hotel brand; I think that ship has sailed far, far away. Once it became part of Marriott, upper management seemed to forget the former quality and commitment to excellence. That's sad for modern luxury travelers that still remember what Ritz "used to be." My advice: look elsewhere in Sarasota.

Swanky, but a little off of the beaten path. This Ritz is well appointed and the staff are all top of the line. The pools onsite are nice but it is a hassle to get to their private beach area that is off resort. You have to take a shuttle and it only runs once an hour, so tough if you have kids along. We went around NYE so it was a bit more crowded than it probably normally is and we struggled to get into any of the onsite restaurants because they were all booked up, but we were able to get into Jack Dusty, which was lovely in every way. We would definitely come back to this resort but leave the kids behind.

Had a wonderful two night stay here. First time at a Ritz and I was not disappointed. The staff were really incredible and always willing to go above and beyond for the guest. The rooms were modern and clean with really nice white marble bathrooms. The pool area was pretty nice but the highlight of the property is the beach club on Lido beach. It is a short shuttle ride or car ride if you choose to drive yourself but it was well worth it. The grounds are magnificent with a really large beachfront pool along with a 20-30 person hot tub. The beach is nice and private and there is an incredible beach side restaurant called Ridleys Porch that was a nice surprise. Will definitely be staying at more Ritz Carltons because of this stay.

Very disappointed of the Ritz Carlton property. Couches in lobby were stained. Very outdated. So overpriced for what it is. This is no 5 star resort by a long shot.

The valet employees should train the desk how to cater to guests. The valet employees were super professional, caring and helpful. The staff at the desk all seemed confused and did not communicate well. They were training and made it very apparent that they have front desk issues. The restaurant, servers, pool service, beach service were all excellent. The gym was very nice and had new equipment. Our room was basic and had paint peeling on the ceiling. They need to hire a better design firm to fix the unattractive decor. I highly recommend IMG NYC. Now lets talk about the worst part of my vacation at a Ritz Carlton that they should thank me for not making this a 1 star review.... the water smelt like ROTTEN EGGS!!! I had to shower in water that stunk really bad! First the desk team played dumb and said they would have engineering take a look at it. Then they said that everything was perfect and tried to blame the state of Florida for having smelly water. Sorry but I live in Florida. Then they said it's a Sarasota issue. Nope, that won't fly either because I have stayed across the driveway at the Hyatt twice and the water there was perfect. As a matter of fact I have stayed at several other hotels in Sarasota (my favorite is The Resort at Long Boat Key Club) and no other hotel had stinky water. I had to use bottled water to brush my teeth. They gave us $200 off the bill for the rotten egg water stench. Gee thanks! Long story short I will not come back. I gave it a chance but this resort is NOT a real Ritz experience. The desk made me feel like I was bothering them, even if I asked a question like where is the gym. Disappointed

Driving up Ritz Carlton drive to dine at Jack Dusty I was surprised to see that the beautiful palm trees were not lighted for the holiday season, it was always such a gorgeous entrance to such a beautiful hotel. As many have noticed, this year is not the same tastefully and elegantly decorated Ritz as in the past. so disappointing.

I am impressed with the entire team at this resort and their attention to customer service. In particular, Juan at the Front Desk went out of his way to be helpful and ensure that my stay was very memorable! The food at Dinner at the Beach Club restaurant was awesome. Jack Dusty is a cool themed restaurant, however the food at lunch was lack luster. The only downside of the trip was that I was erroenously billed for cofee that was included with my Bonvoy status and "Honor Bar" items that I did not consume. I was not notified until well after I checkout out. Fortunately, the team was good to work with when I requested a bill correction of the Bonvoy App Chat. I appreciate it!

I'm a big Ritz fan but this one is one of the worst anywhere. Club level service and offering is very poor and certainly not worth the premium a guest pays. This hotel should be downgraded to a Marriott or Westin but there's already one next door. St Regis is opening soon on Longboat. Try that first or go to the Naples Ritz beach resort which is one of the best in the world.

I am constantly disappointed with the service at this establishment. The staff are always rude and disorganized. I would NOT recommend having your wedding at The Ritz Carlton Sarasota. Although the scenery is beautiful, the planning and service we received was upsetting. Every time we go back the staff are rude and 9/10 mess up your drink or dinner order. The food is never good and we always leave wishing we ate somewhere else.

What fun we had, the grounds are gorgeous and the staff are exceptional. We had room service twice for breakfast and enjoyed the views of the bay from our porch.

The experience at the Ritz Carlton Sarasota was below average. Shuttle service has a Disney World vibe and there is almost nothing offered at the main location, so shuttle is necessary. Lito Beach pool club was disappointing. Poor poolside service. An hour wait for lunch at the only restaurant there. Room was not cleaned after being gone all day. Had to chase down clean towels and get our trash emptied. Fan in bathroom was not operational. The shampoo/conditioner was sub standard. Maybe because spa was still not opened? Having visited several Ritz Carlton locations, the Sarasota Ritz was a HUGE disappointment.

Beautiful views, amazing service, and comfortable beds. With my ambassador status I was upgraded to a suite with a water view!

This was our second visit to this property. First was pre-Covid and pretty bad. We were in Sarasota again for business and despite our last experience, thought that the Ritz couldn't possibly disappoint again and would live up to its reputation. Wrong. The service/ staff was terrible and indifferent. Despite Hubby's Titanium Marriott status, we felt like we were treated like the evil step child. Our room.....*sigh*.....was "upgraded" to the 3 rd floor with a direct view of the valet entrance which staff called a Marina view. The room was beyond dirty. Huge stain in the middle of the carpet, bathroom was barely covid compliant and thankfully I had my own disinfectant kit. I could go on and on, but, won't bore you with that. Needless to say, this is one Ritz property we will never stay at again.

This hotel is the worst! We have stayed here 3 times in 14 mos. Still waiting at 5 pm for our room. Waiting since 3 pm. Drew Ballard does not know how to deal with loyal patrons. Could have at least bought us a drink. Danielle in the bar area was wonderful. Keep Her!

This was my first visit to Sarasota and we had all intentions to make it a memorable trip. Therefore I decided to book the Ritz Carlton Hotel specifically because I wanted to enjoy my time in Sarasota rain or shine and I was quite positive that would not be a problem at this hotel. When we arrived, we were greeted immediately by the valet that assisted us with our car and luggage. Unfortunately our room was not ready, but since I was a significant member of the Marriott hotel chain, they upgraded us into a suite on the top floor. The room had an upscale contemporary appearance with a touch of elegance, The resort offered transportation to their white sand beaches luxury spa, fine dining and 18-hole championship golf course. Luckily for us, the weather had improved which afforded us the opportunity to enjoy all of the resorts luxury offerings. What was also appealing, the hotel was walking distance from downtown Sarasota where one can enjoy theatre, opera, and plenty of restaurants to choose from. Overall it was an exquisite location and we had a fabulous time.

would not recommend this Hotel! Hidden Fees, service not accommodating, room rug, walls and ice box not clean!! pool only 5"and lower! spa not open!!! for a 5 star Hotel we were very disappointed! Not worth the expensive fees!!

December 23, 2021. I just returned from an extended stay at the Ritz Carlton in Sarasota, Florida. I am a busy professional single woman but felt strongly about taking the time to write this review. My experience at this property was outstanding. Susan, on of the aestheticians at the Spa gave me the best facial of my entire life, and I've had many. All of my Spa services were excellent. Every employee that I came in contact with went above and beyond including the Bellmen, Valets, Waiters, Waitresses, Front Desk staff, Shuttle Driver, Boutique Managers am I forgetting anyone?? Every meal that I ate at Jack Dusty's was excellent. I will especially miss the Breakfasts! "Mote Beach Tea" is served, a local organic berry-coconut tea that is addictive! Room Service was always fast and always exactly what I ordered. At a time where good employees are hard to find, it seems that the Ritz Carlton in Sarasota has no problem finding them. I enjoyed the other guests at this property too. To share a quick story about the kind of people who stay at this property - One day I was poolside at The Beach Club, I saw a young lady walking around the perimeter of the pool talking to people, then she came over to me and showed me an iPhone asking me "Is this your phone? I found it in the ladies room" - It was in fact my phone!! I was not aware that I left it in the ladies room! This adorable young woman went to every person sitting around the pool until she found the owner of that phone. I could not be more grateful. These are the kind of people who stay at this hotel. A property like the Sarasota Ritz that runs like a well oiled machine has to have great management. It all starts from the top down. Continued Success to everyone and I look forward to my next stay.

A couple of misses at this hotel, hence the 4 stars. Cons? 1. My non-smoking room smelled like smoke. That's a big no-no in my book. 2. Staff did not know their own policy in regards to late check-out. They argued that there was no such policy and I had to show them their own website and policy. They honored. 3. If you want to eat somewhere else in town, it's a longer walk to everything. Pros? 1. Staff is what you've come to expect at the Ritz. Room service, pool staff, valets were all attentive and friendly. 2. Rooms were nice and we had a balcony. But the location of this Ritz is not on the water. My room balcony view looked at the marina (between buildings); however, you looked down on the front valet. 3. The Beach Club is great with staff bringing complimentary buckets of ice cold water and towels for your chair. They offer tropical drinks with floaters. What's a floater, a shot of alcohol "floating" on top. Learn something new every day.

Excellent resort for family and business meeting. Great bar - Jack Dusty on premise. Live spending time near the water during the break from one of the meetings.

This was the most amazing vacation! First time staying at a ritz Carlton and they went above and beyond to make it such a special and memorable trip! They were so attentive and would remember the little things, which made us feel like we belonged there and have been going there for years. To be able to walk into a restaurant and they remember what we order and have it ready is just amazing. From Emily at Jack Dusty, Timar the main pool, Dave at the beach, and even the drivers for the shuttle. We were so sad to go, and cannot wait to come back.

Exceptional service from David at the beach club valet.. Niko and Brandon at the front desk gave a warm welcome and service.. and Mark is always great at the lounge when we are there .

As always the Ritz Carlton Sarasota is always a sweet spot for locals as well as visitors. I absolutely adore their spa facilities for the ultimate in pampering as well as a Sunday brunch which is not only tasty and creative but simply a gorgeous atmosphere!! This is by far my favorite place to getaway and enjoy a day of relaxation and self-care!! Ty Ritz Carlton for never disappointing..always amazing and a 10 in service!!

This is a great hotel but do know the beach is not on the property... you must shuttle to the beach but its rocky and the water is not the best so if you want a luxury hotel with a pool this is a great option. Drinks at the bar are always fun, food is very good, rooms are clean and modern, hotel staff is polite and helpful. I've stayed here probably at least ten times and never had an issue. The pool during sunset has created some gorgeous pictures for me to enjoy.