The Ritz London

I was lucky enough to dine and stay at The Ritz for 2 nights in december 2020. When we were welcomed into the hotel, we were greeted by a spectacular christmas tree, it was incredibly beautiful. On check in we were advised we had a room upgrade which was unexpected but very nice. Our room was glamorous, delicately finished and very cosy. The finishing touches at this hotel are wonderful. The only down side we noted was that there were no tea/coffee making facilities in our room which would of been nice after a busy day out in London. Obviously there is the room service option but at £8 a cup we would of preferred our own tea making facilities. We dined on a 3 course set menu on our first night, the food was perfect, waiters were so polite and nothing was too much trouble. The setting in the main restaurant is just beautiful. Breakfast on both days was splendid, so much choice and again, wonderful service. On our second evening we had christmas afternoon tea for our evening meal option. At the time of us booking in august, this was the only sitting available. It was simply the best afternoon tea we have ever had, there was plenty and as we finished one set of sandwiches, they bought more! We were staying for my birthday, so i was given a lovely little raspberry sponge cake with my name on which was a extra special touch. I also didn’t want the champagne with the afternoon tea, so requested a teddy bear instead, when being shown to our seats, the teddy was waiting! I was also offered a glass of sparkling tea at no extra cost. As our visit was during covid19, we didn’t no what to expect, but certainly were not disappointed, this hotel is simply spectacular! As soon as we got home, we rebooked for this december. Oh what a lovely few days we have to look forward too!

It was lovely visit it would have been better if there was entertainment for my children or something to get them out of my hair for abit and enjoy the time with my wife . Other then that I would highly recommend the hotel to friends .

Outstanding rooms. Great service. Very historical. Grand bar area. Courteous staff. Fabulous room service. Superb decor. Delicious food and cocktails. You can get virtually anything you ask for, within reason. Overall, memorable experience.

As a freelance writer, I was lucky enough to be commissioned by a client to stay at the Ritz and the Savoy recently. I spent four nights at the Ritz followed by five nights at the Savoy. Prior to December 2020, I had never stayed in or visited either of these hotels, so I went in not knowing what to expect. Of course, I did some research beforehand, and one thing from social media became clear – each of these hotels has a loyal following. I came to think of them as Team Ritz and Team Savoy, and I was curious to find out which ‘team’ I would be joining upon my return from London. Here is my review of the Ritz: Greeting and Check-In We arrived at the Ritz and asked the driver to drop us off around the corner from the hotel. For ten minutes we lurked around the corner with our cases as we were still nervous! Finally, we walked toward the hotel and were greeted warmly by the doormen as though we were returning guests. Right away, I felt far more at ease. The doormen whisked our cases away, and we entered the hotel. I felt that the entrance from outside was far more understated and low-key than expected, but when I stepped inside, I found myself in the most enchanting surroundings. As we entered, we were beckoned over by a nice lady at the reception desk who greeted me by name. The check-in process was very efficient, speedy, and professional, and she informed us that we had been upgraded to a junior suite, which was a delightful surprise. She then gave us our key and showed us where the main areas such as the restaurant and bar were as she walked us to the lift. As we stepped out of the lift to find our room (just around the corner), a member of staff was already waiting outside with our cases! He introduced himself as Chris and was so polite and professional. After setting up our suitcases in the room, he provided some information, answered a few questions we had, and then swiftly departed with an impressive level of efficiency. I am pretty sure I saw him gliding across the room and then I blinked, and he was gone! Hotel Room As mentioned earlier, we were upgraded to a junior suite (216), and it was so beautiful. There was a seating area with a sofa, chairs, and table, a huge and very comfortable bed, really traditional and luxurious décor, and a nice view that looked out onto Piccadilly. I spent a lot of time people-watching through that window during my time at the hotel. The room was spacious and beautifully maintained as you would expect at the Ritz. There was a complimentary bottle of champagne, full-size bottles of mineral water, a jar of Ritz nuts, luxury chocolate, and a lovely message waiting for us on the table. That was a lovely touch and much appreciated. The suite had a fridge (as minibars were removed due to COVID) and a decent sized TV with a range of Sky channels to watch. There were also two gorgeous umbrellas with the most unusual handles that reminded me of props from a Stephen King movie – I really want one of those umbrellas and wish I had asked if I could purchase one while there! The bathroom in the suite was also stunning, with a small walk-in shower and a separate sparkling bath with gold trimmings. Everything looked so luxurious and pristine, it was marvellous, and the toiletries were of excellent quality. At home and other hotels that I have been to, the bath takes a long time to fill. So, after I had started running a bath I went into the main room for a few minutes. As I walked back toward the bathroom, I saw water coming from the door. The bath had filled so quickly it had overflowed and the water was all over the floor and coming into the hallway of the suite! Naturally, I was horrified and panicking. Fortunately, a quick call downstairs was all it took to arrange for someone to come up and clear up the mess I had inadvertently made once we had left the room (due to COVID). We threw some towels on the floor to soak up the water in the meantime while we got ready to go out. When we returned to our room later that evening, the mess was all cleared up and all towels replaced. Afternoon Tea Afternoon tea at the Ritz gets booked up many months in advance, so we were lucky to get a slot at all given that we booked a few weeks ahead. Due to COVID, there had been a few cancellations, so we managed to get a 7.30 pm slot at the Palm Court. This is one of the areas in the hotel where you need to dress more formally, so we both made an effort and headed downstairs. We were greeted by the very polite gentleman just outside the Palm Court, and he led us to our table. It was quite magical, as there was a choir singing Christmas carols and a pianist playing just outside. It was also beautifully decorated for Christmas. The service was excellent in the Palm Court, and everything was done swiftly and with the greatest of efficiency – something we had become used to at the Ritz by this time. We had already informed the hotel that one of us was vegetarian and the other vegan, and they had prepared a variety of savoury and sweet delights for us. The sandwiches and cakes were delicious, and our chosen tea was wonderful. The whole ambiance of afternoon tea at the Ritz was lovely – elegant, stylish, luxurious. It is definitely something that I recommend for those visiting London or staying at the Ritz. Hotel Bar When we first stepped into the Rivoli Bar, it was smaller and more intimate than I had imagined from the photos online. The room oozed style and decadence – as some people have mentioned in reviews, it was like stepping onto the Orient Express in terms of décor. We were quickly seated and the service, as always, was swift and remarkably efficient. This is one of the areas where you can dress in smart casual clothing, so we wore jeans as we were heading out straight after drinks and lunch. As expected, the cocktails here do not come cheap but, my word, they were delicious. At one point, we both ordered a cocktail each, and then a member of staff quickly came over to inform us that one of the cocktails was not vegan. It was very attentive of them to notice this and remember that one of us was vegan. A little later, the barman came over to our table and asked what sort of drinks we like. I told him I like vodka-based drinks and raspberries, and he created a wonderful and absolutely divine cocktail based on that. This very personalised service was so refreshing and much appreciated. Along with our cocktails, we also had club sandwiches and they created vegan and vegetarian ones for us, as they were not on the menu. The sandwiches came with chips and were very tasty, although, like the drinks, they don’t come cheap. In addition, when you order drinks, you also receive a very generous serving of luxury nibbles free of charge, and these are rather filling on their own! Hotel Restaurant Our visit to the Ritz restaurant was truly one of the highlights of our stay not only at the hotel but in London. It was such an incredible experience from start to finish, and one that I am eager to repeat as soon as I can. For dinner at the Ritz, you need to dress up and make an effort, and this is what we did. We made our way downstairs in all our finery and were politely greeted by the friendly gentleman outside the restaurant. We were then taken to our seats, and even given the history of the table, which was the ‘Charlie Chaplin table’. We felt really special walking into this beautiful restaurant and being seated. It really is a stunning room, and the lighting, ambiance, and music is spot on. Our table was close to the window, and all tables were suitably socially distanced. The position of our table also gave us a perfect view across the restaurant. Shortly after being seated, someone came around with the champagne trolley and we both had a glass of crisp, cold champagne. As we sipped it and relaxed in the lovely surroundings, I felt like I was in a classic movie of some sort, particularly with the ambient music in the background. Our two waiters for the evening introduced themselves as Julio and Giovanni, and they were a very professional, extremely quirky, and truly delightful double act. It was such a wonderful experience to watch them whip the silver lids off the dishes in synchronisation and then explain exactly what the dish was. These two were top-notch waiters, so well-presented, and so enthusiastic. I hope next time I dine there I get the same table and the same waiters. On top of this, we did not receive a menu at the table – instead, the chef had prepared a series of vegetarian dishes for me and vegan for my guest. Dishes kept coming, and coming, and coming – it was amazing. And the food itself was exquisite; I wasn’t even hungry after the first few courses but forced myself to continue. We could barely move by the end, and still had some champagne left. One of the waiters arranged to have it sent to our room, and somehow it magically arrived up there along with a range of posh nibbles before we even managed to get up to the room! This is a dining experience that I will not forget in a hurry, and I can see why the Ritz Restaurant is so highly regarded. Everything from the appearance and ambiance to the service and food was impeccable and could not be faulted. Room Service The room service at the Ritz did not disappoint – as with all other aspects of the hotel’s service, it was professional, efficient, and easy to arrange. I wanted an omelette late one evening, so we called downstairs. Half an hour later, a member of staff arrived with the omelette. He was eager to come in and set everything up for us, but I was halfway through getting changed so my partner had to ask him to leave it outside. The food was delicious and beautifully presented, it arrived in a timely manner, and I had no problem placing my order despite ordering late. Staff and Service The word that comes to mind when I think about the staff and service at the Ritz is ‘impeccable’. Every member of staff we encountered seemed to be proud of what they were doing, enthusiastic, professional, well presented, and friendly. Fred, the doorman, is a real credit to the hotel. He is so friendly and personable while remaining professional. By the end of day one, we had learned about how he got his job on the door – and how chuffed and happy he was to be doing it. He was so enthusiastic about his work and such a lovely guy. The other doorman who was on during our stay was also very friendly and welcoming – it was always nice to be greeted by them when returning to the hotel. Chris, the very polite young man who dealt with our luggage upon arrival and departure, was also a credit. He was such a pleasant and well-spoken person, and a delight to speak to. In addition, the two waiters I mentioned earlier along with the gentlemen who seated us in the restaurant were wonderful. In the Rivoli Bar, the staff was always ready to provide great service with a smile and go out of their way to get us the food and drinks we wanted. Every staff member we personally dealt with at the hotel was top-notch in terms of the way they presented themselves, their attitude, the service they provided, and their enthusiasm for what they were doing. Costs and Service Charges One of the things I love about the Ritz is its traditional values – this means you are not hit with service charges. You are charged whatever the value of your purchase or service is. It is then up to you whether you want to leave a tip and how much you want to tip. This is so refreshing to see these days, particularly in London. We ended up paying 12.5 percent in most places in London even when the service was bad or non-existent. At the Ritz, we were not given bills with service charges added even though the service we received here was undoubtedly the best of our entire trip. I gave a tip to staff because it was deserved not because it was automatically added. Of course, drinks and food at the Ritz are reassuringly expensive, but guests who stay here will already know and expect that. Both the food and drink are exquisite, so I did not begrudge the higher prices. Room rates are also high given that this is one of the world’s top hotels. However, there are some great special deals on the hotel website for those who book directly. General Ambiance When it comes to general ambiance, the Ritz has a magical atmosphere that makes you feel like you have stepped off the busy streets of London and straight into another world. It is so peaceful and calm, with the music from the pianist making it even more relaxed and enchanting. The décor is breath-taking and decadent without being kitsch and tacky. Every member of staff you walk past greets you with a nod and a smile. Dress Code Admittedly, I was quite confused about the Ritz dress code before I travelled. I read that smart casual was fine for the Rivoli bar and breakfast, but that formalwear was required for the Palm Court and the restaurant (other than breakfast). However, I was unsure whether their version of smart casual included smart jeans. Some reviewers on TripAdvisor had stated that jeans were not allowed at all while others said they were. With this in mind, I contacted the hotel directly several times to clarify and was told different things. Some said that smart jeans were fine while others said jeans are not allowed anywhere. Eventually, I was given an email address to contact a senior member of staff to clarify, and she was very helpful and provided full details of the dress code. You can indeed wear jeans in communal areas and in the areas that state smart casual dress code. However, the Palm Court along with lunch and dinner in the restaurant require smart/formal outfits, and trainers are not allowed at all. I did actually like the fact that some areas had a strict dress code, as it forced me to make an effort. I am the kind of person who would gladly live in my jeans, and I would probably have worn jeans most of the time during my stay. However, the smart dress code meant that I had to dress up a bit, and this made the occasion feel all the more special. Overall Impression After arriving at the Ritz, I was nervous at first. However, I felt at home within the hour. My overall impression is that the Ritz is often unfairly labelled as snobbish or pretentious, and I found it to be anything but. It was very classy, extremely elegant, wonderfully stylish, and positively charming on all levels. It was a real experience and one that I am very glad I got to try. I cannot wait to return and have already booked another stay for next year – something I very rarely do when carrying out hotel reviews. I felt like I had stepped back in time to a place that oozed British tradition and unashamed decadence. At the same time, I felt completely relaxed and at home despite the lavish surroundings. When you walk through those doors, you are made to feel really special – and it is all too easy to forget you are in the heart of London. This is a hotel that is enchanting, luxurious, and provides a unique, personal, and very special experience. Cesar Ritz famously said that he wanted staff at his hotels to “see all without looking; hear all without listening; be attentive without being servile; anticipate without being presumptuous.” Well, I am pretty sure he would be delighted by the staff at the Ritz London. A stay at the Ritz is not just a hotel stay – it is a unique experience. Summary Don’t get me wrong – both of these hotels deserve their 5-star ratings and reputations. However, one clearly fell short when it came to service, atmosphere, and general experience compared to the other. I came away feeling that there is a hotel just like the Savoy in every major city, but that the Ritz is one of a kind. Thanks to the wonderful stay, magical atmosphere, incredible staff, and unique experience, I am without a doubt a proud member of Team Ritz! You can check out my separate review of the Savoy on TripAdvisor.

It was really good. The staff were perfect with us and they were super friendly with us. It was my sister's birthday and we decided to stay a night at the hotel. I truly recommend it to stay at Ritz Hotel.