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We recently stayed at the The Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale and unfortunately, it was a major disappointment—especially given the price point and the brand’s reputation.
For context, we typically stay at the Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach, which we absolutely love. Since the Ritz-Carlton was actually more expensive, we assumed it would be equal or better. That was not the case.
From the moment we arrived, things felt off. We had to carry our own luggage up stairs, which is not what you expect at this level. Our reservation—booked through American Express Concierge—was also incorrect. They had us booked twice for the same night instead of two consecutive nights. While the hotel acknowledged we were staying two nights, they pushed the responsibility back onto American Express to fix it, leaving us stuck in the middle with no clarity.
The room itself was underwhelming, but worse, when we arrived there was a large puddle of water on the carpet. We had to switch rooms immediately, which was frustrating after a long day of travel. No compensation or acknowledgment of the inconvenience was offered.
Service throughout the stay was inconsistent. The next day, after being out all morning, we returned to find our room hadn’t been cleaned. When we called, we were told it was because the system didn’t show us staying the second night—despite the extensive conversation at check-in. This turned into nearly two hours of back-and-forth between the hotel and American Express, with each blaming the other. As the guest, you’re left completely in the dark while both sides expect you to somehow understand and resolve their internal issues.
What stood out most was the lack of ownership or care from management. When we expressed frustration, the focus remained on the reservation issue—not on the guest experience. There was no meaningful apology, no effort to make things right, and not even a small gesture like a complimentary drink or credit.
To add to the frustration, room service was both outrageously expensive and extremely disappointing. A very basic breakfast—eggs, bacon, toast, plus a smoothie and an orange juice—came to $130. Not only was the price excessive, but the food itself was unacceptable. Everything arrived cold. The toast was so cold you couldn’t even spread butter on it, the eggs were cold, and overall nothing tasted good.
Even beyond these issues, the property itself does not feel like a Ritz-Carlton. The outdoor furniture was plastic, and overall the hotel felt more like a three-star experience than a luxury one.
This property does not live up to the Ritz-Carlton name, and unfortunately, we will not be returning.
