The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey♡

A BIRTHDAY DISAPPOINTMENT

4.0

I stayed 1 night, just shy of a $1,000, with a view of the marina for my bday. The hotel needs updating. My suite had only 1 trash can, no microwave, no coffee maker, a cake slice just sitting out on a table uncovered, a large mysterious storage room next to my closet. I will not return.

Beautiful views, amazing staff, out the way

8.0

Location on the marina is beautiful, but a bit far from other parts of LA with no real transport options other than Ubers.

− The air con in the public spaces was super cold, some guests in the lobby bar had blankets round them! It made the bar and restaurant areas unpleasant to be in

2/5 Stars: Not a Ritz-Carlton Experience

4.0

2/5 Stars: This Property Simply Doesn’t Feel Like a Ritz-Carlton I am currently staying at The Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey, and unfortunately this has been one of the most disappointing Ritz-Carlton experiences I have had. To be clear, this is not a bad hotel. The marina location is pleasant, the rooms are comfortable, and the food has actually been quite good. The problem is that almost nothing about the service feels like Ritz-Carlton. The disappointment started at check-in. I arrived about 20 minutes before the published 4:00 PM check-in time, and my room was not ready. I ultimately waited nearly two hours while being repeatedly told it would be ready “momentarily.” What stood out was not the delay itself. Delays happen. What stood out was the lack of ownership. Not one person checked in with me proactively. The first time I sought an update, I found myself standing at the front desk while the associate who had originally checked me in was assisting another guest. She did not even acknowledge my presence. When the room was finally ready, a manager called my phone and instructed me to return to the front desk, where I had to wait in line again to obtain my key. That pattern continued throughout the stay. Room service was generally fast and the food was good, but most orders arrived incomplete or incorrect despite clear instructions submitted through the app. Small details were consistently missed. I also experienced recurring issues with my room key and door lock that required additional trips to the front desk and a delayed engineering visit that ended without a fix or even a precautionary battery replacement. The pool experience was equally surprising. On a slow day with attendants present, I selected a chair, settled in, and watched multiple staff members walk by without so much as a greeting. Eventually I retrieved and set up my own towels despite multiple attendants being present. Again, not a major inconvenience, but not what I expect at a Ritz-Carlton. I had a similar experience in the boutique. After explaining that I had forgotten some resort wear and was looking for a swimsuit, shorts, or a tank top, I was largely left to search the boutique on my own for 15–20 minutes. The associate eventually pointed out a small display of tank tops, but there was little effort to assist or help find alternatives. Even some of the traditional Ritz-Carlton touches were missing. The minibar was completely empty upon arrival and required guests to request stocking. While minor on its own, it reinforced the feeling that the property lacks the attention to detail typically associated with the brand. No gummy bears in sight! IYKYK! What makes this disappointing is that these issues occurred across multiple departments over several days. Rather than a single service lapse, the experience reflected a broader pattern of inconsistency, disengagement, and lack of ownership. For travelers deciding between this property and the Marriott nearby, I would have a difficult time justifying the significant price premium. The accommodations are fine. The food is good. The service, however, is simply not what the Ritz-Carlton name promises.

friendly and welcoming staff, though the room and overall experience did not fully match the price or five-star expectat

5.0

I really enjoyed the convenient location, especially being so close to the airport. The staff and valet team were friendly, welcoming, and made the stay even more enjoyable.

− Since I only stayed for one night, I didn’t have the opportunity to fully experience all of the hotel’s facilities, so my opinion is based solely on that brief stay. While the location and staff were excellent, I felt the room was somewhat overpriced for what was offered. Some of the furniture appeared dated, and the cleanliness could have been improved, particularly in less visible areas such as behind tables and other hidden spots. Based on my experience, the property did not quite meet my expectations for a five-star hotel, though other guests who stay longer may have a different perspective.

Good for airport access, feels more 4 star than 5 star

6.0

Stayed here for the last 2 nights of our LA trip given its proximity to the airport and ocean access. I wasn’t wild about the amenities or rooms, the entire property didn’t feel like it had been revamped or redone in ages and our room felt pretty “meh” and there was dust all over the nightstands. Lobby bar and pool facilities were average at best. My take is that this is fine for a 1 night stay in and out of LA but not a vacation stay or anything to expect a wow factor out of amenity or room wise.