Review: Ritz-Carlton Westchester

Good review, minus the gratuitous Ford references. Underwhelming property it seems.

Please accept my sympathy regarding the loss of your brother and kudos to you for making sure you're w your mom on the anniversary of his passing.

Looks disappointing to be honest. A Marriott flag would be more appropriate.

Fdw

Ben, I want to commend you for being so thoughtful and caring towards your mom. I'm sure this time period is also difficult for you, but you're there for her in more than just calling her up and saying something nice. I think that says something very sweet about who you are.

@Joe -- How is one reference gratuitous? Having trouble keeping your homophobia in check, eh?

No, actually, I'm gay too. Just don't appreciate the frequent Ford pimping of late.

Is someone else allowed to book me on FHR? I thought it's locked to the name of the cardholder? What's the secret?

I am really sorry for your family's loss.

@ Stvr -- The reservation has to be in the name of the cardmember, though it can be booked by a travel advisor as well for the client, assuming they have an Amex Plat Card.

Kudos for being such a good son to your mom, especially when she needs you most. It's truly admirable and touching 🙂

Geographic suitability is important. Personally I like a nice J W. Marriott more than a Ritz because I find Ritz to be too snooty. Also Ritz does not give me all the Marriott Platinum benefits and I can't use Virtuoso or FHR rates for work travel.

How much do you want to bet the restaurant workers are Union? It's rampant and in this part of the country at the Space needle it's worse. The whole place sounds like a Union House. No thanks & thanks Ben for the review so I can never stay there. Ever

@Lucky, I grew up in White Plains (although I'm quite a bit older than you...) and I had exactly the same reaction when I saw @Tiffany's Ritz Carlton list the other day: "when did White Plains get a Ritz Carlton?" I vividly remember when the Crowne Plaza was the best game in town. I've stayed at the Hilton Westchester the last few times in town and it's decidedly 'meh' so I got my hopes up about the Ritz Carlton. Thanks for resetting my expectations -- although it still beats my sister's guest room!

Given what White Plains is, it has always mystified me that it couldn't get a decent hotel business going.

So glad that you and your mom have a tradition to remember your brother!

Surprised they didn't let you use your credit at the hotel restaurant on the 42nd floor ( http://www.42therestaurant.com/). Great food and views...not your typical "hotel restaurant", have enjoyed a couple nice meals there.

I recently stayed at the Rennaisance white plains and was pretty impressed. 5 minute drive from the Ritz right off i-287, free parking (but nothing to walk to), nice breakfast buffet for Gold&Platinum, fresh rooms, albeit small. The Ritz has non-refundable rates that are much less than the FHR rates, Altho no bennies ($187 vs $299 when I looked into staying there in August, picked the Rennaisance instead for $160. Glad I did based on this review). Thanks for the review Ben. Glad you were able to be with family on a difficult day.

I stayed at the Ritz in foggy bottom back in April and I was extremely underwhelmed. The room was small and barely better than that of a Marriott. While the club waiters were nice the food was also disappointing. I think the ritz is running on reputation at this point, at least in America. I feel the four seasons is ten times nicer.

@Lucky - as much as I love reading your blog, as a hospitality management professional it dissapoints me that you 'wave your arms' to get attention. Work three months in our shoes and you'll realise that you will be the last person to be recognised in a restaurant, no matter hotel or free standing. If I were to confront you waving your arms to hard working, alabeit understaffed servers in my restaurant, I'd compliment your meal, add 20% gratutity paid by the House, and ask you never to come back again. <3

Good review. Thanks.
When all the blogs were talking about the "three free nights" with the new card I felt a check to NOT APPLY for that card.
Then when I saw the prices for breakfast I know I do not want to spend points or money for the room and then pay those prices for breakfast !
Also kudos to you for being there for your Mom. Time heals but it is still tough.
Blessings,
Robert

@Lucky - I've shared your pains at the RC White Plains. It saddens me to read that management hasn't changed its methods.

@Kevin - I'm not sure where you work, but it's certainly not at the Ritz-Carlton or some equivalent establishment. The attitude you describe is appalling, and if you can't put the customer first, then perhaps you should switch to a different line of work.

I used to swear by the Ritz Carlton brand, until I stayed at the Ritz Carlton Miami Beach.

@Joe - Have you ever worked with Ford to book accommodations? He's very good and responsive. He's always given me and my friends great options for domestic and international locations.

Ford is building his book just as any young professional. Lucky's being supportive and helping to contribute to that. Any supportive person would do whatever they could to help their partner and/or family member.

Sorry the Ritz Carlton in White Plains was not up to standard. I'm also surprised they had such a large location in the city. I realize it's NY adjacent, but that seem to fit the local business market properly.

Wow. This is my big problem with Ritz-Carlton. As Lucky said in his review, there are some phenomenal, five-star luxury properties and then there are Ritz-Carlton properties like this one that are nothing more than an overpriced regular Marriott. Even the coffeemaker was the standard Marriott coffeemaker. The buffet was also standard Marriott concierge lounge-quality down to the yogurt and cereal. I'd be curious to know if the hotel had shoe shining services or even an espresso machine in the restaurant. I wouldn't pay more than $150 for this hotel.

Marriott's biggest challenge merging with Starwood is what to do with all the duplicative hotels and duplicative brands in the massive combined portfolio. There will have to be a lot of re-flagging, if not liquidation of some brands.

I don't tavel much much--retired 26 years and have a great apt-26 floor with a
a great view--I want to travel jut get out of the aspt--but I read your re...
and say np rather give my money to the SALVATION ARMY
YOU SOUND LIKE A GFREAT YOUN MAN AND YOUR MOTHER SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF YOU
ITS DIFFCULT GTO BEAT WHAT I HAVE AT HOME MY WIFE IS THE OFFICE MGR IN MY COND....AND I LOVE MY VIEW
BLESSING TO YOU AND YOUR MOTHERR

@Lucky - I live near White Plains/Westchester Airport (HPN) and I've never been there. Can you give a small review about it? I understand you probably didn't take many pictures and might be very busy, but it would be cool to see you review a small regional airport with a handful of gates, given the fact that you go to airports with hundreds of gates constantly.
If you do read this, thanks for reading this!

The Toronto Ritz Carlton is very nice (because it's new), but the hotel rooms in Cleveland and Denver are almost as disappointing as the one in White Plains. That said, the service in Cleveland and Denver were excellent.