Wow. Where to start. I arrived at 7pm on a Friday night. My friends had texted me saying they thought the place wasn't open and there wasn't a hostess at the stand. So I went up to see and she was there and I told her I wasn't sure but we'd be a party of 2 or 4. She was very polite and seated me immediately. We were having before dinner drinks and then going to BLT where we would eventually be a party of 6.
I waited and waited for my party to arrive - they were just downstairs in the lobby. I finally called my husband and he said he was waiting outside and nobody was there to let him in. By the time I got up to open the (always locked door) for him, the hostess was back and the rest of our dinner party had arrived. Now we were a party of 6. The rest of our party had arrived early and I was sure this wouldn't be an issue as the place was still pretty empty.
Instead of escorting us to a table that would accomadate (which was available) she scolded us for not reading the "please wait to be seated" sign. Then chided me for lying about the size of my party and rushed to seat other guests while ignoring us all the while. It was like she thought I had some type of conspiracy going or was trying to sneak friends into a movie. WTF. We're all well-dressed 40 and 50 something business professionals.
I won't be back. The first time as a party of two it was an amazing experience. Each time we go it seems to get worse and the hostess especially seems to be irritated that people even come to have a drink there. Sometimes, as other reviewers stated, the waiters treat you like you're in their way.
I spoke with a manager once I took the elevator down to the lobby. He seemed pretty dismissive and then I looked directly in his eyes and asked him if something would be done about this to address her attitude. He brought the manager of food and service down to speak and he listened and then turned it into a he-said, she-said type of thing trying to defend his hostess (read the reviews on here if you don't believe me about how bad you're hostesses are - not a unique experience). Very unprofessional.
This ritz may be great for a business travel hotel Monday-Thursday, but once the weekend evenings hits, it looses all its graces. We stay at Ritz Carltons a lot, but I have had the worst service experiences at this one.
Is the punch amazing? Yes. Is the décor amazing? Yes. Is the view amazing? Yes. Is the service bad and patrons treated like children? Absolutley. Will this local be back? No way.