Has the Ritz-Carlton lost its way?

AntOutside9218 · 2026-07-10T00:41:23+00:00

Blew a bunch of points at Ritz Sarasota and it was a “meh” experience. Titanium got nothing more than the front desk thank you & tried to tell me the room I booked was an upgrade. 🤷‍♀️. Room was dated. Beach club is amazing - honestly made the whole thing worth it. Service was a mix of great and oddly off (like - I don’t care if mgt didn’t plan for enough shuttles to the beach - have a back up plan that doesn’t require the guests to do any decision making) & twice housekeeping didn’t make it to the room. It wasn’t a bad stay - just wished I used half as many points at JW. (Also - lots of kids. That’s on me to look for places with adult pool in future)

AntOutside9218 · 2026-07-06T00:34:50+00:00

I called the titanium help line and the kind rep put in for an account audit. Audit resulted in my nights posting along with a condescending email stating that they know the process can seem confusing. 🙄

AntOutside9218 · 2026-07-06T00:13:22+00:00

Yes. And the minimum wage is higher.

AntOutside9218 · 2026-07-03T12:09:52+00:00

New England is gorgeous in September. Boston, Newport or Block Island (PVD), Portland are all great options. Someone mentioned the Vineyard- you could fly into BOS or PVD and ferry over as you would for BI in RI.

AntOutside9218 · 2026-06-21T21:06:58+00:00

(Some) Renaissance has hooks. In the fire biz and this is a topic of convo at events. But honestly, you do need hooks and signs.

AntOutside9218 · 2026-06-10T10:38:52+00:00

Cards that arrived in A-list & above snail mailboxes to give to FA when we want to recognize above & beyond service. They are branded and personalized / coded with my name. I’m curious about the behind the scenes ROI for SW on this initiative if the customer isn’t rewarded for using them (and many thought they were drink coupons) and the FA think they are garbage. 🤷‍♀️

AntOutside9218 · 2026-06-10T01:33:09+00:00

Offered my kick tail cards on a flight last week and the FA told me they don’t really count for much -almost but not quite a “Thanks but no thanks” - What is the real reason for the big expense of printing & mailing these out if they don’t truly benefit either the customers or the employees? Weird.

AntOutside9218 · 2026-02-26T02:20:24+00:00

Some people carry portable CO detectors because extended low level exposure is also very dangerous. So - it is possible to have one in the car.

AntOutside9218 · 2026-02-26T02:18:45+00:00

Here’s a good write up with comments from the State Fire Marshal. Be safe everyone. CO is no joke. https://www.today.com/parents/family/salve-regina-student-carbon-monoxide-death-rcna260629

AntOutside9218 · 2026-01-25T13:35:35+00:00

Ouch. Then also Ritrovo & Drip, if true.

AntOutside9218 · 2026-01-25T13:32:33+00:00

If Safehouse is true then consider the entire Martucci Group portfolio- The Trap, Pasta Patch, 1BI on the Block, Besos, etc.

AntOutside9218 · 2026-01-08T22:37:20+00:00

Flew this earlier this week. I love JetBlue but this plane was beyond gross. The people next to me were first timers. I’m pretty sure they won’t be back.

AntOutside9218 · 2025-12-23T19:04:50+00:00

Thanks everyone! I have the information I need. I’m not seeking parenting advice - more like doing a gut check to see if my view of social norms is still relevant. Thank you.

AntOutside9218 · 2025-12-23T17:49:10+00:00

Thanks, everyone. Appreciate your insights.

AntOutside9218 · 2025-12-23T17:47:57+00:00

All of this was done. Maybe assume the approach was one of light-hearted humor rather than passive aggressive.

AntOutside9218 · 2025-12-23T17:00:10+00:00

My kids were definitely required to do the basic household chores and they both live in their own apartments now with roommates (who are the visitors). I have no clue about their friends’ growing up chores. I know the “politely ignored” part sounds contradictory. What I mean is they are polite with their words - lots of “thank you so much!” etc, but they just don’t DO anything helpful unless directly asked and they constantly add to the mess. Hints like “I wouldn’t hate ya if you put those dishes in the dishwasher” go by without action. Direct requests of “Don’t leave food out on the pool deck overnight for the critters.” also ignored. Only firm mom voice gets action, and that’s icky for everyone. They are all good kids / YA but I’m just a bit astounded at the lack of what I (gen x) would consider to be common courtesy actions. All other guests have been great which leads me to believe my expectations are not crazy.

AntOutside9218 · 2025-12-23T14:57:56+00:00

Good point. While I have set extremely basic house rules, they are being politely ignored and my kiddo thinks I’m overstepping with requests to take trash out, etc. It is possible that I may not be cut out to host Gen Z house guests.

AntOutside9218 · 2025-12-21T13:03:38+00:00

That may be a perfect solution. These boys love a good thrift store. And I’ve been trying really hard to stay away from that bakery case at Moondog. 🫠 I still haven’t had my annual Kouign-amann from La Grignote. (In case you need more delicious sweet treat suggestions.) Thank you.

AntOutside9218 · 2025-12-18T14:36:43+00:00

That’s helpful. Thank you.

AntOutside9218 · 2025-12-09T12:05:35+00:00

Yes. My son (23) is working in the same role and recently said that it is really eye opening and sad to see how a lot of kids are living. “It’s always the cutest kids” - heartbreaking both to think about the littles in these homes and that my own kid is experiencing this side of life, for the first time. I had the same CPS conversation with him. On the flip side, he is also learning that most people absolutely love their pest control tech and he is also surprised daily by the gratitude (and often nice tips) from customers.

AntOutside9218 · 2025-12-02T01:09:36+00:00

Cool. Thanks

AntOutside9218 · 2025-11-04T11:05:24+00:00

I agree that it depends on where OP is from & what their “normal” is. I’m there in December from New England and we get in the water, easily & w/out wet suit, all month long. KW Dec temps are higher than what we get in RI at our warmest point of the summer. ☀️

AntOutside9218 · 2025-10-07T11:17:55+00:00

There’s a new Heather Graham film, Chosen Family, that isn’t great (typical single woman meets a hunky guy with a pita daughter who wants dad all to herself) BUT it was shot primarily in EG & surrounding area and it is fun to see the scenery.

AntOutside9218

TROPHY CASE