St. Regis or Ritz Carlton: Which Luxury Hotel Brand is Best?

15/12/2023

In the world of luxury hospitality, two prestigious names stand out: St. Regis and Ritz Carlton. Renowned for their wonderful suites, impeccable service and refined experiences, these brands epitomise sophistication and elegance.

In this comprehensive comparison guide on two top luxury hotel brands, we'll dive into the distinct characteristics defining each brand. From cosmopolitan cities to serene hideaways, we'll explore the unique elements and signature amenities that distinguish St. Regis from Ritz Carlton.

A Brief History of St. Regis and Ritz Carlton Hotel Brands

St. Regis

John Jacob Astor IV, a prominent figure known for his wealth and entrepreneurial spirit, founded The St. Regis New York in 1904. This establishment marked the birth of the St. Regis brand, setting new standards in luxury hospitality.

At its inception, The St. Regis New York was way ahead of its time in terms of technological advancements. Including telephones in each room, a fire alarm system, and a central heating and cooling system showcased its commitment to modernity and comfort.

Throughout the years, The St. Regis New York became a haven for the elite, attracting notable personalities like Marlene Dietrich, Alfred Hitchcock, Salvador Dali, and many others. The hotel's reputation for luxury and impeccable service grew, solidifying its status among the affluent and influential.

Today, the St. Regis brand has expanded globally, maintaining its legacy of sophistication, innovation, and superior service. With over 40 hotels worldwide, the St. Regis brand continues to uphold its tradition of offering guests lovely luxury experiences.

Ritz Carlton

The Ritz Carlton brand has a storied history deeply rooted in the traditions of luxury and impeccable service. Its first American establishment, The Ritz Carlton, Boston, opened in 1927, welcoming renowned figures like Cole Porter, Tennessee Williams, and Winston Churchill during the Gilded Age. Influenced by European luxury standards in Paris and London, the Ritz pioneered the use of private baths, formal staff attire, and personalised services in luxury hotels.

The 1983 establishment of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company sparked rapid US expansion, and by 1992, it boasted 23 properties and earned prestigious awards for quality. Its global footprint grew, marking milestones like the brand's first Asian property in 1993 and introducing innovative experiences like Residences, Destination Club properties, and the exclusive Ritz Carlton Reserve in 2008.

Continuing to redefine luxury, in 2022, the brand unveiled Evrima, the inaugural yacht in The Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection. Now part of Marriott International, The Ritz Carlton spans over 100 hotels globally, maintaining its hallmark of unmatched luxury and service while consistently pushing boundaries in hospitality.

Which Hotel Brand is Best: St. Regis or Ritz Carlton

Now we know some of the backstory behind these luxury hotels, let's take a deep dive into what each of them has to offer:

Locations

St. Regis

St. Regis is a renowned luxury brand, making its mark in numerous places worldwide. While a city hotel can be found in prominent places like New York, Miami and San Francisco, it also extends to places such as Rome, Osaka and Cairo.

With a focus on offering refined experiences, St. Regis elevates the urban landscape in bustling metropolises with seamless sophistication. However, its presence across Europe currently needs to be expanded, with hotels in Italy, Spain and soon-to-arrive properties in London.

Yet, across continents from Asia to the Americas, St. Regis embodies opulence and embraces diverse cultural influences, ensuring guests experience unparalleled hospitality wherever they journey.

Rating: 7/10

Ritz Carlton

Ritz Carlton properties are also spread across many places around the world. The brand has properties in various locations, including the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Some notable areas include New York City, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Tokyo, Dubai, Hong Kong, and many more.

Like most brands, the Ritz Carlton's hotels are often placed strategically to provide guests with a luxurious experience. This could mean offering stunning views, proximity to key attractions, access to business centres, or relaxation in resort-like settings.

These hotels tend to be well-received due to their unwavering commitment to exceptional service, luxurious amenities, elegant design, and attention to detail. They often cater to both leisure and business travellers, providing a high level of personalised service that's synonymous with the hotel brand.

Rating: 9/10

Style & Aesthetic

St. Regis

Interior design within St. Regis properties often features a harmonious mix of traditional and contemporary elements. Think luxurious furnishings, intricate detailing, and carefully curated decor that exude an air of sophistication. Elegant fabrics, rich textures, and sumptuous materials contribute to the lavish ambience, creating an atmosphere of indulgence and comfort.

The colour palette tends to favour neutral tones, with variations of beige, cream, and soft hues dominating the spaces. These colours create a sense of tranquillity and sophistication, allowing guests to feel at ease within their lovely surroundings.

Rating: 8/10

Ritz Carlton

The Ritz-Carlton is known for its diverse and sophisticated design, blending timeless elegance and contemporary luxury across its global properties. Each hotel reflects its location's uniqueness, whether transforming former palaces in Vienna and Riyadh or converting heritage spaces like Philadelphia's bank.

The brand's approach, described as "consistently inconsistent," aims to create signature landmarks that honour history while embracing modern aesthetics. From classical Renaissance-inspired architecture in Abu Dhabi to the barefoot elegance of Dorado Beach in Puerto Rico, each property captures its environment's essence. The brand's commitment to design relevance ensures each hotel encapsulates local culture and history, offering immersive experiences that resonate authentically with their surroundings.

Rating: 9/10

Accommodation

St. Regis

St. Regis Hotels come in two variations: A metropolitan manor style and the Glass House. The Metropolitan Manor exudes timeless elegance with lavish details found in cosmopolitan cities worldwide. At the same time, the Glass House concept focuses on minimalist design, providing modern, uncluttered spaces as an urban escape.

St. Regis Resorts also has a few options, like Journey's End, offering year-round adventures around the world, and Paradise Found, providing escapes to exotic locales, emphasising nature and local culture. The upcoming St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya, blends rich grandeur with natural elements, promising a unique experience immersed in a natural mangrove reserve inspired by UNESCO heritage.

These accommodations cater to diverse preferences, offering luxurious experiences from metropolitan opulence to contemporary minimalism and immersive cultural escapes.

Rating: 8/10

Ritz Carlton

The Ritz Carlton has quite a few different types of accommodation to offer. As well as their standard hotels, guests can also stay at the Ritz Carlton Reserve properties, a small collection of secluded retreats that aim to offer visitors sanctuary. Unlike their resorts which can have up to 300+ rooms, the Reserve tends only to have 50 to 115. This makes the Reserve a lot more intimate for guests.

Boasting 60 residential properties worldwide, guests can relax in a home-away-from-home where they enjoy the lavish amenities associated with the Ritz Carlton brand and revel in the autonomy and comfort of their own private abode. Whether overlooking the Mediterranean in Cyprus or nestled in Portland, Oregon, these residences allow guests a lot more freedom.

Another interesting aspect of the Ritz is their luxury collection of yachts. Travellers can sail away in style as they navigate through iconic cities, explore secluded island hideaways, and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of rugged coastlines.

Rating: 9/10

Amenities

St. Regis

St. Regis is known for its lavish amenities and wonderful services, contributing to its distinguished reputation in the hospitality industry. As a result, St Regis has a lot of features that are worth noting:

Butler service: One of the standout features at St. Regis is their personalised butler service. This bespoke service offers guests unparalleled attention and assistance, ensuring that every need is met promptly and discreetly.
Luxurious spa & wellness facilities: The hotels offer world-class spa services, fitness centres, and wellness programs. Guests can indulge in massages, facials, yoga classes, and other treatments designed to promote relaxation and rejuvenation.
Outdoor activities & recreational facilities: St. Regis properties often provide a range of outdoor activities such as beach access, polo, water sports, and bike rentals. This emphasis on recreation allows guests to enjoy the destination's natural beauty and engage in various leisure pursuits.

The hotel also includes state-of-the-art technology, a variety of pools and concierge services, ensuring guests experience a wealth of convenience.

Rating: 9/10

Ritz Carlton

The Ritz Carlton's array of amenities also offers a luxurious and tailored experience:

Spa: Each Ritz Carlton spa is a unique journey, drawing on the essence of its locale, cultural traditions, and sensory elements to create an experience of serenity and healing. Guests can immerse themselves in holistic well-being with treatments ranging from facials and massages to hydrotherapy and sauna sessions.
Fitness centre: Equipped with fantastic facilities and fitness classes, the Ritz Carlton's fitness centres cater to travellers looking to maintain their health and wellness routines.
Pool & beaches: The distinctive resort experiences at The Ritz Carlton are designed to reflect the essence of their destination, offering dreamy pools and beachfronts.
Family-friendly amenities: The Ritz Carlton anticipates and caters to the needs of families with thoughtful amenities such as cribs, extra beds, and kids' bath products. The concierge is available to help arrange childcare if adults wish to enjoy a night out.
Golf: Designed by legends like Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman, the Ritz Carlton's golf courses offer players of every level access to some of the world's most stunning and expertly crafted courses.

As well as these, guests can also expect plush bathrobes, high-quality linens, and exclusive bath amenities from Diptyque to enhance their visit.

Rating: 9.5/10

Dining Options

St. Regis

Many St. Regis hotels boast signature restaurants helmed by renowned chefs, offering fine dining experiences that blend creativity with local ingredients. These restaurants often reflect the culture and flavours of their location while maintaining a high standard of culinary artistry.

St. Regis properties frequently feature stylish bars and lounges renowned for their craft cocktails, extensive wine lists, and inviting ambience. You'll also find that St. Regis curates many culinary events and rituals that celebrate their rich history and heritage. These may include champagne sabering ceremonies, afternoon teas, or speciality events showcasing local cuisines and global culinary trends.

Rating: 8/10

Ritz Carlton

Dining at the Ritz Carlton Hotel is an exquisite journey blending culinary innovation, impeccable techniques, and a celebration of local flavours.

Their Michelin-star restaurants are also helmed by renowned chefs, crafting delicious menus that you won't find anywhere else. Each location offers a unique gastronomic journey, from classic French cuisine with Japanese influences to Nordic innovations in Geneva.

At the Ritz, food is seen as a window to the world, connecting guests to local cultures and traditions. The culinary experiences go beyond just dining, fostering a deeper understanding of the region's gastronomy, often including farm tours and chef-led cooking classes.

As well as amazing restaurants, you'll find bars acclaimed for their mixologists' mastery. Their expertise in crafting beverages has earned the hotel's spots on various "Best Bars in the World" lists.

From cocktails with breathtaking views to the art of tea ceremonies, the dining at Ritz Carlton hotels transcends mere meals; it's an exploration of tastes, cultures, and traditions through exquisite culinary craftsmanship and immersive experiences.

Rating: 9/10

Price

St. Regis

The average price range for a standard room at St. Regis generally falls between £235 and £2,058 per night. This range encompasses varying costs across different destinations, accommodating a wide spectrum of budgets and preferences within the hotel brand.

For example, Abu Dhabi falls into a more moderate price range, averaging between £235 to £412 for a standard room; New York rates average between £714 to £1,539 per night, while Bora Bora reflects the upper echelon, with rates between £1,034 to £2,058.

However, the most expensive suite to stay at is the Presidential Suite in New York which costs $35,000 per night, including three bedrooms, four bathrooms, and expansive living and dining spaces.

Rating: 8/10

Ritz Carlton

The Ritz Carlton's standard room rates vary considerably, ranging from £209 to £2,569 per night across its global locations. For instance, in Abu Dhabi, rates fall between £209 and £309, while in New York, they range from £686 to £1,292. The Dorado Beach property commands higher rates, spanning £1,357 to £2,569.

Their most lavish suites, like the one in Tokyo, can reach an astonishing $26,300 per night, offering a magnificent experience to anyone lucky enough to experience a night here.

Rating: 8/10

Loyalty Schemes

St. Regis

St. Regis is part of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, offering guests a tiered membership system with varying benefits:

Member: Entry-level status provides basic perks like free Wi-Fi, member rates, and the ability to earn and redeem points.
Silver Elite: Earned after 10 nights. Benefits include a 10% bonus on points for stays, priority late checkout, and potentially upgraded rooms.
Gold Elite: Achieved after 25 nights. Gold Elite members enjoy 25% bonus points on stays, room upgrades (subject to availability), and enhanced recognition.
Platinum Elite: Attained after 50 nights or via the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card. Members receive a 50% bonus on points, room upgrades (subject to availability), welcome gifts, lounge access, and guaranteed late checkout.
Titanium Elite & Ambassador Elite: Achieved after 75 and 100 nights respectively. These tiers offer more significant bonuses, suite upgrades, and personalised service.

St. Regis offers high-value benefits, especially to Platinum Elite and higher-tier members, including suite upgrades, complimentary breakfast, and enhanced recognition during stays.

Rating: 9/10

Ritz Carlton

The Ritz Carlton, despite its differences in elite benefits compared to St. Regis, still provides distinctive advantages within its loyalty program.

While suite upgrades might be limited, the brand offers unique opportunities, such as the Ritz Carlton Club, which elevates the stay with private lounges, culinary presentations, and invite-only cultural events tailored to each destination.

The Marriott Bonvoy program, which The Ritz Carlton is a part of, allows members to earn and redeem points across a vast portfolio of hotels, providing opportunities for unique travel experiences, even if the elite benefits might differ from St. Regis.

Ultimately, while suite upgrades and breakfast benefits might not align entirely with St. Regis, the Ritz Carlton loyalty program stands out by emphasising tailored and exclusive experiences, ensuring an elevated and personalised stay for its most loyal members.

Rating: 7.5/10

The Verdict: St Regis or Ritz Carlton?

It's certainly not easy choosing between St. Regis and Ritz Carlton, but we have our final verdict:

St. Regis: 57/70

Ritz Carlton: 61/70

Based on our evaluations, Ritz Carlton inches slightly ahead. However, both brands offer wonderful experiences and are almost on par in terms of their offerings.

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FAQs

Is St. Regis part of Ritz?

No, St. Regis is not part of the Ritz Carlton brand. St. Regis and Ritz Carlton are separate luxury hotel brands operating under Marriott International. Each brand has its own unique identity, style, and approach to exquisite hospitality.

Are Ritz Carltons all inclusive?

Ritz Carlton hotels typically do not operate on an all-inclusive basis. While they offer luxury accommodations and a wide range of amenities, guests typically pay for services and amenities individually or as part of a package rather than having an all-inclusive fee that covers everything during their stay. However, some specific packages or promotions may offer bundled services or amenities for a set price.

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