Ritz-Carlton Reserve is a model that causes confusion amongst some customers, particularly amongst those that are Marriott Bonvoy members. What are Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties? What makes them totally different from different Ritz-Carlton resorts? Do they take part in Marriott Bonvoy? On this publish, I need to reply a few of these questions, particularly because the model is continuous to develop.
What’s Ritz-Carlton Reserve, anyway?
Ritz-Carlton Reserve is a small assortment of intimate luxurious resorts. Right here’s how the Ritz-Carlton Reserve model describes itself:
“Time stands nonetheless as the enjoyment of discovery is anticipated, embraced and savored. An exploration of an uncommon place, the thrill of an surprising journey, an indulgence in unusual luxurious. It’s Ritz-Carlton Reserve – a uncommon place put aside for individuals who admire an unique sanctuary tucked away in essentially the most beautiful corners of the world.
Distant areas handpicked for his or her lush, unspoiled landscapes. Deeply private experiences guided by true human connection. An abundance of the world’s best luxurious: time. These are marks of Ritz-Carlton Reserve.”
Under is the corporate’s model video — I’m undecided whether or not that is tacky, cute, or each.
From my perspective, a number of issues stand out about Ritz-Carlton Reserve.
Initially, whereas I don’t know the monetary relationship between Ritz-Carlton Reserve and Marriott, my assumption is usually that Ritz-Carlton Reserve’s connection to Marriott is extra about advertising and distribution than the rest.
I’d take into account that to be an excellent factor, since Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties received’t sometimes really feel like your run-of-the-mill Marriott (and even Ritz-Carlton). Ritz-Carlton Reserve’s connection to Marriott appears to be about a number of small luxurious lodges accessing Marriott’s international attain.
So, what’s the distinction between Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties and normal Ritz-Carlton resorts?
Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties have wherever from 50 to 115 rooms, so that they’re actually intimate properties with customized service. In the meantime lots of Ritz-Carlton’s resorts are mainly luxurious factories, some with 300+ rooms. So the properties are in utterly totally different leagues, and I’m guessing this branding exists to distinguish a Ritz-Carlton Reserve from the Ritz-Carlton Aruba, for instance.
Ritz-Carlton Reserve areas
At the moment Ritz-Carlton Reserve has eight areas:
- Dorado Seaside is a 115-room Ritz-Carlton Reserve property in Dorado, Puerto Rico
- Higashiyama is a 50-room room Ritz-Carlton Reserve property in Niseko, Japan
- Mandapa is a 60-room Ritz-Carlton Reserve property in Bali, Indonesia
- Nekajui is a 115-room Ritz-Carlton Reserve property in Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica
- Nujuma is a 63-room Ritz-Carlton Reserve property in Crimson Sea, Saudi Arabia
- Phulay Bay is a 54-room Ritz-Carlton Reserve property in Krabi, Thailand
- Rissai Valley is an 87-room Ritz-Carlton Reserve property in Jiuzhaigou, China
- Zadun is a 115-room Ritz-Carlton Reserve property in Los Cabos, Mexico
I’m undecided I’d go as far as to name a few of these “distant areas,” however to every their very own. I’ve stayed at a number of Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties — learn my evaluations of Dorado Seaside, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Higashiyama, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, and Zadun, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve,
There are a number of extra Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties within the pipeline, which is able to carry the portfolio to a dozen properties:
- In 2025, a 60-room Ritz-Carlton Reserve property is anticipated to open in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
- In 2026, a 60-room Ritz-Carlton Reserve property is predicted to open in Trojena, Saudi Arabia
- In 2027, a 90-room Ritz-Carlton Reserve property is predicted to open in Eleuthera, Bahamas
- In 2029, a 50-room Ritz-Carlton Reserve property is predicted to open in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Be aware that not one of the above properties are accepting reservations but, although I’ll make sure to present an replace when that modifications.
Ritz-Carlton Reserve & Marriott Bonvoy
Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties take part within the Marriott Bonvoy program, not like the BVLGARI model (which can also be a quasi-Marriott model). When staying at Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties:
- You earn Bonvoy factors — you earn 10x factors per eligible greenback spent, elite members can earn 10-75% bonus factors, and paying with a Marriott co-branded bank card makes you eligible for bonus factors primarily based on Marriott spending (playing cards supply as much as 6x factors per greenback spent)
- You possibly can redeem Bonvoy factors — these days Marriott Bonvoy has dynamic award pricing, so count on these properties to be costly, usually round 80,000 to 240,000 Bonvoy factors per evening (I worth Bonvoy factors at 0.7 cents every)
- You obtain elite perks, although they differ from what you’d get at different Marriott manufacturers, and are extra restricted — under is a chart exhibiting perks by tier
Just a few particular issues to notice about Marriott Bonvoy elite recognition at Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties:
- Not surprisingly, elite members don’t obtain complimentary breakfast, simply as is the case with Ritz-Carlton properties; nonetheless, some Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties embrace breakfast for all company, through which case it’s additionally supplied when redeeming factors
- There’s not even any kind of a room improve perk for elite members, even for Platinum and Titanium members; moreover, Nightly Improve Awards, supplied as a part of the Alternative Advantages program, can’t be redeemed right here
- It’s distinctive that Ambassador members obtain a $150 resort credit score at Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties, as that’s the one model the place that is supplied; nonetheless, should you e book by means of a program providing a $100 property credit score as a profit, these two credit don’t stack
The easiest way to e book a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
The easiest way to e book a keep at a Ritz-Carlton Reserve property is thru a journey advisor who’s affiliated with the Marriott STARS program. When reserving by means of a Marriott STARS journey advisor, you’ll obtain the next further perks:
- Complimentary full or continental breakfast day by day for as much as two individuals per room
- Resort credit score valued at 100 USD as soon as per keep
- Room improve, topic to availability at check-in
- Complimentary fundamental Wi-Fi day by day
- In-person welcome
- Customized welcome amenity and word
Be aware that with the intention to be eligible for Marriott STARS perks, you’ll usually need to e book the versatile or normal charge, which ought to be among the many lowest charges accessible. Usually there are even promotional STARS charges, although that received’t all the time be the case. You possibly can’t get Marriott STARS advantages when redeeming factors.
You possibly can nonetheless earn Bonvoy factors and make the most of any Bonvoy elite advantages when reserving by means of the Marriott STARS program.
Lastly, you’re usually higher off reserving by means of the Marriott STARS program than by means of packages like Amex Positive Lodges + Resorts® or Virtuoso, as a result of upgrades are prioritized for Marriott STARS company. That’s as a result of that is Marriott’s personal proprietary program. That being stated, you probably have a purpose to e book by means of a kind of packages, it might nonetheless make sense.
Backside line
Ritz-Carlton Reserve represents the most effective that Marriott has to supply. Ritz-Carlton Reserve at the moment has eight properties, every that includes 50-115 rooms in some fairly superior areas. These lodges supply a way more customized expertise than your common Ritz-Carlton, however they’re additionally priced accordingly.
Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties take part in Marriott Bonvoy, permitting you to earn and redeem factors for stays at these resorts. Whereas there are some elite perks, they’re extraordinarily restricted, and don’t embrace complimentary breakfast, and even room upgrades.
Assuming you’re not redeeming factors, the easiest way to e book Ritz-Carlton Reserve stays is thru Marriott STARS, so you possibly can make the most of complimentary breakfast, a room improve, a property credit score, and extra.
In case you’ve ever stayed at a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, what was your expertise like?
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