The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay

I have to give a huge shout-out to Nathan at the front desk, because he truly saved what started out as an extremely disappointing arrival at The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay. Prior to our stay, I had coordinated with a concierge and made it clear that I was traveling with my wife for a special birthday weekend. So when we arrived and were told that the room available to us had two queen beds instead of a king, I was furious. For a luxury property at this price point, and after taking the time to coordinate our stay in advance, this was certainly not how I expected our weekend to begin. Thankfully, Nathan stepped in and saved the day. He listened, understood why I was disappointed, and immediately worked to find a solution. Nathan was able to get us into a very nice room that, while not exactly what I originally envisioned, was a very good consolation and allowed us to put the frustration behind us and enjoy the birthday weekend. That is what exceptional hospitality looks like. Problems happen, but what distinguishes great service is how someone responds when they do. Nathan turned what could have been an expensive and very disappointing birthday stay into a memorable one. He deserves to be recognized by Ritz-Carlton management. As a longtime Marriott Bonvoy traveler, I typically hold Titanium Elite or Ambassador Elite status, depending on how much business travel I do in a given year, so I spend a considerable amount of time in Marriott properties and have experienced all levels of service. Nathan’s service stood out. Five stars for Nathan. Thank you, Nathan. You genuinely saved our birthday weekend! P.S. Compliments to the chef at Conservatory for the best Chilaquiles. And honorable mention to Marian and Rodolfo for extra room amenities.

Take me back! We loved our stay with you and the staff handled every detail to make my husband’s birthday so incredibly special. My forever favorite Ritz!

Our stay at the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay was one of the most disappointing luxury hotel experiences we've ever had. The ocean views are spectacular, but beyond that, this property simply does not live up to the Ritz-Carlton name. The service is poor. The food (other than Navio) is average or bad. This is a golf resort. It’s not a relaxing, high-quality coastal getaway. The service was terrible. We stayed in one of the cottages, and they are noisy. On our second night, our neighboring room blasted bass-heavy dance music throughout the night. Around 9:30 p.m., I called the front desk and was told, "We think we know who it is. We'll take care of it." We called and complained a few more times, asking them to make it stop. They didn't. The music continued until nearly 5:00 a.m. This is a Ritz. I'd expect the front desk to tell the person to turn their music off. This is just one example of the poor service. I won't belabor the point. Just know going in that you should not expect exemplary customer service. For example, you walk up to the front desk, and instead of greeting you, they keep looking down at their work while muttering, "Can I help you?" This is a golf resort with the Ritz name on it. They don't really care about individual guests. It's all about the golf outings and, presumably, the weddings. That's where their bread is buttered. One night, at about 8:30 p.m., with the Conservatory restaurant nearly empty, we asked, "Can we just sit and have dessert?" We were told we couldn't be seated and should go to the bar instead. The bar was pretty crowded. (Long day of golf. It was booze time.) We said we'd just leave. The response? Essentially, it was, "Okay, bye." Golf dominates everything. You're constantly walking around golfers and dodging golf balls near the 18th hole. On one occasion, we were trying to relax outside when a landscaper began edging within a couple of feet of us, sending dirt and debris flying in our direction. It was just trashy. They don't clean up from the golfers' "after-parties" until maybe 8:00 or 9:00 a.m. Because when you walk to breakfast in the morning, the patio is full of empty booze glasses, dirty dishes, food trays, leftover food, and trash. Again, just trashy. Not ritzy. They have an indoor lap pool with a tiny hot tub. It closes at 8:00 p.m. If you're looking for a relaxing resort experience, this isn't it.

tolle lage; der Terrasse mit Feuerstelle und Meerblick fehlt es zwar etwas an Privatsphäre, aber das wird durch das eindrucksvolle Gesamterlebnis dieser Terrasse mehr als wettgemacht

das Preis/Leisungsverhältnis im Restaurant Conservarory war nicht immer gut. Die Speisen beim Dinner waren teilweise nur durchschnittlich, in einem Fall jedoch hervorragend

We recently stayed at the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, and while there were some highlights, the experience ultimately fell short of what you’d expect from a Ritz-Carlton. The property itself is beautiful, especially if you’re a golfer. The ocean views and golf course are stunning, and the beds were among the most comfortable we’ve slept on. Most of the staff we encountered were friendly and genuinely helpful. Unfortunately, management and several operational issues significantly impacted our stay. We stayed in one of the cottages rather than the main building. The walls were surprisingly thin, and noise was a recurring problem. On our first night, loud techno music with heavy bass continued past midnight. Staff had the volume reduced, but the bass never stopped, and it started up again around 5:00 a.m. We were assured multiple times that a manager would contact us, but no one ever did. The following night, our neighbors weren’t even playing music very loudly, yet the bass still carried through the walls. This appears to be a design issue with either the speaker placement or the cottage construction. We’ve stayed at many hotels and have never experienced bass carrying through walls like this. Another frustrating issue was the automatic bathroom light. It’s designed to turn off automatically but malfunctioned one night and stayed on continuously. Because the bathroom wall is glass, the light illuminated the entire room, making it difficult to sleep. We ultimately had to crawl under the sink to disconnect it ourselves. Service was also inconsistent. One evening around 8:30 p.m., we wanted to order dessert in the dining room, which was at least half empty. We were told we couldn’t be seated because we were only ordering dessert and were directed instead to the bar or lounge. Both were completely full with no available seating. Rather than accommodate paying guests in an otherwise available dining room, the hotel simply lost the sale—we would have happily spent well over $100 on dessert. We also wanted to make s’mores one evening. The front desk directed us to the restaurant. The restaurant sent us to room service. Room service then charged us a $20 delivery fee, even though we were standing there in person and could have carried the items back to our room ourselves. It was an unnecessary and frustrating process that reflected poor coordination between departments. One final disappointment: the pool closes at 8:00 p.m., which felt unusually early for a luxury resort where guests often want to relax after dinner. Overall, the property itself is gorgeous, the beds are excellent, and many employees were wonderful. However, the noise issues, lack of management follow-through, inconsistent service, and several operational frustrations made this feel far below the standard we’ve come to expect from a Ritz-Carlton. It’s a beautiful location, but the guest experience needs significant improvement to match the luxury price tag.

I am giving The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay one star. This was not a minor service lapse or a case of expectations being slightly too high. The hotel failed at the most basic purpose of a hotel—providing a room in which a guest can sleep—and then compounded that failure with inconsistent breakfast service and marketing that bears little resemblance to the conditions a summer guest should realistically expect. We were placed in Room 460, directly beneath the executive lounge. The lounge has hardwood floors and is in use for most of the day. Noise began at approximately 5:00 a.m., apparently while staff prepared the lounge, and continued until after midnight while it was being cleaned. We could hear every footstep overhead. This raises an extraordinary design and management question: How does a luxury hotel knowingly operate a guest room directly underneath a high-traffic common room with hardwood flooring and inadequate sound isolation? The problem was not an occasional dropped object or one inconsiderate guest. It was the ordinary operation of the room above us. From before sunrise until after midnight, normal footsteps were transmitted into our bedroom. Room 460 should not be sold as a normal guest room unless the acoustic problem has been corrected. Breakfast produced another unacceptable experience. We specifically asked for one of the available window tables because the coastal view is a central part of the property’s appeal. We were told the window tables were being reserved for larger groups, presumably parties of four. We accepted that explanation—until both available tables were subsequently given to other groups of two. When we asked whether we could reserve a window table for the following morning, staff then told us that reservations were not permitted because seating was “first come, first served.” That directly contradicted the explanation we had already received. Either the tables were being held for larger parties or they were first come, first served; both statements could not honestly explain what occurred. I cannot know why other couples received the tables after we were refused, but the treatment felt arbitrary, embarrassing and distinctly unequal. No one offered a coherent explanation. The hotel’s marketing photographs are also extremely selective. They repeatedly emphasize vivid blue skies, bright coastal visibility and attractive sandy-beach conditions. After experiencing the actual summer weather, I commissioned an analysis using thirty years of modeled cloud-cover data. It estimated approximately 12 clear days during June, July and August combined under a strict less-than-20-percent-cloud-cover definition. In other words, the brochure-like blue-sky conditions may occur, but they are not remotely an everyday summer baseline. Travelers should understand what they are booking: this is a cold Northern California coastline where marine-layer cloud, fog, gray skies and coastal wind are common. Do not arrive expecting the consistently sunny beach-resort atmosphere conveyed by the property’s most prominent imagery. The coastline is dramatic, but the photographs present unusually favorable weather windows rather than a balanced picture of typical summer conditions. At this price point, guests should be able to expect three fundamentals: a room suitable for sleep, service standards applied consistently, and marketing that provides a fair overall impression of the experience. Our stay delivered none of them. Management should stop assigning guests to Room 460 until the overhead-noise problem is properly investigated, explain why its breakfast seating rules were applied inconsistently, and present the property’s coastal climate more candidly. One star. I would not return and cannot recommend this hotel.

Location and cleanliness and room sizes

Bad service from management and staff. The price paid for and quoted was not honored a.d additional charges were levied. Staff not friendly, not helpful and unwilling to resolve issues. Because of these negative experiences, the hotel is not worth what they charge

The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay was an amazing stay on the coast. The setting is absolutely beautiful, with sweeping ocean views that feel about as close to the Scottish coast as you can get in Northern California. The property itself is gorgeous, with excellent facilities and a dramatic coastal location that makes the whole experience feel special. The check-in staff were busy, but always very pleasant and welcoming. One helpful tip: if you want to avoid paying for overnight valet parking, consider reserving a room in the guest houses, which offer complimentary self-parking. We also loved the hawk watching over the outdoor lunch area, which was absolutely adorable and added a unique touch to the stay. The hotel is also home to two world-class golf courses, making it an especially great choice for golfers.

Everything

Nothing, it was perfect

The Good Real scenic property Well maintained and clean rooms Surprisingly quiet room (at least our ocean view was) to nuisance noises Excellent service interaction at all stations such as valet, check in and house keeping. The Bad Lounge access may not be available - even with status - due to the number of guests Service for dining was generally professional and food quality was also good but portions were not substantial, and I also got the sense that customers waited unnecessarily to be seated or served. There could be more activity options or programs. Sure there is a spa, walks, a nearby lap pool, some exercise classes, golf, a gym, but more programming options would be nice for a one stop experience. Lastly let’s talk price. I know if you are coming here you can afford it. I know from a management perspective it costs a lot to run the place, attract staff and be profitable, but my observation is that lots of people who can afford more got there because they also have a strong sense of value. Prices are really high for what you get. We ate on property 3 times, but stayed multiple days. People might stay for more if prices were more balanced and not put pressure on valet to leave every time for a meal. Overall. Good stay for a treat. Could be a more rounded experience with some tweaks

We had a wonderful stay at the The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the magnificent view of the bay. Our room faced the ocean, and we could hear the soothing sound of the waves at night. We loved watching the sunset while listening to the bagpiper. It felt as though we were in Scotland. The hotel provided blankets for guests to use while enjoying the outdoor fireplaces, which made the experience even more special. We also appreciated the complimentary use of bicycles and access to the resort’s recreational activities. The food was delicious—our in-room dining dinner was mouthwatering, and there were plenty of healthy options available for breakfast. Everything was excellent, from check-in to check-out. While we were waiting for our room, the staff offered us champagne and wine, which was a lovely touch. They also surprised us with a beautiful in-room amenities setup, making our stay even more memorable. Overall, it was an exceptional experience, and we look forward to returning in the future.

Such a special property, we immediately feel at ease when we arrive. The calming sounds of the pacific and the spectacular views are always mesmerizing as I take endless photos to capture the beauty! But even the photos don’t do it complete justice! The staff are all so warm and friendly and we always feel right “at home” considering it’s our 4th stay within a year! And we will return again soon!

Mandatory parking fee of $35 whether you are dining or golfing there. No transparency on their website about this. Ritz is definitely taking advantage of their customers. This fee is new. Have been there several times. This is a great example of pure greed of a company. The location and the course are amazing but you will probably remember most that they are not interested in your overall experience. They literally just want every dollar you got. If they washed your car then it probably would be worth $35. But to pay that to have a teenager move my car 100-200ft is outrageous. Rooms are $1000/night. Golf is $200/person. Food is $100/person. Ritz you need to do better and not try a gouge your customers. Poor form.

We recently stayed at The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay for a family celebration and had a mixed experience. The positives first: the property itself is stunning, with breathtaking ocean views and one of the most beautiful settings on the California coast. We received excellent service at both the Ocean Terrace and the Conservatory for breakfast, where the staff was attentive, friendly, and professional. Housekeeping was also outstanding throughout our stay and consistently delivered the level of service one would expect from a luxury property. Unfortunately, several aspects of our experience fell well short of the Ritz-Carlton standard, particularly given that our two-room stay exceeded $10,000. Prior to arrival, we communicated with the hotel regarding room assignments and were assured that our rooms would be located next to one another. Upon arriving around noon, we were told by the front desk that our rooms would be ready "momentarily." More than two hours later, we received a message indicating that the rooms were still not ready. The issue was not the wait itself but rather the inaccurate communication. Had we been given realistic expectations, we could have planned our afternoon accordingly. We were also assigned an ADA room without any prior discussion or acknowledgment. While I fully appreciate the importance of accessible accommodations, the room configuration was not ideal for our family and came as a surprise. My son is 6'1" and had to duck significantly to use the shower, and the bathroom setup differed substantially from a standard room. Another frustrating aspect of the arrival experience involved the discussion around room upgrades. During check-in, the front desk agent offered us a paid upgrade to a suite located immediately next to our assigned room. When I asked about the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts upgrade benefit, I was told that the suite was several categories above our reservation and therefore not eligible. However, after checking the hotel's booking site, it appeared that the next room category above our Ocean House Oceanfront Fire Pit Terrace room was in fact a suite, and that suite remained available for booking. I fully understand that upgrades are subject to availability and are never guaranteed, but the explanation provided at check-in did not appear consistent with what was being offered for sale. In addition, one of our rooms had a noticeable musty odor throughout the stay. We also felt that a special birthday celebration that had been communicated well in advance was not recognized with the level of thoughtfulness and attention to detail that we have come to expect from luxury properties. While a birthday cake was delivered, the overall experience lacked the personalized touches that Ritz-Carlton is known for. Most disappointing has been the lack of meaningful follow-up after these concerns were raised directly with hotel management. We are still currently staying at the property and will be checking out tomorrow. Despite communicating these concerns while still in-house and providing hotel leadership with an opportunity to address them during our stay, nobody has reached out to us personally to discuss the issues or offer any meaningful resolution. For a property that prides itself on service recovery and guest care, that has been particularly disappointing. While we received responses explaining hotel policies, many of the specific concerns raised were either not addressed or were dismissed without a meaningful solution. The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay has an incredible location, beautiful grounds, excellent dining venues, and a hardworking housekeeping team. However, luxury hospitality is about more than scenery. It is about communication, attention to detail, guest recognition, and proactive service. Unfortunately, those were the areas where this stay fell short. Based on this experience, I would have difficulty justifying a return stay at the current price point.

It’s a beautiful property with a very clean beach

The hospitality wasn’t up to the mark. We didn’t get proper instructions about the location of our rooms and struggled to find staff members to provide guidance. My elderly parents had to walk a mile due to the ill management.

For years I have been remiss in thinking that the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay was too close to home to be worth a stay. BOY WAS I WRONG! Just one week before my birthday I decided to check the website to see how much a one night stay would cost. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they also allow dogs and a basic room was much less than I thought. When we checked into our upgraded fire pit room it was decked out with birthday balloons & a birthday cake as well as balloons for our golden retriever Ellie, a dog bed, bowls & even a menu for the dog. 🤭 They will even deliver a smores kit to your room. They thought of everything! The room was gorgeous with a comfy bed and extremely quiet ac unit (which I SO appreciated after our last trip to DC & Philly- where we had to yell to hear each other over the ac). We ordered room service for breakfast since we couldn’t (& wouldn’t) bring our dog to the restaurant & they were knocking at the door in exactly 30 minutes. They arrived with a beautiful silver tray holding both plates of food, bread & croissant, coffee, etc. Everything tasted great & was the perfect temp. Each night just before sunset, a bag piper plays on the cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. We will definitely be heading back to this resort & I will forever sing its praises.

Beautiful oceanfront location with large grounds, walking paths, hiking trails, and charming buildings. The room was comfortable, with a balcony, separate bath and shower, motorized curtains, and a good coffee machine. The main value of the hotel is clearly the view.

Check-in took 1 hour 15 minutes, with a barely moving line. Staff told me this happens regularly. Wi-Fi was very unreliable, both in the room and around the property, which was a real problem because mobile reception was also poor. Restaurant service was extremely slow: I waited almost an hour for breakfast while the restaurant was nearly empty. The restaurant is expensive, and the hotel is remote, so Uber may not arrive and transport can be difficult.

This was a quick 2-night stop to enjoy the beautiful views and get a quick round of golf. It is swanky and expensive, with excellent service, as expected of a Ritz Carlton. We had a beautiful ground-level room with a firepit on the patio, which was lovely on a chilly spring night, and we were able to watch the bagpiper performing at sundown. Although it was billed as “ocean view” it’s somewhat limited by the low elevation; more ocean would be visible from the second floor. The room itself was large and luxurious, lots of drawer and closet space, a great functional nightstand, and complimentary beverages in the fridge. They provided a little birthday cake to welcome us, and brought us blankets to use on the patio at night. The bathroom has an obnoxiously bright night light on a motion sensor under the counter, which coupled with a glass panel in the door was disturbing when one person got up during the night. I asked if it could be turned off, not really expecting anything, but housekeeping actually did turn it off so the second night was much better! Breakfast was good, and we had a good dinner at the Conservatory one night, went into town the second night. Downtown Half Moon Bay is a few minutes’ drive; there’s not much there, you can spend an hour or two poking around the shops and there are a few restaurants (Pasta Moon was great). I took a walk on the beach, which is reachable by walking along the cliff and then down a big staircase. Overall a very relaxing, peaceful stay with gorgeous views.

The bathroom flooded & 2 of the charging outlets were broken

Impeccable stay, staff very nice and professional at all levels. Had massage and facial and it was perfect . Very clean and comfy. Love the touch fr Mother’s Day to leave a box of fresh Macarons in my room. Enjoyed indoor Olympic pool and they have a good list of complimentary classes . Expensive but worth it !

All good

Lovely old New England style hotel on an Arnold Palmer golf course perched on rocks overlooking the Pacific Ocean. I do realize the name means it’s expensive, but I’ve had similar experiences at hotels that cost a lot less. The staff was perfect, accommodating, pleasant, friendly. They were receptive to every question and very helpful. I was there for a business conference, and the food was great for the conference, A+. Did not eat in the restaurants because it was outrageously expensive. $199 for one person to eat brunch on the weekend. If you’re familiar with or a fan of the Ritz Carlton chain then you understand and expect this, however, great experiences can be had for a lower amount of money.

Great service however phone in the room was incredibly cheap and didn't work. The food is not good. The guacamole was tasteless and clearly came from plastic bag, the "lobster roll" tasted like it was made with or at least augmented by fake crab roll, got a bagel with salmon this morning- bagel was soggy and salmon was literally vomitous - greasy, seemed unfresh and I literally gagged and spit it out I feel badly saying this because the service was really impeccable especially for a huge hotel

Beautiful ,clean,excellent customer services

0

Stayed one night for a quick getaway to Half Moon Bay. We were served a very nice glass of wine at check-in, and got a lovely room with an ocean view looking north. The room had all the amenities one would expect. Enjoyed a short walk to the beach just south of the hotel property. Enjoyed a good breakfast before checking out. A small complaint about the hand-held shower wand, which had a big leak at its hose attachment point, and sprayed water everywhere. A big complaint is the exorbitant parking charge. It was something like $30 when we last stayed here in 2017. It's now something like $70. That's absurd.

This is an iconic resort perched on the beautiful cliffs of Half moon bay overlooking the water. The property is surrounded by lovely grounds including a golf course and walkways along the cliffs and beaches. The views are just spectacular. The rooms were comfortable and the beds were very soft. The Staff was courteous. We were here for a corporate event and the meals that were served were also delicious.

The experience was top notch all the way around! Beautiful room, beautiful view, and the staff are beyond polite and accommodating!

Staying here was pure magic in a dream location perched on cliffs with stunning Pacific Ocean views that took our breath away at every sunset. Room service was top-notch, delivering delicious meals promptly with impeccable quality. Loved the cozy fireplace in our room, perfect for chilly evenings, plus the great amenities like the spa and golf courses made it an unforgettable must-visit spot. Highly recommend for luxury and relaxation!

Great views (as long as you stay within the hotel grounds), nice room and a very good dinner.

The location looks appealing, but walking options are very limited — you constantly encounter “golfers only” and “private property” signs. For a ~$1200/night stay, the additional $70 parking fee feels unreasonable. “Breakfast included” is actually an $85 credit, which is not enough for a proper breakfast. Service is inconsistent: during turndown, personal items were handled unnecessarily while dirty glasses were left behind; at breakfast, the wrong item was served and staff insisted it was correct; the welcome drink experience feels oddly handled and below expectations. Starting from 6 AM, noise from technical equipment makes it impossible to sleep.

Beautiful views and impeccable property.

They told us that there is no space in the restaurant for breakfast despite the fact that we booked bed & breakfast in advance. Can you imagine for paying for breakfast in advance and then they tall you that there is no table for you!

Location is great but the experience was poor. It was too crowded and the staff was sloppy.

If you are not staying at this hotel, be prepared to be treated poorly. Stopped here for lunch on a girls day out, thinking this would be a great treat. Boy were we wrong!! Sat down on the patio outdoors. The view was gorgeous. Waitress (Jolene I think her name was) immediately asked for credit card before we ordered anything, since we weren’t staying at the hotel. Odd, but whatever. She took our drink order and we ordered appetizers. Came back with drinks and app plates. Took food order. While later our food comes out delivered by food runner. Never saw our waitresses at our table again until we were finished eating. Didn’t ask if we needed drink refills, couldn’t ask about our missing appetizer. She was vey attentive to the 3 other tables, but wouldn’t even make eye contact with us so it was very difficult to flag her down. She finally shows up and we let her know we never got our app. She acted surprised that we even ordered it, even though she provided us with plates. Then comes the bill. We wanted it split 4 ways. Seemed to not be a problem, except when we got our cards back, she charged one card for the wrong table whose bill was $20 higher. Food and poor service was not worth the price. This experience put a bit of a damper on a nice girls day out.

Visited for 4 nights to attend a series of business meetings. Arrival was met with helpful and courteous greeters; check-in experience was professional, attentive and efficient. Assigned room that overlooked the ocean. Room was of a large size, and nicely adorned with comfortable, aesthetically pleasing and functional furnishings. Large windows provided favorable views of the ocean (despite the rain); draperies could be controlled electronically but when closed blocked access to power plugs needed to power peripherals on the work desk. Everything worked as would be expected; there was a very large TV, the bed was very comfortable, climate control was responsive, wifi worked well and there were ample power outlets next to the bed that was appreciated. Bathroom was generous in size but design required opening and closing doors to access to the room, shower and WC. Water pressure from the shower was adequate but not great. Hotel premises (lobby, restaurants and meeting rooms) were Rtiz-esque - all good. Less than 5 star recommendation refers to the hotel's offerings of food at their restaurants and room service. Food was overly priced ($85 for a club sandwich plus soda + room service) - which I would not mind as much except that the food was badly prepared and flavor-less. Offerings from the restaurants and at organized venues were equally marginal - expensive mediocre food. But service was good and attentive throughout - if not a little perfunctory.

From the moment you arrive, the property feels cinematic, perched dramatically above the Pacific with sweeping bluff-top views that make you pause. The grounds are immaculate, the air is crisp, and the fire pits at sunset are quintessential Northern California luxury. (Tip: Get an ocean view or even partial ocean view - because you cannot put a price tag on falling asleep to the sound of waves crashing). Check-in was admittedly impacted by an unexpected system outage. While this could have detracted from the experience, the front desk team handled it with professionalism and composure. They communicated clearly, remained gracious under pressure, and did everything possible to minimize inconvenience. It was a strong example of service recovery in action. During my stay, I encountered a few unexpected personal needs, and this is where the property truly distinguished itself. Guest Services Manager Kate was exceptionally understanding, responsive, and solution-oriented. Her attentiveness and discretion made a meaningful difference, and I felt genuinely cared for rather than processed. That level of individualized hospitality is what defines a luxury experience. Danny was incredibly sweet and helpful with my luggage. The rooms are elegant and comfortable, with a calming coastal palette and the kind of quiet that allows you to fully reset. Waking up to the ocean views alone is worth the visit. Overall, despite the initial technical hiccup, the service, setting, and staff professionalism more than delivered. I appreciate when a property stands behind its hospitality standards, and this one absolutely did. Looking forward to returning.

What an incredible stay. The staff was so wonderful and the spot was quiet and lovely

NA

We visited Half Moon Bay to celebrate our daughter’s 29th birthday. The hotel was stunning and spotless, making the trip truly memorable. We definitely plan to return!

I have no negative remarks about this hotel.

Exceptional service, incredibly attentive staff, and a perfect location ,we loved it!

The breathtaking view!

The food and services was top notch!! They didn’t overlook a single detail.

Overall, I really enjoyed our stay. The property is absolutely gorgeous—the oceanfront location, the dramatic cliffs, and the coastal walking path are truly stunning. Our room was lovely as well, and the setting right on the water is spectacular. The service was exceptional throughout our stay. Every staff member we interacted with was warm, attentive, and proactive. Any time I requested something—extra towels, ice, etc.—it arrived quickly, which I really appreciated. My husband also had a great experience golfing and felt the course was beautifully maintained. As for the beds, they were extremely soft. I didn’t mind them, but my husband prefers a much firmer mattress and found it uncomfortable, so that may depend on personal preference. I do have two significant complaints: 1. Dog Fees The pet fee was shockingly high. I’ve stayed at many five-star resorts, and this was by far the most expensive dog fee I’ve encountered. It’s $250 per dog plus an additional $20 per dog, per night—as a simple boarding fee. For our two dogs over three days, this totaled $640. It felt excessive and honestly almost made us reconsider our stay. Other luxury resorts charge a fraction of this. 2. Breakfast Pricing I fully expect higher prices at the Ritz-Carlton, but some charges felt unreasonable. My $38 omelet didn’t include toast (an additional $6), which wasn’t a huge deal. However, being charged $10 for a small cup of water at breakfast felt outrageous. I’ve never experienced that at any other luxury property and found it very surprising. Aside from those two issues, our stay was wonderful, and we truly had a great time. I would stay here again, but I do hope the hotel considers adjusting some of these fees

My husband and I took our guest to Ocean Terrace for lunch. The view was beautiful and our server was very good. Food is overpriced for what you get, but that's what it is at The Ritz. However, our brand new car was damaged while valet parking. I understand accidents happen sometimes. We had to take a car to get an estimate to repair shop first, then take photos, exchange emails multiple times with their insurance company. Now, I need to adjust the schedule and find someone who can follow me to drop off and pick up my car for repairs on weekdays of this busy season, unless you use Uber out of pocket. What makes us upset is that the hotel didn't even contact us about all these hassles. I assume the hotel does run valet parking, but we were guests for their restaurant who paid $50 for parking, $250 for lunch just 3 of us.

Exceptional experience from start to finish. Still top-notch! From the second you drive in until departure, no detail is too small, no request too frivolous. Staff is always warm and polite. Rooms are comfortable, chic and well appointed. This is what a five star property is all about. Yes, you pay for it. But it is well worth it!

The location

The price

Everything! Our dog likes it too

Spectacular location. Valet was prompt and very nice. Reception was busy but when checking in Miguel was very gracious and welcoming. Upon hearing it was a special occasion he was kind enough to give us an upgrade. Rooms were beautiful and recommend the ocean view suite with firepit or the ocean view room with ocean front view and balcony. My husband enjoyed the golf, both courses, and I had a wonderful facial in the spa. Really liked the food on the patio with the ocean view. Enjoyed our first night so much we booked another night. of course, as with all travel, there were some hiccups. But guest services was helpful. Very sure we will be back soon.

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Amazing experience!

The staff throughout the resort were extremely friendly and helpful.

Simply put not the experience I expected. Poor food quality really dampened our trip. Nothing special drinks not made well.

This is the 4th or 5th time we've stayed at this property. We have been very fortunate to get upgraded several times. This time was no exception with a full ocean view room with a balcony. I used Bonvoy points to book the stay and tried using a nightly upgrade award. One night went through, but the other did not. But upon checkin we were upgrade for both nights. I enhanced the stay by upgrading to club lounge. So far, this is the best club lounge experience we have had. Now, we've only been to 4 Ritz Carlton's, so it's not an exhaustive study, but this one was GREAT! We highly recommend this property and the upgrade to club lounge.

Some positives: Registration clerk and dining room staff were excellent. All the scenic views were incredible! Some negatives: Parking guard was not very welcoming, and when we asked a housekeeper for directions to her room, she was very unfriendly. For dine-in room service, we ordered two items. It took over an hour, and they only brought one of the two items, as one was forgotten. The shampoo dispenser was broken, so we had to unscrew the top to get shampoo. The shower head had low pressure. Expected better, especially for $1700 for one night’s stay.

Absolutely stunning and magnificent property. All services excellent. Attentive staff. Rooms, restaurants, walking trails, spa are all first rate. Clearly a 5 star resort. Yes, however, whoops on the pricing. Now don't get me wrong, I'm a CEO with an American Express Black card, so I understand business much better than the average bear 🤔There comes a time in the life of any business when prices charged, because they can be, become not just high, but predatory. That is this resort. Prices on everything are astronomical - truly absurd with no rational cost basis at all. I've been in 30 counties in the past 5 years and prices here are above anywhere else in the world. It would appear that being 15 miles from silicon valley and Palo Alto has empowered the resort to charge prices best suited for Great Gatsby billionaires for whom prices are of no concern. Sure keeps the "average" folks out 😂

While the location of the property is beautiful, there really is no reason to stay here unless you plan on golfing. There is nothing to do in the surrounding areas and with only two restaurants on property, with one being a 'tasting menu' arrangement, ther are not enough food options. Staff not up to Ritz standards and check in was a disaster. 4 diamonds might be a stretch AAA. Valet guys were great!

Legacy, tradition, and world-class hospitality thrive at this magnificent property. Over the years, we have had the privilege of staying at this property not once, but twice, and both times have been marvelous. Nestled in the quiet beach town of Half Moon Bay, this particular Ritz-Carlton exudes class and exclusivity. Their staff is of the caliber one would expect from this world-class brand, as they leave no stone unturned in their pursuit to deliver a guest experience comparable to the finest hotels of Europe and Asia. We can't wait to return next year. Thank you, Zenon and Anya, for making our little boy's birthday so special. Aloha

The shower head was old and didn’t drip well. They had an unaccounted for hair dryer because we had none during our stay. I received an email from their staff accusing me of it being missing. Once I called them, then they were apologetic. That doesn’t change the fact that it was ridiculous to try to accuse me Menu food options are very limited in the inside and outside restaurants. Regular staff was very nice. My server was a very nice lady. Bagpipe player was amazing Views from my room were amazing

Average service and food. Not a 5-star level.

Sound insulation is not good.

The hotel itself is beautiful and has plenty of luxury touches, but the service left us with mixed feelings. While the concierge was quite helpful and attentive, the front desk staff didn’t make us feel like valued guests. There were noticeable inconsistencies in staff communications and service quality, which took away from the overall experience. With so many luxury options available, we enjoyed our visit but aren't sure we’d return.

Our experience at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay has never been dissapointing. thanks to the warm reception by the courteous staff. Our clean and well appointed room featuring an ocean view highlights the natural beauty of Half Moon Bay. The restaurant serves delicious food paired with a well curated selection of wine, while the staff provide friendly and attentive service. The stunning views create a tranquil athmosphere, making our stay truly unforgettable. We appriciate the exceptional service from all staff members. We look forward to returning.

This review is strictly for the accounting and front desk departments of this hotel. Our stay was wonderful, and Laura, one of the banquet managers, made my birthday stay magical-thank you to Laura and all of the other wonderful staff for an unforgettable experience. However, my experience with reaching the accounting department has been horrendous. This reservation was gifted to me with Marriott Bonvoy points by my parents and I advised the front desk upon check-in to charge the upgraded room fee and all other fees to the card I provided at check-in. Upon check out, the upgrade charge was not on my portfolio and I advised the front desk of this. They printed out a different folio with updated charges, and it was approximately the right amount so I foolishly took the invoice and checked out. Fast forward a couple of days, I was charged on my card, and in addition my parents were charged the amount of the updated folio. Reviewing the two folios, there were repeated charges and over 600 dollars of "room charges"- not room service, nor the room upgrade charges. I understand, mistakes happen. I called the front desk on Monday and was advised to call back tomorrow as the accounting department had left. I asked the front desk if they could at least review the charges with me because I wanted to know where they had originated from. No, call back tomorrow. ok. I call back today and front desk forwards me to accounting and I am directed to leave a voicemail and do so. I figured I may have called them during lunch hour so I called back a bit later, also forward to voicemail. I called back the front desk requesting to at least speak to someone regarding these charges, again was forwarded to leave a voicemail. The next three times I called the front desk, nobody answered I was forwarded directly to voicemail. I called again (my call was finally answered) and requested to speak to a manager. I was forwarded to a manager who said he was not sure why his staff did not answer my call, just that they were too busy to answer. If the front desk staff had responded to my call, and at least said something like "I will let accounting know that you are concerned and would like a call back" instead of forwarding me straight to voicemail, I would not be frustrated. I just wanted some communication. The manager refunded partially, however double charges still remain across the two different folios. My dad had emailed him back requesting him to look over the double charges again. It has been almost a week, STILL no email back. They provide top-notch service when you are a guest there spending money, however after check-out that all goes out the window. This is not the level of service I expect for how expensive this place is. I love the Ritz brand and it is special to me, making this experience all the more frustrating. Some compassion and understanding, two values I have come to associate with the Ritz brand, goes a long way. My boyfriend and I were discussing holding our wedding at this location, as our stay here holds sentimental value to both of us. We were looking forward to many more stays. However, lack of communication and clarity makes me re-consider booking this location for any stays, let alone something as significant as a wedding.

Lots of positives: * Professional and friendly staff: many greeted us by name after our arrival. Several times staff member approached us unprompted, asking if we needed anything. * Excellent service: our room was tidied up nicely, including organizing our toiletries. * Stunning location and view: our room overlooked the 18th green and the Pacific (see pic below). We took in the stunning views on several walks. * Although this did not apply to us directly, I observed that he staff were quite accommodating to guest with young children and/or dogs. A few drawbacks on food: * Limited grab and go options for early golfers: I had a 7AM tee time; my only options in the lobby were tea and coffee. Room service is available, from 6AM, I believe. I did not take advantage, as I just wanted a banana. The golf facility is not owned by the Ritz, by the way. * Limited light/casual meal options in general. But then again, if you are looking for nachos, this is probably not the place for you. Tip: if you are headed back to the Ritz for the evening, consider stopping for a casual meal at the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company. * In general, breakfast and dinner in the Conservatory and on the Terrace were just OK. Not bad, but not memorable. For this reason, I gave the Ritz four stars, not five. (Note: we did not eat at Navio.) The price for a cup of tea was a shocker, though if that is what you are concerned with, this is definitely not the place for you! It was an expensive stay, but we would absolutely return for another visit, especially if it is a special occasion (but I might bring a few of my own snacks...!). Worth the splurge, in our case!

Fantastic service with a beautiful view

Excellent stay

Stunning property with exceptional service. Justin at the front reception was extremely helpful with all my requests. Joellen made our dining experience memorable. The food was delicious and the views amazing.

This was my 9th Ritz that i have stayed in over these past two years, and i have got to say, going to this property up in northern California, takes you to a whole new different world! The views are absolutely breathtaking and it makes you feel like you are in Scotland! I went to his hotel with my friends to celebrate and I was very impressed. The weather was perfect as well for the few days that we stayed there. The staff was very helpful and attentive. Noe was our first bellman who took the time to go over the availabilities of the room and even showed us where everything was. A lot of times i go to hotels and i may not know how to use some of the switches, but he did great! Christina who took us for the nature walk was well versed in the history of the property as well as the area. The walk was an hour long along the coastal trail and it was about 2 miles round trip. There were slight up and downs but nothing that was not manageable. I would do it again for sure. Christina was very attentive and new our names quick and took stops along the way to explain the area. Josue at the spa area was also awesome! I needed his help several times during my stay and he was extremely kind and helpful! He also helped asses the situation and helped me out in a great way! I am very grateful to him! Anya checked me in and Justin checked me out, both were super helpful and patient as well. David at the bar in Novio provided great service with drinks that came quick. There were several guests who were not happy campers, but David and Rich handled the situation with much grace. For breakfast we had maria v who brought out some birthday treats and sang happy birthday as well as dinner Rory did great as well! We also had a great conversation with Jamil (sorry if i am butchering the name), he was the manager for the evening, and he was very hospitable and knowledgeable as well! One thing that would have been nice would have been if there was a shuttle from the property to the halfmoon bay "downtown" area. I think that that would be helpful for the guests as well. I can see how this hotel is highly rated across the board. I would definitely recommend staying here! I was able to use my nightly upgrade award with marriott and we were able to get a firepit room, where we had s'mores. The hotel sells these s'mores kits since they have fireplaces all over, and this was a cute idea.

A horrendous experience staying at Ritz Carlton Halfmoon Bay! Housekeeping service is so bad that I encountered two bad experiences! They didn’t cleaned up properly from the previous guest and I found a stained sanitary pad in the bathroom! This is so disgusting ! On the day of checkout they kept knocking on my door while I am asleep to want to do housekeeping on the day of check out ? Very bad housekeeping service and this has tarnished my past experience of staying at Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay!

I went for dinner and returned to my room to find it empty, except for the case of my toothbrush and an agenda for the meeting I was attending. The safe was still full. Everything else was gone. My laptop, iPad, my suitcase, rucksack, toiletries, dirty clothes, and power chargers. I called reception, and within 20 minutes, a bellhop returned my items, explaining they were on the driveway. A further investigation revealed that service quality is so poor that my room had been emptied (at 7pm at night) by "accident." It totally screwed up my stay and put my out of kilter, even though I was offered a $200 resort credit. I've given the resort two stars rather than one star because the staff at the spa and fitness center (who did not know what had happened) were incredibly friendly, helpful and engaged. Well done them.

Staying at thiz property was by far, the best hotel that my partner and I have ever experienced!! Every single person there made us feel so welcomed, accommodating, and the customer service provided was beyond exceptional! I would like to give an extra special thank you to the following employees who were absolutely a pleasure to meet! Club Lounge: Rosina, Briana, and Violeta! Navio: Benny, Maria, Billy Guided nature tour walk: Christina Bike rentals: Kimo Thank you all so much for making this birthday celebration an unforgettable one!!

Took my daughter to the Ritz-Carlton HMB for a Mother Daughter Massage Day. Not impressed. The Spa was not at all what I expected for a Ritz. Save your money. Their spa needs a complete make-over. $450 for a massage. Plus they still charge you $50 to park your card for 90 Minutes! The resturaant was also closed at 11 when we wanted to have brunch in the conservatory. The Lockers are completely open to the "Quiet room" where your wait. You are sitting there watching (and being watched) while you undress? Who designed that? Also, no hairbrushes in the blow dry area. The massage was fine but I felt the amenities were not what I would expect at a 5 star hotel. I was willing to pay for a mother daughter "experience" but this was nothing special.

Extremely great staff. Room was very comfortable (used FNA through AMEX Co-Branded Card) and got upgraded upon arrival to an ocean view. Smallish gym for resort of this size but had everything which we needed. Food was overpriced for what it was but quality was good.

Great experince

Terrible Customer Service! I had a reservation to stay two nights through a group rate. I acknowledge there was a late cancellation fee. However due to lightning hitting the plane I was going to fly out on and subsequent flights being so delayed in NY that I could not make it in time (irrespective of any layover) I had to cancel. As a Bonvoy Gold Elite I left messages asking for relief on the cancellation because it was flight and weather related. Not only did they charge me but they didn’t even have the courtesy to call me back despite 3 voice mail messages. Stay away if you are a a Bonvoy Elite

Everything is clean and the grounds are kept in pristine condition.

Great Place, view is just fabulous nice room great service and nice restaurant options. The property is one of the best, peaceful great place to relax. Clean all over and for golf lovers the 18th hole is one of the best in USA for view. Pool is average.. Will go back

I recently had a stay at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay on March 29th, and I regret to say that my experience was not up to the brand’s high standards. During my stay, I encountered a significant service failure. While I appreciate that the hotel staff initially promised to address these concerns and offered partial credits as compensation, it is now May 2nd, and I have yet to receive the full credit that was promised. This experience has been frustrating, especially considering the Ritz Carlton's reputation for high standards of service. I had expected a prompt resolution, and the delays have left me feeling overlooked as a guest. Hopefully it gets resolved sooner rather than later.

Over the years this resort has been a go to for us. Last Monday we checked in and sat at the sea food bar by the lawn. Cody was our bartender and we had the best experience with him. He was so kind and personable which really added more joy to our stay. Also at the front desk Anya & Manny were so warm and welcoming just like any other times.

As Bay Area locals, my husband and I have enjoyed many lovely lunches and dinners at the Ritz Half Moon Bay over the years. We’ve always appreciated the beautiful setting and the sense of luxury the Ritz brand represents. That’s why we chose to bring our son here to celebrate his 23rd birthday in January 2025 — it felt like a meaningful and special place for such an occasion. Unfortunately, this visit was deeply disappointing. It was an extremely windy day, and while we opted to sit outside, I now wish we had asked to be moved indoors. That’s on us. What was most upsetting, however, was the service. The waitress we had was unwelcoming from the start. She asked for a credit card the moment we sat down — something that has never happened to us at any Ritz property or fine dining experience. She was inattentive throughout the lunch, never acknowledged the birthday we had clearly noted when making the reservation, and didn’t contribute anything to make the day feel special. While the food was good, the lack of hospitality and care made the entire experience feel cold and impersonal. I took a photo of our receipt and reached out via Instagram to the Ritz Half Moon Bay’s profile. After receiving no response for over a month, I searched online and sent an email directly. I’ve now followed up twice in the past three months and still haven’t received any acknowledgment — not even a courtesy reply. I could’ve called, but at this point, the silence speaks volumes. What hurts most is that we’ve always been treated so well at other Ritz Carlton locations around the country. This one, our most local and most frequently visited, has been the only one to truly let us down. We haven’t returned since, and sadly, neither have several of our friends who used to frequent the resort on our recommendation. We still believe in the Ritz brand, but the Half Moon Bay location has a long way to go in terms of service recovery and valuing loyal, local guests.

The property is too old. Comparing the price, it’s not good

Not good.

We had an amazing experience! I had high hopes, as I had been looking at this hotel for several years, and the experience was a dream! We took advantage of a lot the resort has to offer. We enjoyed the sunset bugle playing each night, we went to the pool and got a short, warm chauffeured ride back to the hotel, and we walked down the the beach each day. Exploring the tidal pools was one of my favorite California memories of all time! Please inquire about the times of the tides when you visit. It’s amazing what you can see! We also enjoyed a little putting, which was a resort perk you could utilize, even though we didn’t actually play golf during our stay. Also, the town of Half Moon Bay is extremely charming. I hope to go again some day!

My initial room did not have heat. I was quickly moved to a new one and it was perfect.

Excellence everywhere

Our stay was amazing the hotel is beautiful as was our room and the staff is outstanding!

Spectacular views

Very quiet, clean and safe place with the best customer service and nice choice of the restaurants

I’ve spent many of my favorite days on earth sitting by the Half Moon Bay fire pits. The recent renovations made an already beautiful place that much greater. Half Moon Bay is busier than a Big Sur property (try Alila Ventana, a Hyatt property for a similar experience with more privacy and seclusion).

Club Lounge Staff