The Ritz-Carlton

“Comparing a Bonvoy Points Stay and AMEX Fine Hotels Stay”

In this review, we compare the experience at this property using a Bonvoy free night certificate, and AMEX Fine Hotels booking. We stayed a total of 4 nights during one week in February. Three nights were booked with Bonvoy 35k certificates with a buy-up, and one night was booked with cash usin… more

In this review, we compare the experience at this property using a Bonvoy free night certificate, and AMEX Fine Hotels booking. We stayed a total of 4 nights during one week in February. Three nights were booked with Bonvoy 35k certificates with a buy-up, and one night was booked with cash using AMEX Fine Hotels program. We like everything about our stays. For context, we traveled with two large suitcases for a several-week trip Down Under. This shaped our view of room sizes and bathroom counter space. Things that apply to both: - The service is outstanding. From the moment we arrived, the staff were extremely attentive, friendly, welcoming, prompt—every bit as 5-star as a fancy hotel in a European capital. We were especially impressed with valets and waitstaff who were extraordinarily professional and responsive. - Unbeatable location. The hotel is adjacent to Elizabeth Quay, where most of the entertainment is. Downtown is a 5-minute walk. Everything we needed was within a kilometer or so. We’re walkers, so it was a great base to explore Perth. - Both rooms included upgrades; details below. The “view” from both rooms was essentially the same, overlooking Langley Park. The Supreme Court Gardens (closest to the hotel) are undergoing a major renovation. Notwithstanding, we had a nice view of the Swann River as well. - The rooms were immaculately clean, modern, and very nicely furnished. Unique to the Bonvoy (points) stay: - We booked a simple city view room since this is the only room available with the free night certificate. You can add points to meet the price of this room, but you cannot add even more points to obtain a better room. - The room itself was upgraded to a studio park view, although the spouse who booked this room has only Bonvoy silver status; totally unexpected upgrade. The room was outstanding and very large, with a huge bathroom that had both a shower and soaking tub. More than enough space for our large bags and lots of counter space in the bathroom. Everything was great, great, great. Unique to the AMEX Fine Hotels stay: - As hard as it was to exceed the Bonvoy stay, this room was an even bigger upgrade…a 1-bedroom suite overlooking Langley Park. While the spouse booking this room is Bonvoy Platinum, we think the combination of AMEX Fine Hotels and that we were celebrating a birthday led to this incredible upgrade. - True to R-C superb service, there was a bottle of high-quality Australian wine and a small birthday cake awaiting us in the room. - Consistent with the AFH program, free breakfast. Breakfast was a mostly buffet operation on the scale and variety you’d expect with an international 5-star hotel. Very nice. Otherwise, breakfast is ~$55 AUD pp. - Also with the program, a $100 USD property credit. For us, it provided a nice lunch and drinks. And R-C also threw in a champagne toast for the birthday girl. So overall, everything about the stay is top-notch, superb, perfect. We very much look forward to returning on our next Australia adventure.

less

“Super”

Second visit to this hotel and still a great place to stay. Nice and modern and a superb location for exploring Perth and the surrounding areas. Good breakfast with everything you’d want.

“Overall a great stay but check in process could be improved”

Beautiful views of river and bell tower; Good variety of buffet breakfast options; Check in process could be improved- Only one counter was open for checking in resulting in long wait.

“Cmon guys this place could be a standout!”

Much like the Four Seasons Sydney it’s perfectly located but, again, doesn’t get the job done. We stayed there on 2 different occasions so I had the chance to see 4 rooms total. Each room had something broken. And maintenance literally put tape over it to “fix” it. There’s NO concierge service,… more

Much like the Four Seasons Sydney it’s perfectly located but, again, doesn’t get the job done. We stayed there on 2 different occasions so I had the chance to see 4 rooms total. Each room had something broken. And maintenance literally put tape over it to “fix” it. There’s NO concierge service, I couldn’t find one. The food at the Bar is below average and it’s a shame because the bar is incredible. It’s full of people and had NO vibe. A shame. Breakfast, like 4 seasons Sydney was outstanding and the car park/doormen handled the flow well. It’s just a shame, seems like management is lacking.

less