Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay

Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay Restaurant & Hotel Review, Pet-Friendly, Stay Provided…

Price: $$$ – $$$$ For: Couples, singles Cleanliness: 4.5/5 Comfort: 5/5 Recommended: Yes

Features: Gorgeous view, right on the coast, full spa, restaurant, public and private fire pits, indoor pool, dog-friendly, very attentive service, valet parking, quiet, golf course

 
Looking for a romantic getaway near the coast? Then your number one choice will have to be at the Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay. After all these years, I finally got the chance to visit this beautiful establishment and we were totally blown away by the luxury and utter tranquility there.

We hoped to attend the monthly Yappy Hour but, due to packing issues and unexpected traffic, we got there late. We were pleased to learn that the staff decided to extend the event so other late-comers (who must have been stuck in the same traffic) could enjoy it.

There was still a good amount of people there with their four-legged friends. After Speckles conducted ‘introductions’ with fellow Yappy Hour attendees, we picked up a few complimentary doggie treats for her to munch on – even those were fancy. She didn’t quite know what to make of the chicken-flavored water, though. After Speckles had her fill of treat and mingling, it was our turn to get a bite.

The in-house casual restaurant, The Conservatory, has a ‘Burgers, Beer, & Jazz’ night every Thursday. On this occasion, though, we all opted for something from the main menu. Make sure you order the Clam Chowder – smooth and tasty! My husband got the Ribeye Steak (not bad at $34) and he said it was delicious from start to finish. My daughter was not enthused about her chicken as she said it was a bit dry. I ordered the seafood special with polenta. It wasn’t until I got my dish that I realized what polenta was (it was late and I was envisioning ‘paella’). Uhm, I’m not ordering anything with polenta (just can’t stomach the texture) again.

We finished off the meal with a plum crustada – delicious! The waiter told us that the metallic leaf on top was edible but I forgot and was trying to pick it off at first 🙂

There are three areas that guest with dogs can stay in. We were assigned to the cottage house near the ocean. My daughter dashed inside first as she had to go to the bathroom REALLY bad. She ran in and then immediately ran out. My husband and I were wondering why she was running around the room opening up all the doors. Apparently, she couldn’t find the toilet! She didn’t realize it was behind a second door in the bathroom until we told her. It was soooo hard not to laugh as she was doing a ‘potty dance’ like crazy. I guess she’s still our little girl 🙂

Everything in the room was set up so nicely and was both clean and cozy. A virtual fireplace was playing on the television but we preferred the gas fireplace, of course. On the table was a s’mores kit that we just HAD to use with the outdoor fire pit we had. Yes, it was pitch black and freezing cold by this time (around 11:00pm) but we were determined to make the most of our one-night stay. We all had a blast and were more than ready to jump in our plush beds. Now that was a good sleep!

We woke up early and planned to walk along the coast and surrounding area. Unfortunately, Speckles had an accident with her leg and we had to quickly pack up to go home. (Read why this was such a HUGE deal to us.)

The Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay provides a secluded getaway only minutes from the hustle and bustle of the city. The service was exceptional and amenities endless. Had our visit not been cut short, we would have loved to take advantage of the resort offerings including the indoor swimming pool and spa.

The clientele was definitely upscale so, while it was a treat to be a part of the Ritz-Carlton experience, we did feel a bit out of place. Our little Honda CR-V seemed puny compared to the entourage of BMWs, Mercedes, Hummers, Jaguars, etc. We also saw several sporting their golfing gear so it felt more like a country club than a standard hotel. No wonder their name has become synonymous with affluence and envy.

I would love to come back (maybe on our next anniversary) and be fully immersed in luxurious relaxation.

While I would not recommend making this a hub for your monthly family outing, this would be a stay worth splurging for. If you’re not up for the $400 per night charge, I highly recommend visiting for the day to have a nice brunch overlooking the ocean or walking along the picturesque coastal trail (and maybe bringing your pup along). You can even take advantage of a s’mores kit by the fire pits as you listen to the softly crashing waves.

No matter what you choose to do, any time you are able to spend here will be enjoyed!

Complimentary stay was provided for review purposes. All opinions are 100% my own.