Review: Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay

Written By Randy | The Family Travel Guy
The Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay is Northern California’s premier ocean-front resort with a jaw-dropping setting perched on a bluff above the Pacific Ocean and is only a 30 minute drive from San Francisco.  The elegant luxury, yet resort casual, hotel is a destination in and of itself offering the very best in service, dining, golfing, amenities and activities. 

The shingle-style roof and hotel's weathered, wind-battered appearance evokes a nineteenth-century seaside lodge set on the coast of Scotland.


The interior decor showcases an ocean-inspired color palette of coastal blues and grays creating a tranquil, soothing atmosphere throughout the common areas and spacious guest rooms.



Hotel Overview:
The Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay is the only San Francisco Bay Area luxury ocean front resort hotel and features 261 guestrooms, a 16,000 square-foot spa, 36 holes of championship golf and wonderful amenities and activities perfect for families or a couples getaway.

 Some of the main hotel features include:
  • 16,000-square-foot spa
    • The spa and full-service salon draw inspiration from the beauty of the Northern California coast. Among the 16 treatment rooms are two couple’s suites and a Vichy shower room. Signature treatments include the Matanzas Creek luxurious lavender body massage and ocean mist stone ritual.
    • The daily resort fee includes access to the spa’s co-ed Roman mineral bath, locker rooms, relaxation lounges, whirlpool, sauna and steam room.  Spa services are available for guests ages 18 and older
  • Fitness center with Cybex gym
    • The 24-hour fitness center provides weight-training and cardio equipment, including Cybex treadmills and stair climbers. The daily resort fee includes daily group exercise classes as well as use of the six tennis courts and such amenities as rackets, balls, ball machine and private or group lessons with reservations.
  • Three gas firepits overlooking the Pacific Ocean
  • Indoor heated swimming pool located adjacent to the resort at the Colony Club
    • The heated indoor pool sets aside early morning hours for adult lap swim, then opens up for family use. Swim noodles and beach balls are available for pool play, as well as kick boards and buoys for adults participating in swim aerobics.
    • Pool is open from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday
    • Room service meals can be ordered and enjoyed in the lounge area adjacent to the pool deck
  • Coastside jogging and biking path
    • Coastal jogging and biking path for outdoor exercise
    • Bicycle use included in resort fee and available to borrow daily


  • Six lighted tennis courts


  • Access to both on-property championship golf courses
    • The resort is home to two championship 18-hole, par 72 courses. 
      • The Ocean Course was designed by Arthur Hills in a traditional Scottish style with prevailing ocean winds, tight fairways and knolls and Pacific ocean views from every hole. 
      • The parkland-style Old Course was originally created by Arnold Palmer and Francis Duane and redesigned by Arthur Hills.  The final hole is spectacular as it parallels the ocean and concludes in front of the resort
    • Daily resort fee includes putter and wedge for use on practice green from Half Moon Bay Golf Links Pro Shop and its dedicated golf concierge
    • Practice green includes two pitching greens, a bunker and large putting green
  • The Ritz-Kids and VIK programs for young guests
    • The Ritz Kids Day Program offers half- and full-day programs daily for children ages 5 to 12.  Activities include swimming at the pool, exploring the beach, arts and crafts and making s’mores. The Kids Night Out program provides supervised activities from 6 to 9 p.m.
    • The VIK program (Very Important Kid) offers kids a chance to go on a scavenger hunt and collect wristbands along the way, leading up to a prize at check-out once you've completed all of the items.  It's a great way for younger children to have fun and explore all the hotel has to offer.
 
  • Bagpiper at Sunset
    • From Thursday to Sunday and on Tuesdays, beginning an hour and half from sunset, a bagpiper walks the grounds and serenades the sunset
  • Photography Concierge Photo Session
    • Enjoy a 45-minute complimentary photo session
Note that there is also a $35 daily resort fee, valet parking costs $49, all of which you can read more about here.

Accommodations:
The ocean-inspired color palette of subtle blues and grays creates a tranquil, soothing atmosphere in the spacious guest rooms. Duvets and 400-thread-count Egyptian sheets top the feather beds and the luxurious marble bathrooms feature a separate tub and rainforest shower, Asprey bath amenities and terry robes.

 There are a few different room choices available at this modern coastal retreat providing two distinctive experiences:

 Main House: Easy access to the lobby, restaurants, spa, and the Ocean Lawn.

 Guest Houses: Just a short stroll away, a respite from the activity of the main building and additional privacy with access to the Mar Vista Lawn and fire pits, pool, golf course, and tennis courts.

 Room choices range from Courtyard Views, Coastal Views, Ocean Views and Ocean Front rooms and suites, with some also offering fire pits right outside your door.  

 A sample of the room selections with decor, amenities and views is shown below:

 Club Coastal View Guest Room on the Club Lounge Floor

 Terrace Fire Pit Guest Room

Courtyard View Suite
 
 

View of the Terrace View and Ocean Front Fire Pit Guest Rooms
Dining Options:
Navio - Ocean inspired cuisine crafted with farm-fresh ingredients.  Serves breakfast daily, dinner and offers a weekend brunch.

 The Conservatory - Fresh organic and community grown ingredients, with a full bar specializing in homegrown cocktails.  Open daily from 11 AM to 11 PM


 The Ocean Terrace - Open for a limited dining menu Monday through Thursday from 12-5 PM and offers a raw bar and grill menu from Friday through Sunday, 12 PM to Sunset.  Also offers cocktails, craft beers and wine daily from 12 PM to sunset (weather permitting) 


 Cork Wine Bar - An upscale wine bar offering unique flights of wine, as well as wines by the glass

 Club Lounge - The Ritz-Carlton Club offers private lounge access with a personal concierge staff and complimentary culinary presentations throughout the day.
My Experience:
The Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay is a stunning hotel with picturesque views and amenities and activities great for a family trip or couples getaway.

Everything from valet, check-in, welcome amenities, club lounge, dining choices and activities available here made our stay enjoyable and very memorable.  We enjoyed our short stay at the hotel and look forward to visit again soon.

Randy | The Family Travel Guy
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The Club Lounge at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay
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