I've heard that The Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay, which is located in Northern California, is a must-visit destination for people who are passionate about collecting points and miles, but when I thought about it in comparison to all of the other amazing resorts in the world, I honestly thought that people were exaggerating.
As someone who lives in the Bay Area of California, I tend to forget that I live in one of the most beautiful regions in the world. I also took it for granted that The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay was only about an hour's drive from my home, giving me an excuse to go see if it lived up to the hype for myself. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it did.
When staying at a premium facility, whether it be a Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, or Waldorf Astoria, there is a certain degree of expectation that comes with it, and mine was rather high. The minute we rounded the bend onto the grounds of the beach resort in the fall of this past year was the beginning of a fantastic experience for me, even though I was only there for one night.
What follows is a condensed version of the reasons I adored The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, and why you need to think about visiting it.
The building, the neighborhood, the neighborhood
A quick journey of about thirty minutes will take you south of San Francisco International Airport to reach Half Moon Bay (SFO). It is the location of Sam's Chowder House, a well-known coastal seafood restaurant, as well as renowned surfing because the waves in the waters off the shore of Half Moon Bay are reported to reach heights of up to 6 feet on occasion. We weren't in the city to surf by any stretch of the imagination, but on the way out of town, we did stop at Sam's Chowder House for some takeaway to eat on the beach before going back home.
The view of the coast of Northern California has to be at the very top of the list of reasons to fawn about The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay itself, even though there are many more reasons. To get to the hotel from our house in the East Bay, we had to take a little trip on the illustrious Highway 1, fortunately on the section that did not cause our stomachs to turn. The hotel can be reached by car from the highway in approximately ten minutes, and it is located on the coast's edge just beyond a residential neighbourhood.
Related: How I had an unforgettable drive along Highway 1 without Spending a Dime Using Points and Miles
It is the hotel.
You are obliged to come to a halt before entering the grounds of the hotel, and a staff member will check your name to make sure you have a reservation there before allowing you to go to the front entrance in your vehicle. A valet was waiting for us who was kind enough to assist us with our bags, inquire as to whether or not we had previously been at the resort, and wish us well for the duration of our stay.
The first time I saw the hotel lobby, I really couldn't catch my breath because it was so stunning. After passing through the huge glass doors that served as the entry to the hotel, we were met by a crystal chandelier that was surrounded by flowers and plants in autumnal colours that adorned the ceiling. Below, a salute to the neighbouring coast could be found in the form of a compass design on the hardwood floor.
The Conservatory is the hotel's more relaxed restaurant and bar, and it is located just outside the entryway. Inside the building is where you'll find Navio, the Ritz-upscale Carlton's dining establishment, but we'll talk more about that later.
A considerably simpler environment with vaulted ceilings and contemporary carpeting could be found in the following section, which was located directly in front of the check-in desk. At the front desk, the staff informed us that as a result of my Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status, our accommodation had been changed from a deluxe room to a guest room with a view of the shore. We had to wait for our room to be ready, so after dropping off our bags, we went outside to have lunch at The Ocean Terrace, which has a beautiful view of the sea. When our room was ready, they contacted my cellphone and offered us a glass of wine that we could take up with us. We declined the offer.
We took advantage of the leisure time between checking into our room and our dinner appointment to go for a stroll along the seaside route around the golf course at the hotel. The trail provides access to a beach that is open to the general public and features a pedestrian bridge that crosses over the water. To our good fortune, the sky was crystal clear, and we were able to observe the pounding waves of the Pacific Ocean from a vantage point far above them.
The Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay features several luxurious facilities in addition to its breathtaking vistas, such as a spa, tennis courts, gas fire pits with ocean views, and a bagpiper who performs nightly during the hotel's evening turndown service.
This specific room
I decided to treat my family to a night at The Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay by redeeming 95,500 of my Marriott Bonvoy points, and I have to say that the extravagance was well worth it. Otherwise, the cost of a night in our first deluxe accommodation, which overlooked the golf course, would have been $1,200, and the cost of a night in our upgraded room, which overlooked the seaside, very definitely would have been much higher.
The cold silver-and-white walls were another tribute to the seaside surroundings, but without looking overdone, and the wooden nightstand and entryway furniture offered the space the much-needed warmth it required. The marble bathroom was spacious and included a separate shower as well as a soaking tub. The bathroom also contained bath products from Diptyque called Philosykos. There was a bathrobe and a pair of slippers tucked away in the closet, and the entrance to the bathroom was located between the tub and the door.
The view of the ocean, on the other hand, was undeniably the most captivating aspect of the space. We crammed the chairs up against the window and drank wine while talking about whatever it is that parents say when their children aren't around. We couldn't hear a peep from anyone going by outside the window, which added to the serenity and beauty of the situation.
This is the eatery.
We made the executive decision to splurge on dinner at Navio, the hotel's fine dining restaurant, where we could choose between a three-course prix fixe menu or the chef's tasting menu. This decision was made possible by the amazing award availability that was currently being offered. We made the executive decision to order the prix fixe dinner ($155 per person), but we substituted the Kaluga caviar starting from the chef's tasting menu for the cheese starter.
Toasted brioche bread and crème Fraiche were served alongside the Kaluga caviar, which was presented in a little white pumpkin and topped with pepitas and creme fraiche. My first dish was a salad with fresh tomatoes, persimmon, and Maine lobster, while my spouse started with the duck consomme. I thought it was a great combination of flavours. We split the savoury black cod with Florentine broccolini and cuttlefish pasta that was served as the main course, as well as the Colorado lamb rack that was served with eggplant puree.
After dinner, we had a delicate chocolate dessert paired with espresso and coffee from Vietnam. The dinner, as well as the service, was outstanding.
Bottom line
The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay should have a place on the bucket list of any person who is passionate about collecting points and miles. Locals who are searching for a tranquil staycation will find that this location, which is only a half-hour drive from San Francisco International Airport, is ideal for them.
I can't recommend a stay at this hotel highly enough to anybody, but especially to those who are debating whether or not it is worth it to spend the extra Bonvoy points to have a room here because of the great meals, the beautiful views of the coast, and the comfy, well-appointed guest rooms. Believe me, I've checked.
We were the first passengers on board the first ship in The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection when it set sail.