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Ritz-Carlton Pasadena Can't Satisfy NYT Reporter's Munchie Cravings

Where: 1401 South Oak Knoll [map], Pasadena, CA, United States, 91106

It's not quite clear how to take Michelle Higgins' recent New York Times review of the Ritz Carlton Huntington Hotel & Spa in Pasadena. Though she does make one point clear, the Ritz is actively making attempts to keep up with the hip boutique hotel scene. Along with its classy rep and digs, this Ritz locale which dates back to 1907 has added little trendy updates but still falls short in places, namely: service.

An internet station in the business center will soon come with a charge since it's been poorly manned and thus caused some serious lines. And that's just the beginning of the service problems during Higgins' short stay.

When we got the munchies around midnight, however, our chicken quesadilla never arrived. When we called room service, about 45 minutes later, to check on it, an employee apologized and said they had sent it to the wrong room. By that time we were too tired to eat and so declined the offer of a new order.

Yet Higgins' finishes her review by stating that "the high-quality Ritz service is still largely intact." The question is then, where? There certainly aren't any examples of this tip-top service in the review.

For a room starting at $399 and a name like Ritz, we'd expect more in the service department. Let's hope they don't think this is the new cool boutique attitude they're looking to adopt along with their more modern style.

Related Stories:
· Check In Check Out [New York Times]
· Ritz Carlton Huntington Hotel & Spa [TripAdvisor]