The Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner, McLean

My wife and I stayed at the Ritz Carlton Tysons Corner for a fun staycation weekend right before Christmas. We wanted to get some shopping done and have a little pampering (my wife was pregnant). We found the hotel perfect for those things. Because the hotel is primarily a business hotel, weekend rates were very reasonable. It is attached to the Galleria at Tyson's Corner so while everyone was looking in vain for parking and nervously hustling with too many bags, we were relaxed and enjoyed ourselves. The rooms were up to my expectations of a Ritz. I had also made arrangements through concierge for a surprise for my wife and they handled my requests very well. We also took advantage of the spa where my wife was able to have a maternity massage. Again, we were very satisfied with the services and treatment by the staff. We did visit the bar for casual drinks (well, drinks for one at least) and desserts for the both. We also enjoyed breakfast the next morning, all on dining credits included in our stay. The food was very good and we found the service to be quite attentive.

Great place- close to shopping- sightseeing and great food. Close to DC (and easy access to metro). Tysons Galleria is connected so nice places to dine.... Club floor is worth the upgrade (no need to eat out...)

What a wonderful place to stay. My wife and I go here every year for a day of shopping at Tysons Corner. We enjoy the first class treatment everyone gives us and the location is superb. Instead of having to drive and find parking to Tysons Corner, a driver took us over and all we had to do was call and he picked us up when we were ready to come back. Also, room service was to die for...wonderful. Pay the extra and stay here...skip all other hotels in the area.

The services were excellent as the staffs there were very friendly. The decoration is very luxurious. It is also inside the Tyson's Galleria, an upscale mall.

This is the third time I've been to this Ritz for a gala Xmas party and I've always thought that it was a bit suburban. Lots of gals in jeans and athletic shoes on shopping trips stay here - it's connected to a mall and has a free shuttle to another. We were given access to the secret VIP floor. I had been told what a privilege this was by friends, but truthfully, I wasn’t that impressed. The special club was just a nicely furnished café. I’ve stayed at some pretty swanky places where jeans aren’t even allowed in the lobby – let alone an upscale restaurant, so I don’t consider this Ritz very upscale. This is one of the few chain hotels I’ve stayed in where everything worked perfectly. No burned out bulbs, dead batteries, etc. I got a great rate, too. After the party we ordered room service, which was presented very nicely and had large portions. The pizza was great, the salad was good, and the appetizer was tasteless (a mid-eastern sampler dish). The breakfast buffet was nice, with out of season fresh berries, made to order omelets, etc. Service was spotty in this restaurant: we were seated, our coffee delivered, and then ignored. The bedding, mattress, and linens were to die for! Nice towels in the bath, too. If you want a good night sleep on a very soft bed with lots of pillows, come here.

We were getting hungry; our reservation was for 9:30pm. Le Maitre d’Hôtel, Emanuele, was there to welcome us, and nicely suggested that we should go have a drink at the bar while our table was getting set. The “someone will come get you” sounded imminent. To my surprise, the Maestro’s bar was packed with people, smoke, and a giant screen with Baseball or Football on. I was expecting something else, maybe a nice Billy Joel kindda piano bar. The Maestro’s bar is actually a sports’ bar, reminded me of a few chains, not the Ritz Carlton Maestro bar. We ordered a couple glasses of wine after eye chasing the barman behind the bar for a few minutes. We were given a plate of recycled peanuts I wonder how many people touched with their fingers going to there mouths in the course of the day. It’s 45 minute later, we are getting hungry, walk back to the restaurant’s reception. A lady from the front reception staff very directly unwelcomed us with shocking arrogance. No apologies for the delay whatsoever, the way she was mumbling felt like it was even our fault somehow that we had to wait at the bar for 45 minutes after our set reservation time. Before looking up our table in the computer and in a weird kind of way questioning our reservation, I am told “no Jeans”. True, I was wearing $250 Diesel Jeans bought in Paris last month. This is the Ritz Carlton’s restaurant, in, stylish business, hospitality and entertainment, right? I even felt a bit embarrassed; I just wish they had told me when I first called last Wednesday. I wish they had told me 24 hours before when the Maestro called to confirm our reservation and explain their 24 hour cancellation policy, the last chance to cancel before being charged. Reminds me of this Seinfeld episode where George sets up a personal late fee policy after waiting at the dentist for too long or something. I wish they had told me about the dress code 45 minutes earlier, we wouldn’t have stopped by the Maestro’s sports bar nor left the car to the Vallet. We ask for Le Maitre d’Hôtel, who shows up another few minutes later all smiley to explain not to bother with the dress code, we’re fine; maybe that was the Burberry jacket I was wearing, or was it my fashion stylist girlfriend who looked awesomely European “elegante” last night. Without a reasonable explanation, Emanuele Le Maitre d’Hotel then mumbled that we were not going to have a table at all anyways, not really sorry for the wait, the reception, the cancellation policy, …..I did not want a table either at this point. I felt sorry, I was not just hungry, getting angrier inside, but also embarrassed for taking my date to the Ritz Carlton Maestro restaurant in McLean. Bad idea! I was surprised, stunned and I wish the reservations had been for 6:00pm to actually have time to turn around some plan B. The service at the Ritz’ Maestro restaurant was politely disgusting, not sure about the food, never got a chance to review.

A recent Wall Street Journal story mentioned that the Ritz Carlton chain was considering making their service a bit less " intense". DON'T DO IT ! The Ritz Carlton at Tyson's Galleria is quite simply the finest hotel I've ever stayed in. The service was outstanding without being obtrusive, the room amenities were beautiful and functional and the guest services and restaurants were top notch and friendly. My advice to you- stay there. My advice to the Ritz Carlton chain- don't change a thing.