RITZ CARLTON VS. DISNEY's DOLPHIN RESORT

I’ve heard about Ritz Carlton’s service but only experienced it recently for the first time. Amazing. They gave me a wet towel and lemonade upon check-in and then walked me to the elevator. I was like – it’s okay, I can find it on my own – but they insisted they escort me. (Another really nice greeting was at the Loews Miami Beach hotel – they greeted me with a chocolate covered ice cream bon bon on a hot July summer day.) Plus, they have the best almond croissants in the morning. Loved it. And I also paid a lovely low conference rate, which is nowhere near the price you pay if you book it on your own the week before. Someone told me they were charging $1200 per night. Too bad I didn’t earn any SPG points for my stay.

I had two events down in Orlando, so I stayed but moved hotels to the Walt Disney Dolphin. I paid MORE for a so-so room in a smelly, outdated hotel. If you’ve ever seen this hotel, it’s the shape of a triangle (not even a pyramid). It’s seafoam green and pink, and has giant dolphins atop it. The neighboring Swan is not much better with giant swans. Just because it’s in a convenient location, they have had no need to update its look, beds, or bathrooms in years. I know I sound snobby, but I thought I paid way too much for what I got. But yes, the location was very convenient.