The Ritz-Carlton, Pune

The hotel is widely celebrated as the best hotel in Pune, offering a truly luxurious experience defined by hyper-personalized service and impeccable attention to detail. Guests consistently praise the exceptional staff, the quality and variety of dining options, and the comfortable, well-appointed rooms. It serves as an ideal retreat for business travelers seeking a comfortable and efficient stay, while couples find it perfect for celebrating special occasions or enjoying a romantic getaway. Families also appreciate the hotel's welcoming atmosphere and kid-friendly approach. To ensure a seamless visit, it is advisable to inquire about any private events that might affect facility access, such as pool closures, and to clarify potential charges for early check-in. Additionally, guests sensitive to noise might consider requesting a room not directly beneath the restaurant on the 18th floor.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a range of impressive facilities that contribute to a comfortable stay. The pool is generally well-regarded as a great spot for cooling off, though some guests noted it is north-facing and may not receive direct sun, and it can be closed for private events without prior notice. The gym or workout area is consistently praised for being well-equipped and spacious, providing ample machines and weights for a comprehensive fitness routine. The club lounge is appreciated for its service, though some visitors expressed a desire for a greater variety of food and dessert options. The spa is highlighted as an amazing and rejuvenating experience, offering a perfect way to relax. Guests also appreciate the plentiful bottled water provided in rooms and throughout the workout areas.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently describe the rooms as pristine, exquisitely clean, and spacious, contributing significantly to a luxurious stay. The beds are generally found to be comfortable, though some taller guests mentioned they are quite high, posing a slight challenge for shorter individuals. Rooms are well-appointed, featuring stunning vanity dressing areas and well-designed washrooms. Many rooms offer pleasant golf course views, enhancing the overall ambiance. While the majority of guests experience quiet stays, a few reported significant noise levels in rooms located on the 17th floor, directly beneath the 18th-floor restaurant, due to furniture movement and banging sounds late into the night. In-room amenities like bottled water, shaving kits, and toothbrushes are appreciated. Some minor feedback included rooms being too cold or duvets too thick.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's dining experiences receive widespread acclaim, with the breakfast buffet frequently described as amazing, lavish, and offering a super spread with extensive variety, including Asian, Continental, and Indian cuisine. While most guests praise the food quality, some found the American cuisine section less impressive. The Three Kitchens restaurant is highly recommended for its diverse offerings and pleasant ambiance. The Japanese restaurant, Ukiyo, is particularly lauded for serving the best Japanese food many guests have experienced. The Indian restaurant also receives excellent reviews. The rooftop restaurant, Asmana, is noted for its great food, ambiance, and views, though some guests reported issues with service, including staff rushing orders or recommending more expensive wines. A significant concern was raised by one guest who found a stone in their pasta, which negatively impacted their experience. The dessert section is consistently highlighted as unique, delicious, and beautifully presented, and customized cocktails are also a popular feature.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location garners mixed feedback from guests. It is widely recognized as a premium facility situated very close to Pune Airport, making it highly convenient for air travelers. Its position on Pune Nagar Road also contributes to its accessibility. However, some guests expressed significant concerns about the immediate surrounding area, describing it as "not pleasant" or even "bad," and highlighting that traffic snarls around the hotel can make arranging transportation, such as ride-sharing services, quite challenging and time-consuming. Despite these external factors, the hotel itself is consistently regarded as a safe and luxurious sanctuary, offering a welcome escape from the city's hustle. Parking is available, with guests specifically mentioning the efficiency and helpfulness of the valet service.

Staff & Service
The staff and service at the hotel receive overwhelming praise, consistently highlighted as a major strength. Guests frequently describe the team as fantastic, gracious, very friendly, and exceptionally helpful, often going above and beyond to ensure a comfortable stay. The attentiveness and hyper-personalized service are recurring themes, with many guests feeling treated like family. The check-in process is generally smooth and efficient, and housekeeping is commended for maintaining pristine rooms. The valet service is also noted for its efficiency and courtesy. While the vast majority of feedback is positive, some guests reported isolated instances of staff being overly eager, inefficient, or, in rare cases, exhibiting less professional behavior, such as rushing guests or pushing upgrades. There was also a specific instance where a promised birthday cake was not delivered, causing disappointment. Despite these few exceptions, the dedication to excellent service is a hallmark of the guest experience.

Additional Information
Several important details, not fitting into other categories, emerged from guest reviews. Guests should be aware that the hotel occasionally hosts private events, such as weddings, which can lead to the closure of facilities like the pool without prior notification, impacting guest plans. Some visitors reported issues with credit card holds, where blocked amounts were not released promptly after checkout, causing inconvenience. There were also mentions of the hotel attempting to charge extra for early check-in, which some guests found unexpected given the room rates. On a positive note, guests who are part of the rewards program appreciate the benefits, including preferences being noted and potential room upgrades. The hotel also receives specific requests for celebration arrangements, though one guest noted a disappointing experience where a promised birthday cake was not provided.