Highlights: The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland

•Central downtown location convenient to business district, attractions and rapid transit.

•Connected to the Tower City Center, an upscale retail mall

•Located within convenient walking distance of the downtown business district, rapid transit, and major attractions such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum

•Elegantly decorated guest rooms that offer a beautiful panoramic city and partial river or lake views

•Tasty small plates and an extensive wine-by-the-glass can be found at Muse

•Afternoon tea in the Lobby Lounge with the elegant backdrop of live harp music

•24-hour business center, a technology butler, and a multilingual staff is available for international travelers

Amenities: The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland

• 208 rooms, 7 story. Pets accepted; fee. Check-in 4 pm, check-out Noon. High-speed Internet access. Restaurant, two bars. Fitness room, spa. Indoor pool, whirlpool. Airport transportation available. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland

Located at the exact center of the city, Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland appeals to both business and leisure travelers. Cleveland’s downtown is fairly compact, so sites of interest to business travelers -- city hall, the Justice Center, the East 9th Street Financial District and the Convention Center -- are just a few minutes walk from the hotel. The Ritz’s location is further enhanced by the presence of the rapid-transit hub in the sub-basement of the connected Tower City Center; visitors can zip from the hotel to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in about 20 minutes.

I found shopping to be extremely convenient, since most downtown stores are located in Tower City Center. Many of the upscale retail names -- such as Chico’s, Brook Brothers, and Ann Taylor -- will be familiar to visitors. If the weather is cold, rainy, or snowy, hotel guests can shop and dine without having to go outside.

While families are welcome at the hotel and a babysitting service is available, this hotel is, first and foremost, an urban oasis for leisure, romance, and business travelers. The hotel’s open spaces are adorned with plush oriental rugs, fresh flowers in crystal vases, and marble floors and fixtures, giving the hotel an elegant and luxurious atmosphere. Business travelers might find it convenient that the staff speaks multiple languages, such as Spanish, Czech, and Arabic. Those working on proposals and other projects can turn to the 24-hour business center or request the personal attention of a technology butler.

My guest room was spacious, elegantly decorated, and inviting. Frette linens helped induce an excellent night’s sleep, and an abundance of European toiletries met all of my needs. Many of the services available make guests feel special, as if they’re returning to visit old friends. For instance, a “bath butler” is available for guests who want extra pampering, while the 24-hour fitness center offers a menu of massage choices. The complimentary fruit in the fitness center is another example of how the staff attends to the little details.

(+) Convenient downtown location, beautiful public spaces, and refined style
(-) Limited amenities for family travelers with young children

Guest Services: The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland

Ritz-Carlton hotels are known for their excellent and personalized services. The Cleveland property was no different during my stay, but at times it fell slightly short of my expectations for a Four-Star property. Although I found the check-in process to be swift and courteously administered, I was disappointed that I wasn’t greeted as if my arrival was anticipated. The front desk staff was polite and handled numerous requests normally asked of a concierge. These staffers were knowledgeable, but they were very busy trying to keep up with a steady flow of arriving guests at the same time. They seemed rushed when I asked about places to eat lunch, offering me only one recommendation.

Overall, though, the hotel staffers were attentive and friendly throughout my stay, even acknowledging me as I walked past them to go to the shops at Tower City’s shopping mall. When I returned to the lobby, the fireplaces had been lighted, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

This hotel goes out of its way to make visitors feel like royalty. For example, you can call a bath butler to draw a bubble bath and light candles, or you can request a professional massage therapist to visit your guestroom if you don’t feel like trekking to the fitness center.

(+) Extremely well-spoken staff that are professionally and impeccably dressed
(-) Arrival service was less personable than expected for a Four-Star hotel

Guest Rooms: The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland

The Ritz-Carlton’s has 206 guest rooms and suites, all of which are of superior comfort and quality. I found my room to be quite inviting with its soft color scheme (gold and pale green), crystal lamps, wooden furniture, and other elegant furnishings. The bed had Frette linens and plush comforters, so drifting off into a deep sleep was simple. Each room or suite provides a panoramic view of the city or a partial view of the Cuyahoga River or Lake Erie. My room looked out on the soothing vastness of Lake Erie.

The oversize bathroom was fitted with a sumptuous Italian marble bath and stocked with European toiletries. And just in case I felt a sudden urge to make contact with the outside world, there was a phone in the bathroom.

Guests who want over-the-top pampering will find it on the Club Levels, the 12th and 14th floors. In the Club Lounge, food and beverage presentations occur five times a day. In addition, there is a full-service club concierge who handles requests of almost any type. Those lucky enough to stay in the five-room Presidential Suite also enjoy the services of a personal chef and a butler. The Presidential Suite itself is exquisite, featuring a master bath with a whirlpool tub, a living room, a dining room, a large-screen television, and a state-of-the-art stereo system.

Although I didn’t stay in the Presidential Suite, my room still was spacious. My room’s only drawback was that it wasn’t soundproof; noise filtered in from the vents and the hallway.

(+) Traditional and luxurious guest rooms offer a beautiful city, lake, or river views
(-) In guest rooms, some noise can be heard from the hallway

Facilities & Activities: The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland

If it’s late and you’re still in need of some pampering, you won’t have to go far. A 24-hour on-site fitness and massage center has an indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, steam room, and workout room. The fitness center was better equipped than I anticipated; I was able to enjoy a full-body workout on a variety of machines. I also took advantage of a hot stone treatment (designed, it is said, to encourage energy flow and inner balance), which helped me work through my travel fatigue. My only disappointment was that no one was at the center desk to answer my questions.

If you’re in the mood to explore, the Ritz-Carlton’s central location really pays off. Ten minutes of walking brings you to the lakefront and to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, where I spent several hours watching documentaries and scouring artifacts such as notes from John Lennon’s teacher advising the boy’s parents that the Beatle-to-be wasn’t “applying himself.” Next door is the Great Lakes Science Center, where kids of all ages can learn about saving the environment. Just west of the Science Center is state-of-the-art Browns Stadium.

Anchoring downtown’s other edge are Quicken Loans Arena and Jacobs Field, homes of the NBA’s Cavaliers and major league baseball’s Indians, respectively. When I was in town, I found it impossible to score a ticket to go watch LeBron James and the Cavs, but the Ritz-Carlton concierge might be of help in similar situations. If you want to do something closer to the hotel, Tower City is worth a stroll.

(+) 24-hour fitness and massage center available, and the hotel is located near downtown and leisure activities

Dining & Lounge: The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland

The hotel’s restaurant, Muse is unique and casually elegant. Offering guests "small plates" with regional influences. I’d recommend brunch on the weekend in particular, make sure to order one of the unique Bloody Marys. In the evening, the wine bar draws for downtown workers who want to unwind. True food lovers can experience a special treat by ordering the multi course diner paired with wines.

I stopped for a drink in the Lobby Lounge -- a thoroughly pleasant place to relax before turning in, especially in winter when the marble fireplace is going strong. The Lobby Lounge also is the site of afternoon tea from 12 to 4 every day; guests can enjoy a light snack of scones, pastries, and tea breads while listening to a harpist in the background.

Opting for a private dinner, I took advantage of the hotel’s 24-hour room service. Although the meal took longer than expected to arrive, the friendly staff showed concern to make sure my dining experience was satisfactory. The presentation of the food could have been a bit more polished, but the meal tasted rich and flavorful.

(+) Fresh-tasting, delicious food offered at Muse restaurant and comfortable lounge
(-) Room service presentation not as polished as expected of a Four-Star property

Business Services: The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland

Each guestroom has a generously-sized desk, Internet access, and other standard amenities for the business traveler.

For guests who require more elaborate work-related services, a 24-hour business center is equipped with a fax machine, photocopier, Internet access, secretarial services, and a technology butler to help operate equipment or help with various tasks. If guests need to receive business-related faxes or messages, they can continue to enjoy their visit while center staff waits for it. But despite the well-staffed center, I was disappointed that a fax I was expecting to be delivered did not arrive until I was about to check out, which is quite longer than originally promised.

The Ritz-Carlton is ideal for corporate meetings or retreats. The property offers full-service meeting and conference facilities, including a ballroom with seating for up to 450 guests, two permanent boardrooms, 11 meeting rooms, state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment, shipping and receiving services, and business and meeting supplies. Meeting and conference space totals more than 19,000 square feet.

(+) Twenty-four-hour business center with technology butler, and spacious amenities that are ideal for corporate retreats and meetings
(-) Business center services sometimes delayed