César Ritz was born in 1850 in Niederwald, Switzerland, the youngest of 13 children in a farming family. Often referred to as “the hotelier of kings and the king of hoteliers”, his story is the embodiment of a true rags-to-riches tale.

Despite his modest beginnings as a waiter, his keen attention to detail, charisma, and natural flair for exceptional service quickly set him apart, paving the way for his rise to the pinnacle of the hospitality industry. His early experiences in service gave him invaluable insights into guest expectations, which later shaped his revolutionary approach to hotel management and luxury service. 

Ritz’s career took off in Paris, where he met the renowned chef Auguste Escoffier. Together, they transformed the National Hotel in Lucerne into a luxury destination, setting a precedent for guest-focused service. 

Ritz once described his philosophy simply: "See all without looking; hear all without listening; be attentive without being servile.” This ethos became the foundation of the brand’s service excellence, which is now an indelible part of the Ritz-Carlton customer experience worldwide.

In 1898 Ritz opened The Hôtel Ritz in Paris with Escoffier’s assistance, which quickly attracted a veritable ‘who’s who’ of high-profile guests, including royalty, eminent writers and prominent actors. The success of this venture led to the opening of The Carlton Hotel in London in 1899. These hotels redefined the hotel experience, emphasising attention to detail and guest-focused service, including touches that were revolutionary at the time, such as private bathrooms and telephones in rooms, which would soon become standard features in the luxury hotel sector.

César Ritz's legacy endures to this day, with the eponymous César Ritz Colleges in Switzerland (among the world’s top-ranked hospitality schools), training the next generation of luxury hospitality professionals and preserving his pioneering standards.

Inspired by the success of César Ritz’s iconic European hotels, Albert Keller acquired the rights to franchise the name in North America in 1911. This led to the opening of the first American Ritz-Carlton hotel in New York City, which captured the spirit of Ritz’s legendary luxury and service while beginning a new legacy in the United States. This was followed by landmark properties such as The Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia and The Ritz-Carlton Montreal, each capturing the essence of luxury. 

The Ritz-Carlton Boston, which opened in 1927 and operated by Edward Wyner, set a new standard for luxury hospitality in the United States. This stood as a symbol of the brand's resilience, as it opened despite the economic challenges presented by the Great Depression. From private in-room baths to innovative dining experiences, it became a symbol of refined elegance, borrowing inspiration from The Ritz traditions of Europe while tailoring them to the American market.

After a challenging interim period, during which the organisation experienced a shift in focus and a slightly diminished prominence in the luxury hospitality world, the brand experienced a remarkable resurgence in the 1980s under the leadership of William B. Johnson. His vision for revitalising The Ritz-Carlton led to rapid expansion across major US cities and international destinations. In 1998, Marriott International acquired The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, providing the necessary resources for growth while preserving its distinct identity and codified commitment to quality.

What distinguishes The Ritz-Carlton is its steadfast dedication to service excellence. The brand's "Gold Standards" encompass a comprehensive set of principles designed to ensure that every guest experience is exceptional, famously encapsulated in the motto: “We are ladies and gentlemen who serve ladies and gentlemen” and this translates into an ethos that exceeds guest expectations in ways that feel meaningful, personal and authentic. 

Staff are empowered with the authority to spend up to $2,000 to resolve issues or delight guests, ensuring that every interaction reflects the brand’s unwavering commitment to inimitable levels of service. This service standard, consistent across every property worldwide, is a hallmark of the Ritz-Carlton experience and is distilled in the ‘Credo Card’, carried by every staff member as a reminder of their commitment to these standards —a card any guest can request to see from any staff member, during their stay.

Today, with more than 100 hotels worldwide, The Ritz-Carlton remains a hallmark of refined luxury.  Its hotels and resorts span the world’s most in-demand destinations, from serene beachfront retreats in Bali to luxury havens in bustling city centres like Tokyo and temples of sheer opulence in Riyadh. The perennial appeal of the Ritz-Carlton lies in its ability to blend heritage with innovation, as a brand that embraces its storied past while welcoming and adapting to the needs of the modern traveller. 

As travellers increasingly seek authenticity and experiences that resonate on a personal level, the Ritz-Carlton has responded and evolved by focusing on immersive guest journeys, offering everything from culinary programs that celebrate local flavours to cultural workshops and wellness retreats inspired by regional traditions to leave guests feeling rejuvenated and culturally enriched. Also, in recognition of this trend it has launched a collection of rare estates, the ‘Ritz-Carlton Reserve’, which prioritises an even greater level of personalised care, local craftsmanship and connection to nature. 

Expanding its vision even further, the brand ventured into uncharted waters (quite literally) with the launch of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. These boutique yachts are essentially ultra-luxury hotels on the open seas. They strive to combine the intimacy of a private yacht with the service quality that defines the Ritz-Carlton experience. 

Ultimately, staying at a Ritz-Carlton hotel is about more than just indulgent amenities; it’s about experiencing a tradition of hospitality that values attention to detail and personalised service. From its visionary origins under César Ritz to its modern innovations, The Ritz-Carlton remains a global icon of luxury and excellence.

Browse our range of over 90 Ritz-Carlton hotels through ASMALLWORLD Collection and receive VIP benefits such as room upgrades, hotel credit, late checkout and more at no extra cost.