The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC
Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Hospitality
Founded	1983
Founder	William B. Johnson
Headquarters	Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States
Area served	Worldwide (30 countries)
Key people	Horst Schulze (former President and COO), Leonardo Inghilleri (executive)
Products	Luxury hotels and resorts
Parent	Marriott International

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC is a global American enterprise that operates the prestigious luxury hotel brand The Ritz-Carlton. It currently oversees 108 upscale hotels and resorts in 30 countries, offering a total of 29,158 guest rooms, with an additional 46 properties comprising 8,755 rooms in the development pipeline.

Established in 1983 following the sale of the Ritz-Carlton brand and the Boston property by former owners, the company has since expanded its international presence and functions as a subsidiary under Marriott International.

Origins of Ritz, Carlton, and Ritz-Carlton in Europe

The Ritz-Carlton name traces back to Swiss hotelier César Ritz, often hailed as the "king of hoteliers." He transformed luxury accommodation through his management of The Ritz in Paris and the Carlton Hotel in London. Together with chef Auguste Escoffier, he introduced "Ritz-Carlton" à la carte dining experiences aboard Hamburg-Amerika Line ocean liners SS Amerika (1905) and SS Imperator (1913), which ceased operations with the onset of World War I in 1914. After César Ritz passed away in 1918, his widow Marie continued to develop hotels bearing his legacy.

Development of The Ritz-Carlton in North America

In the United States, the Ritz-Carlton Investing Company, founded by Albert Keller, acquired franchise rights to the brand. The inaugural Ritz-Carlton Hotel in New York City opened its doors in 1911 at Madison Avenue and 46th Street. Renowned chef Louis Diat led the kitchen there and is credited with creating Vichyssoise. Expansion plans were underway by 1911 for locations in Philadelphia and Atlantic City. The Philadelphia hotel debuted in 1913 at Broad and Walnut streets, designed by architects Horace Trumbauer and Warren & Wetmore. Meanwhile, the Montreal Ritz-Carlton opened in 1912 but was not under Keller’s ownership due to its Canadian jurisdiction. Keller’s Atlantic City property followed in 1921.

Formation of the initial Ritz-Carlton hotel chain

By the early 1920s, the Ritz-Carlton brand operated a network of 15 hotels situated in prominent international destinations, including:

Plaza Hotel Buenos Aires
Imperial Hotel, Menton
Royal Hotel and Splendide Hotel, Évian-les-Bains
Grand Hotel Excelsior and Grand Hotel (currently The St. Regis Rome), Rome
Grand Hotel and New Casino, Rapallo
Grand Hotel et des Iles Borromees, Lake Maggiore
Excelsior Hotel, Naples
Grand Hotel National, Lucerne
Carlton Hotel and Ritz Hotel, London
Ritz-Carlton Hotels located in New York City and Atlantic City

This widespread presence established a strong foundation for the brand’s leadership within luxury hospitality markets.

The Boston property

In October 1926, Edward N. Wyner, then aged 29, purchased land at Arlington and Newbury streets and created The Ritz-Arlington Trust alongside his father George Wyner and partner John S. Slater. The trust issued bonds totaling $5.8 million to finance an 18-story brick structure standing 201 feet tall initially intended for Mayflower apartments. Construction commenced until Mayor James Michael Curley convinced Wyner to repurpose it into a premier 300-room Ritz-Carlton Hotel, which officially opened on May 19, 1927 with nightly rates ranging between $5 and $15.

Although it enjoyed a successful launch, the financial turmoil caused by the 1929 stock market crash followed by the Great Depression imposed significant challenges. The Wyner family absorbed operating deficits through much of the early 1930s despite bond interest payments being deferred. In a symbolic gesture during 1933 when occupancy dropped to just 30 guests, Wyner illuminated every room to simulate full capacity.

Deterioration of the original Ritz-Carlton chain

The Philadelphia property was repurposed into office space within a few years, while the Atlantic City hotel changed hands twice—first in the late 1940s and again in 1959 when Sheraton Hotels acquired it. The New York establishment was torn down in 1951, leaving the Boston location as the sole remaining hotel. After Edward Wyner’s death in 1961, his six sons faced difficulties managing the Boston asset and ultimately decided to sell it.

The Blakeley era: 1964–1983

Potential buyers were discouraged by outstanding bond interest until Gerald F. Blakeley Jr., a principal at Cabot, Cabot & Forbes, purchased the Boston Ritz-Carlton in October 1964 for $5.8 million following legal resolution of bond liabilities. Blakeley observed that the hotel had been profitable only three out of twenty years but held significant value for CC&F’s public image. In 1981, he expanded the property with a 19-story addition featuring extra event space, 80 guest rooms, and 52 condominiums.

During the late 1960s, Blakeley secured North American rights to the Ritz-Carlton brand, excluding Montreal and New York. He obtained U.S. trademark registration for the name in June 1978.

Throughout the 1970s, the Ritz-Carlton name was licensed to a Chicago hotel that opened in 1975 atop Water Tower Place; however, due to the absence of an established Ritz-Carlton chain, it switched affiliation to Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts in 1977. This property remained under Four Seasons branding until its sale in 2013 and later rejoined the contemporary Ritz-Carlton network as a franchise in August 2015.

In 1982, Blakeley granted licensing rights to hotelier John B. Coleman for refurbishments of The Fairfax in Washington, D.C., and The Navarro in New York City. Renamed The Ritz-Carlton Washington, D.C., and The Ritz-Carlton New York respectively in April 1982, Coleman compensated Blakeley with a fee amounting to 1.5% of annual gross revenues. These hotels eventually became part of the modern Ritz-Carlton chain established subsequently.

Present-day company

In August 1983, Blakeley sold both The Ritz-Carlton Boston and U.S. trademark rights for $75.5 million to William B. Johnson, a prominent Waffle House franchise owner. Johnson then formed a development team based in Atlanta led by hotel executive Horst Schulze to create The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company as it is known today.

By 1988, Johnson had secured exclusive global rights to The Ritz-Carlton brand with exceptions for Hôtel Ritz Paris, The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, and Ritz-Carlton Montreal. Hôtel Ritz Paris continues to operate independently under The Leading Hotels of the World consortium. In 2015, The Ritz-Carlton Chicago rejoined The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company after departing from Four Seasons.

Corporate development: 1983–1999

Between 1951 and 1975, The Ritz-Carlton Boston was among only two U.S.-based Ritz-Carlton hotels; the other one, located in Atlantic City, was converted into condominiums after Johnson paid for relinquishing its use of the name.

Johnson expanded from managing a single hotel to overseeing a portfolio of thirty properties worldwide within ten years, funding this rapid growth via an $85 million loan from Manufacturers Hanover Trust in 1983. This debt was refinanced multiple times over ensuing years, reaching $214.8 million by 1996. Subsequently, Sumitomo Bank separated ownership of the Boston hotel from global brand rights.

In March 1995, Marriott International acquired a 49% share in the company. Blackstone Real Estate purchased The Ritz-Carlton Boston for $75 million in 1998 before selling it shortly after to Marriott for $100 million. By April that year, Marriott increased its stake by acquiring an additional 50% from Johnson for $290 million, thereby obtaining nearly full ownership (99%) along with worldwide brand control.

Following Marriott’s takeover, Schulze and several other executives departed to establish West Paces Hotel Group—later renamed Capella Hotels in 2011—and also launched Solís Hotels in 2007.

Disposition of the historic Boston asset

In 1998, Christopher Jeffries, a founding partner at Millennium Partners, obtained The Ritz-Carlton franchise rights from Marriott for four hotels being developed in Washington, New York City, and Atlanta. He aimed to secure a brand partnership for a new 155-room hotel combined with 270 upscale condominiums within Boston's Millennium Place development. Due to restrictions preventing competition, acquiring the existing Ritz-Carlton Boston was essential to launch a second Ritz-Carlton property in the city.

Millennium Partners acquired the original Ritz-Carlton Boston for $122 million—well above its prior transaction value—and allocated an additional $50 million toward refurbishment. Marriott permitted The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton condominium complex to utilize hotel amenities. Between 2001 and 2007, Boston featured two Ritz-Carlton hotels situated opposite each other across Boston Common.

In November 2006, Taj Hotels, a subsidiary of India's Tata Group, purchased The Ritz-Carlton Boston from Millennium Partners for $170 million. The establishment was rebranded as Taj Boston in January 2007.

Progress since 2010

During Horst Schulze's tenure as President and COO, The Ritz-Carlton expanded its U.S. portfolio from four to forty locations and earned two Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Awards. Schulze championed a service philosophy centered on both guests and employees, introducing the motto "We are Ladies and Gentlemen Serving Ladies and Gentlemen," which continues to underpin the brand’s service ethos.

The company also shaped global hospitality standards through The Ritz-Carlton Learning Institute and Leadership Center, founded by executive Leonardo Inghilleri, attracting leaders worldwide eager to implement its service methodologies.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company is based in Chevy Chase, Maryland, with its official headquarters located at Marriott’s Bethesda offices within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

In 2001, The Ritz-Carlton formed a partnership with Bulgari to manage BVLGARI-branded hotels and maintains marketing collaborations with Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Ritz-Carlton Montreal, and The Ritz Hotel London.

Simon Cooper succeeded Schulze as president and COO in 2001, spearheading rapid growth through new hotel openings and diversifying offerings such as The Ritz-Carlton Residences and Destination Club fractional ownership programs.

On August 12, 2010, co-founder Herve Humler was named president and COO to oversee global expansion strategies and brand management.

In October 2011, Angella Reid—formerly General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City—became the first woman appointed as White House Chief Usher.

By 2020, Forbes noted a collaboration between Asprey and The Ritz-Carlton delivering luxury 'purple water beauty amenities,' including body lotions and shampoos featured in guest rooms, highlighting the brand’s continued dedication to premium guest experiences.

Properties

The Ritz-Carlton manages a total of 115 properties worldwide: 44 across the United States and Canada; 38 in the Asia-Pacific region; 14 throughout the Middle East and Africa; 11 in Europe; and 8 located in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Distinguished Properties

The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur began operations in 1997 as Malaysia’s sole all-butler service hotel, offering over 300 guest rooms. It consistently ranks among the globe’s premier luxury accommodations, bolstering the brand’s reputation across Southeast Asia.

In 1999, Ritz-Carlton made a strategic return to New York City by purchasing the former Hotel St. Moritz, reestablishing its presence after prior withdrawals from the market.

The Ritz-Carlton Mega Kuningan in Jakarta was the target of a bombing attack in 2009, which caused extensive damage and interrupted scheduled events, underscoring security concerns in critical locations.

December 2009 marked the debut of the inaugural "Reserve" property with Phulay Bay in Thailand, followed by six additional exclusive resorts worldwide. These upscale Reserve locations feature a limited number of rooms (ranging from 50 to 113) and initially operated independently of Marriott Bonvoy’s loyalty program, catering to wealthy guests seeking distinctive experiences.

The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott at L.A. Live launched in 2010, sharing a newly constructed skyscraper in Downtown Los Angeles. The Ritz-Carlton secured LEED silver certification, demonstrating the company’s dedication to sustainable building practices.

In March 2011, The Ritz-Carlton inaugurated the world’s highest hotel atop Hong Kong’s International Commerce Centre, strengthening its foothold in Asia’s luxury market alongside major financial institutions housed within the same tower.

November 2013 saw the brand expand into Central Asia with a property in Almaty, Kazakhstan, occupying premium floors of the region’s tallest building to tap into emerging market opportunities.

The brand entered Israel in January 2014 with a hotel in Herzliya featuring a spa and its first kosher restaurant, broadening its portfolio to accommodate local cultural preferences.

The May 2017 opening of The Ritz-Carlton Jeddah included one of the city’s largest conference venues, enhancing its role in Saudi Arabia’s luxury hospitality sector and business event market.

After renovations, the Nile Ritz-Carlton reopened in 2015 under this new branding, transitioning from Hilton Nile Hotel to strengthen its position within Egypt’s upscale hospitality segment.

Asia

Jimbaran, Bali, Indonesia: The Ritz-Carlton Bali, Resort & Spa launched on November 29, 1996, as the first Ritz-Carlton resort in Asia. Its management contract ended on March 31, 2009; it reopened on April 1, 2009, as Ayana Resort & Spa Bali. This resort is part of a larger integrated complex spanning 90 hectares that includes Rimba Jimbaran – Bali (opened 2013), The Villas at Ayana Resort Bali, and Ayana Residences Bali. The current "The Ritz-Carlton Bali" is a separate property that opened on February 2, 2015, located in Nusa Dua.
Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea: This location was renovated and relaunched as Le Méridien Seoul in 2017.

Europe

Enniskerry, Ireland: Management of the Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt Hotel ended on October 1, 2013.
The Ritz-Carlton Moscow, Russia's inaugural Ritz-Carlton property, opened July 1, 2007, on Tverskaya Street. Its Ritz-Carlton Suite ranked among the world’s most expensive hotel suites. Management ceased operations in July 2022 due to sanctions tied to the Russo-Ukrainian conflict.

North America

Atlanta, Georgia: Buckhead Ritz-Carlton – relaunched as The Whitley in December 2017
Aspen, Colorado: Ritz-Carlton Aspen – management concluded August 2, 1997
Cancún, Mexico: Ritz-Carlton Cancún – inaugurated in 1993; rebranded to Kempinski on September 1, 2022
Dearborn, Michigan: Ritz-Carlton Dearborn – management ended June 2, 2010
Houston, Texas: Ritz-Carlton Houston – management ceased August 2, 1997
Lake Las Vegas: Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas – launched in 2003; closed as of May 2, 2010
Montego Bay, Jamaica: Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall – management terminated July 2013
Palm Beach, Florida: Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach – management ceased July 1, 2013
Pasadena, California: Ritz-Carlton Huntington – opened in 1991; management contract ended January 2008
Phoenix, Arizona: Ritz-Carlton Phoenix – commenced operations in 1988; management ended July 24, 2015
St. Louis, Missouri: Ritz-Carlton St. Louis
Washington, District of Columbia: Ritz-Carlton Washington D.C. – management concluded August 2, 1997
White Plains, New York: The Ritz-Carlton New York, Westchester – opened December 2008; management ended September 2020

Australia

Sydney Ritz-Carlton Double Bay: management terminated in 2001

Historical

		US	Non-US	Total
2007	Number of Properties	36	34	70
2007	Number of Rooms	11,627	9,978	21,605
2008	Number of Properties	37	33	70
2008	Number of Rooms	11,629	10,204	21,833
2009	Number of Properties	40	34	74
2009	Number of Rooms	12,115	10,171	22,286
2010	Number of Properties	39	35	74
2010	Number of Rooms	11,587	10,457	22,044
2011	Number of Properties	39	39	78
2011	Number of Rooms	11,587	11,996	23,583
2012	Number of Properties	38	42	80
2012	Number of Rooms	11,357	12,410	23,767
2013	Number of Properties	37	47	84
2013	Number of Rooms	11,040	13,950	24,990
2014	Number of Properties	39	48	87
2014	Number of Rooms	11,424	14,090	25,514

From 2015

		North America	Europe	Middle E. & Africa	Asia & Pacific	Caribbean Latin Am.	Total
2015	Number of Properties	40	12	10	27	7	96
2015	Number of Rooms	11,839	2,929	3,166	7,231	1,966	27,131
2016	Number of Properties	40	12	12	27	7	98
2016	Number of Rooms	11,839	2,925	3,835	6,998	1,966	27,563
2017	Number of Properties	40	13	12	30	7	102
2017	Number of Rooms	11,685	3,081	3,835	7,502	1,966	28,069
2018	Number of Properties	39	13	13	30	6	101
2018	Number of Rooms	11,398	3,079	3,867	7,520	1,786	27,650
2019	Number of Properties	39	13	13	33	8	106
2019	Number of Rooms	11,410	3,079	3,523	8,207	2,081	28,300
2020	Number of Properties	39	13	13	36	8	109
2020	Number of Rooms	11,833	3,080	3,523	8,754	2 ,081	29 ,271
2021	Number of Properties	39	12	14	38	10	113
2021	Number of Rooms	11 ,839	2 ,835	3 ,763	9 ,222	2 ,372	30 ,031
2022	Number of Properties	41	12	15	38	9	115
2022	Number of Rooms	12 ,508	2 ,689	3 ,988	9 ,192	2 ,007	30 ,384
2023 \|Number of Properties \|42 \|12 \|15 \|41 \|9 \|119
2023 \|Number of Properties \|42 \|12 \|15 \|41 \|9 \|119	12 ,787 \|2 ,703 \|3 ,979 \|9 ,703 \|2 ,007 \|31 ,179

Cruise ships

Ritz-Carlton ventured into the luxury cruise sector in 2018 with the announcement of its debut vessel, the Evrima. Due to construction setbacks and the global COVID-19 crisis, its initial launch date was deferred from January 2020 to October 2022. Evrima commenced operations departing from Barcelona and is managed under the brand "The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection." In November 2021, this cruise line became part of Marriott International's Bonvoy loyalty program, broadening its customer engagement and market presence.

Currently, two more yachts named Ilma and Luminara are being built at Chantiers de l'Atlantique. The yacht Ilma began sea trials in May 2024 and holds the distinction as the largest hotel-branded yacht worldwide. The sister ship, Luminara, is anticipated to launch in September 2024, further advancing the company's portfolio in upscale cruising experiences.


Ship/Yacht	Year Built	Gross Tonnage	Flag	Details	Image
Evrima	2022	25,401	File:Flag of Malta.svg Malta	First yacht of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection; held title as largest hotel-branded yacht from 2022 to 2024.
Ilma	2024	47,435	File:Flag of Malta.svg Malta	Newest addition and largest hotel-branded yacht in operation.

Upcoming Yachts


Ship/Yacht	Year Built	Gross tonnage	Flag	Details
Luminara	2025	46,750	File:Flag of Malta.svg Malta	Sister vessel to Ilma.

In popular culture

In E.B. White’s 1970 children’s book The Trumpet of the Swan, protagonist Louis resides at the Ritz-Carlton Boston, underscoring the brand’s association with luxury.
HBO’s series Boardwalk Empire portrays Enoch "Nucky" Thompson staying on a fictional Ritz-Carlton floor in Atlantic City, reflecting the hotel’s historical ties to prominent figures.
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1922 novella The Diamond as Big as the Ritz draws inspiration from the hotel’s image of grandeur.
The 2003 comedy film American Wedding features the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay as its wedding venue, highlighting the brand’s appeal for upscale events.
Irving Berlin’s classic song "Puttin’ On the Ritz" was inspired by the hotel chain, symbolizing elegance and luxury living.
Rapper Plies references spending time at the lavish Ritz-Carlton in his 2015 track "Ran Off On Da Plug Twice," emphasizing its cultural significance.
Michael Hutchence of INXS was found deceased at the Ritz-Carlton Sydney in 1997, marking a notable event connected to the property.
The television series Jane the Virgin uses Ritz-Carlton Marina Del Rey as a filming location, despite its plot being set in Miami.
The 1939 song "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" mentions dining at the Ritz London; this reference is also echoed in Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens and its television adaptation.
The CW’s 2019 episode of Dynasty showcases The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds at Lake Oconee, Georgia, as a luxurious backdrop for a central storyline.

External links

Official Website