I was leery of steering away from our Ritz Carlton experiences to try the Turnberry Isle. It was acquired by Marriot so why not? Well, the hotel is very pretty, the cascata pool is one of the prettiest I've been to and Bourbon Steak was well worth it! However, the overall service was ok (except for that at Bourbon which was stellar). What really rankles is the fact that every item purchased at the hotel receives an 18% gratuity charge, even the breakfast buffet, even the coffee I pour myself in the lounge! Service for food in every restaurant (once again, excluding Bourbon) was as slow as molasses. We stayed in Orchid and were woken every morning by 6 as the staff attending the golf course had no regard for sleeping guest directly over their heads.

The last of my complaints was to find new charges added to our bill as apparently my niece and nephew weren't afforded the free buffet breakfast that our room stated we had (The "Best of" rate which includes free breakfast, valet parking and a $50 room credit) it was only for 2 people even though we called and were told this was for everyone in room. After 3 phone calls and one e-mail to inquire of these extra charges, I was finally told what they were.
Will stick with the Ritz next time as no one can compare when it comes to service.

We (family of 4) recently travelled to this property for a very quick weekend getaway. We had a very nice time overall. The resort is listed as 4 diamond which is probably a bit generous, nevertheless it was worth the visit. I have summarized my pros and cons below:

PRO's
- Fantastic property and conveniently located between MIA and FLL.
- Nice pool area (Laguna) with a water slide and lazy river that my kids loved.
- Friendly staff overall, especially at the pool and in the restaurants.
- Very nice restaurants with solid menu choices.
- Large guestrooms, efficient valet and bell desks.

CON's
- The check in process made a terrible first impression. We booked an early check in and when we arrived were told it would be less than 60 minutes for the room which was fair. We then did not hear from the front desk for 3 hours, except when I checked with them. Finally checked in 3.25 hours later.
- The rooms in the Orchid block are outdated. I saw this in other reviews and so I requested a room in the Jasmine block when I booked. They said they would try but I ended up in the Orchid block nonetheless. It needs a refresh.
- Everything comes with an automatic 18% gratuity. I realize that this is more the norm now, but it is frustrating when you pay it on each purchase.

All this said, it is a good resort and was a fun weekend for our family. It has probably lost a step since converting from the higher end Fairmont to a Marriott chain. It is still worth a visit.

I stayed here for over a week recently while at a meeting (so really was able to profit from the various amenities for a couple of days) and had a great stay. Apart from the organized functions, I went to the beach club for a morning and had a nice relaxing time. The rooms are top notch (I had a small balcony and view of the golf course), the grounds beautiful and the food at the Bourbon Steak particularly good (albeit very pricey). Service could have been just a tad more attentive given the perceived level of luxury. The rooms are not really fitted out for business (lack of enough plugs, desks not very comfortable) but you shouldn't really be here on business anyway :) !

To understand the awesomeness of this place, one must first understand a few key details. The first is that if you're not from Florida or are a regular vacationer there, then you are not aware of the utter lack of any recognizable building code. To wit, over the years, there have been any number of commercial and residential developments right up to this property. It's Florida, that's how they do it there. Second, the property is not on the beach. There is a convenient and brief shuttle, and the beach at the hotel's beach club there is perfectly fine, quite enjoyable. Now, on with the review.

This property is absolutely fabulous. Whether the main buildings, outdoor areas, rooms, spa, or 2 18 hole resort golf courses, you just can't miss. It is a natural for corporate events, simply top notch. It's also a great romantic destination for couples as well. Everything is spotless, well-appointed, and luxurious. It's a 20 minute jump down to South Beach if you take the freeway (do NOT take the local roads unless you have plenty of time on your hands), and not much further to MIA. I first started coming in 1995, and have returned 8-10 times. Over the years, they have steadily stayed fresh and relevant.

Can't say enough about Turnberry Isle!