
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
Best for ocean-view relaxation, on-site championship golf and a sizable spa experience.
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The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay is a five-star coastal resort focused on ocean views, golf, spa and family programming; read this if you want a coastal, activity-rich stay near Half Moon Bay. JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square is an upscale 4.5-star Marriott in the heart of Union Square; read this if you want a centrally located, business- and shopping-friendly city base tied to Marriott loyalty benefits.
Updated · about 35 miles (≈56 km) apart

Best for ocean-view relaxation, on-site championship golf and a sizable spa experience.

Best for downtown access to Union Square shopping, convention-center proximity and city meetings.
When The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay wins: pick the Ritz for a seaside escape with championship golf, a large spa (16,000 sq ft) and outdoor coastal activities—good for families and couples seeking a coastal resort stay.
When JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square wins: pick the JW for a convenient downtown base near Union Square, quick access to theaters, restaurants and Moscone Convention Center, plus extensive meeting rooms for business travelers and Marriott Bonvoy members.
Bottom line: choose the Ritz-Carlton for coastal, activity- and spa-focused stays outside the city; choose the JW Marriott for central San Francisco access, meetings and shopping.
| Category | The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay | JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Resort, coastal, activity-driven | Urban, business-leaning, shopping-focused |
| Location | Bluff above the Pacific Ocean in Half Moon Bay (coastal) | Centrally located near Union Square in downtown San Francisco |
| Size (guestrooms) | 261 guestrooms and suites | 344 guestrooms |
| Ages / audience | All ages; family programming (Ritz Kids 5–12); spa & fitness limited to 18+ for facilities/treatments | All ages; not adults-only |
| Pools | Indoor pool (publicized hours 7:00 AM–8:00 PM); multiple pools reported by some reviewers | Not published |
| Restaurants & bars | Three on-site venues: Navio, The Conservatory, Ocean Terrace (oceanfront lawn/fire pits) | One main restaurant (Level III Restaurant) plus a bar/lounge and room service during limited hours |
| Spa & wellness | The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Half Moon Bay — 16,000 sq ft, 13 treatment rooms, sauna, steam, whirlpools; spa open daily 9 AM–5 PM | Health or beauty spa nearby / spa services not characterized as an on-site full spa in supplier listing |
| Meeting & events | Extensive indoor/outdoor event spaces (over 20,000 sq ft indoor; multiple lawns/ballrooms) suited to weddings and conferences | 4352 sq ft of conference space with 15 meeting rooms; well-placed for conventions and business meetings |
| Sports & activities | On-site championship golf, six lighted tennis courts, Coastside Trail access, bicycles and watersports nearby | Golfing nearby, 24-hour fitness center, terrace and garden |
| Parking & fees | Valet parking; daily resort fee (covers spa facility access, fitness center, pool, fitness classes — fee published by OTAs) | Valet parking (surcharge); mandatory destination fee listed in supplier info (USD 44.66/night) |
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay sits on a coastal bluff overlooking the Pacific, with immediate access to beaches, the Coastside Trail and Half Moon Bay Golf Links.
Choose the Ritz if you want ocean access and coastal scenery outside the city.
JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square is a downtown hotel a short walk from Union Square, theaters and the Moscone Convention Center.
Choose the JW for quick, walkable access to central San Francisco destinations.
Ritz-Carlton rooms include ocean-view options, multiple suite sizes and a paid Club Level with lounge access.
Ritz rooms skew toward larger layouts and suites with coastal views and a club upgrade option.
JW Marriott has a broad range of city-facing rooms and some executive/Studio suite options.
JW rooms suit business and city-stay travelers who want central location and standard Marriott room types.
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay offers three distinct venues focused on coastal and Californian cuisine with ocean views.
Ritz provides varied on-site options for formal and casual ocean-view dining.
JW Marriott has one main on-site restaurant (Level III Restaurant) plus a bar/lounge and limited room service hours.
JW focuses on a single in-house restaurant and easy access to a wide variety of nearby city dining.
The Ritz-Carlton highlights an indoor pool and many coastal activities as signature guest attractions.
Pick the Ritz for water access (indoor pool) plus golf and active outdoor programming.
JW Marriott’s supplier listing emphasizes conference spaces, fitness and a terrace rather than resort-style outdoor amenities.
JW is a city hotel oriented to meetings, fitness and downtown convenience rather than resort amenities.
Ritz-Carlton’s 16,000 sq ft spa is a major draw, with treatments inspired by the local landscape and age-restricted access to spa facilities.
Ritz is a better pick for an immersive spa and wellness stay with coastal leisure options.
JW offers a 24-hour fitness center and a hair salon on-site; broader spa services are listed as nearby.
JW suits travelers who want a city nightlife and fitness base, with spa treatments accessed off-site or nearby.

On-site access to championship golf courses, including an oceanside 18th hole.

A 16,000 sq ft spa with 13 treatment rooms and multiple wet amenities.

Walkable to Union Square, theaters and Moscone Convention Center—ideal for shopping and meetings.

Fifteen meeting rooms and 4,352 sq ft of conference space in a central downtown location.
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay is explicitly family-friendly with a Ritz Kids program and family activities; JW Marriott is all-ages but geared to city travelers.
JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square is within a short walk of Union Square, theaters and downtown restaurants—clearly the easier choice for shopping and shows.
The Ritz-Carlton has a large on-site spa (16,000 sq ft) with treatment rooms and wet amenities; the JW’s supplier listing references a health/beauty spa nearby rather than a comparable on-site facility.
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay has on-site access to Half Moon Bay Golf Links and easy walking access to local beaches and the Coastside Trail.
Explore how The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·