We just finished four lovely days at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara. Without exception, every staff person was cheerful, friendly, and helpful. Our room was immaculate and stayed that way, with twice-daily service. The servers and bartenders were accommodating and helpful without being officious or smarmy in any way. The pool attendants remembered my name and seating preferences. The grounds are beautifully kept. I honestly can’t think of a criticism. The people who wrote recent negative reviews could not have stayed at the same resort.

reviewing the The 'O' Bar + Kitchen at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara and the front desk. The food was poor and expensive. I ordered a $30. Both it and the fries were VERY heavily salted. I've had better tasting burgers almost anywhere. After spending over $100,we left only to be informed that they no longer validated parking and I owed $20 dollars for the daily rate. We'd been there an hour and a half. This was without any warning and without any signs or comment at the valet parking drop off. We went to find a manager, a tall blonde at the front desk (5/11/24 evening) who was not interested in helping until pointed out that we cold readily take our business elsewhere and would not return to the 'O'bar' if we were forced to pay for the valet parking. The woman reacted with barely concealed anger, irritation and resentment. When my wife suggested a manager be informed that it would be a good idea to let customers know about the parking fee, she responded with a tight-lipped, I am a manager. .... then she should know better. She might also want to re-take the customer service, manners and presentation portions of her training. We've stayed at many a Four Seasons and similar hotels and have experienced anything like this. Though we ended up having the fee waived, the entire evening crashed on that interaction. At best, we'll be hesitant to return. We're only too happy to spend our money where it is appreciated rather than where the hotel staff feel that they are entitled to it.

The grounds of this property are lovely. However, it is 20 minutes from downtown Santa Barbara, and so you are limited to the resort for dining and entertainment, unless you drive 20+ minutes to town. The wineries are also 45 minutes away, so again not exactly convenient. The hotel staff is all very friendly. I was disappointed that it was our 24th wedding anniversary and we were not given even a note congratulating us, nor a bottle of wine or some pastries in our room. We stayed 3 nights, spent over $2800 and you thought we might at least get a little recognition. The rooms are a bit tired, need a renovation. The shutters don't shut completely and so the room is light in the morning and it's difficult to sleep in. Two nights, Sunday and Monday the music was so loud from parties in the main building playing until 11:30 p.m. one night and after midnight on Monday. I called to complain, but it is ridiculous at a Ritz Carlton to have to do so. I had a facial at the spa, which was lovely, but was shocked that $67 (22% service fee) was tacked onto my bill. That made my 50 minute facial $375! I was not told that it was optional, so I paid the $67 service fee. The tennis center was far from the hotel, down a dirt path, and the facility was in disrepair. All the rackets were old, they didn't offer pickleball, the courts needed service. There were no towels or water offered. Parking is $75 per night, which is expensive. In addition, there is a resort fee. Overall, the cost is WAY above what I would pay for this resort. We stayed with the American Express platinum package, and there was some confusion about the breakfast that was included. Ultimately, they took the breakfast off of our bill. Another disappointment was that most American Express hotels allow room service as an option for breakfast. This one does not. The fitness room was very nice and well-equipped.

What can I say, , , It's a Ritz Carlton facility located right on the ocean in the lovely Santa Barbara area. Our room was delightful, and opened to an outside fire pit and a well manicured lawn. The food, the service, and the facility did not disappoint in any way. Beautiful grounds as you can see on their web site, and a wonderful swimming pool with a great Bistro restaurant adjacent for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Our stay was in Villa #1-104 from April 26 thru April 28, 2024

We have stayed at this property manyf times in the past and we always hope that we will see improvements, sadly that has not happened. Service is gracious and generally good, but not what we would expect from this level of resort. The car valet staff was excellent, no complaints about that at all. We waited to be noticed and seated at the bar in the lobby area for 5 minutes one late afternoon and finally gave up and sat somewhere else without getting a drink. At check in we were not offered to be driven to our room as we have been in the past, No one even told us it was an option, although in the past it has always been mentioned/offered. We are in our 70's and I guess it was assumed that we would walk on our own which was a fair distance down to the building. We were in an ocean view suite that was quite expensive, and it felt dated and needed some TLC. The sliding doors to one of the 2 bathrooms was off the track and did not close properly. I am sure that it would have been addressed had we called to the front desk, but it should have been noticed before we checked into the room. Also, one of the towels was torn in the center. Yes, there were plenty of other towels but at the price we paid and for the type of property, we expect better. We mentioned both issues at check out and nothing was done to make up for it. As Titanium members we hoped for more. We pass though Santa Barbara quite often and usually stay at this property, but I am thinking that we will look for somewhere else next time.