The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

We had a chance to visit this beautiful property again in early September and it did not disappoint. The highlight again for us this visit was the Club Lounge and the amazing service from amazing people. Lacey, Daniela, Carl, Ana, Fatime, and Jesus took the absolute best care of us! We can't wait to visit again! Jon and Cristi Dallas, TX

My family and I stayed at the Ritz Carlton Barcara in Santa Barbara on August 8h 2025. The hotel and facilities were fairly dated and the pool and jacuzzi were dirty. Staff was nice and food ok. Sadly, when we arrived, one of the valet drove a guest car on top of our luggage (front and back wheels!!) ruining the two laptops my wife and I need for work. The valet and staff instantly apologized and confirmed fault for the damage made and “filed a report” with the general Marriott claims services. They assured us that we would hear back immediately, receiving a full replacement and/or reimbursement for the laptops (as we needed them replaced immediately for work). The staff even took pictures of the broken laptops and guaranteed the claim was sorted (with their Marriott insurer - Marriott who now owns Ritz Carlton hotels). We left the next day assuming things would get settled rapidly. It’s now been 6 weeks, we haven’t had any news from anyone, the hotel says it’s now in the hands of Marriott despite multiple requests for a resolution. The Marriott insurance claims number the Ritz gave us always goes to voicemail and the emails we sent to address provided by the hotel remain unanswered. Needless to say, we do not recommend this hotel or any Ritz-Carlton chain to anyone. It is also very concerning that the hotel appears to not have insurance to indemnify customers whose property the hotel destroyed. Edouard vH

Dear Ritz-Carlton Guest Relations Team, I am writing to formally express my deep disappointment regarding my recent stay at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara on September 8, 2025 (reservation for 2 adults and 1 child, originally for 2 nights). As a Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum Elite member with over 35 years of international experience in hotel and resort development, and having stayed frequently in five-star properties such as Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons, and numerous Ritz-Carlton hotels worldwide, I am saddened to say that this property fell significantly short of the Ritz-Carlton standards I have come to expect. Key Issues Experienced: Guestroom Condition The furniture in our assigned room was old, dark, and outdated—far from the modern luxury expected at a Ritz-Carlton. Corridors and guestroom areas resembled an apartment complex rather than a five-star resort. Dining Experience Of the three restaurants on property, one was closed and the other two were fully occupied by private events. As a paying guest, we were left with no real dining options except the bar. After discussion, we were eventually accommodated on a terrace, where the service was excellent thanks to the efforts of the staff. I cannot understand why the third restaurant was not opened to ensure proper service for non-event guests. Resort Operations & Guest Prioritization It became clear that events were prioritized over regular hotel guests. Even the following evening was already blocked for events, leaving us without a true resort dining experience. Given this, we decided to check out after one night, despite having booked for two nights. Check-Out Process The check-out procedure was extremely inefficient, taking over 45 minutes with only 10 guests in line. Pricing Concern The rate charged was USD 2,365 for 2 nights, excluding breakfast. This is unacceptable given the outdated condition of the rooms, the limited restaurant availability, and the prioritization of events over loyal, full-paying guests. Recognition of Staff I would like to stress that the employees we encountered did their utmost to provide excellent service. However, the shortcomings of the resort cannot be attributed to them. It is evident that the property requires significant investment and renovation, which has not been undertaken since its rebranding as a Ritz-Carlton. Requested Resolution Given the above, I respectfully request: Compensation in Bonvoy points or a complimentary stay at another Ritz-Carlton property, to restore my confidence in the brand. Until the necessary renovations and operational adjustments are made, charging such premium rates while sidelining regular guests in favor of events is, in my view, not in keeping with the Ritz-Carlton legacy of excellence. I look forward to your prompt response and a fair resolution. Sincerely, Marc JL Goossens Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum Elite

We had an absolutely wonderful weekend at Bacara. My son wanted to ask his girlfriend to marry him at the property. He graduated from University of California at Santa Barbara and had many good memories of the hotel. My son chose the Bluffs at the hotel to propose. It was a complete surprise to his fiancée. Everyone at the hotel helped us pull off the magical moment - from an upgraded room, to champagne to personal touches. We could not have asked for more. A special shout out to Alana who helped us curate the perfect proposal timing and setting. We all stayed at the hotel and then had a fabulous brunch the next morning. We have been to Bacara numerous times over the years but the last time was in 2018 . The renovations are fabulous. We will be back!

Hands down, this is one of the best resorts along the California coast. The property is stunning and the staff is spectacular. Alana Ochoa at the front desk made our trip truly memorable.