San Ysidro Ranch, a Ty Warner Property

What an incredible place. When you visit, you can feel yourself relax! Staff is incredible, can plan special touches without much direction and are always there but don’t impose. The cottages are beyond perfection, beds are comfortable, amenities are all top notch. Not to mention, eating at the StoneHouse is all inclusive, which is one of the best restaurants in Santa Barbara. I cannot recommend SYR enough.

While a beautiful property, the customer experience we had today was terrible. We pulled into the valet station behind another car, and the valet started backing up the car in front of us very quickly and very close to our vehicle (enough to set off the sensors). It really looked like he was going to hit us, so I tapped the horn lightly. He threw his arm out the window as if to tell me to shut up. When he approached our car, he said "There's no honking on the valet circle." I responded that he was moving too fast and close for comfort, to which he replied "We do this all the time". I told him that was no comfort...he was too close and It was evident to both my husband and I that he *might* hit our car, which made us uncomfortable. He did not respond. His name is Troy and I plan to file an official complaint about him with the resort's management. We asked to speak to a manager to share our lack-of-welcome experience at the valet station, but none appeared after almost 20 minutes. I even tried to call the main telephone line later to share feedback (figuring they would want a different welcome experience for guests), but no one answered the main phone line, nor did it go to voice mail after 8 rings. When we decided to leave the property (after trying to have lunch anyway at the Stonehouse restaurant, where we were told our dog was not welcome on the patio unless I could provide proof she is a certified service dog, which is literally a question that cannot be asked in the state of California, but more importantly it was outdoor dining and the web site for the resort goes out of the way to attest to dog-friendliness), that same valet (Troy) was again rude, drove our car far too fast around a small roundabout and was ungracious as we took the car (we remained calm and polite througout). This experience was so poor, and we felt so unwelcome, it is unlikely we would ever return, despite how excited we were to visit the gorgeous resort for the first time. It's sad that such a high-end resort doesn't have more of a customer service ethic built into their model. I expected far better.

Third time staying at this dreamy property. Everything was excellent as usual. We just wish there were a tennis court on the property or at the country club next door available to the ranch guests.

I was very much looking forward to visiting San Ysidro Ranch again, having stayed there a few years ago and greatly enjoying the gardens and hospitality. I booked lunch at the Stonehouse and drove from Los Angeles with a friend who is part of a large travel group based in London. The food was absolutely excellent — we both agreed it was delicious and beautifully prepared. However, I was disappointed to discover that the vegan Pad Thai with tofu was priced at $66, which appeared to be the most expensive item on the menu, even higher than the fish and oysters (apparently imported from Europe). The tofu was suggested as an addition after I had placed my order, and when I questioned the cost, I was simply referred back to the menu. This response felt dismissive, particularly as the menu had already been cleared from our table by that point. The Pad Thai was the only vegan main course available, and while the rest of the menu seemed appropriately priced for a top-quality establishment, this particular experience was disheartening. The restaurant manager’s attitude was rather curt and imperious — referring us to the menu again was unnecessarily condescending and a missed opportunity to demonstrate genuine hospitality. On a more positive note, the waiting staff were delightful and highly professional throughout our meal. After lunch, we asked if we might see one of the cottages, as my companion was curious — he works in the travel industry and often brings clients to Los Angeles. Unfortunately, the reception staff (three of whom were present and unoccupied) were unhelpful and showed little interest in assisting us. I was told that only the manager could show an unoccupied cottage, but that he was in meetings. I left a message requesting a call back to make an introduction, as my guest could be a valuable contact for potential future business with San Ysidro Ranch. Regrettably, I never received a response. What I had hoped would be a wonderful and memorable visit turned out to be quite disappointing — the opposite of the gracious hospitality I remembered. While San Ysidro Ranch remains an extraordinarily beautiful property with truly magnificent gardens and outstanding food, I left feeling embarrassed and disheartened after investing a four-hour round trip from Los Angeles to visit what I had hoped would again be a truly charming destination.

I want to share my extremely disappointing experience with the front desk manager at this hotel. I visited with my family to look around and make a reservation, but instead of being welcomed, we were treated with shocking disrespect. The manager told us that only “high profile” people stay at their resort and implied that even if we wanted to book a reservation, it wouldn’t be possible. In the case when she doesn't know us and doesn't what income we have or who we are, she was quick to judge based on what i cannot tell. Very poor customer service and low class attitude.