Bacara exceeds expectations. I had stayed at the ...

Bacara exceeds expectations. I had stayed at the resort once before, prior to the Ritz Carlton acquisition, and I am compelled to say that although my first stay was great, there was a noticeable improvement in service now that Ritz Carlton has acquired the resort. My brother and I were staying there for his wedding, which was off-site. On numerous occasions the staff went out of their way to accommodate our party. The service is the epitome of what 5 stars should entail. The geography alone is almost unrivaled. Nothing like mixing a drink in the room and then walking along the coast, making sure my brother was in the right mindset before his big day. One night coming back from the rehearsal dinner, my brother and I randomly turned the corner on a crackling firepit, a table of graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows, sitting before large stainless steel cauldrons of hot chocolate. It was just there, in case you wanted it, and would be there regardless. Felt like a metaphor for their level of service.

The restaurants are probably the finest in Santa Barbara county. The breakfast buffet was extensive and top notch, with anything you could want to start your day. As I mentioned, even though the wedding was off site, the hotel and staff went above and beyond on numerous occasions, from providing some special items the groom might have forgotten, to accommodating a smooth morning of wedding photography, and multiple logistical assists.

Tensions might have been running high for certain members of the family and wedding party, and the staff was able to calm them and deal with any requests that may or may not have been slightly unreasonable, but as I mentioned again and again, Bacara and their staff really exceed expectations and go the extra mile to ensure they deliver. This was the finest hotel experience I have had to date.