Bacara Resort & Spa Reviews

Great hotel with great service as you can imagine. Lives up to 5 star billing however the property is very large and spread out so bring your walking shoes.

Amazing amazing amazing! Staff is friendly, food is great! Views are spectacular. Very quiet and secluded with options to be active and around others. Will come back for sure

Having stayed here many times over the years, I have to say that I am disappointed with the current condition of this property. I called in advance to book massages for my fiance and I during our stay so that we could have our services at the same time. While the young woman who booked our services informed us in advance that the Spa was being renovated and the massages would take place in a guest room, she failed to complete the reservation. Upon checking in, there was no record of our massages, and there were tons of items missing from our mini bar. We had to call to have the items replenished. The resort did apologize and managed to accommodate us for the massages, but we had to be booked at different times. Sunday brunch left much to be desired, several trays were empty, there didn't seem to be anyone monitoring the area. What was plentiful however, were processed american cheese slices (gross) which seemed like a very odd choice for a Ritz-Carlton. I really hope these are just growing pains and Bacara turns back into the luxury resort it once was.

Beautiful scenery, lots of pools and good food. Service is outstanding as well.

PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT BOOK THIS HOTEL!!! It is sub-par and is not worth your time or money. The staff itself is not all that welcoming or friendly especially bell hops. Once we checked into our hotel room, we explained that we were staying under two different reservations due to the fact that we were paying with points for a deluxe room and then upgrading to a suite payable by credit card for the following night for our 20th anniversary. They promised to make it a smooth transition given the situation. The next morning we called to check on room availability and they said the suite was not available and that the bell people would store the luggage and move to next room when ready. As we were leaving for the day, we stopped by to let them know we were leaving and to take care of the luggage. Then they started the whole check-in process again including ID check & credit card even after we informed that all it had been done for both rooms yesterday. They assured us they would give us a call when the room was ready. They never did, so we got tired of being gone and returned at 5pm to get room keys. We entered our room which was DOWNGRADED to just a room with ocean view. I was EXETREMELY UPSET!! When speaking to management, he admitted that they PURPOSELY DOWNGRADED us because they claim that it was a problem with our suite! They had no other availability for suites and said there was nothing they could do. They offered to take care of room charges and I told him that it wasn t the point. We paid and travelled to be here on our 20th and did not get what we paid for. Bottom line is that we are stuck in a room that is technically worse than the room we were in for our anniversary and there s nothing we can do about it. I WILL NEVER EVER EVER STAY AT THIS PROPERTY AGAIN, ITS FAR FROM FABULOUS AND IS FAR BELOW WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER A LUXURY PROPERTY!!!

One of the best customer service I experienced ever. It is just amazing view and architecture all around. Prices are high but well worth it. I highly recommend it.

The hotel was nice. It's in need of refurbishment, but one might expect that of an older hotel by the ocean. Staff and service were impeccable. With the exception of the tardy opening of the Bistro for breakfast, and it's overall lack of preparation for a breakfast crowd...all of only two guests. I suppose the staff really shouldn't be expected to care given that the Bistro manager waltzed into the place with keys and phone in hand at 7:13am when she should have been there at the opening at 7:00am...yes guests were waiting. (and yes it was quite unacceptable)....the rest of the trip was great.

Luxurious hotel stay with an amazing and friendly staff! Going back!

Staff and grounds are wonderful. I found the menu and cuisine at the bistro to be lacking.

I went to the Angel Oak restaurant at the Bacara. The staff was very friendly and attentive. My steak and beet salad were good. However, the hamachi appetizer was fishy in a spoiled sense and the mashed potatoes seemed like they were about 50% butter. It was a good meal, but I probably won't go back unless I have a friend who wants to go to celebrate an occasion.

No hot water in my room - water was "lukewarm" at best after running for 45 min. When we called they said we need to wait for the water to go through ALL the rooms in villa 8 before it gets to 9. Service was mediocre - they gave us our own silverware for eating by the pool after ordering at the bar. The dinner at Angel Oak was pretty terrible. (Wine and service was good but not the food). The Bistro had much better food and the pool was really nice / relaxing. The spa was AMAZING - the only reason I am giving 2 stars - although on the expensive side it was one of the best massages I have had and the facial was really nice. The staff at the spa was very nice as well. All in all stick to the spa and pass on the hotel!!!

Amazing resort. Amazing stay. You have to drive 15 minutes to get to anything but if you need a resort where you need to stay put, relax and take advantage of the amenities then this is it. Walk right down to the beach and spend the day.

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.

wonderful place, clean and bright rooms with sea views

There are way better options for you money. They took almost 2 hours to check me in because for whatever reason, my room wasnt ready. The staff wasnt very helpful either. Not a place I'd go back to due to customer service.

The natural beauty of the grounds and the staff is great. A very lovely hotel.

A bit expensive for the taste but not bad food. Great friendly service and desert was top notch with the brownie split.

When I stay at a 5 star hotel I have higher standards/expectations. The hotel's customer service was not great. The bathroom drawer pulled all the way out and just missed my foot! (That would not have been a very good start to our mini getaway.)
It took them 1/2 the day to get it fixed, after they said they'd get someone there to fix it "right away." The professionalism of their employees was not up to par.

The valet staff was excellent and and knowledgeable with directions and local areas. Room service was good. The views were gorgeous.

Overall, I am not interested in coming back.

Very nice resort! We had breakfast at Blend and enjoyed walking around the property. Although everything is pretty expensive (and overpriced), the location and view is great and it's nice and relaxing to walk around and explore.

amazing place beautiful atmosphere with a great view.

Service was excellent and deserving of the price of the $17 cocktail... If you can afford it.

On night one and HORRIBLE stay so far. My room is supposed to be a "garden" view, I am over the highway and listening to semi's and trains LOUDLY and they won't move me. It feels like My cousin Vinny. And I am not unaware that covid is happening, but if restaurants in town can be open, why is there not a single dining option on property?

This 5 star Ritz Carlton has been downgraded to a 3 star. Property is old, dirty, and the rooms are not well kept. Our rooms (2), are dirty, walls all marked up, broken tiles, rust in the bathtub....I could go on and on. They moved us twice. Beach is right out of a post apocalyptic movie, complete with make shift driftwood huts with clothes hanging on them, trash everywhere and plenty of undesirables. The beach club doors are rusted closed along with the windows and there was not a chair or seat of any kind to be found. Man pool is under construction which we weren't made aware of until we walked down. One operational hot tub complete with so many dirty glasses that you couldn't even sit on the edge. Lots of very young obviously untrained employees that dont even stop unless you stop them. Very disappointed in the property and especially in RC for having there name on it. I took tons of pictures I wish I could share.

Gorgeous property! Beautifully set on the water/cliffs. Can access the beach from the resort. The breakfast buffet was delicious, with gorgeous views - definitely sit outside. The rooms could use some updating, one of our rooms was musty.

The most relaxing and beautiful place I've been to.

Beautiful, lovely resort. Great spot for lunch incredible spa!

Beautiful hotel on the beach, amazing service and yummy food.
Made our 24hr escape from reality worth every dollar. definitely coming back!

Beautiful, incredible and wonderful place. Staff is great rooms are wonderful. Beach access really great place to get away for a few days.

Went to have a staycation at the pool. Truly relaxing and felt far away even though I was only 15 minutes from home.

We recently stayed at the Ritz Bacara and had a fantastic time! The place is beyond georgous, the service is top notch and all of the food we had was stellar! Hanging at the pool, taking a walk down the beach or enjoying one of the many greenspaces made for a fantastic getaway, can't wait to go back!

A very pleasant venue for any event. Staff is professional and efficient.

Amazing location, amazing service, top notch everything. You definitely get what you pay for.

Outstanding spectacular and immaculate in every way. View from out my balcony

It'd a fantastic and sexy Resort to stay and staff are very friendly, you should go there and enjoy no doubt

Really nice property that I enjoyed with my family. The staff was soo nice!! I love the feel and orientation of the buildings. Everything about the amenities were easy to find. My kids loved kids camp and made friends. I enjoyed my conversations with other guests. Saturday night smore creation!! Intergenerstional guests! It was a Great Great experience BUT there were little design details that took away from it being truly 5 star. Men's spa amenities were outdated and nothing special. Pool chairs and lounges were ok. Bathroom towels weren't soft. Room furniture a little dated. On weekends the pool area can be a but much with folks making out the pool & hot tub with all the kids around.

The hotel is absolutely beautiful, great architecture and open spaces. Personnel is wonderful: everyone had a smiled and went out of their way to help.
Dinner at the Angel Oak was amazing, service superb and the food delicious.
The room was very clean, bed comfortable and the provided toiletries smell fantastic.

$250 fee for (tiny) dog, seems excessive given room rate

Just tried twice to call and book a reservation, and both times the robot wouldn t let me talk to a person and tried to push me to the website and then hung up on me.

If you want a few days of tranquility, hospitable service, and breathtaking views, you should consider staying at this hotel. I usually stay at the 4 Seasons Biltmore, but wanted to give this a try. I really enjoyed my stay here for my wedding anniversary.

Beautiful, quiet location on the Santa Barbara coast.

Exclusive, elegant resort that is ideal for relaxing after a round trip.

Been to Bacara many times before and this is not the same Bacara since Ritz took over but overall it s still a great place to visit. Here we go:
Valet and front desk people: 5 Star
Pool and servers: 4 Star
Room: Pretty good, tired furnishings obvious stain on our lounge chair in the room, drains in shower etc don t drain well, love the nepresso: 3.5 stars
Room service: a bit slow to deliver and unacceptably slow to pick up almost 6 hours later after we called getting tired of looking at dirty dishes: 2 stars
The Bistro: Kids were looking forward to breakfast buffet. Got there 10:15, told a la carte menu not available after 10:30. Ok went to buffet. Buffet folks overwhelmed, not enough food, they ran out of just about everything and we were left waiting for: croissants, waffles, eggs, ommlets, French toast. Not good for $30 pp. Never was able to actually sit with my kids as everyone was up in line at buffet and waiting for the next delivery of waffles (4 at a time) or whatever before all the food disappeared again: 1 Star
The surroundings are beautiful and the location is gorgeous which makes up for a lot but it s not the same. Ladies and Gentleman serving ladies and gentleman is about 3.95-4 stars. Hoping things improve.

Most miserable experience at a Ritz Carlton or hotel in general, ever. The Bistro restaurant is so bad, it should shut it's doors. Wait staff is inexperienced, clumsy and untrained. One of the valet attendants was extremely rude. A desk clerk said "If we think a customer is rude to us, we are rude back". The bathroom in the Bistro had two stalls with urine all over the floors. Our room had a small smear of feces in the bathroom. The elevator was stuck closed for two minutes. Lots of renovations are in order to make this place up to date. Trail to beach has erroded away, making it difficult to actually get down to beach. Front desk staff disinterested in customers. Our rooms that we reserved were completely wrong, eventhough we made reservations 2 months in advance. We were Ritz Club members, but were given wrong keys. I could go on, but there is only 24hrs to a day. Spare yourself, and go to the Biltmore or Hotel Californian and skip this popsicle stand.

Staying at this hotel was the perfect getaway! It's nestled right above the shore so many of the villas overlook the beach and there is a pretty, fragrant trail that will take you to the shore. Our housekeeping was immaculate and the amenities were spot on. They really do anything to make their guests happy. The food was great. Room service is pricey and the hotel is NOT around anything really, so if you're planning on finding something to eat, you'll have to take a car into town. The concierge will be happy to help you, though, as they are all about guest satisfaction. The lobby was the most beautiful I've ever seen. Everything is kept perfectly clean and the staff is just very friendly. We didn't get to enjoy the pool, it was too cold but it was BEAUTIFUL. And the grounds were perfect- beautiful plants, flowers and trees along each pathway just completed the feeling of perfection. I love this hotel. I'll definitely be back!

I only wish I could've stayed longer. The spa had so many wonderful amenities and a beautiful rooftop view to boot. The bedrooms are gorgeous and cozy. Each room has a spacious patio or balcony. You can hear the crash of the waves onto the beach and it's soothing enough to coax you into a comfortable sleep. The staff was so gracious and kind. My masseuse went above and beyond - accommodating me with my minor injuries.

We stay with my family for few day and very happy that we choose this place for long weekend! It's nice private location, great service and good variety of foods! Recommend as family retreat or place for romantic getaways!

Amazing property and location. The limited food options due to Covid-19 restrictions was a little disappointing but we still found the hotel delightful. No glassware at all, so wine in plastic cups isn't too impressive either!

Very friendly and attentive staff. Property is gorgeous.

Was there for a wedding. The food was good and the views were breathtaking!

The pool the hot tub the Ambiance the service it doesn't get any better however you will have to pay for it

Views were breathtaking! Rooms are in villas not a high rise hotel with golf cart shuttles for quick transport. Grounds are elegantly manicured; spa relaxing; massage devine; restaurant delish; and room service superb. Even has a nature walk with beach access! Excellent all around experience.

I had a very positive experience, from the valet to the concierge to the people that helped with my luggage, they were all courteous and helpful. The room was clean and pleasing to the eyes, as were the grounds. While a Ritz Carlton is unlikely to be cheap I was surprised by the $36 per night parking which was my only negative. I can't wait to stay there again when I'm in the area.

Friendly staff, great food, rooms well appointed. Pool area very pretty and well designed

Beautiful place. The Foley tasting room is a great spot to bring friends for a glass of wine. The servers are terrific!

My wife and I had an absolute fantastic time here at the Ritz Carlton. The staff was amazing, the room was beautiful and the grounds were gorgeous. The hotel was so pet friendly! From our room it was a quick walk to the beach. It was one of the best hotel experiences we've had.

One of my favorite hotel experiences. Beautiful views and amazing service!

Love it - upgraded to Signature just for being a Platinum yay

An excellent hotel with all the essential amenities, including a spa, several restaurants and a bar. The rooms are spacious and warm and cozy at the same time; the beds are fantastic; the food can be stepped up a bit in the Bistro restaurant as can the service, although I didn't try the more fine dining locale. Compare the Miramar and Biltmore before making a final decision on where to stay, but my guess is that this place will steadily improve under the relatively recent stewardship of Ritz Carlton, and still has a price point that's competitive.

Expensive for a Ritz. Lame pool with screaming kids everywhere. Tar all over beach (yes I know it is natural). Beach is tiny and rocky. $30 Uber to Santa Barbara.

Bacara is beautiful. We sat out on the ocean terrace for drinks and it was lovely.

Omg I cant say enough about this place, this is best hostel in Santa Barbara.

Very under impressed. Unbelievably gorgeous panorama but the hotel itself not as impressive as I would have expected.

Gorgeous resort with an amazing weekend breakfast buffet. The pool is phenomenal and the property is immaculate. The villas and the hotel rooms are so unique. Great place!

Not a 5 star hotel!
Room ready at 18PM (instead of 15 PM).
Garden view room: view on the roof of a next door apartment.
Safe was useless because not attached to the wall. After repair stil not properly attached.
"Fine dining restaurant" was definitely not worth its name: Food was bad. Servant was very willing to help but very unexperienced.
Toilet blocked at arrival.
Remote control TV did not work.
Bed linnen not properly made.

I did not stay there.. I tried calling 6(six) times to make a reservation and no one answered the phone. This is very interesting. If they cannot answer the phone to make. a reservation what will it be like to actually stay there? HMMMMMM?