By Allison Mitchell By Allison Mitchell | December 9, 2021 | Lifestyle,
With two natural beaches and three pools, The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara is ideal for relaxing and swimming in the sun. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE RITZ-CARLTON BACARA, SANTA BARBARA
Escape to The Ritz- Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara for a weekend of seaside views, premium service and elegant dining.
Filet mignon at Angel Oak. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE RITZ-CARLTON BACARA, SANTA BARBARA
It’s been nearly four years since hospitality giant The Ritz-Carlton took over what was formerly Bacara Resort & Spa, the tony 78-acre property tucked along the Pacific in Santa Barbara. Now known as The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, the romantic yet family-friendly getaway continues to build on its storied history with the introduction of new programming. But first, let’s dive into what makes Bacara the crown jewel of oceanfront hotels in the Santa Barbara area.
The stunning entryway at Angel Oak. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE RITZ-CARLTON BACARA, SANTA BARBARA
Boasting 358 Mediterranean-style guest rooms and suites— each outfitted with sumptuous Frette linens and dedicated soaking tubs—luxurious accommodations await no matter which style of room you choose, from the 925-square-foot one-bedroom suite with an ocean view to the expansive Channel Island suite, which clocks in at 3,700 square feet with two master bedrooms. Reserving the Club Lounge Deluxe king room, The Ritz-Carlton suite or the Channel Island suite also scores you access to the property’s exclusive Club Lounge. It’s there VIP guests are treated to five rotating selections of cuisine throughout the day, including breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Sip from a selection of California wines, beers, spirits and nonalcoholic libations as you settle in on the outdoor patio or inside the lounge where guests can view the works of artists John Nava, Hank Pitcher, Phoebe Brunner and Nicole Strasburg, on loan from Santa Barbara’s Sullivan Goss, an American Gallery.
The charming interior of a Deluxe king room. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE RITZ-CARLTON BACARA, SANTA BARBARA
Book a private cabana to enjoy one of three pools on-site in style (your attendee will cater to your every whim, from providing bottle service to delivering bites poolside) or escape the buzz of the two main pools at the idyllic spa pool. The adjacent 42,000-square-foot spa oasis dazzles with a full menu of treatments plus a redwood sauna and eucalyptus steam room. (Take out your phone at the spa’s entry to capture the multistory water-drop sculpture that’s suspended from the elegant beamed ceiling.) With rejuvenation in mind, the resort is launching a half-day wellness refresh series this fall through which guests can enjoy a 60-minute beach boot camp in the morning, lunch highlighted by organic fare and fresh juices, and a restful afternoon featuring 75 minutes of restorative yoga and meditation right on the sand. And to enjoy the evening’s setting sun in style, head to the poolside Champagne bar above the shore, where guests can toast the golden hour with Veuve Clicquot.
When hunger strikes, The Bistro; The O Bar + Kitchen (which recently received a Latin makeover with south of the border-inspired dishes and drinks); and Angel Oak, Bacara’s fabulous fine dining restaurant, are all there to answer the call. Led by chef Efe Onoglu, Angel Oak enchants with upscale favorites with a coastal California flair—think A5 Japanese wagyu, local abalone and bone marrow—paired with an impressive wine list with pours arriving from its 12,000-bottle cellar. Further, gourmands will find a brand-new Japanese dining experience on its seaside terrace. Dubbed San Setto (which translates to sunset), the concept wows with handrolled sushi, nigiri and sashimi crafted by Bacara’s in-house master sushi chef. Let the indulgence begin. Rooms from $499 per night, The Ritz-Carlton suite from $5,000 per night, Channel Island suite from $9,500 per night, ritzcarlton.com
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