The Ritz

This was my third visit to the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, and unfortunately, it will likely be my last. What was once a peaceful, luxurious retreat has noticeably declined in both service and ambiance. Morning peace was interrupted by daily property maintenance (Wednesday through Friday) starting around 8 AM and continuing until 11—with power blowers, trimmers, lawn scalping equipment, and power washers in full force. Compounding the noise, a noticeable increase in loud, squeaky buggies now roam the paths constantly, disrupting what used to be a tranquil environment. Service missteps added to the disappointment. One morning, my adult son was told there’d be a 15–20 minute wait for a table at Lulio despite visible openings. Less than five minutes later, I approached the same hostess and was seated immediately—her awkward laugh when she realized we were together said it all. On Friday at 9:45 PM, we went to O Bar Terrace for dessert. Though we stated clearly we only wanted churros and knew what we wanted, we were repeatedly warned the kitchen would close at 10 PM. Despite being the only guests there, service was slow and the churros arrived lukewarm with cold, lumpy chocolate sauce—a far cry from the hot, well-prepared versions we’d had earlier in the week. Room assignments were equally frustrating. Although I booked a resort-view room with balcony, the first was a ground-floor unit, the second faced a roof and a wall, and only the third was acceptable. Lastly, breakfast pricing was baffling. My son ordered a side of strawberries and was charged $18—the price of a full fruit bowl. When I ordered the fruit bowl the next day, it had significantly more fruit. If a side isn’t available, that should be communicated upfront, not charged deceptively. We’ve had great experiences here in the past, but the decline in service quality, noise levels, and guest experience was stark this time. Regrettably, we won’t be returning.

My stay at the Ritz was an absolute delight. The hotel staff was incredibly friendly and went above and beyond to ensure our comfort. Despite the rainy weather during my visit, the lush landscaping and stunning architecture created a magical ambiance. Our suite was a true gem, featuring an outdoor fireside patio, and two luxurious bathrooms. It was the perfect place to unwind and relax. We also indulged in a delightful dinner at their renowned Italian restaurant, savoring mouthwatering dishes served piping hot. The new coffee bar offers exceptional lattes, and the hotel lobby serves as a great spot to socialize with fellow guests. This time, I particularly enjoyed engaging in conversations with the staff and simply soaking up the ambiance of the hotel. The hotel offers quick service via text so most people I chatted with were very fast and courteous. zakira diego douglas magy madison jerry - were all great! There was a great yoga class as well which really did wonders for me. However, there are a few areas that could be improved. Firstly, the parking fee of $75 is quite steep, it should just be included in the rate. Secondly, the spa could benefit from some renovations to enhance its overall appeal of items such as hot tubs, showers, steam rooms and sauna. Santa Barbara is a city of breathtaking beauty, and this trip solidified my love for it.

The property is beautiful but unkept. There are spider webs literally everywhere, including huge ones underneath the pool chairs. The cleanliness is just not there. The blanket they cover up with a duvet is dirty and gross. It was our anniversary today and we ordered breakfast in bed. The guy pulled in the dirty table from the balcony, with bird poop and just set everything on it. It was so gross to know that he was trying to hide that under the bread basket. I would have hoped he washed it down and put a nice white Leinen cloth to make it more “luxury” as you would expect it from a Riz. $150 for a boring breakfast served on dirty table was not what i was looking forward to giving my husband his card and anniversary gift as i had planned. Felt super cheap. Has a massage with Owen. Very very good. He was very professional. The spa though was so outdated and the amenities so cheap that the comb almost broke while combing my hair and i have fine, fine hair. Again, not what i expected from Riz. Also too far from downtown and if you have to Uber it count on at least $30 each way. Overall tho the staff is incredible and nice. 😊

It was alright. The spa front desk girl was rude and left in the middle of my inquiry. The pool guy (Sebastian) questioned me instead of welcoming me, acting like I wasn't supposed to be there. He was surprised when I had proof of my payment. I thought that was pretty rude since he greeted other guests with a big smile. I was planning to bring my business here in the future, but after my experiences I will be going elsewhere. The valet, bar, and front desk were very professional otherwise. The architecture is also gorgeous, sadly service is much better everywhere else I've visited.

Nice resort. I'd give it 3.5 stars, but no option for it. Missing some of the basics. Has supply chain issues like we're in the 3rd world or we are still in covid and not in the real workd and adjacent to one of the largest population centers in the world. Speaks to poor management. Service is hit or miss. As a Marriott Titantium member, I've seen it all, this place is a bit better than OK, but fails to meet the common standard that I've experienced with the Ritz brand and comparable across the globe.