Enjoy stunning ocean views from the comfort of your private patio at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara. Take a dip in the outdoor pool or simply relax poolside while taking in the beautiful surroundings.
Fine Dining Options
Indulge in a variety of dining experiences at the resort. From Californian dishes at Bistro to signature cocktails at O Bar + Kitchen, and upscale steak and seafood at Angel Oak, there's something to satisfy every craving.
Luxurious Amenities
Pamper yourself at one of the largest spas on the west coast, complete with an adults-only pool and a rooftop terrace. Stay active at the fitness centre, tennis courts, and hiking trails on-site, or unwind in comfort in your en suite room with bathrobes and slippers provided.
Experience luxury and relaxation at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara. Book your stay now for an unforgettable getaway.
✦HAPPI HIGHLIGHTS
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Good location
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Friendly staff
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Nice room quality
At the hotel
Popular amenities
86 listed
24-hour front desk
24-hour security
Air conditioning
ATM/cash machine on site
Bar
Barber/beauty shop
Beach
Beachfront
Beauty Services
Breakfast in the room
View all amenities
Pools & wellness
Fitness/spa locker rooms
Hair Salon Services
Hot tub/Jacuzzi
Manicure
Massage services
Outdoor pool
Pedicure
Sauna
Spa/wellness center
Spa/wellness center services
Steam room
Swimming pool
Dining & drinks
Coffee Shop on site
Kid meals
Restaurant
Snack bar
Special diet menus - on request
Vending machine - snacks
Wine/champagne
Fitness & outdoors
Cycling
Fitness center
Fitness classes
Fitness facilities
Garden
Golf course
Hiking
Outdoor fireplace
Outdoor furniture
Personal trainer
Private beach area
Sun loungers or beach chairs
Sun terrace
Table tennis
Tennis court
Tennis equipment
Terrace
Yoga classes
Rooms & comfort
Heating
Non-smoking rooms
Shared lounge/TV area
Safety & cleanliness
Contactless check-in/check-out
Dry cleaning
Fire extinguishers
First aid kit available
Security alarm
Smoke alarms
Staff adhere to local safety protocols
Getting around & access
Facilities for disabled guests
Lift / Elevator
Parking
Private parking
Wheelchair accessible
Guest services
Concierge service
Fax/photocopying
Ironing service
Laundry
Luggage storage
Meeting/banquet facilities
Pets allowed
Tour desk
Services & essentials
Business center
Cashless payment available
Daily housekeeping
Designated smoking area
Electric vehicle charging station
Family rooms
Free WiFi
Horse riding
Key card access
Non-smoking throughout
Picnic area
Room service
Snorkelling
Vending machine - drinks
WiFi available
Windsurfing
Review in focus
352 reviews
6/ 10
The location
Elizabeth · solo traveller · 2026-09-09
The guest experience
8.1out of 10 352 verified reviews
Loved most
Good location
Friendly staff
Nice room quality
Fantastic food
Worth knowing — Poor cleanliness · Slow check-in service
How guests scored the stay
Location9.1
Beautiful property with beautiful views.
Food and Beverage8.6
Maricella restaurant food was fantastic.
Service8.5
The staff was friendly and helpful.
Overall Experience8.5
10/10 experience for the wedding anniversary.
Room Quality8.0
The rooms were very nice and thoughtful - balconies and recently revamped.
Value for Money8.0
The value was great - much cheaper and less stuffy than some other hotels.
Amenities7.5
Facilities are nice overall, but some improvements needed.
Live guest feedback
Guest reviews
Mixed experiences
73% of 15 recent stays rated 8+
8.1352 reviews
Beautiful grounds
6/10
Elizabeth · solo traveller · 2026-09-09
“The location”
10/10 Resort!!!
10/10
emilywY3216CQ · Family · 2026-08-25
“We had an absolutely amazing stay at Bacara! From start to finish, the resort staff was nothing short of spectacular. Every request we had was handled with such kindness, thoughtfulness, and care. The rooms were beautiful, clean, and luxurious, the amenities were wonderful, and the food was fantastic. We also loved how kid-friendly the resort was, which made our stay even more enjoyable as a family.
A special thank you to Hassan and Allen, who truly went above and beyond during our stay. Their kindness and helpfulness left such a lasting impression on our entire family. By the end of the trip, Hassan had basically become part of the family—we even took pictures together before we left! 😂 That alone says so much about how welcoming and wonderful he was.
We can’t say enough great things about Bacara and its incredible staff. They made an already beautiful resort feel even more special, and we will absolutely be back!”
Perfect
10/10
Irad · extended group · 2026-08-22
“Everything. The room, the service, facilities, gym, Marisella restaurant. The hotel is beautiful and well maintained.”
Loved this property!
10/10
Aluor · Friends getaway · 2026-08-09
“Loved this property! The hotel grounds are beautiful, the rooms lovely and super comfortable, with Dyptique toiletries. Very generous with the water bottles for in room tea/coffee. All the staff we encountered were very helpful, polite and friendly. The gym is huge, and so is the spa. Our massages were excellent. The breakfast at Lulio was very good, lunch at O'Bar nice as well. Would definitely come back!”
Did not meet expectations
6/10
MeandZoe · Couples · 2026-08-08
“In addition to the price of the room they tack on $75 for resort fee and another $75 for parking. They use golf carts to get around, so many carts that you can’t leisurely stroll without having to constantly move over to let the carts pass. It felt chaotic and was not up to our expectations.”
Wish to go back
10/10
hillary · couple · 2026-08-07
“Beauty and food”
Enttäuschend und definitiv nicht das Geld wert
4/10
Cornelia · family with children · 2026-08-04
“Nette Anlage, schöner Meerblick”
Outstanding Service Overall
10/10
B4323NRaustink · Couples · 2026-07-25
“The whole experience we had here was truly amazing. From Marcos at the Front Desk, Dorothy at concierge helping us get set up with Nick at Tennis, to Kai at Lulio with truly outstanding service. Everyone on the team here truly cares about our experience and I cant thank them enough for helping me make this experience perfect for my girlfriend.”
Peaceful and enjoyable
9/10
Agnes · extended group · 2026-07-19
“Beautiful resort with excellent service.The breakfast was great with a lot of choice and quality.
They have two pools which one of them was for adults only. Highly recommend this resort.”
Beautiful oceanfront resort best enjoyed without leaving the property
10/10
allplanetsearch · Family · 2026-07-17
“The Ritz Bacara is a beautiful resort perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific. The Spanish Colonial architecture and expansive, well kept grounds create a very relaxing atmosphere. The property is spread out and feels like a true resort. The staff throughout our stay was consistently friendly, attentive, and eager to help, as you would expect from the Ritz.
The rooms are very spacious and comfortable. Ours were very quiet, with large balconies. The large bathroom had plenty of space. The only issue we encountered was that our TV never worked during our stay, despite our reporting it several times.
One of the highlights is the natural beach directly in front of the resort. It is ideal for long walks, stretching for more than a mile in either direction. Be aware that this part of the California coast has natural tar deposits, so don't be surprised if you end up with tar on the soles of your feet. It's not a swimming beach, though. The resort also has a nice family pool and a beautiful spa. The spa is excellent, although the facilities are comparable to other luxury resorts and priced accordingly.
There are several restaurants on site. We particularly enjoyed the Mediterranean restaurant, Lucca, which offered very good food and service. The Italian restaurant, Marsella, was less impressive. While the setting and ocean views are beautiful, the service felt rushed; our entrées arrived before we had finished our appetizers, and the food was more stylish than memorable.
The main consideration is the location. The resort itself is the destination, and that's how it should be approached. There is relatively little to do immediately outside the property. We borrowed the complimentary electric bikes and rode toward the coast near UCSB, but much of the ride passes through fairly unremarkable neighborhoods on busy streets before reaching the beach. If your goal is to spend time exploring shops, restaurants, and attractions, you'll probably be happier staying in Santa Barbara or Montecito. If, instead, you're looking to relax, enjoy beach walks and the pool, and spend most of your time on a beautiful resort property, the Ritz Bacara is an excellent choice.”
Beautiful Evening!
10/10
bettywU9074NL · Family · 2026-07-17
“Dinner served by the amazing Lina was impeccable! The best meal and service I have had in a while! We can't wait to return!”
Guest review
10/10
Dorsai · couple · 2026-07-07
“I like everything about the property. The only thing missing is some daybeds or chairs by the beach.”
Amazing Massage at Spa
10/10
N2898ZSashleyh · Solo travel · 2026-07-04
“I can't recommend my massage therapist, Nancy Jane, enough!!! She was so kind and went out of her way to make me feel special for my birthday. Not to mention her pressure was the best pressure and she just has a magic touch. I booked a 50 min, but will definitely be booking an 80 min massage with her next time, because of how amazing and relaxing it was. The spa was beautiful, as well. I especially loved the different tea options and the very top of the spa in the outdoor corridor was so peaceful and stunning with a beautiful view of the ocean, Spanish style rooftops and palm trees. So grateful for my experience here at the Bacara spa and would highly recommend it to anyone, especially my massage therapist, Nancy Jane!”
Wonderful hotel with service to match
10/10
Z3006UFvaleries · Couples · 2026-07-02
“We stayed here for two nights as part of a California road trip. I had a conference in Goleta, which made it convenient.
We booked a “Club Lounge” room which was near the spa and the club lounge. The room was comfortable and quiet. Special shoutout to the amazing staff at the Club Lounge, who made us feel like old friends: Alex, Ave, Jaden, Tram, Nora, and Harry—all warm, welcoming, and professional—super impressive, each one. Also to Dante in Reception—same comments apply.
We look forward to our next stay here!”
Awful experience
2/10
TASueS · Family · 2026-07-02
“Never going back due to lack of maintenance on their facilities and disgusting condition on their beach! I called the front desk asking for a manager to advise them the beach bathrooms were locked and my family witnessed several people squatting or standing in the bushes nearby, front desk would not connect me and blew me off! There is trash and burned wood all Over the beach and a stagnant stream right next to property....gross. Don't waste your money!”
