To start this off, I’d like to say I have been traveling with Marriott both personally and for my entire career (10+ years and for long stretches almost weekly) and can only recall a handful of negative experiences throughout that time. However, every time I stay here for work or pleasure, there is something negative that happens that always leave me wondering… why would anyone stay here and pay full price? The pros: - the location is beautiful - the property is beautiful and charming - several restaurant’s - beach access - multiple pools - workout classes on site - friendly staff The cons: - extremely slow service. I have waited over 1 hour every time I arrive to get my bags to my room and always get the “they’ll be down within 15 minutes” treatment - dated rooms and amenities. While charming, the rooms are very dated and very worn down. A few examples: scuff marks on the wall, broken bathroom tiles, running toilets, dirty vents, and A/C that barely works - Very loud staff activity between 11:30-12:30 at night example: rolling carts on tile floors). This beyond frustrating especially for children and pets - while there are several restaurants, the food is just… fine. It is not 5 star level by any stretch - the gym and spa are bit cramped and can definitely use a facelift The net of this post is if you are truly looking for a 5 star experience, this isn’t it however you are about to pay 5 star prices. I would look at other properties in Santa Barbara. Don’t get fooled by the Ritz name. Thank you and happy traveling.

No clue why our experience was so poor but from start to finish it was such a joke. At check in they told us we would get an ocean view room. Which we did not- we got a room facing a bunch of other rooms. Whatever, not a big deal. Well what WAS a big deal is a significant other sent a bottle of champagne for our room, gave our names, and not only did the bottle of champagne and a little love note not come, when we called it turns out they delivered it to the wrong room and were hardly even apologetic. While we were in the room trying to unwind and relax, people kept knocking and asking if we were ready to check out? It was so jarring, we called the front desk to ask if we had the wrong room or something. The next day we checked out, called asking for help for the luggage which took over 30 mins. Really and truly a strange experience for such a nice hotel? No clue what was going on but I’ll never be back

Generally, the property is excellent and features wonderful tiered Spanish architecture, multiple restaurants, and beautiful pool areas. However, the room that we were assigned had a balcony with a view to an exterior wall and a generator. To the staff's credit, when we asked if there was another room with a balcony that we would actually use, they did relocate us. My main gripe, however, is that there are so many add-on fees to the quoted room-rate. There was no self-parking option, meaning that we paid $195 over our 3 night stay (in addition to valet tips). Although the location is lovely, downtown is miles away and there is nothing of note within walking distance. In addition, there is a $50/night resort fee that seemed to (mostly) cover wifi. For Room Service there were 3 additional charges (delivery charge, add-on tip, auto gratuity) in addition to the food and tax charges. We have stayed at Ritz-Carlton properties before and understand that it is a high-end treat, but I'd prefer to have up-front pricing (at booking time) without souring the otherwise memorable experience with unexpected add-on charges.

Loved this place! It was one of the few places I've stayed that I never felt the need to leave the property (I did but didn't actually need to). The rooms were very comfortable and spacious. The vibe of the resort itself was very relaxing. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. Great view and access to the Ocean. I would highly recommend if the opportunity presents itself, to take advantage and stay at this resort!

When you label and price your hotel as 5 star, expectations are high. Unfortunately this place doesn't come close to 5 star for me. Our check in went well, but upon getting settled in our room we found the carpet was dirty and clearly not vacuumed. I then tried to call for some help but the phone in the room didn't work. Had to go to the lobby. They did offer some credit after hearing about the problem but my first 45 minutes was spent dealing with this issue. The rest of the property is full of really nice buildings and landscaping but it's not kept up well. Random garbage here and there, dirty walk ways and tired furniture and amenities. Never saw one grounds person cleaning up. Again, not 5 star.

My husband and I stayed at Santa Barbara Ritz for 2 nights in November. We arrived at 11:45 pm and check-in was horrible. Girl at desk wanted to charge us extra for club access, when we had already paid for lounge on our reservation; and then were told our reservation for a month later. She was in error when her assistant showed her she was wrong, after she kept saying she couldn’t locate our reservation. Mind you, this is at almost midnight and wanted to get to our room. The Room was okay, Spanish style, had a fireplace, tub, and was clean, though we had to immediately call the front desk because it appeared the room had unattended to prior to our arrival as it was missing face cloths, coffee, creamer, cups were used. We had the club lounge access. Food offerings were exceptional for breakfast, lunch & dinner. The only drawback, which is a deal breaker for us to return, is the birds flying around in the club lounge. All the Club lounge doors are kept open. Birds fly through, poop on the chairs, tables. We brought this up to the Club management and they said they would instruct the staff to chase the birds out and they were remodeling the lounge soon. It’s a huge turn off to enjoy such a nice club lounge and be worried if birds are pooping on your food!! Location is very nice. You can walk on the beach, around the property with ease. Probably will not return.

Like many on here, it’s never fun to leave a negative review. After much consideration I do think it’s relevant considering the expectation from Ritz Carlton experience vs what this property offers. Let’s start with the positive: the check in process was easy, the valet staff where super kind and helpful. They made the initial experience positive. The location in Santa Barbara is nice and views are nice. Negatives; the rooms are beyond outdated and poor quality. The carpets are so stained and dirty. We brought our son on this trip and had to continuously wash his hands after touching anything in the room. The screen of the patio door fell within minutes of us arriving, the blinds in the room where broken. Bistro staff and service is extremely slow- we had to repeatedly get different staff to bring us straws, spoons, drinks because things were taking extraordinarily long. The commons areas are not cleaned well. A random roll away mattress was left across our room for two days exposed without any cover to protect it. The most disturbing of experience was when we were having breakfast at the bistro and the high chair they brought was covered in mold. The grass areas were by and large dog waste free but there were several areas where dog owners don’t pick up after their pets and dog waste was in three different areas as we played with our soon. Needless to say we only played in the non grass areas and cleaned hands consistently and wiped all toys. So…will I be staying here again- no. Would I recommend this place- no. I do hope that management addresses these issues. This is not at all what we had hoped when we booked 3 nights-4 days at a Ritz Carlton.

Not a 5-star experience but this is a 5-star location. Nestled on the coast about 10 miles north of Santa Barbara, this is beautiful location. The hotel pretends to be 5-stars but nothing really is. The rooms are dated. The service is meh. And the restaurants are above average but not great - like a solid 6 on a scale of 1-10. I had arranged ahead of time for the staff to leave chocolates and a note for my anniversary but they forgot and didn't follow through. That's their service in a nutshell. You can find better luxury hotels but I'm not sure you can find a better location and Marriott seems content to milk it as long as they can even if the service and experience won't match the price.

The front desk David communicated a part of the hotel terrace was open. When we closed out dinner it was not. I went back to him to let him know and ask about the bistro. When I told him there was a 30-40 minute wait for our group he said, “would you like me to go ask tables to leave so your group can sit down”. It’s a great comment that I will never forget. Good job.

Spectacular lavish grounds!! Breathtaking ocean/cliff views!! Spanish villa vibes were incredible! The main pool decor/design was just amazing! The Bistro, poolside dining, O bar, Angel Oak and Sam Setto were perfection! Room view was unreal! I can go on and on….

Great resort, enjoyed the steakhouse and the sushi restaurant. Room was great including linens, etc. BEWARE:if you walk on the beach the bottom of your feet will be covered in Tar/ sand mixture. ( in their defense a small sign before you walk down says so) . They have an area for cleaning up that includes a detergent/scrub solution that helps with cleaning up( your feet and possibly your shoes. I would enjoy the rest of this 5 star resort (pools and spa) and skip walking out on the beach.

Amazing place to go. My wife and I celebrated a special occasion here together. Very good customer service as expected from Ritz Carlton All staff was very polite, especially the valet and the staff on the property and in the club lounge. The front desk staff could be friendlier at times. Since there are not many photos from the Ritz club lounge, i post a photos here from the Santa Barbara Ritz club lounge. We ended up only using it for 1 day since we found better value going to the Angel Oak restaurant for sunset dinner. Angel Oak was superb. Highly recommended. Overall an excellent stay.

Really a romantic luxury hotel with impeccable gardens & landscape. Top notch service with well-trained personnel. With these enhancements comes high room rates, tips for all handlers and lots of expenses. But one knows what they are getting into by choosing this lovely destination.

We have been coming here once a year, even before this was the Ritz. The rooms, service, views are absolutely beautiful. It is heaven on earth. We even came during Covid years. The staff goes above and beyond. The resort is gorgeous. Also short walk to the beach. And they are pet friendly.

When we arrived our room was ready. We got water at the reception desk. The whole hotel is a beauty. The walkways full of flowers, the gardens, the pools, the beach. The food at the restaurants is delicious so you don’t even have to leave the resort, but it’s a 15 min drive from Santa Barbara so if you feel so inclined you can get dinner there. The pool is kept warm so you can swim for a long time in comfort. Drinks and food by the pool are very good and the service is spectacular. The distance to your rpm can be long but they have gold carts that can take you there and you can call them or just wait for a couple of minutes and one will show up. There are all sorts of lawn games available for adults and kids. Additionally there is a little man made sand box for the little ones. No play structure i could see. Parking is ridiculously expensive but you do need a car.

5 stars. My partner and I came to visit for a few days. If you’re expecting to not lift a finger and enjoy yourself. This is the place! Spa is gorgeous and enjoyed that experience as well.

Blood on the sheets, they came out 40mins later and changed all the sheets and didn’t looks to see that it had hair and black marks on the sheets. Waited another 30 mins for them to come back out and replace it again. Now it’s passed midnight and still don’t have a clean bed to sleep on, 2 1/2 hrs later. No manger on site and nor maid service. This is one of my favorite hotels to stay at but I really don’t know if I will ever come back. Very disappointing.

We had an amazing time at the Ritz-Carlton this weekend! The service was top notch. Yen with guest relations went above and beyond with a flower and dessert request that I had sent to my room while we were at dinner. She did an amazing job! Also, Crystal, the night manager even gave us an iphone charger when we asked where to purchase one and a bottle of champaign to celebrate our engagement! I can't really say how much the staff made a special night even more special! The food was great and drinks by the pool were fantastic. The room was really nice. Overall we will be returning because of the amazing service that we had and thanks again staff at the Ritz-Carlton!

This is such a beautiful hotel and resort. Secluded off in its own corner of Goleta, right off of the beach, it is the perfect place for a private getaway. The pools are beautiful, villas with their own patios and ocean views, wonderful dining options and lovely grounds surrounding the hotel with beach access. We will definitely be back!

I can't praise this hotel enough for the exceptional experience they provided. The room's tasteful design and modern comforts ensured a relaxing stay, and the staff's attentiveness and friendliness added a personal touch to my visit. The hotel's commitment to sustainability and eco-conscious practices resonated with me, and their efforts to create a positive impact were truly commendable. The dining experience was a highlight, with a menu that featured a diverse array of dishes, each a culinary masterpiece. The hotel's central location allowed me to explore the city's attractions conveniently. I left with a sense of satisfaction and a strong recommendation for this outstanding establishment.

Had the most wonderful stay, amazing room with amazing views. The staff all went above and beyond everyone addressed us by our names! Juana our housekeeper was so hospitable she went above and beyond to ensure our room was just perfect for us! We also enjoyed going to the O Bar Wendy our server was so friendly and had some great suggestions for what we should do at the property. Our experience at Bacara Tasting Room was so great we were fortunate enough to be able to join a local artist Chloe in a water color painting class. She made our experience at Bacara Tasting Room one to remember! I truly cannot say enough about our stay it was magical. I will be coming back.

I grew up in Goleta and used to go to Haskell's Beach before the Bacara ever existed. Never had the need or opertunity to stay there. I had been to many work events and a wedding and it was always an amazing place. It has wonderful views and the staff is on another level of class compared to most places you can stay. I had the opportunity to stay at the Bacara because I came back to town for a work event. I was lucky enough to have my girlfriend join me and we had a great time. We walked the beaches, hungout by the pool, and walked up to the bluffs. All of those places had an amazing view of the ocean. We would like to come back and stay again in our future.

We love the hotel and the service was superb! It’s evident that staff was well trained in customer service. It was quite expensive but I felt we got what we paid for. We would stay there again next time we go to Santa Barbara. It’s away from everything including downtown Santa Barbara but love the location. We’re able to get to everything easily by car including day trips to Malibu and LA.

I recently visited The Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara, expecting a 5-star experience. Sadly, the visit was filled with disappointments. While waiting to be seated at the hostess section, we witnessed a very frustrated guest approach the hostess, exclaiming that he had been waiting 45 minutes after ordering and hadn't even received drinks. This interaction only added to the mounting concerns about our impending dining experience. The staffing imbalance was blatantly obvious, with a surplus of valet staff and a woeful lack of waiters. In the sushi restaurant, the two waiters were visibly struggling to keep up. It took an astonishing 20 minutes for a waiter to approach our table, and I couldn't help but sympathize, as they were clearly understaffed. The table setting was confusing, with small tables burdened by massive plates. Drinks were tardy, water was neglected, and the overall dining ambiance was chaotic and uncomfortable. The beautiful grounds of The Ritz-Carlton Bacara couldn't compensate for these service blunders. This was far from the luxurious and attentive experience that their reputation and prices would suggest. This visit was not only underwhelming but terribly frustrating. Those seeking a true 5-star experience should seriously consider alternative options, as The Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara severely under-delivered during our stay. It's a reminder that beautiful scenery can't mask fundamental flaws in service and execution.

As we stayed toward the end of January 2023, after a large amount of rains (or atmospheric rivers as some like to call it) in this region, both the walk path to the beach and the beach itself needed to spruce up. 5 stars for the valet as they were great at getting us situated once we arrived with a crying baby. Our car was taken to be electrically charged so we could be on the road, the next day. When we checked out next day, the valet took all our empty water bottles and filled with new ones prior to wishing us a good journey. The service after we checked in could be improved. We asked for a crib when I made the reservation, and when we got in, it was not in our room. I had to request again and by then, it was after the normal sleep time for our baby. Next day, when we are ready to checkout, no one answered the golf cart request text till one of ladies called on our behalf.

Fabulous stay! Even before our arrival at the Ritz Carlton Bacara, Chelsea and Sonya in guest relations reached out to assure that any arrival needs, or preferences would be met. They exceeded my expectations! In addition, a lovely birthday welcome was waiting for me when we arrived. It was so thoughtful, unexpected, and appreciated. They did an exceptional job. The resort is beautiful and comfortable. More importantly, I rarely stay somewhere where I get to know the very helpful and personable staff on a first name basis. From Naz, Sarah, Prescott and Sam in the Club lounge to Sofia and Lorenzo in the tasting room, to all the gentlemen working car valet, it truly is like being home. The team really works together to make their guests feel welcome. My wife and I are already planning our return next year. Thanks again to everyone.

Don't spend the night, its a motel 6 circa 1987 in terms of rooms. The rooms are outdated, old smelling, bathroom tiles old and worn, shower low pressure and not enjoyable, hair dryer barely worked with lots of lint, bugs (I got rid of a spider on the ceiling in the room, no bed bugs). The carpet is old and stained. But the grounds and restaurant are nice and pretty and the service is good (a bit over the top). Probably the hotel is optimized for business meetings, but please don't spend much time in the rooms if you are expecting more than a lower budget feeling. I will return for a business meeting but not to stay. I stayed in room 13-210 If you want to fix it up for the next guest.

Gorgeous hotel on a beautiful campus with 5/5 service. The front desk (Alex specifically) was very helpful. The valet team was the most professional I've ever seen (Jason, Mike, Billy, Juan, and others). This is important on high traffic days like last weekend because the cars just don't stop. Unfortunately, we had bad weather the full week but I can't wait to go back and try the pool and beach to get the full experience. This is gem of a hotel.

We had the most amazing service! Starting with the front desk, to valet to house keeping.. the Bar O food was delicious, beverages were awesome. Brunch at the Bistro was perfect! It’s valentine’s weekend and they had the cutest little cart of sweet treats in the lobby as we departed.

This is my all time favorite hotel to stay at. It has its ups and downs, but overall it’s a joy and absolutely the most relaxing hotel. Every room is so beautiful and the pool is just gorgeous. I try to go 1x a year for my yearly refresh and recharge! I’ve done yoga at the ocean view in the mornings and it’s lovely.

Eden Hale is by far one of the top hotel representatives I've had the pleasure of connecting with. He spent hours of his time to personally help me locate a lost package. He even went so far as to check the security footage to track it down. Because of him and his attention to detail, we were able to find it. He is truly deserving of recognition for his excellent service. I am still in awe at how he went above and beyond to help me. Due to his efforts, my boss was able to sort out an issue that has been dragging on for a month. Thank you so much Eden.

I absolutely loved my stay at this hotel with the exception of the mattress. The mattress was too firm for me, but may be great for others. However, the pillows hugged my head like billowing clouds which was amazing. The entire hotel staff, on-site restaurants, scenery, clubhouse, and room, to say the least, were so wonderful and the spa is FABULOUS! I have such an appreciation for the well spent time and relaxation I experienced at the Ritz-Carlton Santa Barbara.

A sublime place to go for a little pampering. The grounds are gorgeous- beautifully landscaped with lush flowering plants everywhere. The Spanish whitewashed stucco and red-tile-roofed villas are beautifully perched up over the ocean with balconies and terraces that allow guests to enjoy their own private views. The pools and hot tubs are lovely. Customer service couldn’t be more attentive.

Wish I could come here every month. All staff are so kind and professional! Coming here for Christmas was the best decision of 2022. Highlights for me: the gorgeous pool, O Bar (amazing service - great for watching a game and best cocktails), stunning walking trails, ocean views, the new outdoor fire pits, stylish spacious rooms, and comfortable details everywhere! Angel Oak was so tasty! Guest services staff Daniel, Chris, and Sam were so helpful. Also a special shout-out to Kai on the Valet team and our server Matt at O Bar. Management here is top notch! Location is also perfect if you’re driving or renting a car from the airport/ it’s so easy to get on 101 and do a quick drive to wine country, Botanic Garden, or downtown SB. The folks at Bacara deserve 10 stars!