The Ritz-Carlton Spa Bacara, Santa Barbara — Hotel in Goleta

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...

One of the key highlights of The Spa at Bacara is its serene and peaceful setting. The spa is located in a separate building surrounded by beautiful gardens, providing guests with a tranquil escape from the stresses of everyday life. The spa also offers breathtaking ocean views from its outdoor relaxation area.

The spa's treatments and services are exceptional, with a range of services including massages, facials, body treatments, and nail services. The spa uses only the highest quality products and incorporates local ingredients such as lavender and sea salt into many of its treatments. The skilled and professional therapists provide a personalized experience, tailoring treatments to meet the individual needs of each guest.

The Spa at Bacara also features a range of incredible amenities (that make the spa exceptional), including a eucalyptus steam room, redwood sauna, Jacuzzi, outdoor pool, and relaxation lounge. The spa also offers a range of fitness classes and private training sessions, making it an ideal destination for guests looking to maintain their wellness routine while on vacation.

Overall, The Spa at Bacara is a luxurious and serene retreat that provides guests with an exceptional spa experience. Whether you're looking to relax and unwind or rejuvenate and revitalize, this Santa Barbara gem is a must-visit destination for spa...

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...