The Ritz-Carlton Bacara Resort & Spa – Pretty, Peaceful and… Pricey
My first “tag-along” review is of The Ritz Carlton, Bacara Resort in Spa in beautiful Santa Barbara, California. I had never been to the Santa Barbara area and certainly don’t spend a lot of time at elaborate spas. So… should you check it out? Keep reading for my full review.
November is considered the “off-season” for a beach resort in Santa Barbara. While it’s definitely not 80 degrees and days aren’t spent sweating by the pool, this time of year brings a different kind of peaceful beauty. It’s not as crowded, the sun is energizing and the sound of the ocean is just as majestic.
Pretty
The entrance is spectacular with a circular courtyard and amazing open-air lobby with guest services on one side and a large bar area on the other. Once you walk out of the lobby and into the resort area, you can look down over the property with a view that includes two pools and then the ocean. It’s a brochure pic for sure.
The staff was lovely and always provided great recommendations for sight-seeing and restaurants and bars in the Santa Barbara area. There was an on-site restaurant that had excellent food and we loved taking advantage of the beautiful al fresco dining. We also enjoyed the pool bar which had a very friendly staff and lighter entrees and cocktails.
Peaceful
The Ritz Carlton, Bacara, is a very popular spa in the Santa Barbara area. It is exceptional. It was like a very classy “Wellness Spa”. I mention this because at this point you may be wondering, “Would I go back?” The short answer is absolutely! The Santa Barbara area is super cool and the resort & spa was lovely.
There is so much to love about “tagging along” with my husband on his business trips but in my opinion, this particular resort would be best suited for a girl’s pre-wedding weekend, a mother/daughter spa weekend or similar. The spa is exceptional and they do a great job of taking advantage of the beautiful grounds. There’s even a hiking trail on the property. But, if you’re anything like me, just walking on the beach is a soul-replenishing, spa-like experience.
Pricey
I should add that this is a Ritz Carlton “luxury resort” property so if you are looking for a “deal” this is probably not the place for you. But…If you are a tag-along traveler like me who flies using airline points and spends most of the time hanging out by the pool and not in spa treatments then GO!
I have never regretted “tagging along” with my husband on a business trip. Even when I spend time alone waiting for him to return from meetings. We always find time to spend together and have a new adventure. It’s the times when I’m back at home and he is off on another trip packed with meetings and working hard (as I write this he is in NY), that I do regret not being there. I kinda like him. Most days. 😉
I will leave you with this final image because nothing in this world compares to a sunset at the beach.
Have you visited Bacara? Have you been to Santa Barbara, California? I’d love to hear about your experience. Comment below!
Let’s Connect!
See more travel pics from Finding Jillian on Instagram
Join our cruise-loving community on Facebook
Pin this post for later and get help from Finding Jillian’s planning boards on Pinterest
Subscribe to Finding Jillian blog and get access to ALL of the travel printables.
Happy Travels!
Jillian