Skip to main content
  1. Hotel reviews homepage
  2. USA hotel reviews
  3. California hotel reviews
  4. Santa Barbara hotel reviews
  5. Reviews of The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

Reviews of The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara 5 stars

8301 Holllister Avenue, Goleta, Santa Barbara, CA 93117, United States

#34 of 64 hotels in Santa Barbara

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 157 hotel reviews

7.9

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    8.5

  • Comfort

    8.7

  • Location

    8.8

  • Facilities

    8.3

  • Staff

    8.6

  • Value for money

    6.9

  • Free WiFi

    10.0

100% verified reviews

Real guests. Real stays. Real opinions.

Read more- opens a dialog box
Write a review

Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 8 April 2024

    7.0
    Good
    • Business trip
    • Couple
    • Standard King Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    We were traveling with our daughter. They did not have the room with 2 beds, so they put us in an accessible room. The room was clean but the bathroom was a little old and seemed unfinished by the side of the sink. The finishes in the rooms in other Ritz Carlton's have been nicer.

    The dinner and breakfast were excellent

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: 8 April 2024

    9.0
    Had a wonderful and relaxing time
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Standard King Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Stunning property and great views

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 30 March 2024

    9.0
    Beautiful location
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Standard King Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Noise in room

    Location , nature and breakfast

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: 19 January 2024

    9.0
    a lovely beautiful place - overall a nice get away
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Standard King Room
    • Stayed 3 nights

    some facilities can be upgraded.

    the location, view and atmosphere

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: 3 December 2023

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • King Room with Balcony and Ocean View
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Ocean views and vibe.

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: 31 October 2023

    9.0
    Very nice.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard King Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The staff was amazing. Beautiful location!

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: 27 July 2023

    8.0
    weather great, food great at the hotel
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard King Room
    • Stayed 3 nights

    the hotel just needs to be updated slightly but I would stay there again

    It was all great.

    Stayed in June 2023

  • Reviewed: 27 July 2023

    8.0
    Upside: beautiful hotel, fantastic weather. Downside: wrong room, smell of oil refinery nearby
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Queen Room
    • Stayed 7 nights

    We booked a queen room, king bed, balcony with a garden view. Three days before our stay, we received an email from the property telling us we had a double room with two queen beds. We called booking.com, they contacted the property and sorted out the issue. Upon arrival, we were surprised because it was a queen room with a king bed, but it was subterranean and there was a view of the garden but we were below it and our room was dark. I looked back at our original booking, and it said "balcony, inner courtyard, garden view." By definition a balcony is a platform enclosed by a wall or balustrade on the outside of a building, with access from an upper-floor window or door. Based on the description of the booking, we thought we were overlooking a garden. There was no mention it was subterranean. I don't know if this happened because they were overbooked and gave away our original room. We had booked this room months in advance, and in my opinion, they should have honored our original booking. We will never know. It was very disappointing. My husband and I decided we probably won't stay there again.

    The staff was lovely, very attentive and helpful in every way.

    Stayed in July 2023

  • Reviewed: 29 May 2023

    8.0
    It was very comfortable. MyBut that was the only thing that wasn’t great
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Standard Queen Room
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The service was slow at times. My toilet ran the whole time.

    Very good selection. Fresh food choices were delicious. The location was great.

    Stayed in April 2023

  • Reviewed: 27 May 2023

    9.0
    beautiful hotel with a hiking trail and ocean view
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • King Room with Balcony and Partial Ocean View
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    the view to the ocean, the spa, the pool, and the restaurants on property were great! the service was great too but we were put next to a bell service door where the employees keep the cleaning supplies so we heard them slamming the door every morning at various times of the day which made it difficult to have restful sleep. other than that it was amazing

    Stayed in May 2023

  • Reviewed: 14 May 2023

    8.0
    Very nice. Thank you
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • King Room with Balcony and Ocean View
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The food we ordered was expensive bur not that great

    I liked the view. Also the help from the staff, they made everything easy. Thank you

    Stayed in May 2023

  • Reviewed: 5 May 2023

    9.0
    beautiful and romantic hotel that truly caters to every need
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard King Room
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    we had some issues with the cleanliness of the room. it took several conversations with the front desk and ultimately a manager to get it fixed but they were keen to solve this for us quickly and extra accommodations were made as a result which weren’t necessary but truly appreciated. the reaction and solution to this situation makes me want to come back again!

    beautiful location. even on the foggy days the property still felt romantic. service was impeccable…gracious staff from the valet to the front desk to the manager.

    Stayed in May 2023

  • Reviewed: 10 April 2023

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • King Room with Balcony and Ocean View
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The spa is little bit poor and used.

    We really enjoyed the hotel garden with pools and ocean views. The food and staff in the restaurant was amazing!

    Stayed in March 2023

  • Reviewed: 4 January 2023

    8.0
    great getaway lovely style
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Standard Queen Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    location style and varity of restaurants

    Stayed in January 2023

  • Reviewed: 26 November 2022

    9.0
    we spent the weekend at the Ritz-Carlton to celebrate my 40th birthday.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • One-Bedroom King Suite with Sofa Bed and Terrace
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    everything was great!

    the pool and the access to the beach.

    Stayed in October 2022

  • Reviewed: 12 July 2022

    7.0
    Probably better to be here at the weekend when it’s less corporate.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • One-Bedroom King Suite with Sofa Bed and Terrace
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Very corporate so it does not work ass a family holiday when you’re trying to get away from work. Many people on business calls all the time - in the restaurants, lobby, by the pool. The pool bathrooms were not usable.

    Suite was perfect for a family. Staff very warm and friendly. it felt like there were many new staff as we had a few mistakes with menu orders.

    Stayed in July 2022

  • Reviewed: 12 April 2022

    9.0
    super luxurious resort hotel. a few minor details need working on (e.g. no bath robes)
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • King Room with Balcony and Ocean View
    • Stayed 2 nights

    no bathrobes the restaurant was very good but not great. we had requested a tasting menu but ended up getting 5 full-size courses!

    room was lovely. view was famuous

    Stayed in April 2022

  • Reviewed: 30 March 2022

    9.0
    Enjoyed this property as always. just not quite the same as when it was the Bacara. no Ritz
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Signature King Suite with Sofa bed and Fireplace - Ocean View
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    time to valet upon arrival and had to wait an hour to get a bellman to come grab our bags upon departure

    been coming here for years. not sure I like the Ritz taking over but it’s close enough to what it was.

    Stayed in March 2022

  • Reviewed: 25 February 2022

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Standard Queen Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Rooms slightly dated

    Staff was wonderful!

    Stayed in February 2022

  • Reviewed: 24 February 2022

    8.0
    Enjoyed food and villas
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard King Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    more local tv programs . Especially for Christians Food really too pricey,

    clean and great location

    Stayed in February 2022

  • Reviewed: 15 February 2022

    9.0
    We will be back!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • King Room with Balcony and Partial Ocean View
    • Stayed 2 nights

    The room and view were great! loved the chill vibe and not to old and stogy.

    Stayed in February 2022

  • Reviewed: 22 January 2022

    8.0
    Memorable
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard King Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The service in the restaurant was very slow and disappointing and over priced. Angel Oak restaurant was over priced and over rated. The bed was too stiff and uncomfortable.

    Location and the activities provided, went to yoga every day of the week and road the electrical bike along the coast was amazing. The manager stepped up his game when we had a horrible service at the restaurant on site.

    Stayed in January 2022

  • Reviewed: 21 January 2022

    9.0
    Great place typical of Ritz Carleton
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard King Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    It was not convenient that a number of the site restaurants were closed on Sunday/Monday. This was a problem exacerbated by the rain when we arrived. Also- why does the cafe close at 2:00?

    The room was spacious and clean. The balcony was great and the site terrific. The service was fantastic.

    Stayed in January 2022

  • Reviewed: 18 January 2022

    7.0
    That was my first stay at a Ritz Carlton property and I was disappointed with the overall experience
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Queen Room
    • Stayed 3 nights

    Location of our room was a bit of a disappointment. We could hear our neighbors through the wall. We could hear the plumbing from other rooms. Our TV did not work properly despite it being serviced during our stay.

    Staff was friendly. Beautiful setting.

    Stayed in January 2022

Showing 1 – 25

We Price Match
We Price Match
Low rates • No booking fees • Find cheaper? We'll refund the difference!

Guests also reviewed these properties: