Luxury Hotels in Santa Barbara

If you’re looking to live the luxe life in Santa Barbara, it all starts with the hotel you choose to call home.” There are many benefits to booking a luxury hotel that can cater to your every need and whim—so much so that you might never want to leave the grounds. Think signature restaurants serving three meals a day, cocktail bars stocked with local libations, gourmet room service on-demand, pampering spa services, onsite wellness activities and many more amenities to enhance your stay. Santa Barbara’s diverse collection of ultra-luxurious hideaways present a spectrum of price points and environments. These six luxury accommodations have mastered the art of hospitality and are always ready to roll out the red carpet to make you feel like a VIP. 

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Rosewood Miramar Beach 

Rosewood Miramar Beach is the one-and-only Santa Barbara South Coast hotel that sits right on the sand. It’s also the first hotel project by Los Angeles developer Rick Caruso, known for premier shopping destinations like The Grove and Palisades Village. This idyllic Forbes triple five-star property boasts 158 guest rooms and 35 suites, and onsite dining will include Caruso’s, The Revere Room, Ama Sushi and Miramar Beach Bar, plus an ice cream shop and bars. Guests can choose from two pools and indulge in pampering treatments at Sense®Spa. An indoor-outdoor fitness studio will offer yoga and group fitness classes, along with the typical gym accouterments.

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El Encanto, a Belmond Hotel

Perched in the hills overlooking downtown Santa Barbara with sweeping ocean and city views, the El Encanto, a Belmond Hotel has been welcoming discerning travelers to The American Riviera® since 1918. Renovations and upgrades to the historic landmark property over the years resulted in a mix of Craftsman and Spanish Colonial architecture. From the moment you pull into the circular drive and are greeted by the attentive valets and bellhops, the guest experience feels seamless—and everyone seems to know your name. Given the historic footprint, the 92 bungalows and suites are all incredibly spacious. The massive marble bathrooms are a thing of beauty, while thoughtful touches like monogrammed accent pillows and personalized stationery make you truly feel at home. Perks of the property include the stunning zero-edge pool, a restaurant and bar (so lovely, they are frequented by locals), a full-service spa, courtesy shuttle and fitness center.

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Hotel Californian

The glamorous 121-room Hotel Californian is located in the heart of the action where Lower State Street, the waterfront and Funk Zone converge. Taking a nod from the original 1925 structure destroyed in an earthquake, the architecture is Spanish Colonial Revival through-and-through. The interiors created by celebrity designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard are Moorish-inspired with Moroccan accents. Plush rooms feature striking black and white photography of old Hollywood stars, custom furnishings and premium cocktail carts that are a far cry from a typical hotel “mini-bar.” The stylish property boasts a rooftop pool, a Turkish-inspired spa, upscale clothing boutique, two destination restaurants and a cocktail bar.

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San Ysidro Ranch

The storied San Ysidro Ranch has often been ranked among the world’s best hotels, earning the number one spot on Forbes Traveler’s “Best Hotels in America” list several years running. It’s where JFK and Jackie O honeymooned and where Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh exchanged wedding vows—to name just a few of its impressive “credits.” Privacy is paramount at the beloved hideaway in the foothills of Montecito. Each of the 41 individually-decorated bungalows and cottages feature hot tubs and fireplaces. Guests can visit the spa or enjoy treatments in the privacy of their rooms. Two stellar dining options include the formal Stonehouse and its relaxed counterpart, Speakeasy at Plow & Angel. The peaceful resort has a heated pool, fitness center and is in close proximity to 17 miles of hiking trails. Guided hikes and yoga instruction are among the bespoke fitness services available to guests.

Photo credit: @sanysidroranch via Instagram

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The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara is a grand, self-contained oasis north of the city. The tranquil, 78-acre waterfront property is perched on bluffs overlooking the beach with an easy path to reach the sand and surf below. Of the 358 Mediterranean-style guest rooms, options range from ample “standard” rooms and luxury suites to standalone villas and the ultimate penthouse residence. The Spa is the largest of its kind in the region, providing 42,000 square feet of bliss featuring treatment rooms, an adults-only pool, redwood saunas, eucalyptus steam rooms, fireside lounges and a salon. The two main zero-edge guest pools are the centerpiece of the property and private cabanas are available for rent. The resort takes its food and beverage program very seriously, with five restaurants and a 12,000-bottle wine collection. The activity menu is equally robust—tennis, Sandpiper Golf Club next door and adventures like horseback riding, biking, kayaking and paddle boarding.

Photo credit: @rcbacarasantabarbara via Instagram

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El Encanto, a Belmond Hotel

Located in the American Riviera, El Encanto, a Belmond Hotel is Santa Barbara's ultimate luxury getaway. This iconic early 20th-century property is situated atop a commanding hillside, offering ninety-two quintessential, California-styled bungalows…


Hotel Californian

Hotel Californian, Santa Barbara's premier urban destination, continues to redefine luxury in the American Riviera. Featuring dazzling spaces from celebrity designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, the 121-room iconoclastic enclave - part history, part…


Rosewood Miramar Beach

Rosewood Miramar Beach is a Forbes Five-Star Hotel & Spa set on one of the most beautiful and exclusive coastlines in Southern California, situated less than an hour north of Los Angeles in Santa Barbara’s affluent Montecito…


The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

Set against a backdrop of golden beaches and lush mountains, The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara embodies the charm, beauty, and energy of the Mediterranean in the heart of Santa Barbara. The iconic Central California resort spans 78 acres…


San Ysidro Ranch

Nestled in the Montecito foothills of Southern California’s wine country, San Ysidro Ranch has provided a tranquil vacation destination for discriminating travelers for over a century. Guests are drawn to the Forbes 5-Star Santa Barbara…


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