The Most Romantic Luxury Resort in Montecito, CA
Best Place to Stay in Santa Barbara County for 5-Star Adult Getaways
Dec 12, 2008
Discerning travelers who love Santa Barbara California, but want to stay in a resort a bit more removed from the suburban feel of that high-end town, stay at either the Bacara Resort or the San Ysidro Ranch. Both provide 5-star lodging, with all the luxury amenities and accommodations expected in the best resort hotels. The two offer markedly different lodging. The San Ysidro Ranch is hands-down the more romantic of the two, with easily obtained privacy, a quiet ambiance, and lush surrounds.
San Ysidro Ranch Overview
The San Ysidro Ranch is a Rosewood Resort; Rosewood is a collection of only the finest elite resort hotels in the world. San Ysidro Ranch fits perfectly in this collection. Luxury Travel was impressed with the romance of the individual cabins, set back along the property in Santa Barbara County (but literally in the high-end town of Montecito). San Ysidro Ranch is over a hundred years old, and photographs in the main building show famous people of years past (from both Hollywood and politics) who considered this the best place to stay even then. The bungalow cottages have private outdoor patios with jacuzzis. The ranch rooms - each with private entry - are so large and homey that they feel like home (well, a super-luxurious, perfectly appointed home, in any case). The private cottages overlook the creek, and hiking trails abound.
The Most Romantic Luxury Getaway in Montecito, California
The San Ysidro Ranch is truly a getaway, in the finest sense of the word. It's possible to hole up for a romantic weekend getaway, and see no one except the guy who brings in-room dining. The sense of romance is enhanced by the sprawling property, with distinct areas (pool, gardens) providing different environments to match any mood. There are wine tastings on Friday afternoons in the summer; perfect for just-arriving guests.
Activities at the San Ysidro Ranch and Montecito
The resort provides concierge services, yoga instruction, bicycles for bike trips, guided hiking, and dry cleaning/luandry services. Guided hikes are available: With 17 miles of hiking trials in the Santa Ynez Mountains, the less intrepid may prefer a guide. The trails, however, are clearly marked. Guests can easily take day trips to the Santa Barbara wineries and other Santa Barbara attractions. In-room spa services are truly pampering. There is, of course, a fitness center and year-round heated pool; par for the course at a 5-star luxury getaway. Speaking of "par for the course," the San Ysidro Ranch concierge can arrange tee time for resort guests, at the nearby Montecito Country Club or the Rancho San Marcos Golf Course.
Dining at the San Ysidro Ranch
The in-room dining at San Ysidro Ranch is lovely. Breakfast "in" is especially recommended. The two resort restaurants are The Stonehouse, and the Plow & Angel. They are in the same building, which is a remarkably renovated, gorgeous 19th century citrus packing house. The Stonehouse, upstairs, is the more classically adult and sophisticated dining experience of the two. The woodsy interior and beamed ceilings add to a very romantic feel. During the summer season (weather permitting) the outdoor patio dining adds to the romance of the meal at Stonehouse, with views of the ocean and later, the starry sky. The Plow & Angel, downstairs, provides a more jovial, lighthearted atmosphere. This is where guests traveling with children tend to eat - the meals are more child-friendly, and the Stonehouse upstairs has a less family-friendly ambience. The bar is manned professionally, which is a good thing: It is popular.
The San Ysidro Ranch is one of the best luxury resort properties in Santa Barbara County, California. Luxury Travel recommends it most for couples seeking a romantic getaway near the small, charming town of Montecito.
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