We're planning to visit this place soon.

The travel sites have rave reviews but the experience by users in this forum and another user review does not give us a warm and fuzzy feeling. rude frontdesk, rude spa people, ok service, resort being in financial trouble etc.

My family (the wife and kids) plan to spend a few nights nights relaxing after spending the prior week in the San Diego/Anahiem area doing disney and lego and the zoo.

we're staying at another 4 seasons the week prior, hence did not choose the biltmore.

Would appreciate some advice.

What kind of advice?
You're already planning to stay at Bacara, and you've read up on the opinions of travellers who have been there.

BTW, I think the Four Seasons Biltmore is a big letdown. If you're staying at Aviara prior, you're wise not to stay at the SB location. Rooms (not the villas) are really not up to FS standards IMO.

Wrt to what advise, I'm looking for is ..
should we go to the Bacara or not ? In the past I've not seen that much of a variance of opinions on a resort with the main travel magazines saying great things and the user experiences being not so good.

Are the travel mags drinking cool aid ?

Travel magazines will rarely write negative reviews (can you think of the last time you read a scathing negative review?)
One reason I find the readers' polls interesting is that readers have no vested interest in touting a hotel. Sure they have their own biases, but those biases will run in all different directions and should cancel out for the most part.
That said, Bacara is a paradoxical place. Very large for an area like SB. Size diminishes the warmth and ambience it would have had if smaller. Goal is to attract group business (conferences etc) which is also a negative when it comes to atmosphere. Bad timing with the opening of Bacara at the beginning of the economic collapse.
Bacara's future is anybody's guess. I would not advise against staying there, but realize that it's having growing pains due to several issues. The rooms are very nice, the area is very nice. Service is variable. If you get a decent rate, it's worth a visit. If not, hmmmmm......

keep in mind I haven't been there, but the pics of the rooms are somewhat less than inspiring...they look a bit austere and "uncozy" for such a high price. However, pictures don't always tell the whole story, maybe you have to be there. I've considered it for a weekend getaway but the combo of price/lack of room aesthetics have kept me away...

From California (northern)--everything I've heard about Bacara has been pretty negative. Be cautious.

KH, I live an hour north of Santa Barbara and I can tell you that Bacara is VERY snobby. The locals here do not speak of it with fondness, nor do they rave about it. I gave a day spa gift certificate to a friend ($600.00 for an all day package) and she was less than thrilled by the service. I have small children and wouldn't consider taking them there,in fact, I'm shocked that they allow children. Have you seen their website? I think you'd have more fun staying at Fess parker's Red Lion or the Biltmore. ( Both are actually IN Santa Barbara, within walking distance/on the beach and close to shops and restaurants.)Santa Barbara has a great variety of places to stay but Bacara with kids seems like a nightmare waiting to happen. Good luck.

Lynette

Bacara Resort update

pros
The resort overall was very good.
Beautiful place for a relaxing time.
Wonderful spa personnel.
The food in the restaurants is very good
Staff are friendly and aim to please
Kids club great for the youngsters

cons
a change in top administrative management would do wonders to iron out the kinks -- the small things that make a ritz a ritz and a 4seasons a 4seasons a 4 seasons are missing.


go with the vacation packages -- they are worth it.

Bacara is a let-down!, Don't go - we live in Santa Barbara and occasionally take a night at the Biltmore, San Ysidro Ranch, Ojai, and once to the Bacara. Too vanilla, caters to conference types. With kids out of these three, I would stay at the Biltmore - more old Santa Barbara feel! Has a new spa, the Coral Casino Club, the beach and plenty of room for the kids to run. But do get a villa if you can. Won't feel like the other 4 Seasons - but yet, you know what to expect!

I've stayed at Bacara a couple times, and although it is a nice enough place I was dissappointed. One main thing that I'm surprised has not been mentioned here is the fact that the room walls are paper thin. No, I'm not being nitpicky nor snobby, I really noticed this here. I could hear everything that was being said in adjoining rooms. The rooms themselves are not particularly plush, and I'd agree with the general sentiment that this is a mediocre, albeit new and clean, hotel that is trying to be something more than it really is.

My prediction:
Bacara will be insolvent within a few years and it will be taken over by Hyatt or Marriott or Westin.
It's really more like one of those chains than like a true luxury resort anyway.

Bacara is a half hour drive from the things you're going to want to see in Santa Barbara. The Red Lion and the Biltmore are right on the beach and close to the Children's Zoo.

We stayed once shortly after it opened. Our garden view room was very comfortable, stylish and well appointed. The pool was one of nicest we've been. We liked the idea, but the BIG disappointment was the lack of experienced, professional service people. We got the impression they hired a bunch of college students. Not cool doing that and trying to pass yourself off as a world-class luxury resort! We've been to many with much better service to compare. BUT, we really did like thr grounds, architecture, and small strand of beach, so we are hoping they get a clue someday, hire new management and staff. We live an hour north and would like to go down there again if we ever here there has been improvement.