My husband and I would like to visit Southern California in December. (our college daughter and friend will joining us) We have narrowed down our choices to Montage Resort (Laguna Beach) and Bacara Resort (Santa Barbara). In your opinion, are these two resorts comparable to each other? And, do you favor one over the other? Lastly, if you have actually stayed in one, which room category and location is most desired? (Service, SPA, room style, cleanliness, etc. is important) Thank you. Your input will be appreciated.

I'm not familiar with the Montage, but I visited the Bacara recently. Personally, I didn't care for the location. It's next to one of the most beautiful golf resorts in S. CA, but other than that you are 20 mins from any real town.

The 4-Seasons is gorgeous, as well as the Doubletree which sits directly across from the beach/ocean in the city.

I think I might choose the Montage if it was apples to apples. I have only had drinks at the hotel, but walked by an open room, and I thought it was just beautiful. However, I have to say, I like Santa Barbara better than Laguna Beach, so maybe I'd choose the Bacara. The previous poster was right though, it is a bit out of the way.

To throw in another option, check out the DolphinBayHotelandResidences.com in Pismo Beach. It's a bit out of your way,an hour north of SB but I have stayed there in a 2 bedroom unit, and it has the most beautiful hotel rooms we've ever stayed in. Truly Perfect for bringing 2 teens along. They had their own separate bedroom with 2 twin beds, their own bath, and there was enough space that we all had our own privacy. Definitly less expensive than 2 rooms at the Bacara or Montage. We spent the day in SB, drove up and spent the night at Dolphin Bay.
Get a signature room, ocean front.

I should of asked this earlier...which area would offer more "to do" for the college girls. I'm sure they will want to shop, you know!!! Fun restaurants, drinks, etc.
Also, how far distance-wise is Laguna Beach to Santa Barbara?

Have you check the map? It's about a 2hr drive between S. Bar & Laguna!

I personally think there is more to do in S. Barb.

Since you still have time, it would be a good idea to go to the visitors bureau online and request some information be mailed to you - or go online at either chamber and check out the area.

My 17 year old daughter and friend fell in love with SB.
We live just 5 minutes away from Laguna Beach, and it's not really a place the kids go to to hang out.

There are two colleges In Santa Barbara, so lots of kids their age hanging out on State Street. SB just seems to have a more energized vibe. Laguna has the better beaches, but it should be too cold in December for swimming in either place, though its been an incredibly warm November. My husband went to the beach here yesterday.

Santa Barbara is more scenic, also.

2 hours between the 2 towns is optimistic. That's only if traffic between the two is perfect, which is hardly ever,and you're very quick drivers. 3 is more likely.

This is kind of a neat website that shows a view of the resorts and their proximity to the beach:
www.californiacoastline.org
Type the resort name into the search box.

I agree that SB to Laguna would be closer to 3 hours.

I know it's not one of your choices, but the St. Regis Monarch Beach is also a top notch hotel.

Enjoy!

Thank you everyone. Sounds like there might be a "younger" atmosphere to SB. We were in LB several yrs. ago, but were not looking through "college eyes."

Frankie-thanks for the Dophin Bay suggestion. It looks wonderful and if not this time, certainly in the future. It had good ratings on Tripadvisor too.

Would love to hear more about Four Seasons in SB. WE have stayed at several FS, but never in Calif. Bacara seems to be getting negative reviews on service and rooms. Since the ocean is not a big factor this time of yr. (except for the view and sounds) maybe FS would be a better choice in SB. Thoughts??

Are we making a mistake by not just going to San Diego?

I stayed in the 4S for 16 nights and it was WONDERFUL....just be sure that you are in the main part of the hotel - meaning, close to the building where the hotel registration is.

When I left (early September), they were just finishing construction on the building closest to the south end of the resort.

The 4S is about a 45 min walk to State Street and downtown SB, but there is a little town within 15 mins - Monisito (sp)- it has several restaurants - Oprah's friend with the meatballs is one (good meatballs) - i mentioned several others in my thread that I mentioned earlier.

I agree that there is more to do in SB than Laguna

DO NOT miss out the Courthouse downtown - a beautiful building that event he girls will enjoy.

16 days at the 4S....what a lucky person. Hope it was for all play and no work.

Did you happen to see any of the suites or cottages?
I think it would be so nice to have a fireplace (in the room) especially this time of yr.

Frankie: I think we are definitely leaning towards the SB area, but I'd like to ask you a few more questions about Dolphin Bay Hotel. It looks so fabulous and rates would give us more sq. footage. Keeping in mind the college girls will be with us, do you think there would be enough "to do" in this area vs. SB?

Hi Katiekate..
Have you considered the San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, SB..lovely..
La Jolla is a great second choice for you..Coronado too..
www.sanysidroranch.com
www.lavalencia.com
www.hoteldel.com

Well, it is true that at the Dolphin Bay it's not so much of a high energy place. There's not a lot to do right there, but the girls were extremely happy to walk on the small beach there and use the pool, watch tv in their rooms, even sit on the balcony with us and watch the sunset. It's a short drive to San Luis, which is also a wonderful college town, and is a fun walking around place. Morro Bay and Cambria, Hearst Castle are all nearby.
It might be worth going up there for a couple of nights. I have to say it is a dream hotel, comparing well to any Four Seasons I've stayed in.

Thanks to such a great response, we have decided on the Biltmore Four Seasons Santa Barbara. I called directly to the hotel yesterday and made our reservations. During the month of December they are offering a "Festive" discounted rate discounting the suites 50% off and rooms @ 30% off. What a better time to take advantage of a spectacular suite!! We booked the 4S Exec. suite with fireplace and 2 full baths. Perfect for our family!!

Wow, sounds wonderful. Enjoy, and then tell us all about it!

Has anyone stayed at the Hotel Marmonte in Santa Barbara?

SLPSMP: Welcome to Fodors. Just a suggestion -- instead of tacking your question on to a 2 year old thread about different resorts, you might do better if you start a new thread of of your own.

Use a title something like "Hotel Marmonte, Santa Barbara?"

You may get some response here, but you'll get more w/ a current thread