The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

There are a few old historic hotels on the California coast, but as often as not, the reproductions are even better than the real thing. One doesn't come to California in search of authenticity, after all — here architecture and set design are simply different branches of the same discipline. So the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara's youth (established 2000) should surprise no one, and can hardly be considered a disadvantage.

And they make them bigger than they used to — with 358 rooms and suites and a spa that could be conservatively described as “massive” (42,000 square feet), the Ritz-Carlton Bacara verges on luxury overkill. The style is inevitably Spanish, all whitewash and tile roofs, and the buildings hug the ground, sprawled like a village, which lends a surprising degree of intimacy to such a palatial hotel.

Comfort (or “wellness,” in contemporary spa parlance) may be the overriding theme, but exclusivity is perhaps the key to the resort's appeal — and the prices reflect this fact. We mere mortals will probably find ourselves in the most humble of the guest rooms, which are, in the grand scheme of things, not really all that humble — meanwhile the suites quickly take off into extravagant territory, and even presidents may feel a bit intimidated by the sheer grandeur of the Presidential Residence. Then again, if you're into stunning natural beauty, over-the-top modern California luxury, or Ayurvedic oil drips, then you will probably find it a fair trade.

Please note: The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara is located in the town of Goleta, a 15-minute drive from downtown Santa Barbara. The only on-site parking available is valet service.