The Bacara Ritz-Carlton, Santa Barbara, CA [Master Thread]
 

Anyone have any info on this? I've heard from an employee this is in "escrow". I'd heard it was on the block awhile ago but first I've heard this. I belong to their club, like a health club membership, which is fantastic. I also have many patients from the business, for many years. They've been bought and sold so many times but yet employees have remained pretty constant. I'd like to keep the pts I have and even better yet get some of the ones opting for a crummy HMO.

At least if it happens and turns out a positive it will probably mean it stays in ownership longer. Maybe. I'm not sure with Marriott, do they typical own hotels or just manage like many other hotels

It would be great to finally have a Marriott to go to in SB.

If it's true, sounds like it will be an Autograph Collection.

Cheers.

Marriott very rarely owns hotels.

I see things in the news that the current owner of the property is seeking to sell it. Seems to me that it almost certainly won't be Marriott buying it.

However, whoever buys the property might decide that they want to sign a management or franchise contract with Marriott rather than run as an independent.

Yes, that's what I thought. Marriotts the name that came up and the employee is pretty high up the Bacara food chain. Would a buyer typical contract before purchase with Marriott to manage and keep a low profile?

I was thinking Luxury Collection from Starwood but Autograph collection makes sense...

I presume a buyer would be financing and have to provide a viable business plan. I can certainly see a plan that includes an agreement with Marriott or another hotel company contingent on the deal closiing.

Sorry just to bump this quickly...

I just booked a corporate client of mine there for an event and Bacara will become a Ritz Carlton this fall.

Cheers!

Here's an article about the move to Ritz Carlton.

Marriott, the owner of the Ritz-Carlton brand, has advertised job openings for several new positions on its website for the Bacara Ritz-Carlton, which the website said is being converted in September of 2017.

The 78-acre property features 360 rooms and suites, a 42,000-square-foot spa and wellness center and around 70,000 square feet of meeting space.

I'm a club member at Bacara, it's set up like a gym membership with perks like discounts, parties and events, and free nights, dinners and cabana rentals annually. We've had two sales while a member with little change in staff and the membership.

As. A local dentist that sees a number of employees hopefully their benefit change brings in even more patients. I fear a lot of employee changes, though, meaning loss of some of my better pts.

So, hopefully not too much change, I'll be optimistic about this. Ritz Carlton is a weird choice I think, I'm anticipating major renovation yet again to bring it up to their standards....

The Bacara Santa Barbara has officially transitioned to a Ritz Carlton.

'The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara is a Tier 4 property in The Ritz-Carlton Rewards."

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels.../santa-barbara

Thanks for the heads up. Rooms are available Christmas week.

Has anyone stayed here in its pre Ritz days? Any reports on rooms or public spaces?

I've not visited here but I did book a corporate group event for a client here last week and my clients visited prior to signing contract.

They really liked the resort overall. They liked the public and event spacing in addition to the rooms. Sorry, I know you're looking for more details but my clients just told me they loved it and felt it was a large resort that still felt cozy and intimate. I'm not sure if/when a refurbish would take place now that RC is official.

cheers,

Club Level???
 

Anyone know status of having club level rooms along with a club of course???

I've stayed there many times and as a member of their club use all the facilities on a regular basis. Gym is huge with good equipment/weight options. Three pools, very nice, beach is also a very short walk. Grounds are beautiful and there are hiking opportunities as well as it's pretty rural in the surrounding areas.

Rooms are pretty large, nice some have fireplaces. It's getting to the point of needing a refresh, they've done refreshes over the years but nothing too major. Restaurants are both good with great views from both, one is a steak house, the other a Bistro and also a pool shack that you can eat.

No idea on this but I can't see them having one. Only 2-3 levels per building with a number of buildings that are not connected. I guess there could be a central location where they could have a club but can't see club level rooms given all the differences in the rooms and buildings.