San Ysidro Ranch, Montecito

Every detail is perfect. So comfortable, complete pampering, amazing food, breathtaking setting. I love this place!

We were looking for a wonderful honeymoon spot, and my brother had mentioned San Ysidro Ranch. "It's where JFK and Jackie spent their honeymoon," Larry said. Our experience was amazing. We book a large cottage tucked in a grapefruit orchard just up from the main lodge and restaurant. Our cottage had a wooden sine next to the door with our names on it. It was large, two bedrooms (perhaps overkill for a honeymoon) and, are you ready, a private hot tub. the next morning we had fresh fruit from the orchard English muffins and jam, and watched a wonderful young family hold a table tennis tournament which evoked images of the historic ping-pong diplomacy between the United States and China in the 1970s. They were impressive. Then we headed to the stables for our horseback ride in the costal hills and valleys. At noon the staff threw a special no-host barbecue. We spent the afternoon exploring Santa Barbara's famous State Street, visiting the Fox Arlington Theater and working our way down to the pier. Evening found us at the San Ysidro Ranch restaurant. The food was wonderful and the atmosphere so convivial, we made friends with a couple at the table to our left who later let me test-drive their new Maserati. Guests at the table to our right included none other than Shirley Temple Black. After our honeymoon the San Ysidro Ranch sent several cute promotional packages. One campaign included a "guardian angel" strongly suggesting that she would be judged harshly if she failed to encourage our prompt return. I've been many places before and after San Ysidro Ranch, but none hold a warmer place in my heart. A few years ago my friend C. Tad Devlin (Executive Producer for George of The Jungle) and his wife Diana were at the Ranch. True to form the staff was very resourceful in helping us select a nice gift to brighten their cottage. Sincerely, Horace J. Digby World traveler and all around nice guy.

PRO- Everything CON- maybe the heated swimming pool This is the greatest hotel i have ever stayed. One thing i really thought was great is their service.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SURROUNDINGS, THE GREATEST STAFF, PRIVACY..PEACE AND QUIET... HAD THE MOST RELAXING TIME EVER! Great front desk crew..the best part was being able to order drinks and food at any time from our room!...Love the quietness of the cottages and at night when the little lights are on , it seems like a fair-tale village!

the hotel was great. the room was great. the food was great. the pool was great. the service was great. i would stay here again.

True weekends are quite. Stayed for over a week recently. This is place is under major construction with plenty of noise during the weekdays. The constuction starts around 8:00 AM and goes until 6:00 PM, Monday-Friday. There are bull-dozers and large earth movers. The restaurant is not open and no one would give me a date when it will open. Also there is no room service, which is way to bad considering you are in this nice room and you have to get dressed and walk to a less than equal building down the hill. It is only a sub-par continetal breakfast. The average rates are hovering around $1,295 for a good room, some around $1,000 and old room for about $700. We were told that another constuction phase will begin in the fall of 2006 and last into late 2007. Until then, try Montage or Bel-Air, unless you don't mind construction noise.