BY FRAN ENDICOTT MILLER

As if The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara was not already the height of elegant hospitality, the recent addition of a gracious Club Lounge sends the resort’s luxe quotient soaring. At nearly 4,000 square feet, the new Club Lounge is one of the largest in The Ritz-Carlton portfolio. It’s also one of the brands’ few ‘stand-alone’ spaces. While most Ritz-Carlton Club Lounges are sequestered within a particular floor of a resort, this spacious and airy respite resides in what was once the resort’s spa-adjoining restaurant, meaning every guest in each and every room is provided the opportunity to partake.  

A small room upcharge allows access to the Club Lounge, and oh, is it worth it. In addition to providing yet another cozy and stylish area within the resort to rest, relax, and recharge, the Club Lounge experience includes five daily gourmet food presentations with variety (and quantity) to satiate every appetite: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and light snacks, evening hors d’oeuvres, and late night desserts and cordials. A wide selection of beverages is offered at all times: soda, beer, wine, champagne, and cocktails, as are energy bars, mixed nuts, and house made cookies. And a tempting, jewelry-store worthy display of candy-filled glass vitrines takes center stage; caramels, truffles, chocolate bark, and macarons are yours for the taking. 

The design aesthetic is fresh and bright featuring natural coastal elements in soft neutrals and hues of blue. A white, textured wall echoes the look of the sun hitting the ocean waves. Basket weave lighting pays homage to the region’s first inhabitants, and the area’s equestrian nature is honored in leather accents and ‘horse bit’ side tables.  The combination of organic textures, clean surfaces, and traditional design creates a vibe of relaxed elegance. It’s modern and inviting, and in perfect harmony with the rest of the resort. Guests of The Club Lounge also enjoy a rare opportunity to experience the works of artists John Nava, Hank Pitcher, Phoebe Brunner and Nicole Strasburg – each of whom once lived in Santa Barbara. On loan from Sullivan Goss – An American Gallery, the exclusive collection features oil paintings that highlight the beautiful California Coast. 

If you’ve yet to partake in The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge experience, a first foray will likely prove you a convert. While a Ritz-Carlton stay on its own merits is indulgent, the addition of exceptional Club Lounge service makes a Ritz-Carlton stay even more memorable. At The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, allow your attentive concierge to help you plan your day with activity and restaurant suggestions. Enjoy a morning latte, cappuccino, or mocha on the sun dappled patio while reading your choice of top national newspapers. Or curl-up with a mimosa and a good book in a cozy corner nook. Stay for an hour, the entire day, or come and go as you please. Allow staff to prepare your favorite cocktail, just the way you like it. Or choose from a serve-yourself selection of red and white wines. Evening food presentations are ‘themed,’ from Asian, to Mexican, to Moroccan, in quantities that make a subsequent restaurant dinner reservation moot. Later in the evening, enjoy an artful presentation of desserts while mingling with other savvy guests who know that life’s best moments happen at The Ritz-Carlton, and more specifically, within The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge.

Club Lounge patio view