San Ysidro Ranch’s pastoral charm
The Icons features la crème de la crème: acclaimed and beloved properties whose reputation precedes them that offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences, amenities, and locales. Some have storied pasts or celebrity connections, others are brand new guesthouses that set a new standard for the industry, but all of them are deserving of our highest rating.
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900 San Ysidro Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
On the outskirts of Montecito, this 550-acre estate is one of the most private and luxurious properties in the world. As a hotel critic and travel journalist, I’ve visited literally hundreds of hotels. Personally, this is my favorite hotel stay of my life so far, a pick that’s largely attributable to the location. There’s simply nothing more luxurious than space, and the natural beauty of these manicured gardens, old-growth forests, and rolling hills criss-crossed with private hiking trails is astonishing.
All of that wilderness is reserved for guests of this secluded resort, but the heart of Santa Barbara is also just a 5 or 10 minute drive away. Opened as a guest ranch back in 1893, this hotel has been a celebrity haven for decades. Winston Churchill stayed so long there’s a cottage named after him, JFK and Jackie Kennedy stayed here on their honeymoon, and even Harry Styles famously spent time here.
Picture Perfect
Every room at the ranch is a stand-alone cottage, another example of the level of privacy guests can expect. There are 38 cottages total which also means the number of people on-site is relatively small compared to the huge acreage. This means you’ll often recognize the other guests who are visiting during your stay and creates a nice sense of community. Every room has an outdoor rainfall shower and private hot tub, a private outdoor space like a deck or a garden, and a stone fireplace.
Many have ocean views and if not, all of them feature so much vegetation and plant life that a glimpse of the water isn’t really necessary. Each cottage is unique and has its own theme, I stayed in Gardenia so that will probably be my favorite from now on. The hand-selected antique furniture and decor and vaulted ceilings created a sense of pastoral charm that somehow felt cozy and spacious. Inside, the bathroom had heated floors, a giant clawfoot tub, a four-poster bed in a separate bedroom, and stunning garden and ocean views from the deck.
Gardenia cottage, courtesy of San Ysidro Ranch
Wants & Needs
The nightly rate might raise an eyebrow, even for guests used to expensive stays, until you realize that it’s inclusive of F&B. Staff stocks cottages with coffee and tea, plenty of options in the mini-bar, and usually a few tailored bites to welcome you in. Bamford toiletries in the bathroom and Rivolta Italian linens are both great choices.
Water Me
Aside from private hot tubs and outdoor showers in every room, there’s also a heated swimming pool that’s notably open 24 hours for guests (Pretty much unheard of access in my experience with hotel pools). A fitness studio and private or group yoga instruction are also available, along with lawn games, bike rentals, and of course, 17 miles of hiking trails.
Libations etc.
As mentioned, breakfast, lunch and dinner are currently included in the nightly rate. The Stonehouse restaurant is a fixture in the Santa Barbara dining community and draws heavily from the on-site gardens and fruit trees to create seasonal menus. It’s been recognized by everyone from Michelin to Wine Spectator and beyond. There are plenty of other areas for private dining if guests want their own space, and the Plow & Angel speakeasy is another popular venue for slightly less formal meals, happy hours, or nightcaps.
