Note: Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara is closed for renovation and thought to be reopening in 2025.
Built in 1927 and lovingly restored since, Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara is one of the hotel group’s most unique properties. It’s tucked away in the exclusive enclave of Montecito—about an hour’s drive (without traffic) from Los Angeles. It’s popular with families and those looking for a couples getaway due to exquisite service, a nice roster of activities, and a beachfront location.
The resort itself is stunning with its Spanish colonial architecture and manicured gardens. We’ve checked in multiple times throughout the years and each time manage to do something new at the resort or in Santa Barbara. The AAA Five-Diamond resort is where we stay when in Santa Barbara.
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1260 Channel Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
What I love
Good to Know
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Architecturally, the Resort is beautiful. Lush gardens full of native plants and bougainvillea dance around ivory stucco, multi-colored ceramic tiles, and Spanish red roof. The Spanish Colonial Revival design continues indoors with wooden beam ceilings, clay tiles, arched walkways, and then some.
This isn’t a high-rise hotel. In fact, it’s just a few stories tall, with buildings spread out like a private estate.
The Resort’s historian has been documenting life here for over half a century… if this gives you any idea as to how special it truly is.
Located in Luxe Montecito
Montecito borders Santa Barbara to the south and is an intimate, very affluent area full of stunning homes on large plots of land that almost seem to blend into the natural landscape at times.
I’ve spent a lot of time here over the years (my parents used to live in Santa Barbara) shopping the boutiques and eating in various restaurants. It’s not uncommon to bump into someone famous going about his or her daily business.
The Resort is very easily accessible from Highway 101 and borders the ocean in front of beautiful Butterfly Beach. You can fly into Santa Barbara airport—it’s a low-stress experience due to its small size—or Los Angeles International Airport and rent a car. Many people do the latter.
I am also a fan of taking the train to Santa Barbara. Business class on Amtrak is a lovely experience with comfortable seats, complimentary WiFi and (most importantly) zero LA traffic. From San Diego, the drive is closer to 3.5 hours without traffic.
Gorgeous Spanish Colonial Revival Rooms
I lost count of the different tile styles in our room. With a seating area, walk-in closet, plenty of storage, a writing desk and more the room was clearly designed to feel like home. I liked being on ground level because we could prop the door open while my 8-year-old daughter played around the grassy area within eyeshot just outside the room. Nespresso coffee, tea, and bottled water are supplied. We were also sent a lovely beach bag and cheese plate amenity upon check-in.
The bathroom itself deserves special mention. In addition to beautiful tiles and its generous size, the floor is heated. I adore little things like this, especially in Santa Barbara, where the air can be crisp in the morning.
Sea-themed Mistral L’Occitane bath amenities embrace both the bathroom color scheme and the oceanfront location.
Delicious Dining
While I’m a fan of the apple pie served in the Ty Lounge and lunching near the pool at the Coral Casino, we were so busy that we dined mostly in Bella Vista. Not only do they have a fulsome breakfast buffet complete with omelettes made on-demand and gluten-free offerings, but the patio seating boasts panoramic ocean views. It’s not a bad way to wake up in the morning.
On our last night, we were treated by the hotel to a fabulous dinner that was made even better by our server’s wine and food recommendations.
Our shared appetizers included grilled octopus, a delectable cheese plate, sweet breads (our server’s suggestion after asking us if we were adventurous eaters… it wound up being my husband’s favorite dish), and meatballs.
For main courses—and I was stuffed by the time they came—I opted for a healthy black cod in tomato brodo with baby squash, cherry tomato, and garden herbs.
But, my husband decided to go with the special of the day. And, while my entree was fabulous his was the epitome of decadence.
I present to you the short ribs sandwich with truffle fries. It had parmesan cheese fried onto the bread.
And then we finished with the chef’s signature dark chocolate soufflé. Can never say no to a soufflé when it comes with a vanilla sauce that is basically melted ice cream.
My daughter ordered pasta from the kids’ menu but tried almost every dish. I intended to take advantage of the resort’s jogging trail map the following morning, but the run didn’t materialize.
Pretty Beaches and Pools
Guests of Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara have access to the exclusive Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club.
Built in 1937, many families have been coming to the club for generations to enjoy the oceanfront, heated, Olympic-sized lap pool as well as comfortable seating, dining, and the little kids’ pool. I recommend a lounge chair at the glass wall bordering the sand to soak up the view.
A more intimate pool set amid lush tropical foliage is also available to guests. Dining and drinks can be served here, too.
Butterfly Beach, directly across the street from Four Seasons, is a rather peaceful place to enjoy the sand and surf.
It is also considered one of the best vantage points for watching a Santa Barbara sunset. Stand-up paddleboards and surfboards are available for rent.
The Spa
My daughter received her first ever manicure and pedicure at this spa when she was about 4 years old.
It’s beautiful with a comfortable lounge area, pretty views, and fabulously-relaxing treatment.
The spa boutique also carries swimwear, flip flops and other items you may have forgotten to pack. The fitness center is also located here.
The Gardens
Gardens around the property feature exotic plants from all over the world that have been brought here and planted over the years.
Four Seasons has a self-guided map that guests can use to explore the various gardens or you may reserve a guided tour by the resort’s landscape manager.
I snapped a few photos of interesting plants and placements since we’re in the process of redoing our front yard. Because the property is so lush, we saw a myriad of birds and butterflies.
Ride Bikes to the Pier and Beyond
One amenity guests absolutely must take advantage of is the bike rentals. The quiet village of Montecito is just a few minutes away and you can ride all the way along the coast (get a map, however, as there’s one confusing intersection) to downtown Santa Barbara and even to the end of Stearns Wharf where the Ty Warner Sea Center is.
It’s a beautiful ride and the kids in our group ages 6 and up handled it with ease. The bikes have baskets to carry water and other belongings. Bikes and helmets for kids are available, too.
Babysitting
The complimentary Kids for All Seasons club is available between Memorial Day and Labor Day and provides supervised programming for ages 5-12.
Since we were headed out to the wedding, we booked a babysitter through the hotel who was willing to take my daughter swimming or anywhere else on the property.
I ordered them room service and my daughter quite enjoyed herself, which I always appreciate. They also could have tapped into the Resort’s game closet for board games and other fun.
Good to Know
The train tracks run through the Santa Barbara area along the coast which means they pass relatively close to the Resort. This is an issue at many other Santa Barbara hotels. I personally think the slow rumble and occasional horn sounds add to the rustic charm. Kids love it but we didn’t hear it at all in our room. We heard it faintly in our last room but it was not the slightest bit disruptive and shouldn’t impact a stay. Earplugs are provided in the rooms.
Between taxis, Uber, bikes, and the weekend resort shuttle to downtown Santa Barbara, it is possible to enjoy a short stay at the resort without a car. But having one is extremely convenient for touring around Santa Barbara.
Again, you really could spend a week here and not run out of things to do whether you’re in Santa Barbara with kids, on business, or enjoying a couples getaway.
The Resort and Coral Casino are both owned by Ty Warner. This means that Beanie Babies are all over the gift shop and that a little keychain version was given to my delighted daughter at check-in. So, parents, be prepared for the kids’ eyeballs to pop-out when they see hard-to-find and gigantic versions.
Download the Four Seasons app so that you can make easily make requests like turn-down service and more while out and about.
Four Seasons Santa Barbara Reservations
Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara is one of the resorts I can book for you with agent-exclusive amenities that will enhance and add value to your stay. These include:
- Daily breakfast for two in the Hotel restaurant
- Hotel/Resort Credit* (based on room category booked):
• Guest Rooms: USD 100 credit per stay
• Suites and Specialty Suites: USD 200 credit per stay
• Private Retreats: USD 200 credit per bedroom per stay - Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in**
- Welcome note at check-in acknowledging you and your travel agency and the benefits that are being extended
- Complimentary standard Internet in all guest rooms and premium Internet in all suites
*Hotel/Resort Credit may be applied to select incidental charges incurred at the Hotel or Resort. Must be used in conjunction with the initial stay and will be applied at check-out. May not be applied towards the room rate, taxes, resort fees, service charges, conference fees, or any charges from outside vendors. Exclusions may apply; contact the Hotel/Resort for more details.
When a suite is reserved in connection with another guest room or suite, the cumulative credit (based on room category booked) value applies.
The Private Retreats credit applies to Villas and Residences with a minimum average rate per night (before Resort fees and taxes) of USD 1,000.
**Category upgrade based on availability at time of check-in excludes Specialty Suites, Villas and the Private Retreats collection of Villas and Residences.
We will definitely return. This is our hotel of choice in Santa Barbara.
Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara
1260 Channel Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
(805) 969-2261
Have you visited Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara?
Katie Dillon
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