Santa Barbara is a quaint seaside heaven nestled 90-minutes outside of Los Angeles. Despite being so close to LA's jungle of highways and unrelenting smog, as you cruise into this gorgeous sea-side town, you'll feel like you're worlds away. Despite being such a speedy commute, we recommend breaking up the coastal 101 journey with a seafood lunch in Malibu, because why not. The proximity to the ocean is extremely apparent even before you arrive at The Four Seasons Biltmore. The thick salt in the air, the Mediterranean year-long breeze, the slower pace that compliments this stretch of South-facing coastline that happens to be the longest stretch in the West Coast of the United States. Santa Barbara is often affectionately described as the American Riviera, a befitting title especially within the walls of The Four Seasons. The only choice for a luxurious stay whilst visiting this divine town is The Four Seasons Biltmore Santa Barbara. Set amongst a lush green garden spanning 22-acres with the Santa Ynez mountains as a dramatic backdrop, this Twenties-era Spanish Colonial paradise is a mecca of comfort and class with an air of historical intrigue. Luxury at The Four Seasons is understated and comfortable. A long weekend at The Biltmore is a step back in time, in which you can almost feel the 1920's royalty that once graced these magnificent grounds. The rooms feel as though they could well be originals that have been preserved impeccably with a distict air of chic, old-school Hollywood glamour that could rival most hotels in the country. The Biltmore feels luxuriously comfortable. It's livable luxury within private bungalows and terraces that overlook the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands. For those looking to raise the heart rate, the Biltmore gym houses state of the art equipment and is complimented with an award-winning spa designed by Peter Marino. Fresh cucumber towels, iced water and a view over the lush green foliage outside is a welcome change from the usual ill-equipped hotel gyms. Spend lazy days by one of the two pools, spin in the heated whirl pools, luxuriate in a private massage or spend afternoons having a long lunch at Bella Vista: organic, Italian inspired masterpiece of a restaurant with views out over the ocean and in. Superb! The Four Seasons is a place to escape. There's something about the fresh, salty sea air that will change your mindset immediately. A place to take a breath, sit on your terrace writing a novel after novel, sipping strong black coffee whilst gazing out onto the horizon of the glistening Pacific Ocean. This is a place to get lost and find yourself again, in absolute comfort. Meticilously hand-crafted mosaiced bathrooms, jungle-set pools, comfy beds and 5-star dining experiences make for a complete experience. The Biltmore Four Seasons can be found here |