Four Seasons Santa Barbara

All the guest rooms are spacious, and have a light feel to them thanks to white plantation shutters, light-wood furnishings, and full marble bathrooms with deliciously deep baths. There are poolside rooms with streams running through their patios, and cottages scattered about the beautifully manicured gardens that are perfect for families.

The main dining room has wonderful ocean views and serves fresh Californian food and wine for lunch and dinner. The terrace next door is ideal for al fresco dining, and the Sunday brunch is the stuff of legend. Just across the street is the reopened Coral Casino Beach Club which adds two new restaurants, a beachfront pool and an impressive gym. The two dining options in the Coral Casino include a lovely poolside cafe with poolside service. Upstairs and overlooking the ocean, a Mediterranean venue provides dinner from Tuesday to Saturday.

The pool adjacent to the main hotel building is set in small landscaped courtyard. The spa has 10 elaborate treatment rooms, four of which have sea views, and a long list of health and beauty treatments. In addition there are three floodlit tennis courts, a putting green, croquet, gym, sauna and steam room. Seasonal children's activities allow parents a little time to themselves.