Courtesy of San Ysidro Ranch
The 2024 Boutique Hotel Club Awards recently debuted and topping the list stands a hidden hideaway known as San Ysidro Ranch, a long-time favorite getaway for celebrities.
Nestled on 550 lush acres winding along a babbling creek in Montecito, California, San Ysidro Ranch is the epitome of romance. A storied retreat that once hosted honeymooners John and Jacqueline Kennedy, this iconic hideaway blends timeless elegance with five-star service and ultimate privacy. Today, the property’s picturesque grounds, intentionally private accommodations, and unparalleled service make it one of the world’s most sought-after destinations for a romantic getaway.
The ranch’s 38 bungalow-style cottages each have a private entrance leading into individually decorated interiors with antiques and artwork collected from around the world, along with four-poster canopy beds, mason-crafted fireplaces, private gardens, indoor and outdoor rain showers, and oversized hydro-massage sunken spas. The grounds include a paradise of lavender fields, olive groves, and rose gardens, leading to indulgent amenities like a hillside pool reminiscent of the countryside in Provence. Guests can also indulge in a full-service Salon & Spa housed in a storybook cottage, the Michelin-touted Stonehouse restaurant and the exclusive Speakeasy at Plow & Angel.
A coveted destination for dream weddings and special celebrations, San Ysidro Ranch offers magical venues including the gardens where Katharine Hepburn witnessed Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier wed in a secret midnight ceremony, and the Kennedy Cottage shared by Jaqueline and John during their honeymoon in 1953. The enchanting grounds have witnessed the nuptials of many other illustrious guests including actor Chris Pratt to Katherine Schwarzenegger and Gwyneth Paltrow to Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
Couples can indulge in a romantic candle-lit dinner for two in the property’s Old Adobe (a historical landmark built in 1825),in-cottage champagne and caviar tasting, petal toss at turndown, spa day in the couple’s “lovebirds” room, and more. The Stonehouse’s exquisite farm-and-ocean-to-table fare includes Santa Barbara diver-caught sea urchin and gold-label wagyu striploin, and guided wine tastings are available in the Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning wine cellar. The new Prohibition-era inspired Speakeasy at Plow & Angel invites guests to imbibe in unique cocktails and ultra-rare spirits across its 4,500-bottle collection along with light bites, live music, and craft cocktails daily starting at 5pm.
Cottages at San Ysidro Ranch include complimentary dining, complimentary parking, and no resort fees. To learn more, visit www.sanysidroranch.com
Courtesy of San Ysidro Ranch
Inside the Kennedy Cottage where John F. Kennedy and Jackie O. Kennedy stayed on their honeymoon in 1953.
Courtesy of San Ysidro Ranch
Originally home to a working citrus ranch over a century ago before it changed hands and later was acquired by entrepreneur Ty Warner in 2000, the boutique resort offers a storybook landscape with bougainvillea, cottage-style accommodations and charming gardens.
Courtesy of San Ysidro Ranch
Guests can dine at Stonehouse, an award-winning restaurant lauded by Michelin raters. The menu features regional cuisine complemented by fresh-picked herbs and produce from the chef’s nearby organic garden.
