By Marilyn Bauer, The Tribune
September 13, 2000
Stretched across the entrance, a squadron of young men in navy Donna Karan stand ready in military at-ease. Equipped
with Secret Service-style earphones, they're the Delta Force of valet parking. In the Bistro, a tittering wedding
party of 20-somethings don golden card paper crowns, suck up Zaca Mesa chardonnay and pick at salads tossed with
avocado and grapefruit grown on the nearby 1,000-acre farm.
Last week Deborah Messing of "Will and Grace" chose the baronial splendor of Bacara for her wedding.
Messing is only the first of what management expects will be frequent patronage by the Hollywood elite.
That's why they've installed a fiber optics system, a screening room, three "green rooms" and facilities
for editing film.
One week after opening day, this 73-acre seaside Santa Barbara resort has confirmed reservations extending to 2002.
Nearly 130 luxury rooms, scattered throughout the 28 buildings, are occupied even though the complex will not be
fully operational until Nov. 1.
Anne Luther, a relocated New York PR powerhouse, steps around construction detritus, swarming guests and a staff
of 400, fresh from the property's on-site hospitality school: "Service has to be our number one mission statement,"
she says. "Service and quality." And something bordering on anal-retentive attention to detail.
Employees, paid $9 an hour, submit to "appearance criteria," grooming standards and uniform fittings.
There are regulations governing the length of side burns, wearing of fragrance and make-up, the style of shoes
and the color of hose. If you want to wear sandals with your trousered uniform, a pedicure is required. But no
bare legs with your Audrey Hepburn-inspired cocktail uniform.
"We're very much image-driven," Luther comments, mentioning that the resort's New York ad agency also
created ads for Burburry. There's definite New York attitude here, perhaps because New York billionaire Alvin Dworman,
owns the joint.
Thirty years in the making (20 spent in an enviro-conflict with county supervisor Bill Wallace and Citizens for
the Goleta Valley and decided in California Supreme Court), Bacara's white-toned structures with distressed red
tiles resemble a Spanish Colonial village. The name is made up -- a variation on the Chumash Indian word for mirage,
Anacapa -- and three on-site, paved-over Chumash burial grounds required construction to shift from ocean-facing
to the southwest. A UCSB archaeologist is at work cataloging what Luther refers to as the "bits and pieces"
collected from the site.
The 311 rooms and 49 suites (ocean-view rooms go for $600-$900 a night and suites up to $5,000 a night) are done
up in wicker and wrought iron, ceramic tiles and Frette linens. Fireside bathtubs serve double duty as room dividers,
concealed behind mahogany shutters, swung open for sea views during the relaxation of a bath. There are DVD players,
Sony TVs, Internet access and a technology concierge on call 24 hours a day.
The resort's three restaurants are open for all three meals and feature indoor-outdoor dining. The California French
Mir", set to open early in October, has three of its namesake's paintings mounted on the wall, the first acquisitions
in what the hotel hopes will become a world-class corporate art collection. Dworman has lured Remi Lauvand to create
the fine-dining menu, a chef whose resume includes New York's La Circe and Montrachet. In the spa, chef Michael
Goodman's inspired, health-conscious cuisine includes Mimosa Ceviche with tuna, yuzu juice and champagne and Clear
Gazpacho made with grilled jicama, red currant tomatoes and chives. Mediterranean-style choices at Bistro include
Risotto with Wild Mushrooms and Caramelized Onions and Charred Rare Ahi Tuna with Grilled Mission Figs.
The 41,000-square-foot spa seems more like a hospital than a wellness center.
"It's a destination in itself," Luther says.
Uniformed technicians softly pad between the 41 well-appointed treatment rooms. Whole suites may be reserved for
a group to enjoy massages, manicures or hydrotherapy sessions separated from other guests. A large common area
with an enormous terrace and fireplace allow for socializing between beauty sessions.
Treatments, from body wraps to tarot card readings, are available for a fee.
All preparations are made from avocados and citrus fruits supplied by the hotel's farm.The below ground weight
room and cardio area is run by former San Luis Obispo fitness maven, Karen Prechtel.
Prechtel, formerly general manager for Arroyo Grande's Kennedy Fitness, can barely contain her glee at landing
this high-profile gig.
Bleached blond, spike-haired and buff, one imagines she will do well with the Hollywood crowd. Her careful manner,
easy humor and contained strength will come in handy when personal training the privileged.
Below the lobby is Santa Barbara's biggest ballroom, with seating for 900 and balconies overlooking the main floor.
On the walls of the adjoining areas are more corporate treasures: California Plein Air paintings from the 1930s
and '40s by John Gamble, Lockwood de Forest and Thomas Anderson.
The 211-seat screening room (a first for Santa Barbara), "green rooms" and editing facilities are down
here too.
"We're going for elegance with a relaxed state of mind," said Luther.
"That's a fine line to walk, I think."
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