Happy New Year!  As we head into our 85^th year, we look forward to welcoming you back for all the reasons you love Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara.  In the meantime, we’re kicking off 2012 with a culinary celebration of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, as well as a debut  line of signature organic spa treatments, an enticing new excuse to make Bella Vista part of your weekend plans, and hot ideas for a Valentine’s Day to remember.

Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara is rolling out the red carpet for film lovers and foodies during the star-studded Santa Barbara International Film Festival, January 26 through February 5, 2012.  For the 11-day extravaganza, Bella Vista will again take part in the second annual “Film Feast” city-wide promotion. For just $49 per person (exclusive of beverages, tax and gratuity), diners can savor a special prix fixe, four-course dinner by executive chef Alessandro Cartumini showcasing the finest and freshest local seasonal fare.

Film Feast menu:
* Ahi tuna tartare, fennel, pickled shallots, celery
* House-made potato gnocchi, fresh organic tomato sauce, burrata cheese
* Slow-cooked veal shank, saffron polenta, heirloom carrots - or - Roasted local halibut, royal trumpets, Tuscan kale, sweet garlic
* Warm chocolate cake, blood orange sorbet

Partake in “Film Feast” at Bella Vista from January 26 through February 5, Thursday through Monday only. For reservations, please call 1 (805) 565-8237 or reserve your table online.

Meanwhile at Ty Lounge, don’t miss the all-star cast of specialty cocktails imagined in the spirit of award winning motion pictures ($14):

Bentini: Chopin, Lillet Blanc, St. Germain, ruby red grapefruit
The Franco: Hirsch small batch bourbon, Aperol, yellow chartreuse
Nolan’s Touch: No. 3 Gin, Luxardo cherry liqueur, lemon juice, green chartreuse ice
Rush Hour: 10 Cane, Cointreau, warm lemon/honey sour, Hennessy VS flame

Ty Lounge is open seven days a week and features live DJ entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights.

With the holidays neatly wrapped up until next year, now is everyone’s favorite time to cleanse their systems after all those cookies and cocktails, while the new year’s fresh start provides a welcome reason to rejuvenate, recharge and recommit to health and fitness goals.

To that end, The Spa has introduced two innovative new pedicures not only made to promote full-body detoxification but that will reinvigorate tired feet and leave them looking fabulous to boot.

Detoxifying Pedicure
Eliminate toxins and increase vitality with this relaxing pedicure. Begin the detox process by sipping an all-natural herbal formula made from East Asian herbs. A detoxifying foot soak, herbal exfoliation and nourishing foot massage will leave you feeling rebalanced and restored. Concludes with cuticle care, nail shaping and polishing. 50 minutes.

Muscle & Joint Therapeutic Pedicure
Bring respite and relief to aching feet with this therapeutic pedicure. Ease muscle and joint discomfort with a restorative soak followed by a revitalizing scrub. Next, a soothing foot massage aids in the reduction of muscle and joint stress. Cuticle care, nail shaping and polishing completes your treatment.  50 minutes.

Also available at The Spa’s retail boutique, the latest fitness inspired activewear, sexy yoga wear and women’s fitness clothing from Splits59!  Get motivated to attain those resolutions with new workout gear from this favorite line of celebrities and top trainers alike.  

The Spa is open daily from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.  Locals enjoy a 20% savings on all treatments.  For more information or to book an appointment, call 1 (805) 565-8250 or book online.

Now you don’t have to wait until Sunday to get your fix of the Four Seasons Biltmore’s famous brunch creations!  Santa Barbara’s most popular brunch spot has introduced a new á la carte Saturday Brunch menu, available from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm and featuring mouth-watering breakfast and lunch favourites.  Saturday Brunch will be available at both Bella Vista and Ty Lounge, so diners can enjoy more options to soak up the majestic ocean views all weekend long.

Menu highlights include:

Ricotta pancakes, strawberry syrup
French toast, caramelized banana, raisins, cinnamon dark rum syrup
Short rib sweet potato hash with fried egg
Crab benedict, spinach, citrus hollandaise
Kobe steak and eggs, tomatillo salsa
Lobster citrus salad sandwich, avocado, fennel, tiny greens
Thai chicken salad, cabbage, mint, cilantro, cashews, crispy wontons, spicy peanut dressing
Steak frites, kobe flank steak, french fries
S’mores chocolate tart, vanilla bean ice cream, marshmallow

For more information and reservations, please call 1 (805) 565-8237 or reserve your table online.

Santa Barbarans can now enjoy the benefits of H. Gillerman Organics’ eight exclusive aromatherapy formulas made with the highest concentrations of the finest quality, unprocessed, undiluted, unaltered, organic/wild-crafted and therapeutic-grade essential oils from around the world.

The Spa recently launched four signature aromatherapy massages to specifically address the most common health problems brought on by a stressful lifestyle using these eight formulas, or remedies. The remedies provide aromatic healing while stimulating the body’s healing mechanism by acting as probiotics and eliminating toxins.  The four treatments are designed to ensure maximum physical and emotional benefits targeted to the individual’s needs:

Pure Breathing: Wards off cold and flu; enhances relaxation and deepens breathing; energises and inspires. Sinus Remedy (eucalyptus, orange, petitgrain) clears breathing passageways, decongests, and relieves swollen glands. Chest Remedy (spruce, fir, cardamom) reduces aches and pains, allergies and fatigue.

True Relaxation: Induces deep muscle relaxation and eases stress. Stress Remedy (lavender, tangerine, sandalwood) soothes the nerves, while Muscle Remedy (basil, birch, vetiver) relieves muscle pain and chronic tension and promotes healing of muscular injuries.

Natural Rest: Balances body rhythms, improves sleep and restores after travel. Travel Remedy litsea, cedarwood, palmarosa) relieves jet lag and helps the body adjust to seasonal shifts. Sleep Remedy (bitter orange, clary sage, lavender) helps with sleep quality and insomnia to provide fully restorative natural rest.

Clear Mind: Relieves pain; improves mental focus; grounding. Tension Remedy (peppermint, lavender) relieves headaches and revives mental focus and alertness. Jaw Clenching Remedy (chamomile, vetiver, patchouli) calms mental activity, allowing one to slow down and shift gears to help alleviate tense facial muscles and night grinding.

In addition to their purity, the remedies are free of chemically altered oils, imitation fragrances, petrochemicals, sulphates, parabens and preservatives (to ensure maximum therapeutic results) – and the entire H. Gillerman Organics line is produced and packaged using environmentally conscious practices.

The Spa is open daily from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.  Locals enjoy a 20% savings on all treatments.  For more information or to book an appointment, call 1 (805) 565-8250 or book online.

This Valentine’s Day, treat your special someone to a romantic, gourmet dinner in the cozy candlelit ambience of Bella Vista.  Or, set the mood with a very special Sweetheart’s Tea for two.  Advance reservations are highly recommended; please call 1 (805) 565-8237.

Valentine’s Day Dinner
February 14 at Bella Vista, 5:00 to 9:00 pm
$95 per person, including champagne

Four-course menu:
* Sunchoke parmesan soup with chive whipped mascarpone, lobster salad
* Buckwheat ricotta gnocchi with sage, chanterelle mushroom, Dungeness crab
* Miso grappa roasted local black cod with Tuscan kale tomato stew, wheat berries - or – California natural beef tenderloin and cheek duo, scarlet turnip, rosemary baby yam mash, spring onions mustard relish - or – Almond polenta sformato with roasted artichokes, green garlic taleggio fondue
* Spiced chocolate pot de crème, blood orange, violet, wild strawberries, pistachio sponge

Sweetheart’s Tea
February 10, 11 and 14 at Bella Vista, 2:00 to 4:00 pm
$35 per person

Romance your plus one with a fun traditional afternoon tea featuring delightful embellishments to celebrate the season of love.  Enjoy a vast range of teas, including a special Valentine’s blend, along with an elegantly presented selection of finger sandwiches, pastries and sweet treats, chocolate dipped strawberries, and all the traditional accoutrements – including homemade local strawberry jam, lemon curd and fresh cream. 

Heat things up with a Kir Royal or glass of champagne for just $7 more.

A favorite Santa Barbara holiday tradition, Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara is counting down to another joyous season by the sea, unwrapping exciting promotions, special offers and experiences designed to help you make magical memories.

Join us on November 26 at 6:00 pm as we kick off the festive season with a special lighting of our beautifully decorated, 15-foot lobby Christmas tree. Come see the Four Seasons Biltmore decked in cheerful holiday style and stay for a light-hearted celebration that will include a champagne toast, music and (for the kiddies) hot chocolate and cookies.

Back by popular demand! Sugar and spice will be making everything nice at The Spa this season, with three delicious treatments designed to relieve holiday stress. 

A delightfully scented, organic full-body Sugar Scrub (50 minutes, $170) featuring extracts of chamomile, myrrh and passionflower will banish dry, winter skin and leave it deeply moisturized. A relaxing Spice Massage (50 minutes, $170 / 80 minutes, $240) uses an aromatic massage oil made exclusively for The Spa – an enticing blend of orange, patchouli, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, pine and rosemary essential oils, it’s sure to spice up the season.  For a true holiday delight, guests can enjoy “Sugar & Spice” in an indulgent combination treatment (80 minutes, $240).

The Spa is open daily from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.  Locals enjoy a 20% savings on all treatments.  For more information or to book an appointment, call The Spa at 1 (805) 565-8250 or book online.

In addition to a reliable selection of creative holiday cocktails, Ty Lounge is adding serious sparkle to the season with a “World of Bubbly” menu of sparkling wines by the glass. From France’s Veuve Clicquot, to Spain’s Poema Cava, Lunetta Prosecco from Italy and homegrown California bubbles, the selection showcases more than 20 different labels from around the globe. 

Furthermore, master mixologist and lounge manager Aaron Piatkowski will be getting guests in the holiday spirit with lessons in champagne cocktails. After discovering how to use Nicolas Feuillatte champagne to whip up four fizzy, festive drinks, guests will take home a collection of Aaron’s favorite recipes to create at their next party. The complimentary cocktail demos will take place December 26, 28 and 30, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. 

Ty Lounge is open seven days a week.  For hours and more information, please call 1 (805) 969-2261.