Santa Barbara, California
Ravenscroft is an enchanting George Washington Smith 1922 Estate, located in the heart of Montecito, a seaside village that has seduced moguls, magnates & movie stars for over a hundred years. The harmonious design of its interior seamlessly blends 1920’s aristocratic living with a refreshing contemporary twist. For those seeking exclusivity and serenity, each moment at Ravenscroft is a symphony of opulence, where attention to detail transforms every stay into an exquisite experience.
Framed by towering palms and verdant surroundings, Ravenscroft pays homage to the grandeur of its natural setting, with a timeless elegance that is truly captivating. Within the estate are sweeping lawns, intimate outdoor terraces and idyllic gardens, while its main residence is trimmed with majestic hand-tooled gates. A l’Orangery & Japanese tea house, wine cellar, home theater room, and sparkling pool, spa and tennis court complete its list of opulent amenities.
Carefully preserving the architectural brilliance of renowned architect George Washington Smith, Ravenscroft has undergone meticulous restoration and reconstruction, marrying the allure of the past with the demands of modern living. Located in one of the most prestigious areas in Montecito, amongst the grandeur estates of its same historic pedigree, directly adjacent to Lotus Land, Ravenscroft provides a private setting, while being a short drive to the beach and even closer to the upper and lower Village.
Step into the enchanting world of Ravenscroft, where every moment is is an ode to timeless elegance. Within the estate are sweeping lawns and gardens, intimate outdoor terraces, majestic gates, and its 10,000 square foot interior flooded with natural light. Within the 52 foot long garden room, vines have been growing across the interior since the 1920's. Original wrought-iron doors that were hand crafted on site during construction of Ravenscroft, which lead into the dreamy garden, pool and tennis court area.
The opulent living room embraces two large sofas and additional furnishing for intimate seating. The grand fireplace compliments the magnitude of the room, as the original owner used to bring her beloved saddle horse inside to get warmed by the flames. Wrought-iron doors lead you to an airy patio, complete with lounge seating and umbrellas, grill and mosaic fountain. One of the most enchanting spaces in this stunning luxury rental is the kitchen, adorned with original GWS white tiles that stretch from floor to ceiling, creating an inviting atmosphere for culinary pursuits. The space is meticulously equipped with an original butler’s pantry and “White House Stamped” custom cabinets from the 1920’s as well as an array of modern conveniences such as La Cornue stove, home bar, Sub-Zero refrigerator and two dishwashers.
In the office, there is a desk, library and a hidden door handle nestled in the bookshelves. This whimsical passageway leads to the wine cellar and adjacent tasting room, made complete with a fireplace and warm leather seating. Each bedroom in the villa is designed to provide a tranquil and luxurious retreat, ensuring a restful night's sleep for every guest. For an unforgettable movie night, the state-of-the-art cinema room offers 9 plush and dramatic theatrical seats.
The master suite features a king-size bed, TV, 2 full bathrooms and 3 walk in closets. The primary bathroom is highlighted by a beautiful, walk-in marble shower with a waterfall-head, heated floors and a bath tub in an adjacent dressing room, featuring a fireplace. The iron-wrought windows imbue the suite with natural light and views of the gardens and pool. Nestled in one of the walk-in closets, is a hidden door in the shoe shelf, leading you into an enchanting look-out tower above.
The 800 square feet guest house encompasses a grand living room with a 50” Smart TV, queen pull-out couch, 1 king bedroom, 2 full bathrooms and the original fully-equipped, charming kitchen. The space is highlighted by an expansive ceiling with original architectural beams exposed, coupled with wide wood plank floors. The kitchen and bathrooms beautifully display original GWS tiles from floor to ceiling as well as original fixtures, doors and hardware.
Jack's cottage shares a queen bedroom, full bathroom, and sauna, where exquisite GWS tiles and design details match those in Casa Del Herrera. The quaint 'Abigail Cottage' is a restored, charming small 1 BR/1BA guest cottage surrounded by a fruit orchard, verdant lawns and a hen house.
With its exquisite and stately presence, the estate showcases awe-inspiring views of the landscape and pool, inviting guests to enjoy a moonlit swim in the heated pool or indulge in delightful alfresco dining. Combining rich history, impeccable design, and idyllic surroundings, this exceptional luxury vacation rental guarantees an unforgettable experience of tranquility and sophistication in Montecito's most coveted location.
The property was so clean and well kept. Everything was top of the line and the amenities were second to none. I’d stay here over and over again. Everyvody needs to stay here at least once!!!
The house was amazing. You felt as if you were in 1920s Hollywood era . We spent every night around the outdoor fireplace . Can’t wait to return.
Gorgeous property and Todd was wonderful Abor answering all of our questions and insuring we had everything we needed.
Ravenscroft Historic Estate is a perfect step back to the magical, glory days of Montecito. It is has been painstakingly restored to shine in all its romantic glory. Every area of the estate offers an experience for everyone who stays there. My grandchildren enjoyed the tennis and swimming while my husband (who is a landscaper) found total joy in the beautiful grounds. The kitchen is a wonderful place to connect with family while cooking in a perfectly appointed kitchen with a cozy fireplace. The grand living room is the epitome of entertaining and singing out tunes to the piano. Todd is an amazing host who offers all the help you could ask for. His passion for the home is contagious. I would highly recommend Ravenscroft if you are looking for a first class, five star experience.
My family (15 adults & teens) just enjoyed a perfect family vacation at Ravenscroft. It is a spectacular and unique property. The owners have lovingly restored the home to it's original grandeur and it was a special treat to be able to call this estate home for a week. The grounds are stunning. The pool, jacuzzi and tennis court were so well maintained. There's a chicken coop on the property and we were able to get fresh eggs for breakfast. Upon our arrival, the kitchen was stocked with everything we'd requested and a full dinner was left for us so we didn't have to cook or shop on that first night. On a different night, we hired the private chef recommended to us and she was outstanding. There is air conditioning in the master suite and fans provided in the other rooms although the gorgeous Montecito weather doesn't often require their use. Aside from the Maine House bedrooms, there is a one-bedroom guest suite that is beautifully decorated and has an extremely comfortable king bed as well as a pull-out sofa in the living room. There is a 9 seat movie theater with exceptionally comfortable reclining chairs. There is an outdoor ping pong patio, indoor billiard room and gym, outdoor fireplaces in several locations... honestly, this property is virtually perfection. The only thing I'd change is the WiFi signal. It's available in a few spots in the house, but not across the entire property. That said, it was rather nice putting the phone/iPad down for the better part of every day. There are so many places to relax and have fun on the property that it was hard to venture beyond the beautiful wrought iron gates. However, there are many great restaurant choices right in Montecito. This is a special place and the owners are beyond accommodating. I could not recommend it more highly.
We had a fantastic famiy reunion celebrating our dad's 80th birthday. We ranged in age from 7 years old to 80 and there was something for everyone. We thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful gardens and the gorgeous estate. There is no need to leave the Ravenscroft Estate because there is so much to do. My neice enjoyed finding fresh eggs every morning in the chicken coop, we all loved swimming in the pool, relaxing in the jacuzzi and playing family tennis. The lawn was perfect for bocce ball. We watched family movies in the theater, played ping pong, rode bikes and went hiking. There are so many lovely gardens to choose from to just sit and read a book or listen to the birds chirping. The kitchen was well equiped with gorgeous appliances which made it a joy to cook family meals. It was truly hard to leave and we all hope to be able to return soon.
This is the finest house we have ever rented or had access to. The owner is beyond gracious and helpful. The grounds are spectacular. There are so many priceless trees here you are just in amazement . The house is a historic trove yet comfortable and decorated perfectly. My wife and I are already planning when we can come back and if we can lengthen our next stay. Frankly experiences like this are never forgotten. All information on this house is highly accurate. The truth is the amazing pictures hardly give you the full beauty of staying here.
Ravenscroft is appointed with such thoughtful detail. Photos do not do it justice. Melanie and Todd clearly have thought of all the comforts and luxuries to allow for relaxation, fun and creating memories. The kitchen is enviable. And there are so many picturesque places to relax and have a meal or just a glass of wine. From the sitting area near the outdoor fireplace to the indescribable room with vines on the ceilings. With a tennis court, pool and gorgeous gardens, you never have to leave Ravenscroft for a perfect holiday. It is really a magical place.
Our family spent Labor Day weekend at the Ravenscroft Estate and it was the most pleasant family trips we've experienced. The estate is filled with history and the amenities gave us plenty to do and enjoy.
We had a fabulous week away at Ravenscroft over Easter. We were 2 families from Los Angeles with young children. Todd and Melanie were fabulous to work with during the booking and organization phase. When we arrived on Easter Sunday afternoon, they had stocked the fridge and cupboards with the groceries we requested and also left a lovely spread of wine, cheese and cake for us. The photos on the website of course look fabulous but almost don't do this amazing and historic property justice. It is in one of the most prime Montecito locations - right next to Lotus Land (which is also a must see!). We had 2 nannys with us during the week who had great accommodations in the 2 bedroom plus living area guest cottage. The grounds are absolutely amazing and a real highlight were the fireside dinners and smores we cooked over the wood burning outdoor fireplace. A great experience and thanks to Todd and Melanie for being great to work with.
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