HotelChatter

San Ysidro Ranch is nestled in the hills of Montecito, a posh, swanky little community just south of Santa Barbara proper. Anytime something is "nestled" in any way, shape, or form, you can bet it's gonna be good, and San Ysidro Ranch doesn't disappoint.

It's a famed little resort in Southern California, not far from the wine country, and not far from the beach. And not far from Oprah's palatial spread either. The resort's website boasts that "Myth and history mingle in the fragrant gardens where Vivien Leigh and Sir Laurence Olivier exchanged vows; in the setting of John and Jackie Kennedy's honeymoon retreat." Sweet!

"The Ranch," as I like to call it (since I'm an old veteran of the SYR - as I also like to call it), has many beautiful suites, which come in one or two bedroom varieties. However, if you're traveling with-pooch, as we were, you'll have to stay in one of the 41 adorable little (ok, they're not actually so little) cottages that dot the property.

The cottages are a real treat, and they better be, because they cost 74 zillion dollars per night. Each one is large (about 1,200 sq ft), and plushly accommodated, including comfy king-sized beds with the finest linens, antiquey furniture, private patios with hot tubs and rain showers, gorgeous stone fireplaces, heated bathroom floors, and big flat screen TVs.

It costs $100 extra per night to bring your dog, but he or she will be treated to luxury and comfort just as lavish as that of mom and dad. According to their website:

[I]t may not be commonly known that one of the main attractions for the San Ysidro Ranch as a lavish hideaway is its historical tradition in welcoming the family pet. Stemming back as far as former owner Alvin Weingand's famed family of dachshunds in the mid 1930s, pets have often been frequent guests at the Ranch.

And they do it right: The receptionist at check-in gave our dog a cookie upon arrival, and when we got to our cottage, we found that there was a doggy bed awaiting, as well as food and water dishes and some toys and treats. We spent the second day we were there hiking (with our dog) along the many miles of trails around the ranch.

They also provide in-room spa treatments for dogs, which include a half-hour massage for $75. It doesn't get any more swanky/obnoxious than that.