Four Seasons Biltmore in Montecito gearing up for re-opening after mudslides

The Four Season Biltmore in Montecito held a job fair Friday. Their goal is to recruit 55 new employees prior to their re-opening since the deadly January mudslides closed the hotel.

The hotel has been closed for nearly five months, while staff worked on repairs.

Dozens of potential employees visited the Coral Casino Friday to interview for openings. Eric Powers was one of them, hoping to get hired as a bartender.

For the Santa Barbara native, working at the Montecito hotel means more than just making drinks.

“Hopefully, I’ll see those people come back and put a smile on their face,” said Powers. “That is what you have to live for. You always want to have that positive attitude and give back to the people who deserve it.”

Just a few months ago the Four Seasons Biltmore was surrounded with mud from the January 9 deadly mudflow. Potential employee, Javier Hernandez remembers what he saw.

“Mud just piled up high toward the tennis courts,” said Hernandez. “It’s crazy to park where there used to be 6 feet of mud at one point.”

Hotel staff says it’s time for their revival and they are looking forward to welcoming 55 new faces to their facility.

“It’s unfortunate that something so big happened to such a quiet and peaceful neighborhood and it’s nice to see that the Biltmore is opening up again because it’s a really nice establishment here in Montecito,” said Hernandez.

General Manager, Karen Earp says The Four Seasons Biltmore will re-open to the public on June 1, 2018.

“It’s been tough going through two natural disasters but we are so strong as a team that we will thrive,” said Earp. ” You know, we’ve been through some tough times but we’ll come back stronger, more united and we’re just so motivated to be back.”