On Staycation
The courtyard at Palihouse Santa Barbara.
Spectacular hotels near home waiting to welcome you
It’s been a while since most of us have been traveling. If you’re eager to get away, but still wary about venturing too far, there are spectacular hotels here waiting to welcome you.
A seafood barbecue at The Alisal.
Santa Barbara County’s ranching traditions live on at The Alisal, where along with the trail rides, there’s golf, hiking, tennis, and spa visits. A summer highlight is the California Ranch Cookouts series—one-night barbecue dinners hosted by celebrity chefs. 1054 Alisal Rd., Solvang, 800-425-4725, ALISAL.COM.
Part of the Shelter Social Club portfolio, the Capri Hotel was renovated in 2020 with streamlined midcentury modern style. The pool area, lawn, and firepit offer a tranquil gathering spot close to downtown Ojai. 1180 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai, 805-646-4305, CAPRIHOTELOJAI.COM.
Chef Bruno Lopez has taken over the dining room at El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara, the Riviera classic with unparalleled downtown views. He’s serving up new menu offerings, Taste of El Encanto dinners, and other culinary experiences. 800 Alvarado Pl., Santa Barbara, 805-845-5800, BELMOND.COM.
A gracious retreat in the Santa Ynez Valley, Fess Parker Wine Country Inn recently renovated their guestrooms. Also new is the Italian cuisine at Nella Kitchen & Bar, including cocktails and Roman-inspired pizza. 2860 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 800-446-2455, FESSPARKERINN.COM.
Going retro at the Skyview Los Alamos.
Opened in March 2021, the boutique Hotel Ynez, on two acres, comprises 22 cute guest rooms with private stone patios, perfect for grilling specialty Santa Maria-style BBQ kits. Complimentary bicycles are available for exploring Solvang and Santa Ynez. 2644 Mission Dr., Solvang, 805-697-5444, HOTELYNEZ.COM.
A rooftop pool with a Santa Barbara panorama is just one of the charms of the downtown Spanish-style, pet-friendly Kimpton Canary Hotel. Farm-to-fork dining is a highlight at Finch & Fork, along with a daily wine hour. 31 W. Carrillo, Santa Barbara, 805-884-0300, CANARYSANTABARBARA.COM.
A locals’ gathering place, The Landsby is a boutique hotel whose sophisticated Scandinavian style is a contemporary take on Solvang’s traditional Danish look, while the signature menu at Mad & Vin reflects the influence of wine country. 1576 Mission Dr., Solvang, 805-688-3121, THELANDSBY.COM.
Oceanfront Mar Monte Hotel celebrated its top-to-bottom renovation with a grand reopening in May. Terra-cotta, tile, and an earth-toned palette infuse Spanish style into the décor, while the menu at costa Kitchen and Bar blends California and Italian flavors. 11 East Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara, 805-882-1234, HYATT.COM.
Ojai’s Capri Hotel.
Charlie Chaplin reportedly built the Montecito Inn as a getaway from Hollywood. It’s still a casually upscale spot close to beaches and boutiques. The hotel’s own Coast & Olive serves up California dishes with French Riviera flair. 1295 Coast Village Rd., Santa Barbara, 805-969, 7854, MONTECITOINN.COM.
Golf and spa treatments have been perennial attractions at the luxe Ojai Valley Inn, which opened its doors nearly a century ago. Now its Farmhouse complex is making headlines with its star-studded epicurean events, including this summer’s guest chef dinners. 905 Country Club Rd., Ojai, 855-697-8780, OJAIVALLEYINN.COM.
The quaint, dog-friendly new Palihouse Santa Barbara downtown features 24 smartly appointed, vintage-inspired accommodations (equipped with Smeg refrigerators), plus a charming Mediterranean-style courtyard, garden café, cocktail bar, and pool. 915 Garden St., Santa Barbara, 805-564-4700, PALISOCIETY.COM.
Dining in colorful comfort at the Mar Monte Hotel.
With an ocean-bluff location, The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara offers special summer dining offerings with stunning panoramas—including a new Latin menu at The O Bar, a pop-up sushi restaurant on the terrace, a champagne bar, and vintners’ dinners. 8301 Hollister Ave., 805-968-0100, RITZCARLTON.COM.
It’s 5-star luxury at the 160-room Rosewood Miramar Beach, which is hosting the first U.S. Dioriviera boutique this summer. Also new is The Revere Room, an elegantly inviting eatery that complements the fine dining at oceanfront Caruso’s. 1759 South Jameson La., Montecito, 805-900-8388, ROSEWOODMIRAMARBEACH.COM.
Tucked into the Montecito foothills, the 550-acre San Ysidro Ranch has been a celebrity getaway for a century. Lush gardens surround the 41 secluded cottages, while the romantic Stonehouse and atmospheric Plow & Angel feature farm-to-table cuisine. 900 San Ysidro La., Montecito, 800-368-6788, SANYSIDRORANCH.COM.
Midcentury modern style meets rustic chic at the boutique Skyview Los Alamos, on a hilltop overlooking the foodies’ favorite Western-style town. There’s a pool, small spa, vineyard, and gardens; for onsite dining, the Norman serves fresh, seasonal cuisine. 9150 US-101, 805-344-0104, SKYVIEWLOSALAMOS.COM.
photographs: Capri Hotel, Yoshihiro Makino. The Landsby, Sara Prince; alisal, Sara Range; Hotel Ynez, Karyn Millet; Kimpton Canary, John Ellis, Palihouse Santa Barbara, Sara Prince
