Nourish body and soul in Santa Barbara, where exceptional hotels and resorts offer a respite from the hustle of everyday life. When you pair the region’s tranquil ocean views and temperate climate with luxurious spa treatments and holistic experiences, you will find ultimate rejuvenation.
Feature Photo Courtesy of Hotel Californian
Hotel Californian
With the expert touch of celebrity designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, the Hotel Californian is a seamless blend of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture with Moroccan influences, featuring natural light, jewel-toned colors, and over one million tiles. Just steps from the beach in Santa Barbara’s lively Funk Zone, the hotel boasts a rooftop pool and fitness center. Wine and dine at diverse onsite restaurants, including a tasting room, chic cocktail bar, poolside café, and Mediterranean-inspired fine dining. The Majorelle Spa, named after Marrakesh’s soothing shade of blue, offers personalized Moroccan-inspired treatments including the opportunity to design your own aromatherapy. Unwind in the steam room and salon, or find respite and revitalization when you choose from their range of massages and facials.
TIP: Majorelle Spa members receive access to fitness classes and the pool, two custom treatments each month, guest passes, and a variety of discounts on hotel services.
El Encanto, a Belmond Hotel
Perched high in the hills of Santa Barbara, El Encanto offers a serene escape with a stunning view of the Pacific. This 92-room estate features 7 acres of gardens, an expansive outdoor swimming pool, a state-of-the-art fitness studio offering personal training and private hikes, and a boutique spa focused on fresh, local botanicals. A private terrace in one of the enchanting California-style bungalows or cottages is the perfect vantage point to see the sunset, then enjoy California wines, fish caught daily from the shores below, and ingredients grown in the onsite garden. And don’t miss unique guided experiences like their sound-bath meditation, hilltop picnic, and al fresco movie night.
TIP: Find balance and healing through guided mandala sessions and life coaching with the hotel’s personal life coach Renata Hume.
Rosewood Miramar Beach
Spread across 16 acres of beautifully landscaped lawns and located right on the beachfront, Rosewood Miramar Beach invites you to relax and rejuvenate. Immerse yourself in curated shopping and styling at the hotel’s upscale boutiques, then take a dip in one of the two outdoor pools edged by luxurious cabanas and charming cafés. The resort boasts a tranquil haven at the Forbes 5-star Sense Spa, where you can indulge in the rooftop cold plunge pool, dry sauna, and steam rooms, or opt for seasonal treatments like CBD therapy. The full fitness suite offers experiences unique to Santa Barbara, including sunrise yoga on the beach, guided hikes in the San Ysidro mountains, and energizing beach jogs. Locally-sourced ingredients and literary-inspired cocktails elevate your dining experience at each of their six restaurants and bars.
TIP: Book your facial, massage, or manicure and pedicure on a Tuesday through Thursday to receive your choice of complimentary products, champagne, and valet parking.
San Ysidro Ranch
Privacy, tranquility, and natural splendor unite at San Ysidro Ranch to create a true paradise with a star-studded legacy. Hosting historical figures like Groucho Marx, Winston Churchill, and John Huston, it’s where Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier exchanged vows and where John and Jackie Kennedy honeymooned – in a cottage you can now call your own. Breathe in the smell of orange blossom and magnolia as you explore lush hillside gardens or relax in your private cottage complete with a sunken spa and rainfall shower. Premier dining options feature ocean views and ingredients sourced from an onsite chef’s garden, as well as a wine cellar with 12,000 bottles. The spa offers exclusive oxygen therapy, personalized French facials, Shu Uemera haircare services, and massages featuring garden-grown oils – the perfect place to unwind among the blossoms and sycamores.
TIP: For an unforgettable experience, book owner Ty Warner’s own villa, a secluded oasis featuring a private swimming pool and included dining, spa, wine tasting, and activity offerings.
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