Rosewood Miramar Beach
Last summer, we took a quick trip to Santa Barbara and stayed at the Rosewood Miramar Beach for three nights. Over the years, I have spent a lot of time in LA and the surrounding area, as I have family there, but had never been to Santa Barbara. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it.
Situated right on the beach, the Rosewood is a beautiful hotel offering both traditional rooms and cottage-style bungalow suites. We stayed in a bungalow, and I definitely preferred it to a typical room—it was private, spacious, and had its own outdoor area. The decor was light and bright, with pops of color and art accenting neutral fabrics; two words that came to mind were ‘happy’ and ‘fun.’ That kind of theme is present throughout the property, from the antique Jolly cars parked outside to the yellow and white stripped umbrellas beside the pool. The lobby was polished and beachy, with a beautiful grand staircase and checkered floor.
Some friends who had stayed previously mentioned how a train runs through the property, dividing the main lawn from the beach and Caruso’s restaurant. While there, I didn’t find the tracks to be an eyesore in the slightest. They did an incredible job designing the landscape around it—it felt like a part of the property’s character, something authentic and interesting.
While the attendants and staff were very friendly, I found the front desk and bellman services to be a bit off, like they were overworked or understaffed. During crowded check-in and check-out times, for example, luggage was left outside in the hot sun. I only noticed this because I had purchased some candy from a store in LA, and it was melting away. Upon mentioning it to the front desk, they said they would take care of it right away, but a half hour later, it was still there.
The hotel appeals to guests of all ages, making it the perfect place for a multi-generational getaway. The feel is sophisticated enough to appeal to older guests while also including features for families with younger children, such as a kids’ pool, ice cream shop, and certain activities offered during the summer season (think movie nights and art classes). The surrounding area of Montecito/Santa Barbara also offers something for everyone: golf and tennis, hiking, shopping, etc. With so much to enjoy, it is easy to fall in love with the Rosewood Miramar Beach.
Restaurants
The hotel has several restaurants on the property. One evening we ate at AMA Sushi, which had a very cozy, authentic California-meets-Japan vibe. The food was delicious, with both omakase and pre-fixe menu options. We also went to Caruso’s, their Italian restaurant that overlooks the beach. While it was a beautiful setting, the food wasn’t all that memorable.
One night, we ate dinner off-property at the San Ysidro Ranch. I had actually considered staying at San Ysidro rather than the Rosewood Miramar but heard it was better suited to couples (we were with our adult son). After visiting for dinner, I was glad we had chosen the Rosewood, as San Ysidro struck me as rather formal and stodgy. We didn’t see any younger guests or families there.
Activities
Santa Barbara is famous for its hiking trails. The concierge connected me with a guide from Cal Coast Adventures, and booking was very easy. I met the guide at the trailhead, and he was fantastic—friendly and very knowledgeable about the area.
While I didn’t spend much time there, the pools at the Rosewood were gorgeous. There was a 21-and-over pool as well as a family pool; the latter had an ice cream shop right next door-–a kid’s heaven. I actually preferred the look of the family pool with its classic rectangular shape, yellow and white umbrellas, and white chaises. That being said, the adult pool was more serene, of course.
There are a number of golf courses in the area. The concierge arranged for my husband and son to go to Sandpiper Golf Course, a twenty-minute drive away, which they thoroughly enjoyed.
The Rosewood Miramar Beach had several boutiques on the property full of beautiful items. I loved the GOOP Sundries shop and a James Perse concept store called The Gatehouse. The standout was The Webster, with its cultivated collection of fabulous jewelry and clothing. I wasn't particularly impressed by the town of Montecito or its shopping, but there were a few stores five minutes from the hotel that are worth a visit (though you need a car!) One of my favorites is a home store called Field + Fort. You order lunch at their counter (think classic Californian cuisine, delicious) and then shop around while waiting. Once the food is ready, I recommend grabbing an outdoor table on their beautiful porch. Also nearby are The Well, Porch, and Botanik, which offer really chic outdoor furniture pieces. Only a five-minute drive east of the hotel, these shops are a must-stop for anyone interested in interior design.
What I love about the Rosewood Miramar Beach and Santa Barbara more generally is the beauty, how easy it is to get around, and the variety of outdoor activities available.
I would say it is an ideal trip for anyone—couples, families with kids of any age, someone active or someone looking to chill out. Four days is an ideal length; I would only tack on more if I wanted to do more exploring in the areas outside of Santa Barbara, like Ojai or Pismo Beach. Forty-five minutes outside of Santa Barbara is the Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, a new Auberge property, which might be worth checking out, especially if you are into wine—they have beautiful vineyards in the area. Of course, you can always round out this trip with a few days in LA, which is roughly a two-hour drive away.
