High-desert modernist outpost
Communal firepits, mountain silhouettes, and starry high-desert skies frame this revived 1952 roadside outpost in the remote Cuyama Valley.
“The building that now houses Cuyama Buckhorn was opened in 1952 as a roadside respite in Santa Barbara County’s high desert region.”
What it’s good at
Notable
Cowboy-modernist interiors pairing custom wood consoles and vintage accents with authentic horseshoe drawer pulls.
Notable
A preserved 1952 roadside motor lodge originally conceived by Los Angeles architect George Vernon Russell.
Notable
Cuyama Valley farm-to-table fare, seasonal local pistachios, and bartender-led guided hikes with trailside mocktails.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Also in AFAR.
the rooms are distinctive thanks to their original architectural features as well as their well-curated vintage pieces, with custom fixtures and furnishings bridging the gap.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Set along Route 166, the valley offers dark skies for stargazing and lies an hour from Carrizo Plain National Monument.
The rooms
Porcelain washbasins sit atop rustic consoles with real horseshoe pulls, paired with felt hats on the walls and crisp linens.
The pool
Bring a swimsuit.
Striped umbrellas shade loungers beside the heated outdoor pool, looking out toward the surrounding mountain peaks.
The sauna
A cedar barrel sauna sits outdoors on the patio, looking out over the Caliente Mountains at sunset.
Outdoor yoga
Yoga mats unroll across the two-acre grounds for open-air morning stretches surrounded by native desert greenery.
Dogs stay too.
The Buckhorn Bar
Under a mounted stag, the bar pours local Santa Barbara County wines alongside house-infused craft cocktails.
At the table
The dining room serves ranch fare sourced from valley farms, and the coffee shop pours Canyon Coffee espresso.
How it began
Originally built in 1952 as a desert stopover for oil executives, the lodge was revived into a boutique retreat in 2021.
Good to know
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Cuyama Buckhorn
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.