Los Alamos Santa Ynez Valley, California
Renovated
2018
Price
$$
Rated for
Design Social LocalOutside the door
Mid-century hilltop outpost
Perched on a five-acre hill above Santa Ynez wine country, daytime lounging gives way to evening drinks around the fire pits.
“the ultra-hip Skyview—essentially the Ace Palm Springs for Central Coast wine country—is the spot.”
What it’s good at
Notable
Restored mid-century motel rooms featuring hardwood floors, white wood paneling, marble baths, and leather club chairs.
Notable
Hilltop pool deck and Norman bar hosting monthly moonrise swims, DJ sets, and wine-country weekend brunches.
Notable
An on-site working pinot noir vineyard, panoramic Santa Ynez Valley views, and complimentary bikes for Bell Street.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Also in Condé Nast Traveler and AFAR.
Skyview Los Alamos joins the ranks of formerly undistinguished American roadside motels that have been rehabilitated into attractive and quietly luxurious boutique hotels.
Somewhere quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Borrow a cruiser bike for the short pedal into downtown Los Alamos to explore tasting rooms and bakeries on Bell Street.
The rooms
Rooms feature white wood paneling, hardwood floors, and marble-clad baths, with select quarters adding outdoor showers and indoor fireplaces.
The pool
Bring a swimsuit.
Striped floats drift across the restored 1950s heated pool, where loungers sit beneath the original yellow motel sign.
Dogs stay too.
Norman Restaurant & Bar
Patterned banquettes fill the dining room, where guests gather for seasonal California dishes and local Santa Barbara wines.
Mid-century roots meet rustic chic at this boutique property set on five acres overlooking the winelands of North Santa Barbara County.
At the table
Turquoise bar stools line the wooden deck counter, looking out over the working vineyard and valley hillside.
How it began
Built in 1959 as a Highway 101 motor lodge, the property preserves its yellow neon roadside sign and wood-carved carport pillars.
Good to know
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Skyview Los Alamos
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Santa Ynez Valley
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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.