Did someone say summer in Santa Barbara? Get ready for a new lodging in this popular California coastal destination, aka “the American Riviera”. The Hotel Californian will open this summer on the historic site of the original 1925 hotel, showcasing the façade which was preserved during a massive development project by Los Angeles-based investor and developer Michael Rosenfeld. (The landmark on the Santa Barbara waterfront had been closed for decades, and the building was completely gutted during the construction work as there had been concerns about its structural safety. The hotel redevelopment project was approved by the Santa Barbara Historic Landmarks Commission.)
Designed with Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, the luxury hotel will have 121 rooms styled with a “modern Moorish” look by LA-based designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, a television personality who also has an impressive roster of celebrity clients. Some rooms will feature fireplaces, patios, and/or balconies.The top digs will be the two-bedroom Presidential Suite.
The Hotel Californian aims to become the new focal point of Santa Barbara’s waterfront, with a number of gardens, fountains and open plazas. What’s more, the rooftop pool/event deck will draw the cool crowd for 360-degree views of the Pacific and the Santa Ynez Mountains. The Hotel Californian’s other facilities will include a fitness room, a Turkish-inspired spa with geometric tiles, an outdoor pool and Jacuzzi, a luxury fashion boutique and a few restaurant concepts.
The hotel is also positioning itself as a wedding and events venue, with both a 3,000-square-foot ballroom and al fresco settings. In total, there will be 6,000 square feet of indoor event space and 14,000 square feet of outdoor and rooftop space.
