Story & Photography | Renée S. Suen
The American Riviera is a stretch along California’s Pacific coast, northwest of Los Angeles, that’s admired from far and wide for its lush landscape and temperate climate. Flanking an exclusive oceanfront stretch of Santa Barbara’s picturesque Montecito community is the exquisite Rosewood Miramar Beach, a five-star coastal retreat. This property, Rosewood’s first in Southern California, is one of 13 hotels in the world with a Triple Five-Star recognition for Hotel, Sense, A Rosewood Spa and Caruso’s Restaurant.
Discerning world travellers looking for a stay along one of the most beautiful and pristine beaches in California will find it here at Rosewood Miramar Beach.
Owned and developed by the acclaimed Caruso, the Rosewood-operated property takes over the former Miramar by the Sea, a cherished getaway for the fashionable.
Opened in early 2019, this ultra-luxury resort offers 119 rooms, plus 34 spacious suites, spread across 16 acres of lush landscaping and manicured gardens. The single-storey Garden Bungalow suite is a luxe 720-squarefoot getaway that has a parlor with a fireplace and curated mini-bar, plus a furnished terrace. Besides a king bed, it has a vanity room and a bathroom with a separate shower and freestanding soaking tub. Twice daily housekeeping might include a daily-changing nightcap, or honey shortbreads made with the property’s honey.
The single-storey Garden Bungalow suite is a luxe 720-squarefoot getaway.
Twice-daily housekeeping might include a daily-changing nightcap.
The property’s seven restaurants and bars are inspired by the California coast. Satisfy cravings for cocktails, craft beers and light bites at the relaxed luxury sailboat-inspired outdoor Miramar Beach Bar. Grab a quick snack pool side at the Cabana Bar, or a scoop of homemade gelato at Scoop Shop. Open all day, the Revere Room is an excellent stop for brunching on crowd-pleasing eggs benedict, or the duck carnitas layered chilaquiles that are washed down with the signature latte using Miramar honey or homemade lavender syrup.
Miramar Beach Bar is outfitted with highly varnished wood, copper and stainless-steel detailing and a great place to socialize while playing shuffleboard or roasting fireside s’mores.
A scoop of homemade gelato at Scoop Shop.
The Revere Room is an excellent stop for brunching on crowd-pleasing eggs benedict.
The Revere Room’s menu features ingredients sourced from nearby farms and purveyors.
Edomae sushi connoisseurs will appreciate the omakase experience at the Michelin-recommended AMA Sushi. Here, Chef Scott Yonamine showcases the finest pristine and fresh ingredients, starting with a crab and chrysanthemum greens-crumbled tofu salad and leading to a parade of nigiri, served piece by piece. Highlights may include toro adorned with the evening’s special guest treat: white truffle.
Chef Scott Yonamine showcases the finest pristine and fresh ingredients.
The experience is complemented by a fantastic selection of sakes, wines, and custom food-friendly cocktails. Whatever menu you choose, don’t miss the chef’s take on futomaki or the castella-style tamagoyaki.
Serving both an omakase tasting or a prix fixe menu, AMA Sushi also caters to children under 12 with discerning palates.
Oceanfront Caruso’s is a Michelin Star and Michelin Green Star restaurant that’s helmed by executive chef Massimo Falsini. Guests are privy to unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean and a Southern Italian-influenced menu. Hand-pulled burrata comes with a variation of persimmons, while dulse gnocchetti is tossed with abalone, thick spot prawns and topped with lush lobes of uni from famed local urchin supplier Stephanie Fish.
Oceanfront Caruso’s is a Michelin Star and Michelin Green Star restaurant.
Caruso’s last course might begin with a bergamot-laced extra virgin olive oil gelato that’s capped with a giant quenelle of caviar.
A stop at The Manor Bar is a must for any cocktail enthusiast seeking thoughtful and inventive handcrafted libations. Director of Bars Sam Penton and his team curate an ever-changing menu inspired by literature—one season featuring literary villains, and most recently, works by women. These drinks are delightful on their own or paired with upscale bar cuisine, ranging from caviar and chips to grass-fed steak tartare, with live entertainment on select evenings.
Craft cocktails are the specialty for this sophisticated lounge.
Activities around the property are vast and varied. There’s everything from a state-of-the-art, indoor-outdoor fitness studio that offers private fitness and wellness services on request to bocce courts by the adult pool and complimentary electric Blue Jay Miramar bicycles that can be used to explore the area. Be chauffeured by a staff member on a three-mile radius expedition in the Miramar Jolly car or rent the iconic pink open-air Miramar Moke.
Taking advantage of the temperate climate, the fitness centre has outdoor treadmills, as well as Woodway and Peloton equipment.
Water lovers can visit the adult pool that has a scalloped zero-edge border, the family-friendly Manor Pool that’s surrounded by an assortment of palms, magnolia, olive and citrus trees, or Miramar Beach. Here, you can swim, kayak, stand-up paddle board, surf or enjoy a leisurely sunset walk along the Pacific Ocean.
The adult pool has a scalloped zero-edge border.
Sense, A Rosewood Spa, is a Forbes Five-Star spa. With an extensive treatment menu that features seasonal options and remedies inspired by the flora of the coastline, there’s a deep library of nourishing facials, skin toning and body treatments with massages available in treatment rooms or on the spa deck.
Sense is a Forbes Five-Star spa.
A stay around the holidays, specifically Christmas, takes on another layer of warmth and character. Bringing Christmas to the California Coast, Rosewood Miramar Beach welcomes guests and neighbours in an allages series of complimentary events throughout December that include a holiday concert, a “snow fall” with wintery lawn activities, tree lighting ceremony in its grand foyer, and a chance for the little ones to meet Santa Claus. There’s no better way to escape Canada’s winter than to a property that breathes joy when the “snow” falls.
The beautiful Christmas tree brings a festive atmosphere.
Rosewood Miramar Beach
1759 S Jameson Ln, Montecito, CA
805-900-8388
rosewoodhotels.com
