5 minute read
HAUTE HOTEL
BY FRAN ENDICOTT MILLER
HauteHOTEL
Elegant. Glamorous. Unrivaled. Rosewood Miramar Beach is the American Riviera’s most stunning resort.
MONTECITO HAS LONG SERVED AS A HAUTE HAVEN. AS THE HOME and weekend vacation choice of many Hollywood A-listers and other royal notables, the chic Santa Barbara hamlet is simultaneously sophisticated and bohemian, easy-going and energetic. With the addition of Rosewood Miramar Beach, the small enclave boasts a resort destination that matches the region’s effortless elegance.
Inspired by both Europe’s classic grand hotels and Montecito’s bucolic estates, the resort’s owner, Rick Caruso, real estate developer of popular retail sites such The Grove at Farmers Market in Los Angeles and the Commons at Calabasas, ensures that every detail within his sublime, beachfront paradise serves to envelope guests within a luxe atmosphere, the vibe of which lingers long after departure. From the dozens and dozens of white roses encountered upon entry to the central Manor House, to the curated soundtracks wafting from the restaurants and pool decks, to destination dining options, Caruso has expertly crafted a timeless, service-oriented, coastal California retreat.
“The design of the property is created to immediately make guests feel at home from the moment they arrive,” said general manager Richard Fidel, who credits his staff for their ability at making guests feel special. “And this feeling of laidback luxury stays with our visitors long after they leave the resort. Our team takes pride in ensuring that visitors are looked
Manor House grand foyer
Manor pool
Manor House great lawn Rosewood Miramar Beach jolly
after and receive the utmost in service before, during, and after their stay.”
The residential resort pays homage to the golden age of hospitality. It lies within 16 acres of pansy-lined, manicured gardens surrounding 160 ultrasumptuous and spacious rooms and suites. Twenty-six are oceanfront beach house suites, studios, and guestrooms with direct access to the sand, an unparalleled Southern California offering. Hammocks and fire pits dot the property and twinkle-lit, old growth trees provide shade. Two expansive, cabana-lined pools (one for families, one for solitude) flank the great lawn where white Adirondack chairs face the Pacific. The pristine, butler-staffed beach features complimentary chairs, umbrellas, beach toys, and water sports equipment to help make the most of a day in the sun. And there’s no better spot to enjoy an evening libation than within the Carlyle-esque Manor Bar.
Internationally renowned designers Diane Johnson and Nancy Corzine fashioned the classic, Art Deco inspired room and suite interiors featuring lush textiles and linens. Fully stocked minibars offer deluxe sized spirits, half bottles of wine, and an assortment of refreshments to be enjoyed on private balconies or within the adjacent, furnished garden patios. Spacious marble bathrooms feature a custom “Marine Fresh” line of amenities. An assortment of coffee table books provides appropriately nuanced reading material.
HauteHOTEL
Beach House Suite terrace
Additional design features, such as the stately Manor House’s carved staircase and the serpentine-edged Cabana Pool, pay tribute to the late, esteemed Southern Californian architect Paul Revere Williams, for whom the resort’s newest restaurant is named. The Revere Room’s classic dining room features chinoiserie blue, hand-painted Gracie wallpaper, and darkstained chevron wood floors that contrast with tones of ivory and cream, and magnificent wood doors that open to an expansive patio and ocean breezes. Here, the resort’s executive chef, Massimo Falsini, celebrates the best of the American Riviera with seasonal, all-day menus that feature health-conscious cuisine incorporating the freshest ingredients from local farmers, fisherman, and ranchers, as well as the resort's own garden.
At Caruso’s, the resort’s signature waterfront restaurant designed to resemble the stern of a yacht, the Rome-raised Falsini indulges his passion for Southern Italian Cuisine with items such as compression of carbonara, annotated on the menu with “I grew up in Trastavere; you should try this one.” An extensive selection of hyperlocal and international wines complement both pasta dishes and selections from land and sea. Hovering just above Caruso’s is the Miramar Beach Bar where classic cocktails are served with an always brilliant setting sun.
The resort’s varied retail offerings well illustrate Caruso’s experience within the retail sector. Rosewood Miramar Beach was the first permanent hotel location for goop, the modern lifestyle brand founded and helmed by Gwyneth Paltrow. The Shop at Miramar, located in the Manor House, features a selection of signature resort wear. The Gatehouse, a Californiainspired concept store curated by designer James Perse, beckons shoppers from its own brick building facing the Manor House. Well-known for its selection of fashion labels such as Chanel, Dior, Balenciaga, and Fendi, The Webster’s first permanent resort boutique located in the Manor House’s lobby offers personalized service either in the boutique or in the comfort of the resort’s rooms and suites.
If, after enjoying the elegant swimming pools, a few games of bocce ball, and a walk along the beach, one finds need for further relaxation, Sense, A Rosewood Spa, stands ready to pamper with treatments inspired by ancient healing traditions and the native plants found along the coast. The small, yet sumptuous and tranquil space provides the option of enjoying al fresco treatments on a sunny deck overlooking the stunning Santa Ynez mountains.
“We have created a place where guests of all ages are welcomed and can feel at ease while lounging by the pool and beach or playing a game of bocce with friends and family,” said Fidel. “We offer a truly residential experience, coupled with unmatched, personalized service and amenities to create a domestic getaway reminiscent of that of an international escape.”
Those seeking to take home a bit of the Rosewood Miramar Beach vibe might consider membership in the Miramar Wine Collective, in which Director of Wine Daniel Fish curates a monthly offering of choice vintages from Santa Barbara Wine Country and around the globe. Members receive a unique array of four to 12 bottles per shipment, delivered or available for pickup at the resort during the last four days of each month, a great reason to return to this haute haven again and again.
Miramar Beach Bar
Caruso’s terrace Manor Bar
