Miramar Shines

Timeless Glamour at Rosewood Miramar Beach

The sound of the waves relaxes me into a peaceful state as I close my eyes for a brief moment, welcoming the sun on my face. I’ve been coming to this beach for as long as I can remember, but from the balcony of my oceanfront room at the Rosewood Miramar Beach, it feels like an entirely new place. I take a sip of my Aperol Spritz and sink into the patio chair, thinking that I could really get used to this.

We’ve only been checked-in for two hours, but already our visit at Rosewood Miramar Beach has far exceeded my expectations. From the moment we arrived, it was clear that a stay here is no ordinary beach getaway. Rather, Rosewood Miramar Beach is an opulent, yet tasteful, luxury destination in Montecito—an idyllic coastal retreat that charms with timeless glamour.

When my family and I arrived in the early afternoon, a friendly bellman led us through the front doors to the Manor House and my visions of the “old Miramar” of my youth quickly disappeared; I completely forgot I was in the same location. The grand foyer, with its black and white checkered floor, grandiose staircase, and crystal chandelier hanging from the expansive ceiling, almost feels like the stately home of a dignified person. Indeed, the Manor House evokes a residential feel, and although lavish, it’s not pretentious, and it’s that personalized sensibility that truly makes a stay here special.

I take another sip of my drink. Though I could honestly stay out here all day enjoying the unobstructed ocean views from our balcony, my husband wants to explore the grounds and I (somewhat reluctantly) agree. I head back inside our airy and sophisticated guestroom, which showcases a color palette of yellows and whites—appropriate for a room that sits over the sand. Outfitted with tasteful décor, a king sized bed, and plush amenities, like a Nespresso coffee maker, dressing area, and soaking tub, it’s the perfect blend of modern beach living with a dose of old school luxury.

We bid adieu to our room for a bit and head outside, just as a train passes by. My daughter waves at the passengers, but it’s gone within seconds. Between the sounds of the waves and thick walls of the beachfront buildings, the Amtrak sounded so faint from our room an hour ago—I almost forgot that train tracks went through the property. The man guarding the gate at the tracks gives us the okay to cross, and we make our way to the other side to the sprawling lawn in front of the Manor House.

As we walk along the path, a sparkling pool to our right glistens in the sunlight, and our daughter runs out onto the lawn, playfully chasing around other children. There are a lot of other families here, as well as couples strolling hand in hand, and I see several groups of friends savoring cocktails on the covered patio overlooking the lawn. The resort may have just opened a couple of weeks ago, but already there’s an infectious liveliness in the air. It’s nice to see the place bustling with people making the most of this pristine setting, yet given the expansiveness of the property, it feels far from crowded.

We walk over to the other side of the lawn, and I take a peek at the second pool while my husband and daughter make a beeline to the perfectly groomed bocce courts nearby. The cabana-lined pool with a scalloped edge border looks positively blissful, yet it remains empty as it’s just not quite warm enough outside. That won’t be the case for long.

We make a note that we must come back and play a game of bocce ball before we leave, then venture inside the Manor House to pay a visit to the Goop store—a permanent retail store and sundries shop filled with detoxifying beauty products and sun essentials, neatly displayed on shelves between lavender colored walls. I stock up on a few things, not containing my excitement to see some favorite brands, then we head back to our room to get ready for dinner at Caruso’s. I suggest that we grab a drink at the chic Miramar Beach Bar beforehand, located directly above the restaurant, because why wouldn’t we want to take advantage of oceanside cocktails as the sun goes down? My husband responds that he can’t think of a more perfect idea.

As I sip on my rosé, the pink hue seemingly mirroring the pink glow in the sky, I can’t help but smile at what has already been a wonderful stay at Rosewood Miramar Beach. Close to home, but worlds away—this is exactly where I want to be. *

rosewoodhotels.com/en/miramar-beach-montecito

Photographed by Silas Fallstich

Written by Hana-Lee Sedgwick