Hotel Ynez

About Hotel Ynez

The Santa Barbara wine country may not be as well-established as its northern counterparts, but that just means the possibilities are greater. Here, in between the twin towns of Santa Ynez and Solvang, hotelier Kimberly Walker has transformed a disused 22-room motor lodge into the Hotel Ynez, returning a mid-century gem to something that matches — or even surpasses — its former sheen. The most consequential change — would-be motel renovators, take note — was to replace the parking spaces outside each room with proper patios and landscaping, which now opens onto a central garden beneath a vast oak tree. The rooms themselves bear almost no trace of the motel era, with their whitewashed wooden ceilings and their quietly luxurious furnishings and bedding. At very least, they come with hammocks; some add private yards with fire pits and/or hot tubs, while others have indoor fireplaces or even full kitchens. A lovely Fifties-vintage swimming pool has been restored to its former glory, and a wealth of indoor and outdoor lounge areas complement the private spaces. Hotel Ynez serves coffee and tea in the mornings, but does without a restaurant or bar — there’s a small market supplying wine and light bites, but for anything more you’ll want to get out and explore, either by car or on one of the hotel’s Linus bicycles.

Recognized By

2025 Michelin Selected Hotels

Michelin

2025