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Hotel Milo Santa Barbara
- Where:
- Why:A mini getaway from my winter sojourn in L.A. — and my first-ever visit to Santa Barbara.
- When:February 2017
- Who:Me and my L.A. roommate Chrysanthe, a Santa Barbara aficionado.
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The front of the Hotel Milo, which faces the ocean and was named after Milo Potter, the city’s OG hotelier.
The Milo’s plant-filled courtyard, which also has fire pits for hanging out at night.
A bottle of local Napa wine greeted us in our room. The hotel is part of a Santa Barbara neighborhood that bears the unfortunate nickname “Funk Zone,” but is known for hosting more than 20 top tasting rooms.
Our room had a breezy-chic décor and a super-cozy gas fireplace.
The view from our room — though try to picture it on a sunny, summery day.
Luckily the hotel has not only two pools, but also a hot tub, which we bee-lined for shortly after our arrival.
Me (left) hot-tubbing with Chrysanthe (right) just before the rain set in.
The hotel was completely remodeled a few years ago, but the two pool areas still felt a bit motel-like to us — that said, the cabanas helped make them seem a little more chic.
Plus, of course, the towering palm trees that flanked them.
The hotel actually comprises of five separate buildings, all of which have serious Spanish Colonial vibes.
The M&Ms in our minibar didn’t last long — we came home after drinking margaritas in town all night and devoured every last one.
Highs & Lows
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The location is perfect — across from the beach, but near SB’s best shops, bars, and restaurants.
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Its chilled-out, fireplace-equipped, plant-filled vibe was the perfect complement to our Santa Barbara experience.
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Super-helpful staff and manager — if you see Barry, high-five him for us.
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The hotel’s five buildings are oriented around an alley that you walk through to get to the pool and gym — it could use some more plants and trees to feel less alley-like.
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The pools could also use some love as they feel a bit barren, but then again, you should probably be at the beach instead.
Important Bits
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Type
Relaxed beach retreat.
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Vibe
Laid-back, private, and quiet, with extra-helpful front desk staff ready to play tour guide — it’s really meant as a cozy place to unwind after spending all day exploring Santa Barbara.
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Location
In prime, walk-able Santa Barbara, across the street from the harbor.
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Rooms
122
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Music
We didn’t hear any.
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Year Opened
It was rebranded as Hotel Milo in 2014.
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Designed By
IdeaWork Studios
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Health & Wellness
Two pools, a hot tub, and a gym that has a priceless view straight onto the beach and harbor across the street.
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Restaurant
There’s a breakfast room, but no restaurant, because how could it compete with the amazing insanity that is Santa Barbara’s foodie scene?
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Bar
Just that wine selection in the lobby.
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Minibar
Adorable. Snacks, drinks, sunscreen, phone chargers, and Harry's razors, plus a huge selection of wine bottles for sale in the lobby.
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Children
We didn’t see any.
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Price
Affordable, with rooms in February for under $200.
Be a foodie
131 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Go to the Santa Barbara Salt Cave
740 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
Go to the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
1212 Mission Canyon Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, United States
Hotel Milo Santa Barbara
202 W Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
In the Area
Hotel Location West Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara
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