Where to Stay in Santa Ynez Valley, California’s Next Great Wine Destination
- 9150 US-101, Los Alamos, CA 93440
Los Alamos is the farthest north of the constellation of towns that make up the central Santa Ynez Valley, but it’s worth the extra trek. Perched just off the freeway atop a hill, Skyview overlooks the surrounding hills and the town’s main street in the distance. Away from it all, but within a five-minute drive to the shops and restaurants, this idyllic former motel also boasts an incredible vintage pool and expansive pool deck. If pools are a focal point of a visit, this is the hotel to book. Rooms are similar to Hotel Ynez in some ways, with colorful bathroom tile, corner fireplaces, and grand beds with fine Italian linen at the center of each room. But many of Skyview’s 33 rooms also include private back decks, a few of which are equipped with outdoor showers and their own firepits.
Originally built in 1959, the motel was transformed by Nomada Hotel Group and opened in 2018, right around the time Bell’s, a French bistro from chefs Daisy and Greg Ryan, was picking up steam in town. Since then, Bell’s has developed more than a cult following, but a congregation of completely devoted acolytes—and it’s also the only restaurant in the valley to earn a coveted Michelin star so far. Plenty of guests staying at Skyview are there in order to visit Bell’s, but it’s worth noting that their on-site restaurant, Norman, is also a great place to eat. Sweeping views of the valley through walls of windows, a large fireplace and bright, embroidered seating are all part of the atmosphere, while a killer mac and cheese, locally-bent wine list and an array of salads with locally-sourced ingredients complete the meal.
