Palihouse Santa Barbara

Palisociety hotels are a homegrown Southern California phenomenon, one that avoids easy clichés in pursuit of its own richly textured aesthetic. Each of their hotels is subtly unique, embracing each neighborhood it calls home, and Palihouse Santa Barbara is no different. Here you’ll find what they call “vintage preppy meets American riviera,” an apt description for the vintage-inspired, tweedy-yet-sunny décor and the elegantly casual atmosphere.

The 24 rooms and suites surround a tranquil central courtyard or sparkling pool area, and they’re uniformly spacious and sunny, with fireplaces, private patios or gardens, and at the higher end kitchenettes and dining tables. Boutique-hotel details like Nespresso machines, Smeg refrigerators, and Diptyque bath products are universal.

The Mediterranean-style garden courtyard doubles as the dining area for the hotel’s café, which features an all-day menu and a well-chosen list of cocktails, beer, and wine. The neighborhood is home to many more restaurants and bars, and the wineries of Santa Ynez are a scant half-hour’s drive inland.