If style, aesthetics and an idyllic vacation soaking in the natural beauty of Santa Barbara is what you want, then the Canary Hotel (www.canarysantabarbara.com) is the newest go-to destination for the rich and the lazy.

This new Carillo Street hotel oozes beauty, and its a toss up whether you want to use the hotel just as a base for exploring the attractions of nearby State Street and a wine country tour, or just hang around the hotel’s heated rooftop pool bar named Perch, with a 360 degree view of the ocean, the Chanel Islands and the Santa Ynez Mountains. Which, BTW, also has a jacuzzi and a fireplace with lounge chairs where you can enjoy the sunset while being pampered by room service.

If you get bored of the view and the solitude, you can saunter down to the Coast Restaurant & Bar, which, if possible, looks even more beautiful with an amber glow cast over everything , and serves an array of fresh seafood prepared using local produce, incuding some delicious crabcakes, clam chowder and butterscotch pudding. And its pretty popular even among Santa Barbara residents, with an extensive winelist, happy hour drinks and a nifty weekend brunches on Saturdays and Sundays.

In fact, circumstances permitting, a stay at this Santa Barbara romantic getaway hotel might not be a bad idea as a Mother’s Day gift, because this place, which includes the surroundings and the hotel, is incredibly beautiful and romantic, expensive and they treat you like royalty. State Street and all the quaint shops and galleries and restaurants, not to mention the ocean and the mountains and the wineries and the historic landmarks, all come in one pretty package which will relieve you trying to impress your Mother, or your wife or girlfriend, for that matter.

And it just so happens that the Canary hotel offers a girlfriend getaway package called ‘Birds of a Feather’, which includes deluxe accomodation, a Santa Barbara Natural Hot Springs hike and soak tour, yoga on the rooftop,  60 minute foot massage, free mudpies, a bottle of local wine and a round of dry martinis. Cost $984 for two. Other packages and speicals at the Canary Hotel include ‘Canary Escape’ and something called ‘Shop-Chill-Nest’.

The guest rooms and suites are no less impressive. Stately and grand, with a four poster bed and spotless linens (well…the hotel’s brand new, so it really is spotless), hardwood floors and patio, yoga mat, iPod player, a mini bar stocked with organic foods, wi-fi internet, 42″ flat screen television with in-room movies and a DVD player, and a bathroom worth killing for.

The stylishly designed bathroom with the artsy lighting features a television, a large and ornate makeup mirror, a tub and a bench. All said and done, the rooms combine the look and the warmth and charmth of an old world Spanish hacienda or plantation with all the comforts and amenities associated with a modern luxury hotel. Its not especially spacious by Santa Barbara standards, but more than adequate.

Room rates start at $229 for a single room, $329 for a junior suite and the Canary Suite for a grand $2200. Taxes extra. And as mentioned above, the hotel offers three getaway  theme packages which clock in at about a 1000 bucks. Let’s just say that you if you don’t mind blowing a couple of thousand bucks all put together, including hotel stay, airfare and other expenses, you’ll end up having an unforgettable getaway. 

Info: 31 West Carrillo Santa Barbara CA 93101; (805) 884-0300; Photos copyrights & courtesy Canary Hotel, Santa Barbara

Posted on April 29th, 2008 by PLing
Filed under: Hotels