[Images: Courtesy of Santa Ynez Inn]Nestled in the foothills of Santa Barbara wine country, the Santa Ynez Inn offers guests a cozy yet luxurious getaway with access to more than 20 local wineries. Renovated in early 2017, the property combines a Victorian-era design with modern amenities for a boutique hotel feel. The 20 guestrooms and suites boast high ceilings and antique furnishings, while bathrooms offer heated marble floors, rain showerheads and jetted whirlpool tubs. There’s also a parlor, small gym and, of course, the 750-square-foot spa. Accessed via an elevator that opens directly into the lounge area, the serene space consists of two treatment rooms (one for couples’ massages and one for individual treatments), as well as a dry sauna.
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Signature Service
The Signature Massage (50 min./ $135; 80 min./$185) features luxe touches with a nod to the nearby vineyards, including organic champagne body butter, champagne-infused aromatherapy and a flute of sparkling wine for guests to enjoy. The treatment is also easily tailored to client needs and/or wants; in addition to more typical requests—such as areas to focus on or avoid— guests appreciate aromatherapy for the face, a soft neck support pillow, face and scalp acupressure, and the wonderfully warmed massage table.
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Noteworthy
In 2017, the Spa at Santa Ynez Inn also reworked its list of offerings, paring it down to just four massage services. This minimalist menu— which includes customizable couples’, deep tissue and pre/ postnatal massages in addition to the signature service—was designed based on what spa visitors requested most. “Our clients want to keep it simple. So now we have a smaller, elegant menu—and they love it!” enthuses massage therapist Linda Ashby. That streamlined theme extends to the spa’s skincare brands, as well; therapists utilize products from The Grapeseed Company and Real Bodywork, both based in Santa Barbara.
–by Laura Waldon
