This picturesque resort is perfect for a romantic getaway.
By: Tracey Calvo ClarkeFormer Disney actress Hilary Duff has morphed into a movie star celebrity, a singing sensation
and, most recently, the wife of Edmonton Oilers center Mike Comrie. The couple tied the knot in
August 2010, and joined the list of famous guests who have spent quality time at the romantic San Ysidro Ranch, A Rosewood Resort.
Located in Santa Barbara, California, the picturesque property has welcomed such luminaries as Jack and Jackie Kennedy, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, and Coldplay front-man Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow. Its ultra-private vibe and luxe accommodations make it the perfect honeymoon cocoon. Set on endless acres of gardens and rolling hills, the resort offers 27 accommodations in the main house and 14 private cottages, set near a babbling brook. Most rooms boast plush kingsized beds, hand-carved natural stone fi replaces and patios.
For a true escape, splurge on the Warner Cottage, a charming single-story villa featuring two master suites, three fi replaces, a full kitchen and formal dining area, as well as a private backyard with an outdoor hot tub and rain shower. It’s the perfect perch to watch the sun set behind the Santa Ynez Mountains.
If you care to explore the outdoors, you’ll discover that the hotel’s natural surroundings are as tranquil as your room. Hiking trails wind all around the mountain property. Private instruction in yoga and guided meditation are available, as well as bike rentals and access to local beaches. There are three championship golf courses nearby for those who must simply tee off. A little further afield (about an hour) lies the area’s famous wine country. Take an afternoon tasting tour and enjoy the delights of the region. Back at the hotel you can savor local flavors at the resort’s Stonehouse restaurant, one of the country’s pioneers in the wildly popular farm-to-table approach to dining; many ingredients are sourced form the resort’s own gardens (rates start at $650 a night; sanysidroranch.com).
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Photos Courtesy of San Ysidro Ranch, A Rosewood Resort