Our thanks to Hotel Milo for hosting our stay so we could write this detailed review of our experience. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. For an explanation of our Advertising Disclosure, visit this page.
Last month, my family and I drove 90 minutes north from LAX to spend a couple of nights in Santa Barbara. If you’ve ever been, then you know it’s God’s country. When it’s sunny (which it often is), it’s arguably one of the most beautiful places in the United States. We’ve been fortunate to have visited many times and have stayed at multiple hotels but this time, we stayed at Hotel Milo, which has arguably the best location if you want to walk everywhere. And why wouldn’t you in a place this beautiful?
Hotel Milo
Hotel Milo has 121 rooms. Still, it’s an intimate, laid-back retreat that made us feel like we were staying in a wealthy family member’s guest room, complete with Spanish-style architecture, terracotta rooftops and lush courtyards.
From the moment you pull up, the young, friendly valets/bellhops help you with your bags and park your car. The lobby, which feels more like a living room, was staffed by two friendly greeters behind the front desk, who were always happy to answer questions.
For our kids, the best part of the lobby was the Discovery Cabinet, where kids can choose an activity or book to use for the day and return later. One of the staff members even spent some time one afternoon teaching our kids how to do origami, which they loved.
Our Room
Guest rooms at Milo vary but ours was a gorgeous retreat. Some rooms have been recently updated and offer a blend of simplicity and style. The interiors feature a minimalist aesthetic with bright pops of color, wood flooring and clean, modern lines. The dramatic blue wallpaper was a standout feature in our room.
The bathrooms in the newly renovated rooms are gorgeous. The tile floor is a showstopper and the whole vibe is a bit of Old Hollywood glamour. My wife really loved the decor …
and the L’Occitane toiletries.
Our room also had a flat screen TV, mini fridge, coffee maker, four bottles of water and a sizable armoire.
Hotel Amenities
Some rooms provide beautiful views of the ocean or one of the two pools. We were in a room on the second floor that overlooked the secondary pool, which was never crowded.
The main pool, which I walked by twice, was much busier but not crazy.
Next to the main pool is the 24/7 gym. Sadly, I just walked in to take a photo of it but it looked like a great spot to squeeze a workout in.
The pool near our room was next to a bocce court, which was awesome since I grew up playing with my Italian father. He would be proud to know that on this trip, I taught my kids how to play and that they absolutely loved it … minus the fights about who won, of course.
Things to Do
The best part about the hotel is that it’s located right across the street from the beach and just a block from State Street, which has countless restaurants and shops.
The MOXI is a fantastic kids museum within walking distance of the hotel, on State Street as well, and our kids couldn’t get enough of it. My wife and I could barely drag them away and had to promise we would take them back again soon. The museum is a creative space of exploration and innovation with so much for kids to do and learn.
The hotel is also just a few blocks from Stearns Wharf, which is California’s oldest working wooden wharf (built in 1872) and stretches about 1,300 feet into the Pacific. It was originally used for cargo and passengers but it remains a lively spot for tourists and locals alike.
Visitors can drive and park on the wharf while enjoying seafood restaurants, shops. fishing and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center. It’s really a must-visit landmark and we walked to the end to visit the Sea Center and grab lunch.
What’s also great about the hotel is that they supply complimentary bikes and beach gear on a first-come, first-served basis. They even had kids bikes, so I took the kids out on the bike path to ride along the beach. They loved it.
Food
Naturally, our kids also loved the hot cocoa and S’mores bar the hotel serves between 6pm and 8pm each night. There are multiple fire pits to roast your marshmallows and we took advantage of this fun treat on one of our two nights there.
The hotel is also pet friendly, so they welcome dogs (with a nightly pet fee) and provide amenities like treats and waste bags. If you’re allergic, be sure to tell them in advance because they will give you a room that’s been deep cleaned.
The hotel doesn’t have an in-house restaurant but there are a couple of great options within a block and, as I mentioned, countless on State Street, which is just a short walk. I grabbed takeout for breakfast from Chad’s, which was just steps from our room. Their French toast sticks were delicious and I loved the ’60s diner feel inside.
The next morning, my wife walked a block or two to Jeannine’s (open for breakfast/lunch) to get pastries. It was always busy and every time we walked by, there was a long line out the door so we figured it had to be good. It was the perfect spot to stop for breakfast. The pastries were fresh and delicious.
If your dream Santa Barbara stay involves relaxing near the sea, walking to the town’s attractions and enjoying a boutique, unpretentious ambiance, Hotel Milo is a strong choice. And if you live by a train station, you can take Amtrak’s Surfliner and walk to the hotel, about seven blocks away.
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