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Welcome to the second iteration of Vogue’s global spa guide, an index of the 100 best spas in the world, built from the expertise of our global editors and trusted contributors. There is a lot to choose from in the world of wellness, and no matter how far you’re planning to travel—from a subway ride to a trans-Atlantic flight—we want to make sure it’s worth the journey. Whatever your path, let us be your guide.
Why go here?
California’s central coast has no shortage of gorgeous resorts, but Rosewood Miramar Beach offers an entirely fresh way to experience the region. Located just 15 minutes from downtown Santa Barbara in the posh beachside community of Montecito, this 153-room ocean-front hotel feels like a grand estate straight out of Cape Cod: It’s all white roses, white picket fences, and white clapboard. At the resort’s Sense Spa, which is tucked onto the second floor of the main Manor House, the sensibility is equally genteel. The indoor relaxation lounge features plush private lounge chairs surrounded by gauzy cream curtains, while outside, a sunny rooftop deck has cold plunge pools and offers sweeping views of the Santa Ynez Mountains. There are six private treatment rooms, dry saunas and steam rooms, and a full-service nail and hair salon. It all makes for a chic escape into a refined world of wellness.
What’s the vibe?
The whole resort is relaxed and charming in a luxurious New England summer sort of way. It’s the kind of place where guests meet for sunset cocktails on the veranda wearing dinner jackets and floral dresses while salty-haired children grip ice cream cones and frolic on a pristine lawn. It’s also the kind of place where everything you need is always close at hand: There are several restaurants—including an omakase sushi bar and an oceanfront Italian with a Michelin star—two saltwater pools with striped cabanas, bocce ball courts, bicycles, and an alfresco fitness center. On the beach, there’s morning yoga, a convivial bar, and beach butler service, as well access to kayaks, paddle boards, and any manner of other water sports. Back at the main Manor House, there’s a Brunello Cucinelli boutique, an outpost of The Webster, and a Goop sundries store. For those who want to explore beyond the property, a pink Cadillac is waiting out front with a uniformed chauffeur. But you probably won’t want to leave—especially if you’re lucky enough to nab one of the guest suites with an oceanfront patio.
The history?
The property was once a resort with cottages and a rustic beach club named the Miramar by the Sea. In 2019, after nearly 20 years of sitting vacant, billionaire developer Rick Caruso—who is known for shopping malls in Los Angeles like Palisades Village and The Grove—partnered with Rosewood Hotel Group to rebuild it into a grand resort estate with a spa. And though there are plenty of personal touches throughout—Caruso employed his own interior designer, Diane Johnson, to imbue the private and public spaces with a warm, residential feeling—it definitely lives up to the Rosewood name in terms of world-class amenities and stellar service. In honor of the property’s roots, the resort still offers a membership to its beach club which allows use of all the facilities, including the spa.
What should you try?
Though Sense offers everything from foot scrubs to bikini waxes, massage therapy is generally the most popular treatment. Many guests want relief for their aching muscles after hiking or surfing the nearby coast. To that end, look to the Lost Remedies menu, which take direct inspiration from the area’s biodiversity and plants. I tried the Montecito Sage Purification, a 90-minute ritual that starts with a sage, salt, pine, and juniper scrub and wrap, followed by a lavish full-body massage that incorporates sage oil and warm stones. It was heavenly—especially thanks to my therapist, who carefully maneuvered my body using steamed towels to ensure that I never had to get up to rinse off. The Osea Gua Sha Lifting Facial I had next was also divine. Using Osea products, a jade roller, and manual massage, my therapist released my tense jaw and forehead muscles leaving my face glowy, defined, and plump. “Our facial and body treatment offerings are tailored to each individual’s personal needs,” explains Ratkovits, noting that the staff often makes recommendations so guests can continue their results with home-maintenance care. “This attention to detail makes our treatments super memorable.”
How environmentally friendly is it?
Rosewood Miramar, like all Rosewood resorts, reduces single-use plastic and implements water and waste-reducing policies across the property. The restaurants source ingredients locally and partners with the region’s farms, fishmongers, and foragers. The property also has its own apiary to ensure that there are enough pollinating bees for its vast, native-focused gardens and green spaces. In the spa, there s a conscious effort to choose product lines that reflect those priorities and to implement waste reduction and recycling wherever possible.
What else do we need to know?
Design and art lovers will delight in the property’s elegant aesthetic, which is apparent from the moment you enter the grand foyer with its sweeping spiral staircase and glossy black-and-white tile floors. It seems like everywhere you look there’s another gorgeous detail to admire: a Norman Rockwell oil painting over the fireplace in the library, hand-painted de Gournay wallpaper in the private dining room, a Missoni sofa in the lounge. The resort’s art collection also includes over 600 pieces and significant original work by Marc Chagall, Joan Miró, Slim Aarons, Picasso, and more.
Who can go?
The spa is open to outside guests and also offers a membership for those who wish to use the beach, pools, and spa facilities regularly. The resort itself is extremely family-friendly, with a designated pool and activities for kids. Pets are also very welcome to stay—the resort will set up a doggy bed and bowls in your guest room and a designated pet menu is available at the main restaurant.
Booking details for Sense Spa at Rosewood Miramar Beach
Address: 1759 S Jameson Ln, Montecito, CA 93108, United States
Read more from Vogue’s Global Spa Guide.
