Hotel Review: Rosewood Miramar Beach
We had a wonderful few days at the Rosewood Miramar Beach, set on 16 acres of prime Montecito beachfront with beautiful views from the Pacific to the Santa Ynez mountains. From the moment we arrived, we were enveloped in a world of understated coastal elegance and impeccable service. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay exploring this beautiful property’s two pools, multiple restaurants, and sprawling grounds.
Overall ****** (9 of 10)
ROOMS****** (9 of 10)
We were upgraded upon check-in to a Lanai Suite, a sprawling one bedroom, one and a half bathroom villa with a sweet dining nook and living room with pull-out couch. It was perfect for our family of four as it had all the comforts of home (and then some). Our chic room was beautifully furnished in subtle coastal themes, with plush bedding and pillows. There was also a small patio that overlooked the other villas, offering little privacy. While the resort is located on the beach, only the beach-front suites are oceanfront.
FACILITIES****** (9 of 10)
The grounds of the Rosewood Miramar were manicured to perfection. We couldn’t find a single flower out of place. The entire resort centers around a beautiful open grassy area. We saw a spectacular wedding take place during our stay. There are two large pools, one for families and one for adults only. Next to the family pool sits the Scoop Shop, probably our kids’ favorite part about the entire resort. Reception also gave them cards for free ice cream sundaes at check-in. They also have a bocce court with its own bar as well. The Miramar Beach Raft, a swim platform located a few yards into the Pacific Ocean is a fun addition on a warm sunny day as well.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to book a spa appointment—book ahead as there were no appointments when we tried to book the day before. The gym, however was very large and well-equipped. We loved the outdoor cardio equipment.
The sprawling property also contains several opportunities for shopping, including Goop, James Perse, and Brunello Cucinelli.
LOCATION ******** (9 of 10)
Located on 16 acres along Miramar Beach in Montecito, the location Rosewood Miramar Beach was wonderful. Miramar Beach is quiet and largely residential. It should be noted that there is actually a working train track running between the main part of the resort and the beach club area containing two restaurants and a handful of rooms. The train comes by with some regularity and there is actually an attendant positioned at the tracks to make sure everyone crosses safely. Additionally, while walks on the beach are lovely, there’s not much else you can walk to from this hotel. Fortunately, there is a car service that will take guests anywhere within a 3-mile radius, which covers most of the Montecito shops and restaurants.
FOOD ****** (8 of 10)
While we didn’t get to experience all of the five restaurants on property, the spots we did try impressed with their fresh California fare. The Revere Room is the main dining area of the resort and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food was delicious, and there was a nice kids menu as well. The Miramar Beach Bar was a charming restaurant overlooking the water. The menu was limited and mostly seemed to cater to those looking for a waterfront cocktail experience, but we thoroughly enjoyed the tacos and other small plates they served. They also had a kid’s menu. We were eager to try to Ama Sushi, but they only accommodate kids on Friday or Saturday nights. Finally, Caruso’s is an elegant waterfront option sitting directly below the Miramar Beach Bar. Oftentimes restaurants with locations as good as Caruso’s will let their food take a back seat to the views, but that was not the case here. The modern Italian food was all delicious. The prices at Caruso’s, as in all the restaurants at the Rosewood Miramar beach, were certainly reflective of the oceanfront locale and high-end food.
SERVICE ****** (9 of 10)
The service at Rosewood Miramar Beach was warm and friendly. From leaving welcome treats in our room, with special gifts for the kids, to accommodating every request, the service was just as good as you would expect at a resort of this caliber. Everyone we encountered went out of their way to make our stay as enjoyable as possible. When the valets heard our kids were excited to ride a pink jolly to dinner, they made sure they could accommodate their request and added booster seats.
Value *** (8 of 10)
With rooms starting at over $1k a night, the Rosewood Miramar Beach can certainly get pricey quickly. While our room was beautiful, the price tag would have been easier to swallow if there was an ocean view or more privacy in the outdoor space.
WOULD WE STAY AGAIN?
Absolutely! We loved lounging by the pool, strolling along the beach, and dining in front of the ocean and can’t wait to return.