Landmark Montecito Inn set to reopen on Saturday after storm impacts

After waiting for another round of rain to pass through Thursday night and this morning, the owners of the Montecito Inn say they will officially welcome back guests Saturday.

The property was badly impacted January 9, when a violent storm hit the fire scarred hills, sending debris and muddy water into residential and business areas.

The hotel had mud layered over the landscaping, against the building and it filled a large section of two parking areas.

Guests were safely evacuated but the scenes were shown around the world and the property’s name was in the news for six weeks linked to the event.

While the site was closed, Director of Sales and Marketing Jason Copus and his family launched a beautification plan. In addition to removing the mud, many other improvements were completed.

The building was painted, a new entrance drive was laid down, and fresh landscaping was installed.

It retains the vintage look that has a white base with black trim, iron railings and classically aimed lights.

In the next few months, three new dining areas on the property will be open and plans are in the works to have late night dining available, something the area currently lacks.

Tonight, final tweeks to the property were taking place, including making sure all the letters to the main sign were firmly in place.

The Montecito Inn had optimistically hoped to reopen in February about the time of its 90th anniversary.

It has a rich past to the early days of Hollywood and silent film star Charlie Chaplin which can be seen here under the history tab: https://www.montecitoinn.com/

With the current weather impacts the hotel is the largest open properties on the eastern side of Santa Barbara where it meets Montecito. The Four Seasons Biltmore nearby is still closed for mudflow repairs and the San Ysidro Ranch resort in the foothills is also dark because of the impacts. The Rosewood Miramar Beach hotel is set to open in the summer a few blocks away.