Montecito’s new Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort ready to open

After more than two years of construction and several more in preparation, the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort in Montecito is set to officially open Friday.

The excitement has been building for developer Rick Caruso’s project, which broke ground in October 2016.

“Both Rosewood and Caruso are prestigious brands,” said Kathy Janega-Dykes, president and CEO of Visit Santa Barbara. “And that’s brought a heightened awareness to our community. And the resort is already attracting visitors from all over the world.”

The resort has welcomed some guests this month during a soft opening, which began Feb. 11.

Representatives from the hotel were not available to speak on camera, but they did give NewsChannel 3 a brief tour of the property.

The resort sits on the same land where the original Miramar Beach Hotel once stood, before it closed in 2000.

“I think the historic nature really fits our destination really well,” Janega-Dykes said. “[The new resort] is a classic, but it’s reimagined right now.”

Today, visitors are greeted by the Manor House at the resort’s front entrance. The main house is modeled to look like an elegant residential estate.

Inside is the lobby, dining options, boutiques and large living spaces. On the other side is the great lawn, flanked by two luxury pools that are exclusive to hotel guests.

The cabana pool features a full bar and adjacent bocce ball court. The more family-friendly manor pool, meanwhile, offers food, drinks and Rori’s ice cream. Two exclusive flavors are offered at the pool’s Scoop Shop.

Railroad tracks run through the property and are manned by a crossing guard 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Resort rooms are designed to mitigate the noise from passing trains.

On the other side of the tracks is the Beach House, which is open to guests and the general public. The deck offers stunning ocean views and luxurious Beach House suites on either side. A members-only private beach club is set to open later this spring.

Down the stairs from the deck is Caruso’s, the resort’s signature restaurant, named after the resort’s developer. The restaurant offers Italian fare and features a Michelin star head chef who has been sourcing ingredients from local farmers.

Many amenities are open to the public, as representatives from the resort say it’s more than just a place to stay for people visiting from out of town.

Their goal is to create a welcoming atmosphere for locals and tourists alike, something many felt at the old Miramar Beach Hotel. The hotel plans to have programming for local residents, including a croquet league and beach barbecues.

“A lot of families travelled there every year,” Janega-Dykes said. “It was very much a community-based resort. And this one will do the same.”

The resort features 161 rooms in total, including 37 suites. Rooms start at $825 a night.