With its Spanish-Colonial Revival architecture and dazzling spaces by celebrity designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, this iconoclastic enclave – part history, part imagination, and all Californian – continues to drive the revitalisation of Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, while upending conventional expectations.

Rooms and suites offer a thoroughly modern take on seaside Santa Barbara, while the stunning rooftop pool serves up eye-poppingly perfect panoramic views of the city and the Pacific Ocean. The food here is a treat, with its blend of Spanish and Moroccan flavours and everything from breakfast tacos and tapas to wood-fired pizzas and mouthwatering mains. Plus, there’s a rolodex of rooms, suites and lofts to choose from – all with stunning views of the city and sea.