The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians owns Hotel Corque, which resides in the Danish hamlet of Solvang, California. The Danes initially bought and developed the land, but the tribe walked this area for thousands of years before Europeans settled here. Solvang started in 1911 as a Danish retreat and is still ripe with its Scandinavian heritage, but with a new modern sensibility in the hotel’s interior design. And Solvang is no longer a vacation destination solely for Danes — 2 million people visit the town each year.
Set off the main road, this quiet property sits near the Alisal golf course, wine-tasting spots and horseback riding. It’s located in the slow-paced Santa Ynez Valley, but Santa Barbara is a 35-minute drive away for beach activities and cultural events. The valley is appealing because it is still largely agriculturally driven and there is little to no development marring the landscape.
Set off the main road, this quiet property sits near the Alisal golf course, wine-tasting spots and horseback riding. It’s located in the slow-paced Santa Ynez Valley, but Santa Barbara is a 35-minute drive away for beach activities and cultural events. The valley is appealing because it is still largely agriculturally driven and there is little to no development marring the landscape.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- When the contemporary Hotel Corque opened, it was a departure from lodgings in the area. Located off of the main drag, this is a quiet property — which is one of its selling points.
- It’s only a four-block walk to a restaurant, a wine-tasting room, Danish stores or a micro-brewery. But it’s just as easy to make a short drive to picture-perfect Santa Ynez Valley wineries studded with vines and oak trees.
- The exterior and grounds remain traditional Danish with the exception of the open-air brick patio, which straddles the boutique hotel and restaurant. It’s great for dining alfresco, or getting some fresh air along with a glass of local Santa Ynez Valley wine.
- Inside, it is urban and hip: Large overstuffed chairs dot the lobby, and custom-created lighting fixtures illuminate the public spaces.
Things to Know
- The Santa Ynez Valley and Solvang really pop in the early spring, April and May, when the vineyards are just experiencing bud break, and the pace of the valley is slow and casual.
- There are more events that take place during summer. However, that also means more tourists and lines for this small village, which can easily get congested during peak summer days. So bypass the hectic in favor of the relaxed.
- For those who want some altitude, Figueroa Mountain is a fantastic drive, taking you up to the high elevations with exceptional views of the valley.
- Just nine miles down the road is Cachuma Recreation area, another former Native American settlement and now a place for boating, fishing and camping.
The Rooms
- Hip, modern and sophisticated, the 122 rooms at Hotel Corque feel like they belong in San Francisco or New York, not rural Solvang.
- The rooms and suites, ranging in size from 550 to 800 square feet, veer away from the Danish aesthetic, replete with autumnal tones and colors.
- The bathrooms have green marble countertops, and 20 percent of them come with full bathtubs.
- All of the accommodations offer flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi and the beds are cradled with leather headboards.
- Try to reserve one of the boutique hotel’s Mission View rooms, which peek out to the historic Santa Ynez Mission.
The Restaurants
- Sleek and sophisticated, Root 246 is Hotel Corque’s fine-dining restaurant. The clientele is a young, urban crowd, and you don’t see a lot of old-school Danish residents here.
- Located in a separate building next to the hotel, it looks like it belongs in Hollywood, not in rural Solvang. But that’s part of the evolution of Solvang and wine country cuisine.
- The menu rotates often depending on seasonal ingredients, since this sits in an agricultural region. You’ll find house-made charcuterie, local bison dishes and steelhead trout from the nearby river among the offerings.
- The Solvang restaurant has two rooms separated by a bar with an elegant club feel. Reserve the “kitchen table” directly inside the kitchen for a unique, energetic dining experience.
- Root 246 offers only dinner and a Sunday brunch.
Amenities
Bar
Meeting rooms
Restaurants
Getting There
