Lavender Barn, the new wellness retreat at The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, offers a deep reset in the heart of wine country
Words by LESLEY McKENZIE
Los Olivos already has a way of making you exhale. Chalk it up to the vineyard-covered hills, lavender-scented fields, and charming Victorian-style storefronts that hearken back to the town’s 19th-century beginnings. A longtime wine-country escape with more than 30 tasting rooms, the Central Coast destination has also become synonymous with luxurious getaways since the 2023 reopening of The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern — a former stagecoach stop turned high-end hideaway.
Striking an artful balance between modern farmhouse design and ranch living, the landmark property was meticulously renovated and expanded by Auberge Resorts Collection — think white clapboard guest rooms and rustic cottages with exposed beams, and amenities including deep soaking tubs and private firepits. The 6.5-acre grounds also feature an outdoor pool and five dining venues, including the beloved seasonally driven Mattei’s Tavern. Now, with the debut of Lavender Barn, an Auberge Spa, Mattei’s Tavern extends its appeal beyond culinary and design-minded clientele to those seeking slow wellness and a chance to reconnect with nature.
Conceived by the interiors firm AvroKO — which also oversaw the reimagining of the main property — the space, which comprises five treatment rooms and a couple’s suite, is a love letter to both Los Olivos’ ranch roots and natural surroundings, as seen in barn-style thermal areas and touches such as locally sourced walnut and cork.
Experiences begin with the rejuvenating Thermal Journey, during which guests move through an oakwood sauna, invigorating eucalyptus steam room, cold plunge, and the mineral-rich Vitality Pool. Using lines such as Biologique Recherche, Monastery, and Oak Essentials, treatments incorporate a mix of modern techniques and time-honored remedies, among them the Slow Beauty Facial (90 minutes, $449), which incorporates Gua Sha to encourage detoxification and relaxation. The Lavender Therapy body ritual (90 minutes, $505) begins with a lavender-infused magnesium scrub and ends with a therapeutic massage using full-spectrum CBD oil.
In addition to treatments, spa services include a curated selection of classes, retreats, and workshops. Each month, Santa Barbara healing center Palma Colectiva offers transformative experiences such as the ethereal Full Moon Ritual, which includes a guided meditation and restorative sound bath. Beyond lunar-inspired ceremonies, a lineup of expert-led sessions in breathwork, reiki, yoga, and more taps into the wisdom of the area’s most sought-after practitioners. The result? A deep reset for mind, body, and spirit, effortlessly enhanced by the serene beauty of Los Olivos. aubergeresorts.com/matteistavern/wellness.
Feature image:
February 27, 2025
Discover more TRAVEL news.
