The Inn At Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection Reborn As A Modern Landmark In Los Olivos, California

A Central Coast legend since 1886 authors a new story in the Santa Ynez Valley, staying true to its long-held tradition of warm and authentic wine country hospitality

 

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY, CA (February 15, 2023) — Surrounded by vineyards and olive groves in the charming, historic town of Los Olivos, The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection has welcomed guests since the late 1880s when pioneers began settling this sun-drenched, mountain-fringed valley just north of Santa Barbara. Witness to changing times, from the stagecoach era through the introduction of railroads and automobiles, The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern has thrived with dedicated stewards at its helm. Today, Auberge Resorts Collection is proud to serve as custodian of The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern’s most exciting chapter to date and usher in the next phase in the evolution of this one-of-a-kind property. A natural paradise with bountiful fresh produce and a pleasant climate, The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection offers outdoor pursuits in abundance and inspires joy, whether through unique adventures or simply through savoring its exceptional culinary delights. With new and luxurious accommodations, a state-of-the-art spa, bespoke guest experiences, and destination dining venues, The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection has been reborn as one of the most exciting new luxury hotels in the country, while still maintaining the same soul and generosity of spirit that founder Felix Mattei bestowed upon the property when it first debuted over a century ago.

“We are delighted to open the doors to The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern and officially welcome the property to the Auberge family today,” said Craig Reid, president and CEO, Auberge Resorts Collection. “Our owners, Brian Strange and Deepak Kamra, had a vision to create a hotel that is true to the heritage of this historic property and embraces the local community. The result is a resort that celebrates the soul, character and history that has made Mattei’s an icon in the area since the 1800s and yet feels so relevant for today’s discerning traveler. It has been a pleasure helping Brian and Deepak bring their vision to life and we could not be more excited to welcome the community and travelers from near and far to this one-of-a-kind property in the charming town of Los Olivos.”

 

The literal and figurative heart of Los Olivos

Set on 6.5 acres opposite the original Los Olivos staging post, The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection sits in the center of town and has always been its convivial heart. With its iconic water tower still rising as one of the town’s most recognizable landmarks, the property consists of numerous free-standing cottages embraced by landscaped gardens and lawns. Opening again with its history celebrated and upheld in every detail, the property has been sensitively reimagined by renowned design firm AvroKO. Original buildings, including the Tavern and a handful of original cottages, have been thoughtfully restored and complemented by newly built structures in keeping with the relaxed country style and heritage of this heirloom property.

Exposed wooden beams, restored wainscoting and unlacquered brass fixtures feature throughout, while vintage furnishings, lighting and accessories add depth and character. Custom items reference days gone by, yet with a contemporary simplicity that underlines The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection’s modern outlook.

Since its founding, The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection has had several important stewards who have shaped its narrative and inspired its design. Gin’s Tap Bar, for example, is named after Gin Lung Gin, the head chef for decades starting in 1910. His Chinese heritage is celebrated in the venue’s antique, carved wooden-horse sculptures. The Pinochle Room, the resort’s private dining room, pays homage to Felix Mattei and his loyal manager, Gus Berg, who were known to play a nightly game of cards, and is now home to the original namesake painting, ‘Pinochle,’ by Mattei’s son, Clarence.

“I am incredibly proud of the dynamic and talented team who have brought this vision to life, while honoring the history of Mattei’s and infusing it with their own spirit and passion,” said Dave Elcon, general manager, The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection. “Mattei’s Tavern has always been a celebrated social hub in the community and we are excited to honor its history and century old memories while creating new ones.”

 

A destination dining experience

Just two hours by car from Los Angeles and home to organic farms, horse ranches and more than 170 wineries and tasting rooms, the Santa Ynez Valley is famous for its fertile soil and year-round, Mediterranean-like climate. A pioneering social hub honoring this natural abundance for well over a century, today The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection builds upon its storied history of providing good eats and genuine conversation. Five unique food and beverage venues highlight the bounty of the Central Coast’s land and sea, each distinct in aesthetic, experience and flavor, but with a shared thread of fresh, local California cuisine.

The Tavern is the signature restaurant, serving a chef-driven, elevated but unfussy, ranch-inspired menu with honest ingredients – many harvested from the on-site garden. Inside, history lingers in the atmospheric décor, while alfresco dining can be enjoyed beneath the vine-covered trellis. The core menu offers grilled proteins and vegetables, classically prepared and approachable, alongside revolving seasonal specials.  The Bar with its Wild West roots rests alongside, while Felix Feed & Coffee is the property’s European-style coffee bar and bakery, serving freshly baked goods, homemade sodas and all-day breakfasts.

Gin’s Tap Bar, named for The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern’s longtime Chinese chef, is even more buzzing, leading guests to its door with enticing and vibrant aromas. Its novel menu pays homage to Gin himself, celebrating Asian inspired influences throughout. Moving away from the original structures and into the gardens, The Shed is tucked into a remnant grove of olive trees beside the property’s serene swimming pool and serves a Mediterranean-inspired, laid-back yet finely-tuned poolside menu.

A curated selection of historically-driven craft cocktails are featured on the Mattei’s Tavern bar menu, like the signature Old Fashioned, “Old Gus Berg,” named after Felix Mattei’s right-hand man. Preferably enjoyed outdoors under the vine-covered trellis, which is open year round, the cocktail list features innovative botanic-driven tonics and perfectly executed classics, all of which serve as the vehicle to deliver the many house infused spirits. The comprehensive wine list is California-focused, with many wines available by the glass, while the large cellar holds some of the finest from across the Central Coast and beyond.

 

A home away from home

A rewarding destination at journey’s end, The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection exudes the same genuine welcome that was offered more than a century ago. Guest cottages and guesthouses marry past and present with a rustic sophistication and sense of understated luxury. Clarence Mattei’s artworks hang on painted wooden walls, and fireplaces warm spaces indoors and out.

Dating back to the original Mattei’s Tavern in 1886, the four Historic Cottages – Oak, Cedar, Cypress and Canary – have been carefully restored to preserve their original wooden floors and inviting front porches, on which rockers await. Updated to offer spacious ensuite bathrooms, most with clawfoot tub and walk-in shower, each is unique. Some feature garden patios with a loveseat or daybed; others boast sitting rooms with working fireplaces.

The two-bedroom Courtyard Cottage is a new building designed to reflect Mattei’s original structures. Accommodating up to four guests, it offers a large living room and opens onto two private garden patios, one with an outdoor fireplace and the other with a jacuzzi. Homestead Cottage is also a new build with two bedrooms, which can be booked together or separately. Each bedroom has a private outdoor lounge space, one with a private jacuzzi.

The Guest Houses are airy, clapboard bedrooms set within new, two-story structures. Each offers either a garden patio, a terrace or a sun porch with rocker and swing, and all offer generously proportioned bathrooms.

 

A lifestyle that engenders curiosity

The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection offers tailored activities and excursions to experience the best of the region, whether guiding guests to the finest of local wineries or offering immersive culinary programs that range from preparing fresh, local uni to cooking paella alongside Executive Chef Rhoda Magbitang. Also available are cycling tours to discover the vineyard backroads of Santa Ynez, Olive Oil Infusion hours where guests infuse their own olive oil with fresh herbs from the onsite culinary garden and making campfire pies around a live open fire.

Opening Summer 2023, The Lavender Barn, an Auberge Spa, enjoys a tranquil location on the property and offers a seasonal treatment menu and hand-blended, plant-based product range designed to rejuvenate body, mind and spirit. Five single treatment rooms are joined by one couple’s treatment room that opens onto a secluded outdoor space with two horse-trough tubs for therapeutic bathing. The water lounge with its peaceful views brings nature in through full-height picture windows that open entirely to the elements.

This March, the resort will debut The Cottage, two well-appointmented treatment rooms offering energizing and restorative treatments inspired by the aromatic flowers, deep roots, rich soil and the twilight skies of Los Olivos.

The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection has partnered with Oak Essentials, a skincare line launched by the team behind Jenni Kayne, for its first exclusive hotel partnership. Oak Essentials is known for its uncomplicated approach to self-care with a lineup of foundational skincare staples that are formulated with efficacy and simplicity. The Lavender Barn will offer treatments featuring several signature products, such as the Rich Balm, Ritual Oil and Dew Body Oil. The suites at The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection will also come equipped with the Oak Essentials Mini Routine for guests to enjoy self-care in the comfort of their own room.

 

A celebration of community

The very pulse of Los Olivos, The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection is built upon the ethos of gathering and community, and is a convivial space for weddings, corporate events and social occasions. The Hartley Lawn, adjacent to the landmark water tower, provides a dreamy backdrop for any milestone celebration, while The Barn counters with warm, spacious interiors centered around a stone fireplace – ideal for the most intimate or festive of occasions. Gin’s Tap Bar, under a canopy of string lights, is perfect for relaxed, outdoor gatherings, while Lucy’s Garden is a series of raised flower and herb beds creating a romantic setting for private dining. Inside the historic Tavern building, the Wicker Room lies alongside Felix Feed & Coffee – an inviting space for private group breakfasts and luncheons with its sunroom-style windows and warm natural light.

Offering banquet dining experiences defined by The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection’s venerable, California-fresh cuisine, each event is elevated by menus designed for sharing, socializing, grazing and discovering. Every other detail is customized and taken care of by the resort’s expert in-house team.

 

Mattei’s General Store

In the nineteenth century, traveling merchants brought a taste of life’s luxuries to the rural Santa Ynez Valley. In an artful twist, The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection offers its guests and visitors a refined selection of contemporary delights in partnership with Santa Ynez General. Evoking the rustic setting of Los Olivos, hero products from the flagship Santa Ynez store include sumptuous baby Alpaca throws and hand-thrown California ceramics. Items exclusively available at Santa Ynez General at The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection include a Los Olivos-inspired, sun-drenched and earthy scented candle developed by Arquiste Parfumeur and two exclusive bracelet styles by Spiritus Stones featuring Californian gemstones.

For reservations and more information about The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection, please visit aubergeresorts.com/matteistavern.

 

About The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection

Set on an historic piece of land populated with old-growth palm trees and just two hours from Los Angeles by car, Mattei’s Tavern originally served as a popular stagecoach stop considered the social center of the Santa Ynez Valley through the 1930s. Opening again with its history celebrated and upheld in every detail old and new, the property has been sensitively reimagined by renowned design firm AvroKO. Today, The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection features 67 luxury guest rooms and cottages that blend the simplicity of modern farmhouse design with the eclectic style of nearby ranch life. The Inn also features five unique food and beverage venues highlighting the Central Coast’s sea and land, an outdoor pool with a welcoming poolside bar, cabanas and firepits, a signature spa in partnership with Jenni Kane’s Oak Essentials and modern indoor-outdoor event spaces that perfectly suit weddings and other gatherings that desire a sophisticated, country-inspired setting.

For more information, visit aubergeresorts.com/matteistavern.

Connect with The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern on Instagram and Facebook at @matteistavernauberge.

 

About Auberge Resorts Collection

Auberge Resorts Collection is a portfolio of extraordinary hotels, resorts, residences and private clubs. While each property is unique, all share a crafted approach to luxury and bring the soul of the locale to life through captivating design, exceptional cuisine, innovative spas, and gracious yet unobtrusive service. With 25 one-of-a-kind hotels and resorts, Auberge invites guests to create unforgettable stories in some of the world’s most desirable destinations.

 

For more information: aubergeresorts.com

 

Connect with Auberge Resorts Collection on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn @AubergeResorts and #AlwaysAuberge

 

About The Friedkin Group

The Friedkin Group is a privately-held consortium of automotive, hospitality, entertainment, sports and adventure companies. These organizations include: Gulf States Toyota, GSFSGroup, US AutoLogistics, Ascent Automotive Group, Auberge Resorts Collection, AS Roma, Imperative Entertainment, 30WEST, NEON, Diamond Creek Golf Club, Congaree and Legendary Expeditions. The Friedkin Group is led by Chairman and CEO Dan Friedkin. For more information, visit www.friedkin.com.

 

Media Contact

Matteis@murphyobrien.com