Skyview motel, Los Alamos, California.
Imagine driving down Highway 1 and then Highway 101, from San Francisco to LA, which is what we did (read our review of this route here). Its a long, beautiful road but to do it right there is a need to stop, to be able to take our time and enjoy the journey. Whist doing this route in July and through pure luck we found a brilliant little motel roughly at the halfway point, in a town called Los Alamos. Why would you want to stay here, well imagine a quirky town that has a Wild West feel, and throw in enough odd stuff to make it feel oddly normal, that is Los Alamos and for that reason, is why people need to visit the town.
Nestled on a hilltop just off the left of Highway 101 was our motel, the Skyview Motel, Los Alamos. We had not planned to stay here, or anywhere for that fact. Our trip was free flowing, stopping when and where we wanted. We had been driving all day and used the hotel bookings app in the late afternoon, finding this little gem. Booking online the app was easy and confirmation came through quickly. With only a 10 mile journey to get the the Motel down the 101 it was a no brainer. We had no idea what it was like, apart from the photos and reviews on the app (which looked great and all rated it highly).
Pulling off the 101, and pulling up to the bottom of the hill, this place looked spectacular. It appeared to be something from an old movie, but very different, a modern twist on the old motel version.
At the top of the hill, where all the rooms are located, looking out at the views of the Highway, vineyard and surrounding fields the views were out of this world.
Being greeted in the laid back reception, this place had a rhythm all of its own. It immediately said stay as long as you need and relax. After a quick check in, with all the details taken, such as car reg, Nationality and a phone number we were handed our key and wandered across the motels open walkways to our room.
The motel is an open grouping of rooms, with great landscaped gardens and paths that work their way across the motel, linking all the rooms and pool area.
With outdoor seating, tables and fire pits placed along the route it was inviting and gave all the residents a feeling of wanting to know each other. The big fire pit outside the restaurant was lit every night that we stayed and looked to be the place to hang out. Groups of visitors sitting around, chatting laughing and having a great time.
The motel has 33 rooms, all having different options named Cosy, Classic, and Junior suites. All of which had doors facing on to the open walkways making it feel like a close knit community.
The room
Walking to the room was on thing, getting into our room was another. Opening the door and seeing how well the room had been prepared, maintained and cared for was a sheer joy.
The bed was big, comfy and the bedding was clean, fresh and felt expensive.
The bathroom was well equipped, with fantastic smelling shower gels and shampoos, along with soft towels and plenty of room to do what ever you need to do in there.
Storage was not an issue a wardrobe and drawers were enough for our 2 night stay, along with a TV and free Wi-Fi, it was all we needed.
Did we mention the bed? The motel was not holding back when they got these things installed. We both slept like babies, soft, comfy and huge (the bed that is, not us). With air conditioning and ceiling fans controlling the temperature was not a problem.
What else?
Do you need another reason to stay at the Skyview Motel, well OK. The motel was positioned in a great spot, just off the Highway with easy access and the best bit was that it is a 5 minute stroll into the town of Los Alamos (that quirky cowboy feeling town). Out the gate, turn right under the Highway and right again at the junction. The petrol station on the corner (just past the town limits) is the start of this amazing town. Why should we mention this, well we loved this town so much we had to write several more reviews on the things to see and do there, we could have written many more… Check out our other Los Alamos reviews here. This is the Union Hotel, that does not rent rooms but has an out of this world bar!
Hotel Extra’s
Back to the Skyview Motel, from the rental of their red bikes with boxes screwed to the front, to the free breakfast served from the reception area this place was more than a little quirky. The motel atmosphere fitted perfectly with the rest of the town. The pool was perfect for an afternoon of relaxing, with a wet bar to the side serving cold drinks as the sun beating down onto the pool and sun loungers a day needs to be set aside to do this.
The staff were friendly, chatty and so helpful. Being this is a Motel, the staff are relaxed and friendly rather than stuck up trying to be professional. They were so good, that when we had a box of wine delivered to the motel one night, they text us to let us know it got there safely (check out the Casa Dumetz wine tasting review.)
Our only regret was that we could not have stayed there any longer. Being a motel on the edge of a quirky town in the centre of a great wine region, it was begging for more time.
Our last day, we woke, had breakfast and checked out. We slowly drove away, checking the mirror several times chatting about whether we could have had an extra day there but the road called and we drove on.
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With thanks from Cave HQ.
