I fell in love with the Central California Coast, especially because it’s pretty underrated compared to LA, San Diego, and San Francisco. Okay, so maybe it’s not that underrated since the Santa Ynez Mountains, wineries, sweeping waves, and peaceful vibes attract millions of visitors per year. Cecilio and I got to stay in Solvang, CA for his birthday (which was also his Christmas gift for me). We got to take a day trip to Santa Barbara for our 2-night itinerary in Solvang. During our trip, we stayed at Hotel Corque, an affordable luxury accommodation in the heart of Solvang.
Grab a cup of coffee (or in this case, a glass of wine) to learn about our experience in Hotel Corque!
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What to Expect at Hotel Corque
About Hotel Corque
Hotel Corque is a true luxury boutique hotel situated in Downtown Solvang off of the main streets Alisal Road and Copenhagen Drive. Rather than being a part of Hilton, IHG, Marriott, etc., the hotel is owned by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.
There are 122 rooms, 16 of which are suites, and the biggest one of them is the Chairman Suite (which has a bedroom, two bathrooms, a fridge, and a wet bar!).
Design
With a name called Corque (pronounced “cork”) and the hotel’s location deep in wine country, you can bet that there are wine motifs all throughout the space. The first thing that caught my eye was the chandelier made out of wine bottles and glasses. There are also wooden accents inside the lobby replicating the rustic feel of a winery’s interior.
Even the hotel’s branding/identity has hints of vino, such as the grape icon in their logo, the maroon colors, and that splattered wine element.
While Hotel Corque’s branding gives a nod to its prime location in Central California’s wine country, the exterior building is a traditional Danish style, which is fitting for Solvang’s reputation as the Denmark of America.
Rooms
Man oh man, the rooms were my absolute favorite part of our stay! I firmly believe that a room makes or breaks your experience at an accommodation, and our room exceeded my expectations. We had the plushest king-sized bed, an open area with a couch, and a vanity desk where I can get ready! (Usually, I’d have to do my makeup on the floor)
I shrieked when I walked into the bathroom; it was spacious, clean, and oh-so-luxurious! But what drew me in was the wooden tray on the huge bathtub with a packet of bath salts and a rubber ducky branded with the hotel’s logo. I knew I was in for a treat, especially with the wine shop, Vinhus, right next door. I stopped by to get a small bottle of bubbly to pamper myself while getting my soak on in the bath.
Might I add that the bathroom had a sliding door, giving it that extra sleek design.
Parking
Hotel Corque is its own parking lot, and it’s free and easy to park. When Cecilio and I are on a road trip or renting a car out of state, finding a hotel with free parking is extremely important because the costs add up and we’re already paying a lot for accommodation, gas, renting, etc. and we would like to scrape extra costs as needed.
Location
Smack dab in the middle of downtown, with restaurants and shops within walking distance? That just made our stay in Hotel Corque even sweeter. We were even able to walk all the way to Elvehøj Museum Of History & Art, which is a few blocks away in a residential neighborhood of Solvang.
Hotel Corque is right next to a windmill and Vinhus, a wine gift shop. Across the street, you can try olive oil and vinegar tasting at Olive Press.
With Solvang being located right next to the Santa Ynez Mountains, you can take a day trip to go hiking at the various trails nearby or take a day trip to Santa Barbara.
Hospitality
We didn’t interact with the staff too much other than them checking us in and giving us our keys, but they were fine for the most part. The only thing that took me aback was when I was downstairs taking some photos and about to go out and about while Cecilio was getting ready, and I asked if we could check out an hour later. They wanted his ID, which I didn’t have on me, but I asked if I could just show my ID on his behalf as his wife but they didn’t accept that. But it’s not really a big deal since we did end up leaving before our check-out time.
Other Amenities
Hotel Corque offered the following amenities that we didn’t fully take advantage of during our two-night stay:
- Pool and jacuzzi (we brought our swimsuits, but it was too cold and rainy during our stay)
- Craft House at Corque, a New American restaurant adjacent to the hotel
- Room Service
- Concierge
- Room service
My final verdict on Hotel Corque
What I loved
- Free parking, and it’s easy to park
- Insanely comfortable beds
- The rooms are super spacious
- Feeling pampered with the bath and the rubber ducky souvenir
- How close it is to all the restaurants, cafes, and shops in Solvang
What I didn’t love
While it was pretty affordable at around $120/night, I have checked the prices for other times of the year and it spikes up to $350/night or more. Keep in mind, we went in January, hence the lower costs.
Would I recommend Hotel Corque?
If you’re looking for total relaxation, elegance, and comfort, Hotel Corque is the stay for you. When you’re tired of all the walking and explorations, you want to come home to the softest beds and cleanest bathrooms. This is Hotel Corque to a T, and it is worth the price any time of year.
Overall thoughts
We had an amazing time during our stay; 2 nights wasn’t enough! It’s also the perfect accommodation for couples, oozing romance with wineries nearby and the backdrop of the Santa Ynez Mountains.
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Looking for other affordable luxury stays?
- Motel One Copenhagen is a 4-star, cozy, cute hotel in the heart of Copenhagen, minutes away from the famous Tivoli Gardens and Strøget, the longest pedestrian-only shopping area in the world!
- Shoreline Hotel Waikiki is a vibrant, Instagrammable boutique hotel with hot pink walls, retro decor, and neon signs. It’s steps away from Waikiki Beach. If nothing else, book for the Dole Whip samples upon checking in!
Hannah is a travel writer, graphic designer, and the founder/editor of Hannah on Horizon. She is based in Sacramento, California, living with her husband and two adorable dogs. She shares tips on how to experience luxury travel on any budget, and how to maximize time at each trip or destination, no matter what your budget or amount of vacation time at work. She enjoys making you feel like you have visited each destination with her through her storytelling and informative writing style.