Even though we are not technically on our trip, as denoted by the lack of a “Day: Number” in the blog title, we still don’t have a sticks and bricks house to call home. Our rental property in Los Angeles where we will be moving to is still occupied and we needed to make a trip up to the Ventura/Santa Barbara area for work.
As we were making our way back to California, we were contacted by Matt Hofmann of Hofmann Architecture to help spread the word about his new Airstream Hotel.
Since it is located in Santa Barbara, our old college stomping ground, we thought that we might as well stop by and chat with him while we are in town. He agreed and we set a date to make sure he would be here to let us into some of the trailers.
The hotel is located at the edge of an RV park consisting of mostly full-time residents. Matt and his father Wally have been in the architecture business for some time and have just recently gotten into the Airstream business. They partnered up with the owner of the RV park in Santa Barbara Auto Camp. The RV Park would supply the real estate and Hofmann would supply the refurbished trailers. Sounds like a match made in heaven.
Each trailer here is designed specifically to be used as a hotel room. All of the propane fixtures have been removed and electrical counterparts have been installed. That is so that guests who are staying here with little to no RV experience would have an easier time. Every trailer is still road worthy but are no longer designed to be used for traditional camping because of the conversions.
They use a self check-in model so there does not need to be a full-time and on-site hotel manager. Rooms can be booked through their website directly or via AirBnB.com.
A contracted maid service makes sure that each trailer is ready for the next guest every day. The landscaping is also carefully manicured and flawless.
Each trailer at the SB Auto Camp is a custom-built creation.
You are not going to find museum quality restorations on these Airstreams but they are designed perfectly for its purpose.
Many nice decorative touches are used throughout each trailer to give them some personality.
This one with a nautical theme also has a curved bathroom door which gives the interior a much roomier feeling.
These kinds of roadtrip-inspired getaways seem to be getting more and more popular everyday. Matt and his business partners have been looking into growing their venture across the country while using the SB Auto Camp as a proof of concept.
At roughly $150 a night to stay here, it is a pretty good deal considering how much hotel rooms can cost in the Santa Barbara area.
If you have ever wanted to give Airstream living a try but don’t want to buy or rent a trailer, this is a pretty good way to start.
I want to thank Matt Hofmann for inviting us to SB Auto Camp for a quick lookie as well as sharing his plan and vision with us of their business. Maybe some of you have stayed in one of his trailers. If so, let us know what you think in the comments!
over and out,
dan
1 Comment
Valynne · June 16, 2013 at 4:50 pm
It looks like we will be back in Ventura on a long-term house and pet sit as of November 1. We can’t wait to check this place out once we get back to CA! My plan was to have our own Airstream by the time I turned 40, but that came and went in April. We are having so much fun caring for properties and pets around the US that I don’t even mind…but it is still on my radar, big-time! I love keeping up with you and all of your adventures. Maybe we can grab a cuppa if you are still in the Ventura area once we get back…
V