Before & After: Skyview
Before & After: Skyview
Perched on a hill overlooking Highway 101 in Los Alamos, California, the Skyview Motel has been a distinctive landmark since 1959. Originally constructed in 1954 and opened five years later, it quickly became a stop for travelers journeying between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Its unique hilltop location and the only swimming pool in the area made it a popular retreat, with families often paying 25 cents for a swim.
If you believe the local lore, throughout the 1960s and 70s, the Skyview Motel was more than just a roadside stop; it was a cultural touchstone. Iconic bands like The Beatles and The Mamas and The Papas stayed here during their California tours and the Motel was an energetic enclave for traveling artists.
As time progressed, the Motel fell into disrepair and earned the local moniker "the Bates Motel" due to its eerie, abandoned appearance. That’s how I knew of it. We had been visiting Bell Street Farms, Bob’s Well Bread and Full of Life as a weekend ritual, as it’s only a 40-minute drive from SLO. We never thought to venture up the hill to see what the Motel was like. When we found out it was for sale, our eagerness to view it stemmed from joining the Los Alamos community. Once we walked through it, it was easy to see Skyview’s potential. The architecture, views, and location were all amazing.
We spent the next two years undergoing an extensive renovation. We identified the important components to save (the sign, the architecture, the mid-century elements) and renovated everything else. We moved the parking in front of the rooms to an adjacent lot and created a relaxing gardenscape. We modernized the rooms, plumbing, electrical, mechanical and revitalized the 2-acre vineyard so we could have an estate grown rose to offer guests.
The aesthetic choices were rooted in a blend of mid-century and modern cowboy culture as we felt those two directions were aligned with the region. We used a lot of color because color brings energy to a space and Los Alamos is brimming with creative energy and artistic flare. We designed custom beds, used brightly colored fabrics and patterns throughout the spaces, added hardwood floors, marble-clad bathrooms, and trough sinks. We curated the mini bars with locally sourced snacks. The bath amenities were created for Skyview by Fable Rune with nods to the garden elements found throughout the property.
We created a poolside restaurant in what was originally the lobby and meeting space. As a nod to its former reputation, we named it ‘Norman’. It’s our take on a modern diner, serving California classics alongside a mix of stiff classics & poolside concoctions and a wine program celebrating the region's viticulture.
We hope this chapter of Skyview is filled with happy guests using it as a base to explore Los Alamos and its inspiring collection of restaurants, vintage shops, and lounges. Then after a long day, they’ll find their way back via the massive MOTEL sign, enjoy a dip in the pool, a burger at Norman, and a good night’s sleep on the hill.
www.skyviewlosalamos.com
