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Original “Bachelor” Andrew Firestone is opening Santa Barbara’s newest hotel and restaurant.
The Courtyard by Marriott hotel and the Saint Remy restaurant will open the day after Santa Claus skips town, on Monday. Firestone and his business partner, Jess Parker, are behind the hotel project.
“As Santa Barbara natives, Jess and I are thrilled to re-introduce this classic downtown hotel with timeless midcentury architecture and style,” said Firestone, co-founder of StonePark Capital. “We are also proud to partner with Azul Hospitality to bring to life the first Marriott-branded hotel to the city of Santa Barbara.”
Formerly a La Quinta Inn, the new hotel at 1601 State St. features 122 rooms. The restaurant will offer Mediterranean coastal cuisine with a locally sourced menu, according to a news release. The new project was designed by the Cearnal Collective, one of Santa Barbara’s top architectural firms, and that spent several years working through the system to gain approval from design review boards.
The property is managed by Azul Hospitality Group, a San Diego-based hospitality management platform focused primarily on lifestyle hotels and resorts.
“Courtyard Santa Barbara is wonderfully located for both leisure and business travelers to indulge in all that the destination is known for, including its beaches, museums, dining options and wineries,” General Manager Antonio Morales said in a news release. “At Saint Remy, every meal is uniformly inventive and crafted with the rich history and culture of the coast. It brings the local dining scene a new hotspot for date nights, private parties and gathering with friends.”
The average daily rates start at $250 per night.
Fitness Innovation
Personal training studio Fitness with Rachel, based in Goleta, now offers innovative exercise programs for people experiencing a cancer diagnosis and/or cancer treatment, according to a news release.
“Cancer is a diagnosis that touches almost every family, including my own,” owner Rachel McDonald said. “I have seen the devastation in people’s faces when they learn of their diagnosis and the courage they find to battle back against this tough disease. I want to do my part to support people on their cancer journey, particularly by helping them stay active and strong, so they can take charge through exercise.”
McDonald, a certified cancer exercise specialist, holds small-group exercise sessions to support healing and recovery, as well as to address the mental and physical stresses of cancer.
She was born and raised in Goleta and has participated in the Barbara Ireland Walk and Run for Breast Cancer since 2000.
According to the news release, McDonald creates an individualized plan for survivors in any stage of treatment or recovery, with a common goal to make the best of any situation.
“When cancer occurs, life can feel out of control,” McDonald said. “Working with patients to build themselves back is such an honor for me. My clients inspire me to keep going.”
Fish Sighting
It appears that the Santa Barbara Fish Market has found the Goodland.
The popular fresh fish and other seafood store has temporary signage in the window in the University Plaza.
It’s the latest big name to hit the shopping center, following Planet Fitness and IHOP.
The market is located next to RiseUp Fitness and a Marine Corps recruiting station, a few doors down from Planet Fitness.
