26 Jun Please The Palate Pick of the Week: Sideways Inn in Buellton in the Santa Ynez Valley

Heading up to Santa Ynez wine country this week, we were looking for a place to stay. But with travel kicking into gear, many hotels were already booked and what was available was on the higher price end than what we were looking for. We then found the Sideways Inn in Buellton. Comfortable, renovated rooms and affordable, the Sideways Inn in Buellton is the Please The Palate pick of the week. In 2004 the movie Sideways turned the Santa Ynez area into a destination for wine lovers and boosted the image of Pinot Noir. But, in 2004, a visit to the region primarily meant staying at a dated hotel in Solvang or Buellton. Built in the 1980s, The Windmill Inn, located adjacent to the freeway on Highway 246, was one of these motels. But, in 2016, Highway West Vacations, who take distressed properties and gives a new life to them, acquired The Windmill Inn, renovated it and renamed it Sideways Inn, capitalizing on the popularity of the movie. The rooms are fully renovated. With dark wood floors, a nice-sized clean and modern bathroom, a large firm bed, and a lounge area, the room has a modern yet rustic 1960s vibe. Old images hang on the wall, courtesy of the Santa Ynez Historical Museum. All rooms have patios and mine faced the swimming pool. The Sideways Lounge is a cool space with a motorcycle rustic vibe. Whether sitting indoors or outdoors, enjoy a cocktail, beer, or glass of wine. And wash your drink down with house-made sausages and hand-cut Belgian fries from the Santa Ynez Sausage Company. Sideways Inn is pet friendly. There is a pool and spa and a fitness room. They even have an electric car charging station. And a complimentary breakfast is served!   Also, as you wander around, you will find outdoor fire pits available to sit around and enjoy a glass of wine or cocktail. Fun, cool, comfortable, welcoming, and affordable, the Sideways Inn is a great spot for a last minute escape to Santa Ynez wine country.