We’ve stayed in a lot of themed hotels, but few have been as imaginative as The Victorian Mansion at Los Alamos. This bed and breakfast in the charming town of Los Alamos, California, looks like a typical Victorian from the outside. But once you step through the front doors and into your suite, you’ll be transported through time and space into another world. So whether you’re a ’50s sock hop lover, a Parisian artist at heart, or a man who can’t stop thinking about the Roman Empire, this is the B&B for you! Here’s everything you need to know ahead of a stay at The Victorian Mansion at Los Alamos.
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What Sets the Victorian Mansion Apart
What we love most about “The Vick,” as it’s lovingly called, is that if you’re getting the travel itch, you don’t have to go too far to be completely transported. An international flight to Egypt is expensive! But a trip to The Vick will have you feeling like you’ve crossed an ocean when you stay in their Egyptian Suite.
One of our favorite elements was how none of the modern amenities or details stand out. Everything blends in so as not to take away from the theme of the suites and cottages. This includes the bathrooms! Many of the bathrooms hide behind secret doors. And breakfast arrives through a hidden compartment in your room. You get to pick what time it’s delivered, and you’ll know when it’s arrived from the AMAZING smell. We loved that the TV screens and DVD players were tucked away as well until we were ready to use them.
Each room has hand-painted murals, movies that align with the theme of the suite/cottage, corresponding games, and music or sounds to set the tone. One of the things we loved so much about our stay was that you’re encouraged to disconnect from the rest of the world. The themed suites lend themselves to your complete immersion. And the DVD player and themed games give you things to do and enjoy together. From the moment you walk in to the moment you leave, you will be in another realm. It’s the detail that really sets The Victorian Mansion at Los Alamos apart.
The Victorian Mansion Suites & Cottages
We stayed in the Roman Suite during our stay, but were able to check out all of the other rooms so that we could report back to our curious readers. There’s no wrong choice when it comes to picking which suite or cottage to stay in. They’re all so beautifully and creatively detailed that you’ll want to come back to experience them all!
Suites
50’s Suite – If you love Old Hollywood glam, you will adore this room. It literally feels like you’re living at a drive-in. The bed is a converted Cadillac, fuzzy dice and all! The car bed faces a big projector screen where you can watch all of your favorite old movies, from Grease to Some Like It Hot.
Egyptian Suite – We are big fans of the Egyptian suite, especially thanks to the hidden bathroom door. In this suite, the bathroom hides behind a massive sarcophagus. Once again, it’s the details that really bring this room to life. There’s even an adorable soap dispenser by the tub in the shape of a magic lamp. This suite also comes with an outdoor patio, though looking outside does pull you out of the world of Egypt just a little. We would probably opt to keep that door closed for full immersion.
French Suite – Does this suite transport you to Paris? Oui! Does this suite make you want to embrace your inner artist? Oui! You’ll feel like you’re living in a private Parisian chateau in this room. The bed here is lofted at the top of a spiral staircase. It’s not for everyone, especially those with mobility issues. But if you’re physically able to climb the stairs, it’s a really cozy space to spend the night. This suite also comes with a balcony.
Gypsy Suite – One of the most special details about this suite is the piece of stained glass in the center of the room. When the moon hits the centerpiece of the glass, a hidden message appears. But we won’t tell you what it is! You’ll have to stay to find out. This suite also features the largest bathtub of them all. It’s similar to a Japanese soaking tub because it’s extraordinarily deep. The bed in this suite is a converted caravan wagon. We also love the nature sounds that play in this room, creating a peaceful ambience.
Pirate Suite – If you’re a fan of Pirates of the Caribbean or The Goonies, this is your dream suite. There’s a map, a chest full of treasure, a coffee table made out of a cannon, and a sink made out of a barrel! Not to mention a Pirates of the Caribbean puzzle to keep you occupied.
Roman Suite – We stayed in this suite and we didn’t want to leave! The moment we opened the door, we couldn’t believe our eyes. We were immediately drawn to the chariot bed against the backdrop of the colosseum mural. And we couldn’t wait to hop in the jacuzzi tub, which was ginormous. The bathroom hides behind a bookshelf with themed decor. And there were murals inside the bathroom, so that you never felt like you had left Ancient Rome. We ended the night by watching Spartacus, one of the many Roman-themed movies included in our stay.
Cottages
Hobbit Hole – All you need to know for this one is that my fiancé is a huge Lord of the Rings fan who works in the movie industry, and he LOVED this cottage. From a photo of Gandalf to the cloaks and hats you’d see on your favorite characters, the details were immaculate. My personal favorite part was the “magic wand” that changes the lights above the bed. Such a fun and immersive addition to the room to bring the space to life.
The Castaway – This is the newest addition to The Vick. This ship pays homage to all of your favorite shipwreck stories from Cast Away to Lost.
Treehouse – This is one of the more subtle options, if you don’t necessarily want a full-on theme. This cottage feels remote and earthy, and we love the outdoor patio jacuzzi.
Plan Your Stay at The Vick Los Alamos
Check-in / Check-out – Check-in is from 3 pm to 6 pm. They can extend check-in until 9 pm, but only if you request it at least 48 hours in advance. Unfortunately, late check-out is not offered, and you will be charged a late check-out fee if you need to leave after 11 am. This isn’t a typical hotel with a 24/7 front desk staff. Please be courteous of their check-in time, and be sure to communicate as far in advance as possible if you expect to check in outside of their normal hours. Pro Tip: If you are coming from LA, like we were, leave earlier than you think you should! Traffic took us much longer than we were expecting.
Parking – Parking here was a breeze! You can park either in front of or behind the mansion, and it’s completely free.
Pets – Only service animals are allowed at The Victorian Mansion bed and breakfast.
The Vick Couples Experience
This Los Alamos bed and breakfast is for everyone, but it’s an especially lovely escape for lovebirds. This is thanks to their massive (and we truly do mean massive) in-room jacuzzis, and general romantic ambience. To make this an even more intimate experience, consider these special two-night couples packages.
Fantasy Romance Package – This package comes with chilled sparkling wine, chocolate truffles that are positively divine, bubble baths, high-thread-count sheets, silk rose petals on the bed, and candles. It’s only a $30 add-on to your stay, which we think is totally worth it.
Spa Relaxation Package – Choose between a variety of aromatherapy bath soaks and receive a private fifty-minute massage per person in your suite for $275.
Premium Romance Package – When you book this package, you’ll get everything included in the Fantasy package as well as a couple’s massage in your suite. This package costs $325.
Wine Lover’s Package – We love it when everything is planned for us, and this itinerary is perfectly crafted for your ultimate relaxation. You’ll be gifted a bottle of premium local red wine when you arrive at The Victorian Mansion. And when you wake up the next morning, you’ll be whisked away to a local vineyard for wine tasting. After a lovely time indulging in the local wines and a light lunch, you’ll return to your own private hot tub and fireplace. This package is only $410, which we think is a steal for a private chauffeur, lunch, and wine tasting.
How to Make a Full Trip Out of Your Stay
Whether you’re traveling to The Victorian Mansion as an escape from Los Angeles or it’s part of a larger Southern California getaway, there are so many unique things to experience nearby that you’ll want to add to your trip.
Los Alamos – This town is where the Victorian B&B is located. Walking around here literally felt like being transported into an old western. You can imagine what the Wild West was like walking around here. Especially at the local saloon! This is a great spot if you’re into antiques.
Solvang – Solvang is one of those adorable towns that looks like it’s straight out of Europe. And that’s sort of because it is! Solvang is the Danish capital of America. And you get bonus points if you visit during Danish Days. We had a chance to go this year and stuff our faces with Aebleskiver and sausages while watching the street performers. It’s also a great thing to do as a family since they have a whole section devoted to kids. They also have axe-throwing for the adults! If Solvang sounds like your kind of place, you’ll love our post on European Cities in America.
OstrichLand – After our day trip to Solvang, we spontaneously popped over to this unique spot! OstrichLand is home to both ostriches and emus. And we had an absolute blast feeding the animals. It’s a little nerve-racking holding the food out to them, especially when multiple ostriches came over to us at once! But as long as you don’t get too close, it’s a fun and safe way to spend time with animals. Even the Kardashians have been here!
Lavender Farm – Clairmont Farms is the best place to get organic lavender in a variety of forms. They have essential oil, body butter, honey, soap, scone mix, and so many other products made from the lavender onsite. Even if you’re not looking to buy anything, it’s a beautiful place for a stroll or picnic. And it’s a great way to support a family-owned business.
Sunburst Railbikes – This place isn’t exactly near Los Alamos (it’s about 1.5 hours away), but it’s worth the drive! You and a partner get to enjoy a ride on railbikes to nearby citrus groves. You’ll get to pick fresh produce, have a picnic, and even meet some animals along the way.
From start to finish, our stay at The Victorian Mansion at Los Alamos was so special. Every detail helped us settle in, providing such a great escape from Los Angeles. Whether you’re coming from LA and need an escape from the city or are planning a trip to the Santa Ynez Valley, be sure to make The Victorian Mansion at Los Alamos a part of your trip.
