North County hotels see quieter holiday season under COVID-19 restrictions [Santa Maria Times, Calif.]
Dec. 25 Northern Santa Barbara County hotels are experiencing major service restrictions this holiday season, amid an ongoing regional stay-at-home order imposed nearly three weeks ago in response to a surge in COVID-19 cases throughout the state.
The order has left hotels like the Wine Stone Inn in Orcutt in one of their most dire situations yet as a result of restrictions against not only indoor and outdoor dining, but also against non-essential travelers.
Wine Stone Inn General Manager Lauren Wise said bookings at the 12-room boutique hotel are down compared to past months, and restrictions on outdoor dining have rendered the hotel’s recently-installed fire pits and heaters unusable for the time being.