With a retro design that captures the lighthearted nature of “care-free summer days,” the Sandman is a modern throwback to California roadside inns, says Studio Tack cofounder Brian Smith. The Brooklyn-based firm has made a name for itself rehabbing old motels into “experience-driven hospitality projects,” and their latest is no exception. Just off U.S. Highway 1, Wine Country’s newest affordable option offers a place for “folks who seek out more than just a place to sleep,” he says.

At arrival, a white stucco exterior, double-height porte-cochère, and terracotta tiled roof stand out against native plants like olive trees and aloe plants. The outdoor pool and hot tub serve as a spirited nucleus, with a glass garage door opening up to the interior, namely the bar with a walk-up window. Inside, ash wood and earth tones contrast peach, palm green, and navy accents that are “light and playful but with an edge of offbeat whimsy that speaks to the California spirit,” says Smith. Take the vintage Paul Frankl pretzel sofa’s palm leaf fabric, which playfully matches the wallpaper.

The 135 guestrooms are anything but cookie-cutter. Christopher Naefke’s custom side tables mix with handmade brass sconces cotton blankets by Faribault. Quilts in restrained pastel tones hang behind beds, while ceilings painted in a pale orange sherbet hue reflect Santa Rosa’s laidback style.

Studio Tack also took on the motor lodge’s branding. Partnering with California-based artist Ty Williams, they created a collection of illustrations that express the “property’s context and allude to the mythical Dutch tale of the Sandman,” explains Smith. This includes women sharing grapes, sleepy moons, and palms trees sprouting from bottles. Indeed, the Sandman checks all the boxes: Says Smith: “It’s fun, witty, elegant, and convivial.”