We interviewed Meagan Johnson, spa manager at Lavender Barn at The Inn at Mattei's Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection (Los Olivos, CA), to learn more about the spa on California’s Central Coast, which offers transformative treatments and restorative wellness rituals inspired by its surroundings.
Can you tell me a little bit about the spa’s design?
Lavender Barn was designed to feel like a hidden retreat. We drew inspiration from the natural textures of the Central Coast, using materials like reclaimed wood, linen, and stone to create a sense of organic luxury. The design honors the property’s rustic barn aesthetic while layering in refined details that feel elevated yet grounded. A feature fireplace brings warmth to the space, and a vitality pool framed by a large picture window offers a stunning view of the lush surrounding landscape. Every design choice supports a slower, more intentional approach to wellness, inviting guests to pause, unplug, and fully immerse themselves in the spa experience.
Please describe each of the treatment rooms.
Each treatment room is designed to feel like a personal sanctuary. They’re dark and moody, creating a cocoon-like environment that encourages rest and stillness. We’ve layered in luxurious textures like Jennie Kayne alpaca throws and linen-covered heating pads and included grounding elements, such as cork bowls filled with lavender harvested from our owner’s nearby property. It’s a quiet, sensory-rich experience that feels both elevated and unique.
What makes the spa unique and sets it apart from other spas in the area?
Lavender Barn is an experience rooted in place—it’s not just a spa, it’s the feeling you get the moment you step through our doors. The air is subtly scented with our signature lavender, and the first inhale feels like a deep exhale—an invitation to slow down. What sets us apart is the intentional balance between grounded nature and refined service. Treatments are tailored, products are thoughtfully sourced, and the space itself is designed to feel like a hidden retreat.
We embrace Auberge’s philosophy of approachable luxury, and believe in creating a place where simplicity is the greatest luxury and strangers don’t exist. That ethos shows up in everything we do—from the acoustic guitar playing familiar covers in the background, to our intentionally simple menu of 10 treatments. We don’t offer online booking because every guest deserves a conversation—one where we learn about your needs and pair you with the provider best suited to your desired experience.
Our co-ed layout is one of the most distinctive features in the region, allowing couples and groups to share in the spa experience together. The Porch—with its side-by-side outdoor soaking tubs, lavender feature wall, rainfall showers, and mud cabana—offers a completely unique setting for connection and restoration. Whether enjoyed solo or with a partner, it’s a beautiful blend of nature, ritual, and presence.
How would you describe your typical clientele?
Our guests are a mix of discerning travelers and wellness-minded locals. Many come from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other parts of California, drawn to the Santa Ynez Valley for its natural beauty, wine culture, and slower pace. They value design, quality, and intention, and they’re looking for something that feels both luxurious and personal.
How are you marketing the spa to your hotel guests? Are you offering any sort of specials/promotions to entice them to try out the spa?
For our in-house guests, we focus on immersive touchpoints—through our extensive itinerary design program, welcome messaging, in-room menus, and relaxation amenities that drive curiosity and encourage our philosophy of slow wellness. We also invite guests to special programming, like Full Moon Rituals or Morning Movement, which often serve as an introduction to the spa.
How are you marketing the spa to local guests or those not staying at the hotel?
We’re building strong connections within our community through curated events and partnerships with neighboring businesses. We launched a midweek program, Wellness Wednesdays, which offers exclusive pricing on our 60- and 90-minute services, making it easier for locals to prioritize self-care during the week.
Can you tell me a little bit about the creation of the menu?
The entire menu was designed to reflect the soul of the place—simple and deeply restorative. From the beginning, we wanted each treatment to feel rooted in California wellness but with a refined, elevated touch. Our signature Slow Wellness Ritual draws its inspiration from the unhurried pace and natural rhythm of the Santa Ynez Valley.
Did you take any green initiatives when creating the spa/creating the menu/selecting the spa products?
Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. We prioritize clean, cruelty-free product lines and partner exclusively with eco-conscious vendors, and local vendors whenever possible. To minimize waste, we offer refillable water stations, use compostable packaging where possible, and have transitioned to fully digital intake forms. Our retail space was also intentionally designed to reduce overstock and focus on purposeful, seasonal curation—reflecting a more mindful approach to wellness and consumption.
What are most spa-goers looking for when they visit your spa?
Lavender Barn guests are looking for a meaningful rest and reset. Our guests seek more than just a massage—they desire an experience where they feel seen, nurtured, and deeply reconnected with themselves. We see high demand for body treatments and immersive wellness experiences that combine touch, aroma, and presence.
What treatments are a harder sell? How do you promote them?
Energy healing or meditative treatments can be a harder sell, especially to guests more familiar with traditional services. We encourage interest through storytelling and educating our team so they can speak to the emotional and physical benefits during consultation, and spotlighting these offerings in our programming and rituals.
What product lines do you carry at the spa and why did you select them?
We carry a mix of cult-favorite wellness brands, and some lesser-known soulful finds. We’re incredibly intentional with the brands we carry. Everything is selected for its quality, ethos, and alignment with our aesthetic. Biologique Recherche is the cornerstone of our skincare program - widely considered the best in the industry and named the official skincare brand of Forbes. We also carry Monastery, a San Francisco-based brand with a cult following that blends botanicals with modern minimalism, and Oak Essentials by Jenni Kayne, a line that celebrates gentle, beautiful skincare through a California lens. In addition to skincare, we offer local favorite Lavande, made right here in the Santa Ynez Valley and infused with locally grown lavender. We also carry Roz, a luxe, clean haircare line from Los Angeles, and Hunza G swimwear, which has become a guest favorite. Everything we stock is curated to reflect our environment—natural, refined, and quietly luxurious.
What sort of retail offerings do you offer?
Our retail is an extension of the experience—intentional, tactile, and beautiful. We offer skincare, wellness accessories, home goods, and apparel that evoke a sense of peace and luxury. Guests often discover new favorites during or after their treatment and take them home as a way to stay connected to the experience.
What do you find your biggest challenge to be, and how do you meet that challenge?
Finding passionate, experienced talent in a more rural market has been the biggest hurdle. But by creating a strong culture of excellence and leading with purpose, we’ve been lucky to attract some truly incredible people.
What plans do you have for the future?
We’re looking at expanding our outdoor wellness offerings and developing deeper seasonal programming. I’d also love to host more collaborative brand experiences that bring wellness, art, and nature together in unexpected ways.