Santa Barbara Inn Hotel

, Santa Barbara, United States
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Santa Barbara Inn Hotel

3 star
901 E Cabrillo Blvd - Santa Barbara - California - 93103 - United States Hotel Website | 805 966 2285
255 Traveller

Reviews - Santa Barbara Inn Hotel

Historical Traveller Reviews of Santa Barbara Inn Hotel

s all true

from A TripAdvisor Member
I've just returned from a two week package fly drive tour of California which included three nights at this hotel. Having read the reviews before I went, I was keeping my fingers cross that the hotel was not as bad as people were saying. Sadly the reviews were all true. The location cannot be faulted and the pool area is nice, but the hotel itself is shabby, smelly and badly in need of refurbishment. We were unlucky enough to be allocated a room at the rear of the building overlooking the parking lot. As it was part of a package I'm not sure how much it cost per night, so whether we received value for money I'm unable to say. We stayed in four hotels in total and whereas three were of a comparable high quality, the Santa Barbara Inn stood out as being not up to scratch. However it didn't ruin a wonderful holiday and Santa Barbara itself is a beautiful place.

Overprice and disappointing

from lindacooper
We stayed at the Santa Barbara Inn for one night as part of a tour of California and were expecting a bit of luxury for the price we were paying! When we arrived our room opened out on to the valet car parking, although it had a pool and partial ocean view. There was no air-conditioning, which we had taken for granted in California! One of the windows would not shut and maintenance were unable to fix it. There were no other rooms available so we were stuck with a window open all night and the consequent noise. The room was a good size but only had a shower and no bath. We had expected a lot more for our money and having stayed at 10 hotels in our 3 week tour the Santa Barbara Inn was the worst value for money.

Great place

from A TripAdvisor Member
Not only is the location optimal, the room and staff were top notch. We had a room that was open, nicely decorated, spacious with a balcony overlooking the adjacent park and beach. We spent five nights and had an memorable experience. The restaurant was great. We walked or took the trolley every where. The shower - water pressure and oversized shower head - was pure pleasure.

Not worth the price

from GuanMia
Nothing like described on their website. It was not quiet or peaceful, no down comforters, no complimentary water. There was no way to get away from the noise of other rooms or people in the pool, as the balcony doors have louvers that don't shut out anything.The street noise was loud from sunrise until late at night. I would not stay here again.

Over priced, run down, beautiful location

from mmcmilla
I grew up in Santa Barbara, and when I had to return for a memorial service, my wife booked the SB Inn on the Internet. It was $251 per night plus taxes plus $7/day for parking.

The hotel, which I rode past on my bike to school nearly every day for about 6 years, is in a wonderful location -- at the bottom of Milpas on the ocean front Cabrillo Blvd. The beautiful Pacific Ocean is literally just across the street.

However, the hotel is overpriced and under-maintained. The elevators were out of order, the hotel lobby was sparce, the bathrooms were at least 30 years old, and furnishings and carpeting were quite dated. We got stuck in the back looking over the parking (valet only) and construction dumpsters, where the chirp-chirp of locking/unlocking cars went on until 11:00 p.m. (No AC in the rooms.) Guests are also greeted to the loud train whistles several times each evening -- the tracks are maybe only a 100-150 yards away.

A free Continental breakfast is included with the room charge, though it is most basic: coffee and muffins.

I won't ever stay at the SB Inn again, and I'd recommend against the place to any friends.

Santa Barbara Inn...Disappointing, but OK.

from LynnInColorado
The location is the selling point, but I agree with another review that it did not live up to expectations after visiting their website. Renovations are underway, and that didn't add to the ambience which included musty smelling hallways and old bathrooms/decor. Our reservations for 4 nights were made months ahead, and they stuck us in a room (216) directly over garbage bins. Not much use for the balcony looking at that! It took some doing to get moved, and we sure didn't get upgraded. They said no rooms were available, but I prevailed. No apology either.

Pool and hot-tub were clean and pleasant, although towels not kept stocked. Free continental breakfasts were fine with a nice view of the water, but trays would have been helpful as we had our grandson with us and had to make multiple trips to get everything needed. There was often no greeter and people would sit in the wrong section and then have to move. Really a fend for yourself affair some of the time.

Most of our meals revolved around a family wedding, but we enjoyed our one dinner to ourselves at the Brown Pelican...Quieter on-the-water location than places near the hotel. Maybe a 20 minute drive. Casual and kid-friendly but great food for the adults! Santa Barbara is a beautiful place!

One of the lucky ones

from Jaea
I can't speak for the regular rooms, but the suite was lovely. My husband and I had paid for a regular room, so imagine our pleasant surprise when we walked into the suite. (The front desk hadn't mentioned an upgrade). The suite had a full view of the ocean. The wall facing the water was all glass, with a system of drapes to customize your privacy desires.

Despite our good fortune, we wouldn't return to Santa Barbara Inn today because it has become overpriced. The August 05 rate for a suite is $369 -- on a weekday! The $279 regular room rate is outrageous for this hotel. When we stayed here two years ago, the regular rate was about $150, so prices here have more than doubled since then!

Dinner at Citronelle was yummy but pricey.

To put it simply, the hotel's Web site portrays a look and feel of luxuriousness that the property doesn't live up to.

Just BAD

from A TripAdvisor Member
Not nice at all. Rooms were totally run down. Service was very poor. No one was welcoming or friendly. Staff does not know what they are doing when it comes to customer service. Good location is all it has. Rooms totally overpriced for the quality of the room you get. Would not tell anyone to stay here…they wouldn’t enjoy it.

Just awful

from asha
We stayed here one night last week. Just awful rooms were old and bathrooms damp and needed updating. Breakfast was a joke. The restaurant is also not up to scratch. This came highly recommended and we were very disappointed. The menu sounds good but what arrives looks like something an over ambitious housewife would cook. The location isnt that great either ONE mile from the pier. I would avoid this hotel at all costs. Oh the valet parkers were good though

Overpriced

from A TripAdvisor Member
I have to agree with the comments that this is an overpriced motel. Although its location is good, there are another ten hotels with similiar locations across the highway from the beach. Old carpeting, no HBO, iron, hair dryer, or air-conditioning in the room, $7.00 per night required valet parking all add up to a disappointing experience for the money paid.

Top Local Tips for Santa Barbara

Wine country day trip from Santa Barbara Santa Barbara is becoming more and more well known for its wines. The movie "Sideways" really shot the Los Olivos/Buellton/Solvang area out of obscurity and a day trip to the area is easy and worth it. I prefer going up the 101 Hwy rather than the "pass" by Lake Cachuma. Once you drive out of Santa Barbara you will get a glimpse of how California was 100 years ago. Stop by Refugio state park for a quick dip in the ocean as it is a beautiful little beach. Take the turn off into Buellton and see the 2 restaurants featured in the movie almost side by side. Meander through Solvang to Los Olivos. Keep an eye out for a little sign saying Lavender Farm at Roblar Avenue, turn right and visit Clairmont Farms at 2480 Roblar Avenue a family owner, organic lavender farm. Breathe deep and enjoy the beauty! Into Los Olivos there are a number of good restaurants to have lunch. Stop by Global Gardens on Alamo Pintado Avenue for a unique olive oil tasting experience!

Eat here! Go to Vespucci's (Italian food) on State St. Order the ravioli sampler and flourless chocolate cake with raspberry sause for dessert--yummy! Take the local trolly bus to get there (25 cents).

Santa Barbara Inn, the Hidden Gem of the west coast Ask the staff about local deals and restaurants. On our trip we were so happy one of the staff reccommended going to a local "not so well known" but great dining establishments at the pier near the Hotel. He even mentioned the specials and how to get a discount! So ask and you shall get the "local" advice on where to eat!

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Other names for Santa Barbara Inn Hotel

  • santa barbara inn
  • santa barbara hotel
  • Address: 901 E Cabrillo Blvd - Santa Barbara - California - 93103 - United States
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