The Franciscan Inn Hotel

, Santa Barbara, United States
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The Franciscan Inn Hotel

, Santa Barbara
2 star
109 Bath St - Santa Barbara - California - 93101 - United States Hotel Website | 805 963 8845
169 Traveller

Reviews - The Franciscan Inn Hotel

Historical Traveller Reviews of The Franciscan Inn Hotel

Not for young people!

from Breathe
My Girlfriend and I stayed at the Ambrose for 1 night on our road trip around the USA in Sept 2005. We are in our twenties, so young you may say but our expectations are high. It was an ok hotel. Clean and comfy room with a smallish bed. Small bathroom but clean. Dated decoy Has pool but could do with a clean whilst we were there. Despite this great location to beach (walking distance). Would go back but would else where first.

Great hotel with friendly staff

from AnneBerkhamsted_UK
We stayed here for 2 nights as part of a 3 week S California holiday and we loved this hotel. We had a two-room suite where the main room was huge and comfortable. The staff were helpful, the pool good and the afternoon cookies delicious. Breakfast was fine although I suppose the chatty breakfast lady may not be to everyone's taste.

We were able to walk to the beach and pier as well as several restaurants although the downtown area was a bit further.

We'd definitely come again!

t stay here!

from A TripAdvisor Member
Stayed here when driving up the coast from LA to San Francisco based on a Frommer's review. What a disappointment! It smelled of mildew, was very mundane and out of date. The morning garbage trucks picking up the dumpster outside my bathroom window was the end.

The staff was less than friendly, especially when we checked in. Also - I prefer to get my own coffee and continental breakfast without the cafeteria lady being in charge.

Great rooms and kitchenettes

from A TripAdvisor Member
We went for the kitchette, but loved the room. My collegues who stayed at the more expensive Oceana all thought that our room was better than theirs. The staff was nice and the hot tub great!

Nice, but bring the ear plugs

from A TripAdvisor Member
This is the first hotel review I've written. Hopefully someone will read this and avoid the same mistake I made. The room I stayed in seemed to transmit even the smallest noise. Perhaps it was poor sound insulation, but I could hear car doors closing in the parking lot and conversations in the next room with surprising clarity. My wife and I had to turn the television volume way up and leave it on all night to fall asleep.

I don't believe I am being too critical, as I have never had this problem in the past. It eliminated any chance for privacy or a quiet night's sleep.

On the plus side, the staff was friendly, the room was clean, movies can be checked out for free at the front desk and the continental breakfast was above average.

Summer Vacation

from A TripAdvisor Member
This placed worked out great with our 3 small kids. We stayed 4 nights last July. Service is great. Rooms are very clean and location is awesome. Walk to beach.
There is a great little Mexican place a couple blocks away for Breakfast Burritos.

Fine place to stay

from Ranchojello
We stayed for a week at Franciscan and liked it a lot. Good location near the beach and nice heated pool and outdoor jacuzzi. It was about 1/2 mile walk to downtown, but there is a .25 bus during the day. We enjoyed the night time walk back from downtown restaurants. Kitchen was surprisingly well equipped. We didn't cook, but probably could have with their good selection of pots and pans. We didn't care for the over zealous morning coffee pourer either -- would have preferred to just get my own coffee. We wished that the continental breakfast had included some kind of fruit, but we bought fruit at the farmer's market after we realized there wasn't going to be anything there. The coin op washer and dryer were very welcome. We thought we were going to have to go to a laundromat, but were able to do a few loads while we sat in the hot tub. Would definitely stay there again.

Glorified Motel

from A TripAdvisor Member
Clean and well run but really just a glorified motel. The staff were friendly and mostly accommodating but the morning breakfast bar in the lobby was run by a woman who insisted on pouring your coffee for you and was far too chatty and inquisitive for my taste. Just wanted my coffee to wake up with on my own not have to endure an oversealous interview to get it - came to dread the experience each morning. Not the romantic environment I'd hoped for.

A good motel

from A TripAdvisor Member
We stayed at the Franciscan Inn for one night on our journey from San Diego to San Francisco. We found it to be well-maintained and friendly. We enjoyed the free breakfast (although I wouldn't call it astounding or a highlight) and the location was very good - the beach is only one block away. The pool and spa were nice, and the room was a good size.

We would certainly stay here again. Santa Barbara is a beautiful town, and the Franciscan Inn is a nice place to stay.

magic place to stay - we will be back

from A TripAdvisor Member
We stayed here for one night two weeks ago as we travelled down the west coast of the states. This was definately the highlight in terms of quality accommodation, with large rooms that are decorated like home and a nice pool and spa. The breakfast was delicious and filling and although it was served in the reception area this was actually large enough for everyone to sit comfortably. It is positioned well as it only took 10minutes to walk to the pier for dinner. Our only regret is that we couldnt stay here longer.

Top Local Tips for Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Carfree Amtrak was a fun way to show my friend the coast ride and sites on the discounted trolley. The regular price is about $18 and you can get discounts on it. Get off and on at the various sites or just take it all the way around for a quick overview. There is a stop at Sterns wharf and at the Mission for about 20 minutes each for a quick view. You can stay at the Zoo, Mission, museums or any of the various sites you choose. The trolley stopped just across the street from our hotel.

Botanical Gardens Highly Recommend. Is easy to get to and bargain. View meadows & Redwoods in one stop

Eat well, spend less Try the Endless Summer at the harbor above Maritime Museum for great happy hour deals (4 - 6PM Mon - Friday). Mai Tais and Margaritas just $5 and half price appetizers. Also has very good hamburgers. Sit at the bar facing the ocean for the Million Dollar View for a few bucks. Also Dargan's pub has reliable food and excellent drinks at good prices all the time. Happy hour, even better

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Other names for The Franciscan Inn Hotel

  • the franciscan inn
  • the franciscan hotel
  • franciscan inn santa barbara ca
  • franciscan hotel santa barbara
  • Address: 109 Bath St - Santa Barbara - California - 93101 - United States
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