The Steward, Santa Barbara, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

Hotels
Marriott
8.4 (84 reviews)
5490 Hollister Ave, Santa Barbara, California, 93111 , Santa Barbara , US

Pets allowed

Facilities

Boat tours nearby
Proposal/romance packages available
Parasailing nearby
Free bicycles on site
Firepit
Fireplace in lobby
No single-use plastic straws
Comprehensive recycling policy
No single-use plastic stirrers
No single-use plastic water bottles
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Beautiful grounds and property
Friendly staff
Spacious rooms
Cons:
Loud A/C units
Inconsistent room temperature
High dining costs

Categories

Cleanliness
7.81
Some reviews indicated dirtiness, especially around pool furniture.
Service
9.28
Staff is friendly and hardworking, enhancing the overall experience.
Location
8.82
The hotel is hidden off the road, giving a serene atmosphere despite some noise issues.
Room Quality
7.77
Several issues reported with A/C units affecting comfort.
Amenities
8.3
The property includes a beautiful pool and a nice view but may feel crowded.
Value for Money
8.26
Dining is considered too expensive; expectations could be higher for the price paid.
Food and Beverage
8.31
The food was enjoyed but options were considered strange by some.
Overall Experience
8.68
Overall a good experience despite some significant room issues.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-10 00:13

Property Description

Discover the charm of The Steward, Santa Barbara, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, where relaxation meets vibrant Californian vibes.

Recreational Retreat
Unwind at our outdoor pool and hot tub, or stay fit 24/7 in our modern fitness center. With numerous recreational opportunities right at your doorstep, every day feels like a vacation.

Dining Delights
Savor Californian cuisine at Terra, our enchanting poolside restaurant. Indulge in alfresco dining with delightful garden views, or enjoy refreshing drinks from the bar/lounge.

Comfort and Convenience
Retreat to one of our elegant 87 guestrooms, featuring flat-screen televisions, complimentary Wi-Fi, and luxurious rainfall showerheads. With a welcoming lobby fireplace and dedicated 24-hour front desk, your every need is seamlessly catered to.

Make your getaway unforgettable—book your stay with us today!

Important information:

  • Pool access available from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
  • Guests can arrange to bring pets by contacting the property directly, using the contact information on the booking confirmation (surcharges apply and can be found in the Fees section).

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: SBA

Property Policies

  • Pets

    Maximum number of pets per room 2

  • Pets

    Only dogs and cats are allowed

  • Pets

    Service animals are exempt from fees/restrictions

  • Children and extra beds

    No rollaway/extra beds available

  • Noise policy

    Noise-free rooms not guaranteed

See all policies

Location

Guest Reviews

8.4
Based on 84 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.81
Service: 9.28
Location: 8.82
Room Quality: 7.77
Amenities: 8.3
Value for Money: 8.26
Food and Beverage: 8.31
Overall Experience: 8.68
M
Maria Joao extended_group gb
8
2026-05-12 via Nuitee
J
Jimmy extended_group us
1
Careful booking here as they will cancel on you Last Minute, the staff had no regards to accomodate and we ended up book
Pros:

Nothing

2026-05-01 via Nuitee
J
Jeremy couple us
10
Perfect
Pros:

Home

Cons:

N/a

2026-03-31 via Nuitee
P
Parra Journey extended_group us
9
Attention to detail, property is a hidden gem, historic southern design.
Pros:

Pleasantly surprised by the grounds of the property. Very southern plantation style architecture made it feel historical. Loved the upkeep of the indoor and outdoor areas. There was a yoga class going on outside which made the experience feel very interactive and alive. I can't wait to return.

Cons:

Can't think of anything. Keep it up.

2026-03-06 via Nuitee
N
Niki couple us
6
It was nice
Pros:

I like the looks and the grounds

Cons:

The couch was very uncomfortable in the room I was in and don’t get the ground level if someone is above you . You can hear everything

2026-03-03 via Nuitee
Z
Zena family_with_children us
10
2026-03-02 via Nuitee
B
Betina couple us
9
All in all, a lovely experience that makes you forget you are up against a freeway.
Pros:

Darling decor, beautiful grounds, well maintained, rooms are spacious and comfortable. Nice amenities like hot cocoa at night and coffee in the morning. Restaurant was very good!

Cons:

Right in the freeway— noisy even on the “quiet” side of the street; yard work and leaf blowers started at 8 am which disrupted sleep. Coffee was not tasty sadly. Gym is cute and nicely laid out.

2026-02-24 via Nuitee
Y
Yi couple tw
9
2026-02-12 via Nuitee
A
Ammie extended_group us
10
2026-01-20 via Nuitee
J
Jennifer couple us
9
2026-01-19 via Nuitee
E
Ernst family_with_children us
10
Pros:

Overall lovely rooms and clean

The staff was very helpful and friendly

Cons:

The sun beds were all stained
There was a sewage smell coming from the sink
The pullout sleeper sofas needed a mattress topper which was provided

2026-01-03 via Nuitee
A
ANTOINE family_with_children fr
3
Très mauvaise expérience
Pros:

Le cadre général qui laisse supposer un endroit calme et agréable

Cons:

Le rapport qualité prix inacceptable
Le bruit dans les chambres ((impossible de dormir avec la climatisation et la route) la literie du sofa pour enfant, la propreté (peignoir sal / canettes de bière sur la terrasse)

2025-12-31 via Nuitee
M
Maya family_with_children us
3
Disappointing Stay – Not Worth the High Price
Pros:

The property has potential and a cute, stylish design, but overall the experience did not justify the high price

Cons:

From the moment we arrived, there was a strong, unpleasant odor in the hallway carpets, likely caused by flooding or a sewage issue. The pool and hot tub were poorly maintained, and a woman who appeared to be homeless entered the pool and began washing her hair while we were there with our children. Despite notifying staff, the situation was not addressed.

Breakfast was limited, with many menu items unavailable due to the holiday. Overall, the experience did not justify the high price, and we left very disappointed.

2025-12-29 via Nuitee
A
ADITYA couple us
10
2025-12-06 via Nuitee
C
Chen couple us
3
Overprice
Pros:

Good location, nice staff

Cons:

All surfaces and floor has the sticky oily feeling

2025-12-03 via Nuitee
J
Jennifer extended_group us
10
2025-11-29 via Nuitee
R
Ravache couple fr
10
Un hôtel plein de charme, reposant avec un personnel très gentil
Pros:

L'établissement est magnifique, la piscine et les jardins sont très agréables. La chambre était grande, bien équipée et très propre. Le personnel est adorable et le petit déjeuner était délicieux.

Cons:

La ventilation dans la chambre était un peu bruyante, nous avons du l'éteindre.

2025-11-06 via Nuitee
S
Sabine extended_group at
1
Auf einen Betrüger hereingefallen und nis jetzt nich kein Geld zurückbekommen
Pros:

Vermieter wartet bis Geld eingegangen ist und schreibt dann dass er nur drei statt 5 Zimmer hat. Dann ignoriert er bis nach der geplanten Anreise alle Kontaktversuche und schreibt dann wenn keiner anreist dass er dich 5 Zimmer hat! Betrug !

Cons:

Achtung Betrüger

2025-11-01 via Nuitee
S
Sabine couple at
1
Betrug!
Pros:

Achtung!! Betrüger! Nimmt Geld und dann schreibt er dass er doch keine 5 Zimmer sondern nur 3 hat!

Cons:

Achtung! Betrüger!

2025-10-31 via Nuitee
S
Sharon solo_traveller us
9
I had a pleasant experience.
Pros:

Breakfast and dinner both excellent.

Cons:

The outdoor furniture needs a tidy-up!

2025-10-23 via Nuitee