Children allowed

Facilities

Health or beauty spa nearby
Electric bicycle charging station
Fitness facilities (surcharge)
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Swimming pool
Restaurant
Room service
Family rooms
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Great location near beach and shopping
Helpful and pleasant staff
Clean facilities
Cons:
Noise from refurbishment
Poor customer service follow-up
Additional unexpected charges

Categories

Cleanliness
7.71
Overall clean but described as having poor finishes and issues with the room layout.
Service
8.68
Consistently positive experiences with staff; some negative feedback about specific individuals.
Location
9.22
Excellent location near the beach and shopping, described positively.
Room Quality
7.17
Issues with room size and condition noted; some rooms deemed small or not as advertised.
Amenities
8.2
Good amenities within the property but some shortcomings noted.
Value for Money
7.66
Rates higher than expected, additional charges noted.
Food and Beverage
7.21
Limited food service options; reliance on DoorDash for dining.
Overall Experience
8.18
Mixed experience due to service issues but overall pleasant stay.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-16 05:10

Property Description

Historic Boutique Inn near the Beach
Less than a 10-minute walk to the beach, this Santa Barbara area historic boutique inn, built in 1928 by Hollywood legend Charlie Chaplin, offers a daily continental breakfast. Luxurious Amenities
Guests can enjoy a flat-screen cable TV, en suite bathrooms, ironing facilities, peaceful grounds, an onsite spa, an outdoor heated pool, and a hot tub. Convenient Services
The hotel also features a fitness centre, business centre, same-day dry cleaning and laundry services. Explore nearby attractions like Lotus Land and Montecito Country Club. Book your stay now and indulge in a blend of history and luxury!

Important information:

Guests are limited to booking 3 reservations for any particular stay period.

Please note there is city construction in front of the hotel that may impact your stay. Characteristic hours of construction are Sundays - Thursdays; however, may go through the evening hours. At times you may experience loud equipment. Due to the nature of construction schedules being fluid and unpredictable, we are unable to provide details of the nature of construction at any given time. For to most current information, please contact our Front Desk at 800-843-2017Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
A deposit may be required at the property.

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

Property Policies

  • Groups

    When booking more than 3 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Parking

    Private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed) and costs USD 15 per day.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 3 years old stay for US$10 per person per night when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 3 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    People no matter the age stay for US$15 per person per night when using an available extra bed.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

8
Based on 266 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.71
Service: 8.68
Location: 9.22
Room Quality: 7.17
Amenities: 8.2
Value for Money: 7.66
Food and Beverage: 7.21
Overall Experience: 8.18
D
Donna • extended_group • us
10
2026-06-18 • via Nuitee
A
Andrea • couple • us
9
Our favorite hotel and a tip for management
Pros:

We've enjoyed our stay many times at the Monticito Inn and it's the only hotel we'll book. The staff is wonderful. We do reserve the standard king room which is fine since we don't spend much time in the room, We had a minor shower door repair that was handled promptly by maintenance. We conveniently ordered delicious food delivery by the bellman in late evening, from restaurant downstairs but Lion's Tale is not affiliated with the hotel, so just pay seperately. The location is so easy to walk to some well known restaurants and shops. There's 24-hour complimentary coffee and tea and muffins in the mornings.

Cons:

The standard king room's bathroom is quite small with a pedestal sink, but still has pretty Mediterranean-style tiles ((not the marble upgrade). There is a make-up mirror but not lighted. Suggestion for mananagement: There could easily be an extra shelf added to help accomodate products for 2 people, and hooks to hang robes, and to dry towels (we save on room service). Storing cosmetic products in bedroom drawers isn't very convenient.

2026-06-18 • via Nuitee
B
Bradford • couple • us
10
2026-06-07 • via Nuitee
J
Jenna • solo_traveller • us
10
Pros:

Staff was very helpful - room was quiet.

2026-06-05 • via Nuitee
A
ANTHONY • couple • us
7
2026-06-03 • via Nuitee
D
Darren • couple • us
7
Paid extra for a view room. I don’t know what they considered to be a view. The view is mostly the rooftop of the next b
Pros:

Clean and classy

2026-05-29 • via Nuitee
J
Jamie • family_with_children • us
10
A heavenly getaway with aged beauty and delicious drinks.
Pros:

This place was heavenly. A much needed comfortable experience after our week road trip. The staff was on it. The place is very cool. The cocktails at the bar were incredible as well. We had a lot of fun.

Cons:

I guess the bathrooms are a bit tight but it’s an older building that’s been renovated beautifully so I can’t pick at it too much….be careful opening the bathroom window when naked in the shower lol

2026-05-21 • via Nuitee
D
DEDRICK • extended_group • us
7
Overall, excellent location and a fairly decent room.
Pros:

I liked the location. Lots of nearby restaurants and shops. The beach is also walking distance. Staff was very friendly and provided directions to nearby places when asked.

Cons:

The rooms did not have ventilation. Elevator has some old world charm but was out of order while I was there. Lighting for the rooms was also not good. Bed was uncomfortable, noise travels easily between rooms. Some parts of the rooms/bathrooms are renovated while other elements are still outdated. Ultimately, they need to either fully upgrade their rooms or not charge so much.

2026-04-07 • via Nuitee
K
Khushboo • solo_traveller • us
6
2026-04-06 • via Nuitee
E
ExperiencedTravelers • Couples • Los Angeles, California
8
Almost perfect
Pros:

From the moment you walk in, this place is amazing. The staff were very friendly and the room was spotless. We had a suite, which was separated by a door with automatic shades. Even though it was right outside the bus stop, the room was very quiet and dark all night.

They have a morning continental breakfast, consisting of pastries and fruit, which was adequate. The pool and exercise rooms were nothing special, but the valley parking was very efficient.

This hotel is so close to five stars, but the downfall was the shower. The water coming out of the nozzle the worst we have ever seen in any hotel, just above a quick trip. I’m not sure if it was the nozzle or the water pressure but, in any case, it made taking a shower challenging. In addition, the handle to the shower was loose.

We certainly would stay here again! Hopefully they will get the water issue fixed.

2026-03-30 • via Tripadvisor
P
Paul • solo_traveller • gb
6
It was fine
Pros:

Very central to the village.

Cons:

I mistook the online description of “Mountain” view as being a good thing but it really means roadside and I couldn’t change.

2026-03-25 • via Nuitee
S
Sarah • solo_traveller • us
9
2026-03-15 • via Nuitee
J
Joseph • couple • us
4
Great hotel if we had a better room.
Pros:

Great location. Beautiful old hotel.

Cons:

Bathroom was ridiculously small and the toilet was like my high school, very low and industrial.

2026-03-13 • via Nuitee
P
Pat • couple • us
10
2026-03-05 • via Nuitee
B
Barbara • couple • us
6
2026-03-04 • via Nuitee
E
Eome4 • Family
10
Perfect getaway
Pros:

The hotel is charming and has a storied history. Our room - 2 queen beds - extraordinarily comfortable - was roomy with nice touches- we had 2 full bathrooms - gaily decorated in blue and white tiles. The fissures were tasteful - great shower and amenities. All the rooms have been recently renovated. Lovely continental breakfast with fruit and delightful little pastries. Staff was extremely attentive and helpful- valet parking included in the room price. Hotel situated along lovely street filled with great restaurants and exquisite shops. We will be back.

2026-02-15 • via Tripadvisor
G
Glen • solo_traveller • us
5
Pros:

Location

Cons:

Very tired, needs to be rennovated.
Gym only opens 8 AM which is too late. The peleton did not work and apparently has not for at least a month.

2026-01-30 • via Nuitee
M
Maureen • family_with_children • us
10
Perfect
Pros:

Did not eat I do not eat pastrirs

Cons:

Location ,peaceful and 2 bathrooms

2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
K
Ken • couple • us
3
Pros:

I never complain like this, but Connor at the front desk was so rude to my wife. I couldn’t believe it… when we asked him for help he said we had to call bookings.com because we booked through a third-party and they cannot help us… Overall, he was just very very rude… I know everybody has bad days, but this was a little overboard

2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
A
Anna Jane • couple • au
5
Pros:

Queen queen room good having 2 bathrooms

Cons:

Noise from refurbishment with no acknowledgment of what we were expected to put up with. Shuddering walls. Crashing doors. Sounds like furniture would come through our ceiling any minute

2026-01-08 • via Nuitee