Hotel Santa Barbara

Hotels
8.6 (1329 reviews)
533 State Street , Santa Barbara , UNITED STATES
1 (805) 957-9300
[email protected]

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Paid
Children allowed

Facilities

Refreshed lobby
1926 Lobby Bar
Meeting space for day events and overnight groups
Downtown Santa Barbara location on State Street
Packages and offers
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Fitness center
24-hour front desk
Heating
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Central, walkable location near shops, restaurants and beach
Very friendly and helpful staff (front desk, valet, bartender)
Clean, well-designed rooms with comfortable beds
Strong amenities: free bikes, good gym, filtered water and quality toiletries
Valet parking and convenient services
Cons:
Nighttime noise from State Street bars/pubs — can prevent sleep
Rooms are on the smaller side
Perceived high price / occasional unexpected charges
Housekeeping only on request for some guests

Categories

Cleanliness
9.1
Multiple reviews praise room cleanliness and well-kept public areas; guests repeatedly note clean, well-appointed rooms and good housekeeping when requested.
Service
9.4
Consistently excellent staff mentions — friendly front desk, attentive service, helpful valet and a praised bartender — frequent positive comments about staff responsiveness.
Location
8.6
Centrally located on State Street within walking distance to shops, restaurants and the beach (widely praised), but several guests report significant nighttime noise from bars and crowds.
Room Quality
8.2
Rooms described as modern, comfortable and well-designed with comfortable beds, but often noted as on the smaller side.
Amenities
9.2
Strong amenities highlighted: complimentary bikes, good gym, filtered water and quality toiletries; described as top-tier for a 4-star boutique property.
Value for Money
7.6
Mixed reviews on value — some feel the price is high for the size of rooms and reported extra charges; others feel included services (bikes, water, gym) justify the cost.
Food and Beverage
8.7
Bartender and bar service receive high praise (e.g., standout cocktails), though one guest reported being charged for an item they did not consume.
Overall Experience
8
Overall positive boutique Santa Barbara experience for many (weddings, birthdays, recommended stays), tempered by recurring nighttime noise issues for some guests.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-10-30 19:36

Property Description

For 100 years, Hotel Santa Barbara has welcomed guests to the heart of State Street. Step into our beautiful new chapter, where rich history meets modern luxury in the heart of downtown. After you settle into your private retreat, come and relax in our refreshed lobby before exploring everything Santa Barbara has to offer. The hotel celebrates its Centennial and offers refreshed rooms and amenities, an intimate meeting space in the center of everything, and a 1926 Lobby Bar.

Important information:

Pardon our dust! Hotel Santa Barbara is currently undergoing a series of refreshing updates. Guests may see and hear construction around the property during their stay. Our team is working diligently to minimize disruptions during this time.Guests 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: 12:00 PM
Airport code: SBA

Location

Guest Reviews

8.6
Based on 1329 reviews
Cleanliness: 9.1
Service: 9.4
Location: 8.6
Room Quality: 8.2
Amenities: 9.2
Value for Money: 7.6
Food and Beverage: 8.7
Overall Experience: 8
M
Michelle • couple • gb
10
2026-10-17 • via Nuitee
P
Penne • couple • us
10
Perfect!
Pros:

Everything location staff and the bartender! He makes a mean chocolate martini! The best!

Cons:

Nothing

2026-10-15 • via Nuitee
M
Millicent • couple • gb
10
2026-10-13 • via Nuitee
T
Theresa • solo_traveller • us
4
2026-10-08 • via Nuitee
N
Natalia • couple • ar
9
2026-10-07 • via Nuitee
K
Kimberly • couple • us
10
Lovely staff made a birthday special.
Pros:

Centrally located. Posh amenities.

2026-09-14 • via Nuitee
E
Erin • solo_traveller • us
2
Miserable experience once it was night--nearly impossible to sleep through the noise
Pros:

At first, arriving in the afternoon, this was a seemingly charming hotel. It is right up on State Street, which is a direct walk to a beach and has many shopping and dining options.

Cons:

The noise of State St at night made sleeping impossible. There are many bars and restaurants that stay open until 2 a.m. On the night I stayed, there was "college night" according to the front desk. There were many very loud, seemingly drunk people making a lot of noise well past 2 a.m. There was a microphone set up outside of the businesses, where people would scream sing into it, making things even louder. This was a miserable experience. I did not sleep and left at 5 a.m. to continue on my way. The front desk informed me they would give me a discount, but that I had chosen to stay in downtown. So I would say BEWARE if noise is hard for you, or if being around this kind of vibe is not your thing. You are "choosing" downtown by staying here, with loud shouting well into the night.

2026-09-08 • via Nuitee
J
Julian • couple • at
10
Gerne wieder
Pros:

- geniale Lage an der Einkaufs- und Restaurantstraße
- modernes komfortables Zimmer
- hochwertige Annehmlichkeiten
- sehr freundliches und hilfsbereites Personal

2026-09-08 • via Nuitee
K
Kevin • couple • us
9
Excellent, boutique hotel that captures the Santa Barbara vibe.
Pros:

We were here for a destination wedding. Staff is very good. Everyone is helpful and attentive. Location is excellent, and lot of the local stores and restaurants (we tend to avoid the corporate ones that can be found in most upscale malls) are within walking distance. Facility itself has old school charm with modern amenities. Valet parking in the back.

Cons:

Since the hotel is a historic one, rooms are on the smaller side. With that said, the furnishings are well placed and are nice, making the space comfortable

2026-09-08 • via Nuitee
C
Camille • couple • fr
10
Super séjour
Pros:

Le personnel était extra !
Les voituriers hyper sympathiques !
La chambre était très belle bien pensée et neuve !
L’odeur y était très agréable !
En plein centre de Santa Barbara
Vous pouvez louer des vélos gratuitement !
Les équipements sont top et digne d’un hôtel 4 étoiles
Je le conseillerais fortement.

Cons:

Ne pas y être rester assez longtemps

2026-09-07 • via Nuitee
D
Daryl • extended_group • us
10
2026-09-05 • via Nuitee
M
Mauro • couple • it
8
2026-08-31 • via Nuitee
C
Claudio • couple • pt
6
Not quite what I expected
Pros:

The decor was ok

Cons:

Too expensive for the services provided. There was no housekeeping unless you specifically asked. It is located in quite a noisy area surrounded by pubs and bars, so there was a lot of noise in our room at night. I was charged something I didn’t consume at the bar

2026-08-29 • via Nuitee
M
Matteo • solo_traveller • it
10
3 stelle sono troppo poche!
Pros:

Pulizia della camera, cortesia e simpatia dello staff, servizio impeccabile dei valet per parcheggio, recupero bagagli e noleggio bici incluso.

Cons:

Qualche rumore eccessivo il sabato sera (la nostra camera era affacciata su State St.)

2026-08-28 • via Nuitee
J
Julie • couple • us
8
Pros:

Convenient location. If walking /running is your routine this hotel is for you. The beach is less than a mile away. Lots of shops and restaurants .

2026-08-27 • via Nuitee
R
Rossella Maria Grazia • couple • es
10
Pros:

Pulizia, posizione e possibilità di prenotare il parcheggio

Cons:

Nulla

2026-08-25 • via Nuitee
M
María José • family_with_children • es
10
2026-08-24 • via Nuitee
I
ilaria • couple • it
9
Santa Barbara nel cuore …anche grazie all’hotel! ♥️
Pros:

La cura dei dettagli, i servizi inclusi (acqua filtrata buona e gratuita, il caffè, la palestra ben attrezzata e le biciclette), il design delle camere, la comodità del letto e la pulizia

Cons:

Insonorizzato un po’ male, la sera si sentiva molto il caos proveniente dalla strada

2026-08-21 • via Nuitee
L
Laboni • family_with_children • it
10
2026-08-19 • via Nuitee
V
Valentina • couple • it
9
Pros:

L’hotel è centralissimo, si può scendere nella via principale ed è a pochi passi dal lungo oceano. La struttura è molto bella, curata e pulita. Ne abbiamo apprezzato moltissimo lo stile!

Cons:

La camera è abbastanza piccola, ma molto curata e provvista di tutto ciò che può servire.

2026-08-18 • via Nuitee