3-Star Hotels in Santa Barbara

We found this charming little hotel last minute as we were road-tripping through Santa Barbara. It’s a wonder that it wasn’t fully booked up in advance! Although not right on the water, it is only a five minute walk to the harbor. It has a couple of wonderful features. First, it is quiet and solidly built. Second, the internal long courtyard is filled with trees and plants - a lush botanical garden to enjoy. The staff is super friendly and there is a continental breakfast. We have taken many road trips during the COVID era; when other properties fall short, this place satisfies!

The style of the hotel is still somewhat characteristic. The room is very compact and hygienic. We live on the first floor, the sound is not good, the sound of walking upstairs is very large, the noise of the hotel exhaust and air conditioning is also very annoying. Booked more than one month in advance, more than 1,600 a night. It feels worthless.

The room is large, the balcony has a sea view, breakfast service but charge, the hotel is warm, the building is Spanish style, the travel is very convenient, you can park, there is a bus at the door.

On our last night in Santa Barbara we choose the Beachside Inn which is across Cabrillo Blvd from the Santa Barbara Harbor and about 15 minute walk from Sterns Pier. We were able to check in about 1 hour before the 4 pm normal check in time. the Staff was friendly and accommodating. Our room on the 2nd floor was clean, the bed and pillows were comfortable. (the only down was it took awhile for the hot water in the shower to come to full power.) the breakfast in the morning was good and refreshing. yes the motel seem a bit old on the outside but the lobby and rooms were well styled and comfortable.

The front desk service is good, the attitude is very good, when the check-in prompts the opening hours of the pool and laundry room, daily breakfast, fruit, snacks, free milk cookies at night, the front desk will remind you of the time. The hotel has plenty of parking spaces and special features. The only downside is that the floor has some sound and the sound is not very good. You can hear it next door. Refrigerator cooling effect is good, air conditioning is also, that is, the sound is a little bigger. There is a dressing table outside the bathroom, a lighted makeup mirror and a separate wardrobe. The bathroom and shower room are large. Outside the door are gas stations and supermarkets. It takes 5-10 minutes to walk from the beach.

We have just checked out of Lavender Inn by the sea after a wonderful stay. The location is perfect, just off highway 1 and a very short walk (5 mins) from the seafront with lots of restaurants and shops to explore. When we arrived a bottle of champagne was chilling in the fridge and the staff put some rose petals and chocolates on the bed (we were on our honeymoon). The staff were extremely friendly, special mention to Jesus who was helpful when we arrived and gave us a map of the area and a list of recommended restaurants. Lavender’s sister hotel, Bridas del Mar Inn (opposite) allows free bike rental which was perfect for getting around. The Inn also has a free happy hour every evening with some local wines. Breakfast was also a hit, a continental selection with a quaint patio area which was simply lovely. The bed is one of the comfiest we have ever stayed in! Would highly recommend staying here!

Very nice hostel, the beds are very comfortable, the breakfast is good, the fruit drinks bread and milk. Very good experience

This hotel had great charm and is centrally located off State St close to many restaurants and tasting rooms, and a quick 15 min walk to the beach/Funk Zone. Room- we had a king which was comfortable and the room itself was a nice size. We faced the back of the building so our room was quiet, personally I think the rooms facing State St would be loud at night. Bathroom- like other reviews stated, the bathroom was small and the shower flooded the bathroom every use. They have a half door on the shower that doesn’t cover the length of the shower head causing flooding every time. It was a nuisance to deal with every day and could easily be fixed if they added shower curtains. Staff- everyone was pleasant and the daily cookies and tea were nice.

You have to visit this property to really appreciate it. I cannot say enough about the property, room (#271), service, staff, restaurant/food at this BW+. No complaints. Very clean and quiet room & property. Great pool and patio. The outdoor finch aviary was a nice bonus. Beautiful blooming flowers & mature trees throughout the property. Stay was extra nice due to the more mature guests & the non-summer time of year (=quiet). Full breakfast, lunch, dinner menus available.

Hotel Indigo is a quaint boutique hotel with both modern and traditional Santa Barbara touches. Its location couldn’t be more convenient, just a half block south of the train station on State Street. It’s a short walk to the beach in one direction and downtown in the other. From the moment I stepped into the fresh, bright, modern lobby I was greeted with warm smiles. There couldn’t have been a more welcoming introduction to my stay here. The staff was consistently available, professional, and friendly, ready with a sincere greeting every time I came and went. COVID precautions are taken seriously here and it was clear a lot of thought went into guest safety and comfort. My room was on the first floor with a private patio. The room makes the most of its small size with a clean, simple, minimalistic layout. Bright white walls expand the space while beautiful wood grain flooring and exposed brick on the patio side give it a historic feel befitting its location. The TV and air conditioning unit, both wall mounted, help keep the limited space open and uncluttered. The single closet/dresser/coffeemaker unit (a Keurig!) does likewise. Still, there was plenty of workspace with a large glass-topped desk and numerous outlets. A white noise generator was a pleasant surprise although the hotel was very quiet during my stay and it wasn’t really needed. The occasional train was not a bother. The European style bathroom is quite small as expected. The adjustable handheld shower is a delight. The highlight was the patio, large and well appointed with a wicker table and two cushioned chairs, surrounded by greenery and dark woods. What a delightful setting it was for coffee in the morning and late night snacks. I look forward to returning here in a few months. This property is truly a gem.