Name: Hotel Santa Barbara
Address: 533 State Street, Lower State, Santa Barbara, California, United States of America, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, US
Price range: US$225–US$880 per night
Rating: 8.75

What guests think

Hotel Santa Barbara earns praise for its walkable State Street location and welcoming staff, while recent room renovations improve comfort; however, recurring downsides include nightlife noise, small rooms in this historic building, and periods of disruptive lobby construction.

Many guests find rooms clean, newly updated, and comfortable, though several note compact layouts, heavy door noise, and occasional maintenance quirks. Service is widely described as friendly and accommodating, with thoughtful touches and pet-friendly policies. Facilities draw mixed feedback: valet-only parking with a fee, an old slow elevator, complimentary bikes, water stations, and a lobby bar; remodel work sometimes affected access and daytime noise. Expect a charming, central stay best for travelers who value location and service over extra space and absolute quiet.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

Valet-only parking (typically about $30/night) and a very slow historic elevator are common notes. Guests appreciate complimentary bikes, refillable water stations with reusable bottles, pet-friendly perks, a lobby bar, and occasional EV charging; remodels sometimes complicated access.

Related guest reviews

8

Willard

1 Oct 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Pleasant and comfortable. Ancient and very slow elevator—only one. Long waits. Excellent breakfast at Joe’s Cafe across the street.

10

Robin

2 Jan 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Totally remodeled rooms are really great. Lobby not complete but workaround registration process is quite smooth. Valet parking for a fee. Unique ice and water bar in hallway on each floor. No restaurant, but State St has more than enough options for dining. Pet-friendly.

10

Shaun

19 Jan 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Friendly staff, convenient location close to restaurants and bars. Enjoyed the coffee in the lobby and the gym access down the street while their main lobby is being redone. Great stay! Update rooms were nice.

8

James

6 May 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Every thing is good, except there’s no self parking. Valet parking is unnecessary and inconvenient, as the parking lot is just across the street.

10

Christine

10 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Newly refurbished rooms, halls and lobby remodel in progress. Good location on State and walking distance to most restaurants, shops and venues. Staff was fantastic, they even charged my electric car during valet! Super reasonable right now while it's being remodeled.

10

Mark

14 Mar 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Perfect location on State Street. Easy access to the beach and all the retail and restaurants...including the Saturday farmers market. Elevator is next to useless though. Used the stairs, which wasn't too bad, but we were on fourth floor. No onsite restaurant, but not an issue as so many other places to eat. We would stay there again.

10

Wilber

9 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Great place, staff were extremely friendly. Also, free EV charging which was huge plus. Will definitely be coming back here next time!

10

Stephanie

31 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

We stay here whenever we are in Santa Barbara. The hotel is beautiful and historic. Customer service is always top notch. They're dog friendly and valet parking is only $30 a night. We're always happy to stay here.

10

Irene

11 Mar 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

It was a beautiful hotel right in the middle of all the action, everything was walking distance and the free bicycle rentals was a bonus!

10

Alyson

27 Nov 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Hotel Santa Barbara was centrally located on State St, making it easy to walk to the pier, the funk zone, and restaurants. We loved the feel of the hotel- our room was clean and comfortable and the hotel gym was pleasantly well stocked and almost never in use!

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Cleanliness

Most reviews describe very clean, newly refreshed rooms and public areas. A smaller number report issues such as dirty carpets, mold, or missed details like hairs in the shower, especially during renovation periods.

Related guest reviews

10

Jennifer

16 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Cleanliness, hospitable staff, close to everything.

6

Corina

3 Apr 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Excellent front desk staff! Older property, not well maintained or clean. Dirty carpets and walls, mold in the bathroom.

10

Eric

29 Sept 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Perfect location on State Street. Cool hotel and staff was great

10

Mariangel

20 May 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Amazing hotel full of history, friendly, bilingual and helpful staff, the bed was so comfortable, the bathroom was impecable and they offer complimentary bath robes. I just went to sleep for a few hours but wanted to stay for a week!

4

Maria

20 May 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

The bed is very worn. The carpets are gross. The hotel is undergoing renovation which we did know about, but we were not given a room on the only floor that has been renovated to date. Also there were many unhoused people sleeping and hanging out in front of the hotel.

8

Connie

6 May 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Convenient location and comfortable beds however shower wall had several hairs housekeeping obviously didn’t clean adequately. Second time staying here but will probably pick another hotel next time.

10

Chris

25 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Fantastic experience. Clean, friendly people, beautiful decorations. Modern elegance. Great location on State Street.

10

Dominique

27 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The loveliest hotel in a great location with stellar customer service. We were highly impressed by the friendliness at check-in, the above and beyond service by the valet (who gave us two fabulous restaurant recommendations), and the room… it was gorgeous, obviously new, and clean! The mattress has me wanting to buy one for our home. It was truly that comfortable. Not to mention this hotel was incredibly dog friendly. 10/10 highly recommend.

10

Ellen

14 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Such a beautiful hotel at a perfect location. The staff were friendly and welcoming and the rooms were spotless! We will be back!

10

Francesca

28 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Beautiful hotel. Room was beautiful and clean and quiet. Staff was super friendly and helpful. I loved it and will definitely return. Already planning my next mini vacation.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Rooms

Renovated rooms are stylish and comfortable, but many are small with layout quirks (barn doors or open showers) and some report street or hallway noise. A few mention sealed windows, limited TV/internet setup, or inconsistent water pressure/AC.

Related guest reviews

8

Teresa

17 Nov 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The room was ok, but we were really bummed on the redesign. We stayed at the hotel a few months ago and really liked the spanish style. The finishes are pretty cheap and don’t go together. The tv placement is awkward. The shower water didn’t drain. The bed was fine but the room is not as nice as it was.

8

Seong

5 Jul 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The rooms were clean and the location of the hotel is absolutely amazing! Everything is walking distance so it was great! However, I wish they provided slippers and if they had better internet service. Their TV has no internet access through their wifi.

10

Craig

12 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Amazing stay right down to the sparkling water on tap. Rooms are small as they were in the 1920’s but they made great use of the spaces. Blown away by this place. Central to State st plenty of choice. Great coffee in room

10

JEFF

4 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Everything about the place was great. Lovely location, facility, rooms and service. Only gripe was the open style shower, too cold.

8

Rosalinda

30 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Good location. Rooms are really small. Really small. Staff was very helpful and friendly. Hotel is next to a bar which was loud one night of our stays. There was also an event location across the street that played music very loud the same night.

6

Abraham

21 Aug 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Our windows were sealed shut and we could not get fresh air into the room.

10

Steven

31 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Water pressure in shower is awful, hard to rinse shampoo out of hair Next to impossible to get your luggage into closet because of desk Closet door sticking on coffee bar. Barn door to bathroom hard to close, door handle on inside should be different design, hard for old people. Love the decor, staff was very professional.

10

Tabitha

8 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Stayed for the weekend. Rooms are small. But updated, and very nice. The elevator is old, charming, and slow. The doors to rooms close heavily so it does get loud. Besides that, we would stay here again!

10

Patricia

31 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Comfortable bed, excellent lighting (most hotel rooms don't have enough lighting), clean. Restroom was small. Needs full shower enclosure, water splashes out onto floor, wet floor not good.

8

Dejan

12 Jan 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Hotel under construction. Bar next to hotel was loud Room was too small for 2 adults and 2 kids.

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Service

Service is widely praised as friendly, welcoming, and accommodating across front desk and valet. A few guests experienced slow responses, mix-ups, or difficulty reaching staff after departure.

Related guest reviews

10

Tracey

21 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Nice stay, great location. Rooms are a bit small but recently renovated, clean, and comfortable. Staff was professional and friendly. When we first got there we had them bring our luggage up (which we usually do not do) and after waiting an hour had to go back and ask where it was. It quickly arrived after that. The valet staff was great, but am not a fan of valet parking because I like quick access to my vehicle and the lot closed at 9 which meant we had to run in and ask where to park. They would unlock the gate and let us in. While I appreciate the idea of safety, however, often cars are parked across the street in an unlocked lot. We couldn’t simply park it ourselves because the hotel has only certain spaces in the lot across the street. Great for people who just want to park the car for the stay. The area is very walkable and last time we were there we never used the car. This time we were there for a wedding and had to drive almost everyday of our 4 day stay. The hotel is pricy, but similar to other hotels with a similar location and the location is great! Would recommend for staff and location.

10

AUSTIN

20 Jan 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

I was perfect. Staff and employees were exemplary. The reason I gave a low rating for service is that it was impossible to contact the front desk after I returned home to request a receipt. AI or phone tree hell. I gave up. I recommend always provide an easy way to speak to a real person.

10

paul

30 Mar 2024

·

Stayed 4 nights

Hotel Santa Barbara is in an excellent location off of state st where all the shopping and restaurants are. The staff, hotel and service were all the best! You couldn't ask for much more!

10

Richard

3 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

My wife and I had a delightful stay at Hotel Santa Barbara. From the moment we arrived, the staff welcomed us warmly, with the front desk team and valets setting a friendly tone. We particularly enjoyed our time at the lobby bar, where the bartenders were not only attentive but also genuinely engaging, making our evenings even more enjoyable. The hotel’s prime location was ideal for exploring the nearby attractions and dining options we had planned for our trip. We’re already looking forward to returning soon!

10

Jessica

2 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Alex at the front desk was more than accommodating and Brian the mixologist at the bar was fantastic and friendly and so good at his job.

10

Daniel

19 Feb 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

We chose this hotel for its proximity to a wedding celebration, and it was the perfect location. The rooms were clean and comfortable, and the service was outstanding. Interacting with the front desk and valet staff was a pleasant experience, and their hospitality made our stay enjoyable. Overall, a great choice for convenience and service.

10

René F.

23 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Alex, Elizabeth, Rider & everyone there were very courteous and friendly.

10

Candace

23 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Fantastic hotel, unbeatable location, great staff. Dennis at the front desk was so welcoming. Can't wait to return.

8

Dawne

18 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The team of people who work here made our stay very enjoyable. Every person we encountered was extremely customer service focused! The location is excellent for walking anywhere. The property is currently under renovation which we were aware of. Any related issues we had were addressed by the team as best they could. We’re sure when the renovations are complete it will be a phenomenal location to stay at.

8

Eduardo

23 Jan 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The valet put our luggage in another guest’s car at checkout and allowed them to drive away.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Location

Exceptionally central on State Street with easy walks to dining, shopping, pier/train, and attractions. Trade-offs include nightlife noise for some rooms and, in a few reports, an uncomfortable street scene after dark.

Related guest reviews

4

Susan

29 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The staff was friendly and helpful. They brought freshly baked cookies to my room with a sweet note to say Happy Birthday. But the property is under construction, noise started early in the morning, not a chance of sleeping in and continued until about 6:30pm. I was not told of construction until the day prior to check in, so no chance to cancel reservation. I waited for valet to retrieve my car, no one was around, I finally walked to the coffee shop and when I came back, they still weren’t there. Water bottles in the room were dirty, bathroom “barn” door did not close all the way, was about 6 inches shy of closing, a little awkward. The location on State Street is convenient to shops and restaurants but I did not feel safe to walk around after dark. There were many unhoused individuals, urinating in public, yelling at passersby, taking off clothes, “fenty folds”….sad and unnerving. I would not recommend the hotel.

10

Brandi

13 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Excellent location!

10

Alex

16 Jan 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Lovely hotel. Right off State St.

10

Irene

9 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Hotel Santa Barbara is a real gem on State Street. Lovely Hotel. Great location. Walking distance to restaurants, shopping, beach. Easy, valet parking. Exceptional front desk service. Quiet, well appointed room with nice amenities. Will definitely recommend to family and friends.

10

Karla

2 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

This is the perfect place to stay because of location. It’s quiet, walkable and close to great restaurants and shopping. Everything you need is on State Street even if arriving by train. Tuesday is the market down State street from 3-7. The beach is at the end of the State. Uber is easy and quick. The 90 minute trolly tour is the perfect way to see Santa Barbara. Sandbar across the street from hotel for great Mexican food. The friendly staff were wonderful and even had excellent cookies in the afternoon in the lobby.

10

Carrie

23 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Perfectly located in downtown Santa Barbara.

8

Carol

11 Apr 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

great location -- easy to access beach as well as State Street shopping. It is the place to be if you like late-night clubbing. Standard room somewhat cramped, but nicely appointed.

10

Christina

31 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location, so walkable to the beach and main shopping. Love the renovation

8

Leanne

4 Jan 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Amazing location close to everything and quick walk to the ocean

10

Taeko

8 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Right on state street where all the bar and restaurants are.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Dining

On-site options are limited but include a well-liked lobby bar plus complimentary morning coffee/tea and afternoon cookies; several note there is no restaurant or breakfast service. Extensive dining choices are steps away on State Street.

Related guest reviews

10

Andrew

26 Dec 2023

·

Stayed 5 nights

Friendly and efficient staff (thank you for lending me an umbrella so we could get to dinner and avoid getting soaked in the downpour!). Nice, clean lobby with coffee and/or ice water available. Excellent location for walkable dining & Starbucks next door; also a car rental place just a block away. Shower was a little confusing at first, but worked just fine (though the bathroom light has a motion sensor that goes off after some # minutes, which could leave you in the dark). I would stay there again. Beds were comfy & had plenty of pillows.

10

Alpa

31 Mar 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Centrally located on State street, walkable to variety of dining, options, shopping and entertainment. Rooms have a very comfortable bed, good temperature, clean, a hot water kettle for pour over coffee, refrigerator, safe and a selection of snacks and drinks for purchase. Parking as in every downtown situation is difficult on the street, but they have a valet option.

10

randy

18 Apr 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location, great value, comfortable room and beds. Great staff. I wish there was late night food options at or near the hotel.

10

Robin

2 Jan 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Totally remodeled rooms are really great. Lobby not complete but workaround registration process is quite smooth. Valet parking for a fee. Unique ice and water bar in hallway on each floor. No restaurant, but State St has more than enough options for dining. Pet-friendly.

10

Stephanee

7 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The hotel was lovely! It was very clean and the staff were very attentive. It is located right off State St. and nearby local shops; it was great for walks. The hotel has a bar and the bartenders were amazing!

10

Mark

14 Mar 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Perfect location on State Street. Easy access to the beach and all the retail and restaurants...including the Saturday farmers market. Elevator is next to useless though. Used the stairs, which wasn't too bad, but we were on fourth floor. No onsite restaurant, but not an issue as so many other places to eat. We would stay there again.

10

Mary

25 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

The bar was excellent. Breakfast was the best in town,

10

John

15 Jul 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great location. Walking distance to many shops and restaurants. Pet friendly, free cookies, coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon, etc. etc.

6

Natalia

22 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The hotel is good but for the price per room I wish the survive be much better. No restaurant on the property and no breakfast there. There was only sandwiches a-la breakfast but they run out it usually before 10am. I have to request cleaning service every day and the service is very, very slow. The property not bad in over all but I don’t recommend it if you need to get it equal: price and service.

10

Joseph

3 Dec 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

We stayed 2 nights because this hotel is a short walk from another hotel where others in our family were staying. The Santa Barbara was half the price, and we found it more quaint and the staff was friendly and helpful. As a bonus, shopping restaurants and bars are just outside the building. Complimentary coffee and warm cookies in the lobby too!

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Month	Average price
January	US$226
February	US$275
March	US$285
April	US$285
May	US$274
June	US$315
July	US$329
August	US$337
September	US$318
October	US$307
November	US$258
December	US$254

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $502	2 $482	3
4 $340	5 $315	6 $448	7 $464	8 $484	9 $694	10 $774
11 $327	12 $230	13 $247	14 $300	15 $245	16 $804	17 $812
18 $232	19 $749	20 $381	21 $502	22 $880	23 $453	24 $812
25 $232	26 $230	27 $225	28 $230	29 $246	30 $315	31 $292

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15 $454	16 $467	17 $552	18	19
20 $346	21 $277	22 $422	23 $342	24 $323	25 $707	26 $784
27 $229	28 $298	29 $366	30 $279

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Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Room options

Adapted King Suite

Deluxe Room, 1 Queen Bed

Premier Queen

King Room

King Suite

Historic Queen

Standard 2 Queen Room

Adapted King Room

Guest reviews

Fabulous

Who stays here?

What guests think

Property policies

Check-in instructions

Security deposit

Good to know

Optional extras

FAQs about Hotel Santa Barbara

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Prices for upcoming dates