Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

It's in an excellent location but the lower rate rooms are VERY small. Don't trust the pictures. Our room (103) only had a porthole sized window about 7 ft above the bed, so the room felt very cave/prison like. It did have everything we needed (even a small fridge even though the listing said it had none) but was very cramped and was noisy. You're on State St., at the lower end, with all the bars and restaurants you could need, so that's convenient. I paid $33 for parking, so that sucked. They are a contact-free/staff-free facility which is nice but not if you need anything. I had a much better stay across the street for cheaper, prior. Won't be back but it was safe clean and convenient.

Cute concept but rooms too small/dark and dusty/musty. No signage/hard to find at night, no parking:valet-public parking lot $3/hr, no coffee makers or vending machines for after hours

Location is perfect! It's a newer hotel so it's clean and modern. There is no traditional front desk so everything is done via email and text (including check-in with entry keypad codes) but we loved it. It all couldn't be easier and this is definitely our go-to hotel whenever we go to Santa Barbara.

What is so special about the Drift are the people. Everyone from folks at the coffee shop, check in team, to the GM Jacqueline are so lovely and provide excellent customer service! So completely above and beyond to make my stay wonderful! I love the streamline design of the rooms, the yoga mat in every room, and the coffee every morning at Dawn! There are bikes and surf boards to borrow and enjoy in SB. Make sure you check out the yoga studio too! Also, the location is perfect for exploring, especially all of the vintage shops and The Funk Zone! I highly recommend staying at The Drift, and hope to check out their other properties.

Great location in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, literally walk out the door and you are in the mix of the village environment. We staying in the tiniest of rooms they offer but the ceiling is so tall it feels much bigger plus we really didn’t need more room as a couple. Paid parking is pretty expensive so we chose to park a few blocks away for free during our 2 night stay. Free bicycles were a huge perk to ride down to the beach and so was a cool bar and coffee shop 20 yards from our room door. Some might think it’s a little load in the evening but being that close to everything you kind of need to expect that.

The parking was super difficult and you do have to walk from the parking lot around the corner to the hotel. The hotel was also super difficult to find because of the building not being labeled at all but once we found it it was amazing. The rooms were incredibly clean and beautiful! I am a super germaphobic person and felt more than comfortable staying there. The staff was really helpful and kind! We stayed for two nights and each morning I went downstairs to dawn and got coffee and breakfast and I can honestly say it was the best latte I’ve ever had! Overall it was a wonderful stay just difficult to find!

Furnishings & fixtures are top tier for a micro hotel! Contactless check in and check out was seamless. Location is 11/10. Parking is fairly priced.

Far too noisy too late from music below. No front desk or concierge or service No parking

The hotel was great and in a very convenient location. Walked everywhere. The hotel doesn’t have a lobby but the mobile check-in experience was very easy and the staff at the bar and coffee shop were always helpful. They also have free lockers onsite to store your luggage while you wait for the room to be ready. Fair warning, the room comes with a very open bathroom situation. The shower walls are clear glass with a privacy curtain on one side. Be aware if traveling with friends. Other than that, the room was near perfect. Would definitely stay again.

Its very important to know the rooms are extremely small, not housekeeping services, no desk,charis in room, closet, and you cannot walk around the bed. They moved us to a slight larger room, very accommodating on site help, very polite, but homeless outside also polite but! Great bar downstairs and wonderful cold brew coffee at Dawn

The room was very aesthetic and clean. Will definitely stay again.

It's in an excellent location but the lower rate rooms are VERY small. Don't trust the pictures. Our room (103) only had a porthole sized window about 7 ft above the bed, so the room felt very cave/prison like. It did have everything we needed (even a small fridge even though the listing said it had none) but was very cramped and was noisy. You're on State St., at the lower end, with all the bars and restaurants you could need, so that's convenient. I paid $33 for parking, so that sucked. They are a contact-free/staff-free facility which is nice but not if you need anything. I had a much better stay across the street for cheaper, prior. Won't be back but it was safe clean and convenient.

Our recent stay at the Drift Hotel in Santa Barbara was nothing short of spectacular! From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm smiles and exceptional service. The ambiance of the hotel is modern yet cozy, with beautifully designed interiors that reflect the laid-back yet sophisticated vibe of Santa Barbara. The room was immaculate and very my husband and I'd aesthetic. The bed was incredibly comfortable, ensuring a restful night's sleep, and the amenities provided were top-notch. We especially loved the luxurious bath products and body lotion! The hotel's location is perfect, close to some of the best dining and shopping spots in the area. We enjoyed exploring the charming neighborhoods and scenic coastline. One of the highlights of our stay was the delightful dawn cafe and dusk bar. The staff was attentive and went out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed via text which is what they do and the staff onsite was amazing! It’s clear that the Drift Hotel cares about both their guests. Overall, my husband and I's experience at the Drift Hotel was unforgettable. The combination of excellent service, beautiful accommodations, and prime location makes it the perfect place to stay in Santa Barbara. We can't wait to return and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an exceptional hotel experience!

Very clean

My stay at the drift hotel was great. Very easy check in/out, the room was great, clean and good looking. The bar and coffee shop downstairs were very good. Definitely a place to stay at again. I loved it.

The property is pretty new, since 2022! I loved the style and design of the property. It smelled fresh the minute you stepped into the hallways going up towards your room. I liked that they had a cafe and bar downstairs that was picturesque. It’s right in State St. so everything from the Pier to the shopping centers were a few feet away. Check in was very easy, I did everything virtual. When we got there there was a staff to assist with things in case we needed it but we were able to get our key code and walk in without room keys. I wish all hotels were this easy! Incidentals cost $100 for 2 nights. Probably $50 a night. I would totally go back! If I had to say one thing I would’ve wanted improved… it would probably be the dust. I wish they dusted parts of the room better, especially the wood on the walls. The windows picked up dust easily. I was sneezing away a lot but other than that… the room itself was nice and “cozy”.

Overall Drift was clean. But the toilet bowl was very dirty. We had to clean it ourselves.

This hotel was so beautiful. It was nice to get a modern feel in such an old fashioned town. The bed was so comfy, the bathroom was super clean, and the view of state street was amazing. I’d definitely come back soon!

Furnishings & fixtures are top tier for a micro hotel! Contactless check in and check out was seamless. Location is 11/10. Parking is fairly priced.

Was not very clean - pretty dusty. For luxury pricing, I did not feel the room was up to standard. There were no basic toiletries (shower caps, slippers, Q tips, cotton swabs, etc) and pillows were a little too large/uncomfortable on the neck. Our room was 219 and very loud at night - luckily there were ear plugs. Didn't know who to talk when they referenced "staff" as there was no one around. Good location. I will not be staying there again or recommending.

The hotel design is modern and clean. The location couldn't be more convenient to restaurants and shopping. The pedestrian street in front of the hotel makes it uber-walkable. The rooms are great for one person, but too small for even a couple. One person has to climb over the other because the bed is small and pushed up against the back wall. The toilet room is not completely private because of a design fail. The room is also dark, with only one small window and not a lot of lighting. We didn't have a bad experience, but we'd probably stay somewhere else the next time.

It's in an excellent location but the lower rate rooms are VERY small. Don't trust the pictures. Our room (103) only had a porthole sized window about 7 ft above the bed, so the room felt very cave/prison like. It did have everything we needed (even a small fridge even though the listing said it had none) but was very cramped and was noisy. You're on State St., at the lower end, with all the bars and restaurants you could need, so that's convenient. I paid $33 for parking, so that sucked. They are a contact-free/staff-free facility which is nice but not if you need anything. I had a much better stay across the street for cheaper, prior. Won't be back but it was safe clean and convenient.

PROS: - Right in the middle of State Street in Santa Barbara. - Brand new hotel (3 weeks old)? - Comfortable bed - Nice toiletries CONS: - Room felt like a prison cell/sterile hostel - Windows were frosted and couldn't even see out - No main lobby, everything is done through your phone - Whole feel of hotel was very cold and sterile-- very dark - Rooms had very little light, which made it impossible to do make up - Not great for people traveling with a partner-- absolutely zero privacy (Bathroom next to bed with all glass). Sink also in the middle of the bedroom. - Extremely loud and echoey in the hallway, with people yelling until 2am and doors slamming (1st floor). - Nothing about the environment was welcoming or warm, and I couldn't wait to leave. - Room did not look like the pictures online, unless the hotel is only showing pictures of their nicest room. - Very expensive for the experience. ($300/night) I hate to leave a bad review, as this is a new place, but hoping they will see this as some constructive criticism.

Shows great online but looks were deceiving… overall, great location & aesthetic but small rooms felt like a hostel right off the State Street bar. Paying nearly $500 / night for a closet-sized room, which hotel doesn’t have photos online, felt misrepresented. PROS: great location, clean & modern vibe, friendly staff. CONS: absolutely tiniest rooms on first floor, felt like a closet (bathroom / shower / sitting “area” / sink / bed all within 10ft room). First floor room right off public State Street bar, can hear loud party noise throughout the night. limited to no staff, single person (very friendly and accommodating) manning a concierge booth outside the coffee shop attached to first floor.

Be wary, some rooms have very small or no windows

Rooms are deceiving in the photos. It’s much smaller than I would have deemed acceptable. Can’t walk around the bed since the queen bed is the full width of the room.

Internet kept cutting out and the surrounding area was noisy - even after 12am.

The check-in/out is all done through text messages and very convenient and quick. The room felt uncomfortably small for two people, with limited privacy in the bathroom area. Although the ventilation system was running, it didn’t seem to circulate the air effectively. Even with all the lights on, the room remained quite dim, contributing to a confined and gloomy atmosphere. The layout was awkward, with the wash sink positioned unusually close to the bed — it felt more like a converted bathroom than a proper guest room. At times, the space felt so claustrophobic that I had to leave the room just to get some relief.

Room was not as pictured--a single tiny window 10 feet off the ground made it feel like a dark basement.

The staff will bring you fresh towels etc. if you ask, but they will not clean your room, remove dirty towels, or do any housekeeping. The hotel does not have a front desk and you're only going to communicate with them via text. Our room faced State Street and the music was loud until late at night. No proper coffee maker, just a pour over. No proper bathroom. The shower and toilet were in glass enclosures inside the hotel room. The sink was in front of the bed. Read: Zero privacy if you're more than one person in the room.

We had a number of SB options and I chose Drift based on the aesthetic which does not disappoint. Unfortunately the views and size are quite significantly different than the pictures. It is my responsibility to check sq footage. I did not. The views etc are sadly not as represented and linens, towels were in very rough shape, frayed and worn, etc. On the other hand, staff was extraordinary and would have done anything in their power to help. Would definitely encourage the team to return to coffee in the room. Doesn’t make for a relaxing stay when you need to dress to coffee. For the price and excellent staff, some things are not meeting the level they should.

Location is perfect! It's a newer hotel so it's clean and modern. There is no traditional front desk so everything is done via email and text (including check-in with entry keypad codes) but we loved it. It all couldn't be easier and this is definitely our go-to hotel whenever we go to Santa Barbara.

What is so special about the Drift are the people. Everyone from folks at the coffee shop, check in team, to the GM Jacqueline are so lovely and provide excellent customer service! So completely above and beyond to make my stay wonderful! I love the streamline design of the rooms, the yoga mat in every room, and the coffee every morning at Dawn! There are bikes and surf boards to borrow and enjoy in SB. Make sure you check out the yoga studio too! Also, the location is perfect for exploring, especially all of the vintage shops and The Funk Zone! I highly recommend staying at The Drift, and hope to check out their other properties.

Checkin and out and communication process is great!

Terrible communication. Canceled reservations without warning. Do not recommend.

Wonderful place. The hotels of the future. Easy in and out. No formal lobby structure and GREAT lobby welcome. Jo was fabulous. Thoughtful, Helpful and super nice. I can only hope all check-in folks are like her!

The lack of dedicated lobby was disappointing. This was a VERY expensive hotel to be treated by the staff like we were bothersome. There should be vending for water and access to things without having to ask a bartender or barista. It was a disappointing experience.

My stay was very comfortable. The hotel is a self check-in hotel so you need to read the text they send you fully and clearly. I did not and got frustrated, but a local manger was there and graciously helped me check in.

Super friendly, easy check in and out and beautiful deco

I stayed at Drift for my best friend’s wedding weekend and I had the best stay! The staff is very quick to answer any questions you may have through their texting service and the location is perfect for downtown SB!

Property was located in a great area walking distance to many things

Inconvenient parking situation, loud music coming from bars nearby until late at night, homeless people on street outside hotel. The room itself was cozy and clean but I wouldn't come back.

Quick weekend getaway at Drift and in Santa Barbara and we had a blast. Fantastic hotel in the heart of downtown that exceeded expectations in every way!

Perfect location right on State Street near restaurants, shops and other places.

Fantastic location. No car needed!

The Drift is located perfectly downtown. Literally walking distance to the Main Street with multiple restaurants and bars. The bar (Dusk) is so good and make some of the best drinks I’ve ever had.

Very cool hotel right on State St. great location and ambience.

Great location in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, literally walk out the door and you are in the mix of the village environment. We staying in the tiniest of rooms they offer but the ceiling is so tall it feels much bigger plus we really didn’t need more room as a couple. Paid parking is pretty expensive so we chose to park a few blocks away for free during our 2 night stay. Free bicycles were a huge perk to ride down to the beach and so was a cool bar and coffee shop 20 yards from our room door. Some might think it’s a little load in the evening but being that close to everything you kind of need to expect that.

Great location to restaurants and the beach.

the room was quite nice, clean, comfortable, and quiet. it lacked a space for a medium sized suitcase to be conveniently placed out of the way, given the room's relatively small size. the area around the hotel is looking pretty rough...to many vagrants and homeless near the entrances of the hotel, made us feel uncomfortable. Parking situation was good at lot on E. Haley street.

We loved our stay at Drift in Santa Barbara! Even though our room was cozy, we found so many thoughtful touches and details to make our room enjoyable. We loved the in-hotel dining and coffee options and the thoughtful decor throughout. Would definitely stay here again!!

Great Stay! Awesome Bar!!!!!!!!!

Perfect location, nice and quiet even on the street. Dawn and dusk amazing too - best coffee in town!

It was in a great location. The power went out all morning and they closed the coffeeshop in the hotel which was a bit of a bummer, but overall the power outage was the only inconvenience.

Amazing property! The Dusk drinks are a must if your staying or near by.

My stay at the drift hotel was great. Very easy check in/out, the room was great, clean and good looking. The bar and coffee shop downstairs were very good. Definitely a place to stay at again. I loved it.

This hotel is great! Easy check in, love the rain fall shower, tall ceilings and cozy bedding. Close to shops and great restaurants. The cardamom orange latte at Dawn is yummy.

The parking was super difficult and you do have to walk from the parking lot around the corner to the hotel. The hotel was also super difficult to find because of the building not being labeled at all but once we found it it was amazing. The rooms were incredibly clean and beautiful! I am a super germaphobic person and felt more than comfortable staying there. The staff was really helpful and kind! We stayed for two nights and each morning I went downstairs to dawn and got coffee and breakfast and I can honestly say it was the best latte I’ve ever had! Overall it was a wonderful stay just difficult to find!

My wife and I got married here in September and couldn’t have been happier with the Drift! Cristina, Michael, Alecia and the whole team were so incredibly accommodating and wonderful to work with. The hotel is super stylish, with a modern, earthy, Mediterranean vibe, the rooms are cozy and the bar downstairs, Dusk, is dynamite. We’re looking forward to coming back again and again and can’t recommend it enough to others!

Definitely would recommend - amazing interior design, extremely comfortable bed and warm & welcoming staff. Thank you Ian for the delicious cocktails