Hotel Oceana

If you're going to vacation in Santa Barbara, you might as well stay in style and on the beach -- ergo, at the Hotel Oceana, a "beach chic" hotel with an oceanfront setting and an L.A. makeover. The 2 1/2-acre Spanish Mission-style property consists of four adjacent motels built in the 1940s that have been merged and renovated into one sprawling hotel. The result is a wide range of charmingly old-school accommodations -- everything from apartments with real day beds (great for families) to courtyard rooms and deluxe oceanview suites -- with bright modern furnishings. Each guest room, decorated by renowned interior designer Kathryn Ireland, is smartly appointed with soft Frette linens, down comforters, ceiling fans, CD players, cozy duvets, and Aveda bath products. Along with the size and location of your room, you get to choose from four color schemes -- soothing blue or green, racy red, and a cheery yellow (my preferred choice). The beach and jogging path are right across the street, and the huge lawn is perfect for picnic lunches. Note: Yes, you will probably be paying over $250 per night for a gussied-up motel room with no A/C, but that's the going rate for oceanfront accommodations in Santa Barbara.

Facilities:
Denny's restaurant adjacent; 2 swimming pools; fitness room; spa; whirlpool; sun deck

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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