Hotels in Santa Barbara
Before you even begin calling around for reservations, keep in mind that Santa Barbara's accommodations are expensive -- especially in summer. Then decide whether you'd like to stay beachside (even more expensive) or downtown. Santa Barbara is small, but not small enough to happily stroll between the two areas.
The free one-stop reservations service Hot Spots (tel. 800/793-7666 or 805/564-1637; www.hotspotsusa.com) keeps an updated list of availability for about 90% of the area's hotels, motels, inns, and B&Bs. Reservationists are available Monday through Saturday from 9am to 9pm, and Sunday from 9am to 4pm.
Inexpensive -- All the best buys fill up fast in the summer months, so be sure to reserve your room -- even if you're just planning to stay at the reliable Motel 6, 443 Corona del Mar Dr. (www.motel6.com; tel. 800/466-8356 or 805/564-1392), near the beach.
The Ultimate Family Vacation, Santa Barbara-Style -- Now here's a family vacation idea you probably haven't thought of -- a week of sun, sports, and fun at the University of California in Santa Barbara (my alma mater). During the months of July and August, the Santa Barbara Family Vacation Center offers a recreation-oriented family vacation package using vacated university dorms as lodging. It's sort of like a mini-summer camp for the entire family. One set price includes everything for a full week's vacation: all meals, lodging (with daily housekeeping service), and daily activities such as tennis, basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball, fishing, biking, hiking, and more. Evening activities include staff shows, carnivals, casino night, dancing, talent shows, bingo, arts and crafts, and campfires. There's no rigid schedule to follow, so how you want to spend your day is entirely up to you. Children up to 18 are grouped by age and cared for by UCSB student counselors from 9am to midevening, so the parents can spend the day at the beach or touring downtown Santa Barbara. They even offer child-care for infants and toddlers. Rates differ depending on age, but when you consider that you'd probably pay more just for 1 week's lodging at a Santa Barbara hotel, it's a fantastic deal. For more information, call tel. 805/893-3123 or log on to www.familyvacationcenter.com.
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7 Results
- Hotel
Belmond El Encanto
A romantic retreat perched above the city, this seven-acre historic property once hosted stars of Hollywood's golden age. It was bought in 2004 by Orient-Express Hotels and reopened in March, 2013, after a seven-year, $134 million renovation. The hotel has an intimate feel, with…$$$Riviera Section
- Hotel
Canary Hotel
A downtown perch one block from State Street makes this six-story Kimpton luxury boutique hotel a great location for soaking up the city's arts, culture, and dining scene. The lobby and guestrooms are decorated in updated, elegant Spanish Colonial, with dark wood,…$$$Downtown - B&B
Cheshire Cat Inn
Think of this charming bed & breakfast as a cool-cat grandma who may seem old-fashioned but has definitely kept up with the times. Situated in the middle of town near the theater district, the inn is much larger than it seems at first glance. Two side-by-side 1884 …$$Westside/Mid-Town - Hotel
Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara
One of the splurge-worthiest hotels you'll ever meet, this historic 22-acre property has it all: a stunning quintessential Santa Barbara setting across from Butterfly Beach in Montecito, attentive service, impeccably appointed rooms, a standout spa, and Italian-inspired California…$$$Montecito - Hotel
Franciscan Inn
Nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood, this Spanish-style hideaway is one of the places locals recommend to visiting friends. Just a block from the beach, low-slung buildings with terra-cotta roofs and whitewashed stucco house a hard-to-find variety of…$$Around Town - Hotel
Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
Opened in 1987 by Hollywood legend Fess Parker (he played Daniel Boone in the 1960s TV show—yes, you will find coonskin caps in the gift shop), this sprawling resort and conference hotel works well for business or pleasure, attracting a full range of guests from romantic couples to…$$Beach Area - Hotel
Motel 6 Santa Barbara Beach
One of the best values in town, this hotel also comes with a bit of history: Built in 1962, it's the first-ever Motel 6. But rest easy—guestrooms have been updated with a contemporary look that features bold accent colors, flat-screen TVs, and wood-look floors. In Motel…$Beach Area
