Hotel Californian

Pros: The location was a convenient and central to stores and shops. The valet was always on time and provided great service. Cons: The room smelled moist and musty on arrival, which we told the front desk when we left, but she seemed unconcerned. The night scene made it loud in the room, which I suppose could be the trade off of being in a good location. Checkout wasn't as seamless as we'd like. The property is spread out between different buildings and leaving our building and checking out in another took more time than we'd like. Also, I normally book on Amex Travel, but this time, I booked through their website. It was difficult to make any adjustments to the reservation once it was made. I called a couple days before to see if I can book a larger room, but reservations said I would have to call the hotel directly to make the adjustment and sent me through a series of phone numbers, none of which made it worthwhile.

Hotel Californian is the ONLY place I want to stay in Santa. Barbara. Lovely luxe accommodations in every way. Special thanks to Lorenzo at front desk and Amy in reservations for SUPERB customer service! Thank you!

The location couldn’t be better, centered perfectly in Santa Barbara. Atmosphere was friendly, rooms were very clean and wonderful but closet space was too small. Great value, noise level was very low, service and amenities were off the chart.

We had a nice 2 night stay with special thanks to Ben, David, and Audrey at the front desk and Gabrielle at concierge. The bell staff and parking attendants were also helpful. Comfy room with good bedding and great shower pressure. The wine bar next door is a nice feature and the hotel is in a great location.

Our two-night stay at Hotel Californian to celebrate our 50th anniversary was truly extraordinary---easily one of the most exceptional hospitality experiences we have ever had. From the moment we arrived, we were treated like honored guests. The Manager went far above and beyond, personally selecting a stunning ocean-view room for us that took our breath away. Walking into the room to find a beautiful bottle of champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries waiting for us was such an elegant and thoughtful welcome...the perfect way to begin our celebration. What amazed us even more was that the exceptional service didn't end at checkout. The Manager thoughtfully arranged for complimentary wine tastings in the Santa Ynez Valley even after we left the property. Every member of the team contributed to a flawless stay. The front desk staff provided a warm, heartfelt welcome that immediately made us feel at home. The valet team was incredible helping to coordinate transportation so we could easily enjoy all that the area had to offer. And every restaurant on property delivered remarkable food, service and atmosphere. Each meal felt like part of the celebration. The Californian didn't just provide a place to stay, they created memories we will treasure forever. If you are looking for a place that truly understands hospitality at the highest level, this is it? We arrived excited to celebrate 50 years of marriage and left feeling celebrated ourselves. We cannot wait to return!