Hotel Californian

Positive: beds and HVAC Negative: Cost, double what it should be, 5-star rating not justified.

The location of this hotel can't be beat with a direct the pier and the art museum as well as many great restaurants, tasting rooms, and shops. The view from the pool deck is stunning with views of the ocean, mountains, and downtown area; a great spot for sunrises and sunsets. The rooms were spacious. My room had a charming fireplace and double sinks. For meeting planners, the meeting space and lawn and rooftop dining options were fantastic across from the registration building. We also enjoyed a reception in the area in the lobby. Staff was responsive, friendly, and ideal for a multi-day meeting. The food was very good, and options were unique.

The hotel itself was nice and luxurious. The service from the staff was exceptional and extremely professional, from the cleaning crews to the lobby staff. Other than that, I don't think I got my money's worth. I paid nearly 2k a night. For the amount, I would expect better amenities and free parking. Parking is $60 a night, and it seems like there is no unlimited in-and-outs unless you get the valet. The hotel could do better with the price they charge per night. As I wrote this review, I noticed that the price is currently nearly $600 a night. That seems like a reasonable price. I am not sure how I ended up paying that much money if I booked it in advance. I'll bump it to three stars, but if I had paid the current price, then I would have rated it with 5 stars.

The hotel is a cute hotel that has great service. The food at the Goat Tree was really good for breakfast/brunch. The rooms were well kept and clean. The service was excellent and friendly. The house cart that could drive you within a 2 mile radius was awesome as well. I think a real car would have felt safer though. We did get a room with a view of the ocean in the distance. The immediate view next to our room was a parking lot. We were not bothered by this fact, just wanted to point it out. The hotel is also super close to the Santa Barbara Amtrak station, which was super nice for us because we used Amtrak for our trip. Overall, Hotel Californian was a great place to stay at and I would stay there again!

From the moment we connected with Gabby before our arrival, her level of care, attention to detail, and genuine excitement for our celebration set the tone for what became an unforgettable 20th anniversary. She truly went above and beyond to make our stay meaningful, special, and memorable, and we felt that in every thoughtful touch along the way.||||The champagne and chocolate covered strawberries waiting in our room, along with the personalized note, were such an awesome surprise. We were so thankful for the staff making us feel celebrated from the very first moment. ||||The front desk team was instrumental in helping me surprise my wife with a bouquet of flowers on our anniversary day, a moment she absolutely loved. I am so thankful for the staff coordinating that behind the scenes and