Best Western Plus South Coast Inn

This Best Western Plus received an extensive renovation in 2016 that added an elevator and updated its rooms and public spaces. As a result, it’s a surprisingly handsome chain hotel with beautiful tropical landscaping that includes towering palms and carefully-manicured lawns and shrubs. The lobby is equally cheerful, with tan tile floors, recessed ceilings, and contemporary furniture in bright colors. A gas fireplace and a library nook add homey touches. The adjacent breakfast room overlooks an inviting patio where guests can dine outside near the pool. The quiet, friendly, and relaxed hotel draws lots of beach tourists as well as travelers visiting the nearby university or doing business there.

The Best Western Plus is conveniently located just off the 101 freeway, near restaurants and the beach. A cluster of casual restaurants are five minutes away on foot or just a one-minute drive. A Trader Joe’s grocery also is just a two-minute drive, and the Goleta Beach and Pier takes six minutes to reach by car. Both the Santa Barbara Airport and University of California, Santa Barbara are seven minutes away by car. Downtown Santa Barbara and the city’s Amtrak station are a 13-minute drive. Driving to Los Angeles International Airport takes roughly two hours. 

The 2016 renovation created contemporary and cheerful rooms that are decorated in bright colors, such as teal accent walls and bed throws with aqua, copper, and light green patterns. The matching wood furniture has a blond finish that roughly matches the walls. The wood laminate floors and padded headboards are darker shades of brown. The rooms are clean and have plenty of space, with Standard King units including sleeper sofas and coffee tables and Standard Two Queen units featuring large armchairs. Both options have desks with office chairs. Larger Suites have separate living rooms. Standard amenities include microwaves, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, safes, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs with DVD players. Roomy, wood and white ceramic vanities are placed outside the bathrooms, which are a bit small but functional with walk-in showers with nice glass doors or shower/tub combos. Suites have larger bathrooms that feature more upscale tiling around walk-in showers. The rooms are generally quiet, and views of the hotel’s pool or grounds are quiet nice from some rooms. 

This updated Best Western Plus features lots of upgraded amenities and freebies. The hotel operates a free local shuttle that includes the Santa Barbara Airport and the University of California, Santa Barbara. The fitness center features lots of space for several pieces of modern True cardio equipment as well as a universal strength-training machine. The heated outdoor pool offers plenty of space in a beautiful patio area with a whirlpool, lots of comfy outdoor furniture and covered tables, and table tennis. The free breakfast buffet includes eggs, a waffle machine, and a cappuccino maker. There isn't a full restaurant or bar, but coffee is free all day, and an on-site convenience store sells sundries, snacks, and soft drinks. Parking and Wi-Fi are free. The business center is in a dedicated space with three computers and a printer. The guest laundry room has two washer/dryer sets, and valet dry cleaning and laundry services are also available.