3222 State St, Santa Barbara, California, United States | (618) 248-8274
Affordable rates for the area
Hip, colorful rooms with iPod docks and microwaves
Kitchens available in some rooms
Free continental breakfast
Free Wi-Fi
Free parking
On a busy street, with noise exacerbated by direct outdoor entry
Not within walking distance of downtown
No pool, restaurant, or bar
No coffeemakers
The Agave Inn is small roadside motel that's had a hip makeover, which turned its basic rooms into fun crash pads with iPod docks, Mexican blankets, and Lucite chairs. Wi-Fi and a simple grab-and-go continental breakfast are free, but there is nowhere to sit and eat, nor are there any other facilities to speak of. Direct outdoor room entry from the parking lot makes the noise on busy State Street somewhat of an issue. Leisure travelers on a budget might also consider the Sandpiper Lodge down the street, which lacks the personality here, but has a small outdoor pool.
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Scene
Motor inn turned budget boutique hotel, with Mexican accents
This boutique motor inn is decorated in a trendy Southwestern style, with Mexican Talavera tiles incorporated into the exterior staircases and colorful matching planters holding succulents and local flowers scattered throughout the property. Agave cacti sit appropriately in front of this popular inn, under a neon sign that frequently says no vacancy.
Location
On busy State Street, but a drive from downtown
The hotel is in a busy area with restaurants and shopping nearby, as well as a Trader Joe's. The Santa Barbara Golf Club is within walking distance, but a car is needed to get to downtown Santa Barbara. Home to several colleges and universities, as well as a large yachting scene, the affluent downtown has plenty of shopping and nightlife, which is clustered around State Street, about a 10-minute drive away. The hotel is about a 15-minute drive from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport.
Rooms
Colorful decor, with microwaves, mini-fridges, and iPod docks; two larger rooms have kitchens
There are only 13 rooms here, split between two floors. All eight Standard Queen Rooms are downstairs, and the five larger rooms are upstairs -- two of which have kitchens. Serape blankets serve as bed throws and the walls are painted in a colorful desert melange of turquoise, burnt orange, and olive. A framed poster from the golden age of Mexican cinema adorns each room, and white wood tables are paired with clear plastic chairs. Articulated metal desk lamps provide more than enough bedside lighting. Flat-screen TV are wall-mounted and all rooms have iPod docks, as well as microwaves and mini-fridges. Coffeemakers are absent, but two rooms have kitchenettes that add an oven and stovetop. The bathrooms have large walk-in showers with dual showerheads, one fixed and one handheld (we noticed some water stains).
Features
Free continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and free parking
There is no proper breakfast room here, but a simple bar outside is laid with a small continental spread every morning. The selection consists of local pastries, a bowl of fruit, juice, coffee, and tea. A tiny adjacent area has a couple chairs with newspapers and local magazines on hand, but it's all designed for a quick breakfast on the go. Each room has a free parking spot right outside its door, and Wi-Fi is free throughout.
