17 W Haley St, Santa Barbara, California, United States | (618) 248-8274
Charming historic building with a covered terrace overlooking downtown
Convenient to State Street’s shopping, dining, and nightlife
Comfortable guest rooms with flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, and mini-fridges
Free hot breakfast that includes eggs
Free coffee is in the lobby all day
Business center with two computers and a printer
Free loaner bicycles are available on-site
Free passes to an off-site pool and fitness center
Valet dry cleaning and laundry services
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Pets are welcome with a surcharge
Not located on the waterfront
Guest rooms lack microwaves and safes
No full-service restaurant or gym on-site
Fee for on-site parking, and it's limited
The mid-range Holiday Inn Express Santa Barbara occupies a prime downtown spot that’s been a hotel since 1916. Less than a block from bustling State Street, the hotel is a good base for leisure and business travelers alike. The lobby and terrace have colorful tilework and terra-cotta floors, and the property's 61 guest rooms are a bit small, but they're comfortable and have contemporary decor. All come equipped with flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffeemakers and mini-fridges, but they lack safes and microwaves. Freebies here include a hot breakfast, loaner bicycles, Wi-Fi throughout, and passes to a nearby pool and gym. Travelers looking for a more upscale stay with an equally convenient location can check rates at Canary, a Kimpton Hotel.
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Scene
A downtown hotel in a historic building for a mix of travelers
This historic hotel dates back to 1916, when it opened as the Hotel Virginia. The Spanish Revival building has a quiet and relaxed boutique hotel feel. The handsome lobby features terra-cotta floors inlaid with colorful, decorative tilework, similar to the Malibu and Catalina tile on the steps and a fountain in the center of the lobby. The breakfast area is part of the lobby, and more seating is available on the second-floor terrace, which overlooks the street and is a popular spot for people-watching. Despite the communal terrace and dining area, guests tend to stick to themselves here. It’s primarily a tourist hotel, but its downtown setting also attracts business travelers.
Location
In downtown Santa Barbara, less than a block from bustling State Street
The Holiday Inn Express is located in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, less than a block from bustling State Street, lined with shops, restaurants, and bars. It’s in a relatively quiet setting compared to State Street, but a popular microbrewery across the street generates noise on some evenings. Lots of the city’s attractions are within walking distance, but it’s a 20-minute walk to the waterfront. - Nine-minute walk to Santa Barbara Amtrak station
Rooms
Contemporary decor, with Keurig coffeemakers and mini-fridges, but a bit small
These clean and well-maintained guest rooms have simple but pleasant contemporary decor. There's a combination of bright earth tones, including soft yellow walls and gray-and-rust patterned carpet, which contrasts nicely with bright, white duvets that cover beds. The matching, reddish-brown furniture includes armoires, desks with office chairs, and headboards with white leather padding. Artwork depicting California-style Spanish architecture adds subtle splashes of color, and some rooms have painted exposed brick. Room size and layout can vary, and those we saw were a bit small, but they're still comfortable and they have enough space for upholstered armchairs. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi, but there are no microwaves or safes. Bathrooms are average in size, and have acrylic shower/tub combos, roomy, granite vanities, hairdryers, and toiletries. Units are generally quiet, but those facing the street can sometimes hear ambient noise from the popular microbrewery that’s across the street. Some units overlook downtown streets, while others face the hotel’s two small parking lots.
Features
Freebies include hot breakfast, loaner bicycles, and Wi-Fi, but no full-service restaurant
This boutique-size hotel in downtown Santa Barbara features a free hot breakfast buffet with eggs, as well as free coffee all day in the lobby. Other freebies include loaner bicycles and Wi-Fi throughout, plus passes to a nearby gym and pool, as there are no wellness facilities on-site. There's no full-service restaurant or laundry facilities at the hotel, but valet dry cleaning and laundry services are offered. Other amenities include a business center with two computers and a printer, vending machines, and on-site parking for a reasonable fee on two surface lots, but they can fill up at times. Limited street parking is available, and the hotel offers a valet service if the lots are full. Pets are welcome with a surcharge.
