1601 State St, Santa Barbara, California, United States | (586) 210-9239
True 1960s-style architecture with modern interiors
Conveniently located near bustling State Street and area universities
Bright, contemporary guest rooms come with Keurig coffeemakers and large flat-screen TVs
Outdoor heated pool is well-maintained with a deck and lounge chairs
Free Wi-Fi and free daily continental breakfast
Meeting rooms and business area on-site
Small gym has limited, but modern, equipment
Pet-friendly property that requires no fee
Leadbetter Beach is a 10-minute drive away
Pool can be a bit crowded with children
Loud pedestrian noises in street-facing rooms
This mid-range, 70-room hotel is reminiscent
of another era. The exterior is a true example of 1960s architecture and
design, but the interiors, having undergone a complete renovation in 2014, are
far from outdated. With its retro vibe and sleek interiors, as well as bright guest rooms with Keurig coffeemakers, La Quinta Inn & Suites Santa Barbara outdoes
most chain hotels in the area. It’s a favorite for couples and families because of the
charm and amenities like free daily breakfast, an outdoor pool, and free Wi-Fi.
The downside to this hotel is the two-and-a-half-mile distance from the beach, although bars, restaurants, and shops are close on nearby State Street. For a quicker
commute to the beach, the Best Western Beachside Inn is a typical chain hotel
alternative and Brisas Del Mar, Inn at the Beach is another alternative that is
a romantic Mediterranean-style villa; both are competitively priced with La
Quinta.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Restored '60s building with modern and fully renovated interiors
Built in 1960, the hotel exterior is true to
the time period in California. The three-story white building is uniquely marked with
turquoise accent doors, exterior hallways, and decorative concrete blocks.
During a massive renovation in 2014, La Quinta intentionally restored the
property to its '60s glam. The management hired a scientist to test and match
the original colors of the hotel exterior, and restore the building to its
original beauty. The renovations extended to the interiors as well; the lobby has a cozy seating area arranged around an exposed-brick wall with an electric fireplace, and glass doors overlook the expertly landscaped pool and garden. The landscaping
is colorful, with tropical palms, bougainvillea, sweet peas, and posies. As for guests, there is a good mix of leisure travelers, corporate
travelers, wedding attendees, and families.
Location
Close to colleges and State Street restaurants and bars, and driving distance to the beach and wharf
Just two blocks from the famed State Street
shops and restaurants, this hotel is within a nice residential neighborhood. A
small market and ladies clothing store are across the street, and though there's significant car traffic,
it is very pedestrian-friendly, with skateboarders and bicyclists seen throughout the day. Most guests choose
to leave their cars behind and walk the two blocks to restaurants, though getting to the beach requires a car. Stearns Wharf is straight down State
Street and is 10 minutes away by car or 30 minutes on foot. From the wharf, Leadbetter Beach is a 20-minute
walk along the shore. Also within this immediate area are the Santa Barbara
Museum of Natural History Sea Center, Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, Point
Castilo, Santa Barbara City College, and various restaurants. Because of the
various activities and options by the shore, most people recommend having a
car so they’re able to store beach gear, dine hassle-free along the waters, and
enjoy the sunset. Getting into Santa Barbara and to La Quinta,
guests will need to travel nine miles from Santa Barbara Airport, or about 90 minutes to two hours from LAX. The Santa Barbara Amtrak is another option for regional travelers,
and is just a 10-minute drive up to the inn.
Rooms
Spacious and mod-chic with rich hints of colors, and microwaves and mini-fridges available
The interiors are impressive with large flat-screen TVs, deep-gray geometric pattern carpeting, and silver velveteen bed scarves. Guests won’t feel cramped or overwhelmed with dated furnishings. Instead, rooms are fresh, spacious, and airy. The beds sit squarely in the rooms, with bed stands and table lamps on each side. There are small-appointed desks and chairs for anyone doing work, and wash areas outside the bathrooms with Keurig coffeemakers. The doors to the generously sized bathrooms are sliding frosted glass, and the color schemes are all very tranquil. For families or friends, the bathroom doors may be awkward because they do not lock or close all the way. However, the bathrooms are still nice spaces -- large mirrors are brightly lit with surrounding lights; Pantene hair products and makeup remover wipes are provided; and the bathrooms have shower/tub combos. Larger groups appreciate the rooms that also include sofa beds, and Executive King Rooms have separate living spaces. Rooms with microwaves and mini-fridges are also available.
Features
Outdoor heated pool, paid parking, free breakfast, small fitness room, and free pet stays
The free continental breakfast includes waffles, cereals, pastries, fresh fruit, and drinks, and is popular with guests. After breakfast, guests are able to enjoy the lounge chairs and a morning swim in the outdoor pool. A note would be to get into the pool early before the children suit up. In the evenings, the surrounding landscaping and the glowing lights over the pool set a very relaxing and pleasant atmosphere. The fitness room adds another level of exercise, but the room is quite small with only a couple machines to choose from. If driving in, guests can use the indoor or outdoor parking areas, which will add a parking fee. The hotel has a business center with a computer and printer, as well as a small on-site market with snacks, sundries, and tourism brochures for sale. Pets are allowed for free.
