2819 State St, Santa Barbara, California, United States | (937) 315-4602
Reasonably priced, retro, motel-style property with some modern updates
Peaceful location, a short drive to downtown Santa Barbara
Spacious rooms, most with balconies or patios and some with jetted tubs
Beautifully landscaped central courtyard with a large pool and hot tub
On-site restaurant with patio seating uses local produce
Roof deck can be rented out for events
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Not within walking distance of downtown
Bathrooms are somewhat dated and rooms are rather basic
No free breakfast
Built in 1960, the 96-room Lemon Tree Inn is a mid-range motel-style property with a retro vibe and some modern updates. Most of the spacious rooms have furnished balconies or patios and surround a beautifully landscaped courtyard with a large pool and hot tub. Rooms are basic and functional; walls are mostly bare and bathrooms are on the dated side. The on-site Crocodile Restaurant uses local produce, though breakfast isn’t included in the room rate. The hotel sits on the northern end of State Street, Santa Barbara's main artery, outside of downtown -- though it is within walking distance of some nearby restaurants and shops. It is a good value option for travelers who want more personality than a chain property and don’t mind a slightly less central location. The Orange Tree Inn -- the Lemon Tree’s sister property -- has a similar atmosphere and rates, and is closer to downtown Santa Barbara.
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Scene
A mid-range hotel with a mix of modern and retro style
The three-pearl Lemon Tree Inn has a cheerful, California-style retro look with a striking zigzag-roofed porte-cochere. A set of modern automatic glass doors lead to a high-ceilinged, magenta-walled lobby filled with artwork, including a crocodile sculpture “swimming” on top of the front desk. The subtle theme extends to the trendy Crocodile restaurant, which has black leather banquettes, a black stone-topped bar, and dim lighting. The property is beautifully landscaped, with tall palm trees and lemon trees ringing the exterior hallways and filling the central courtyard, which houses a large rectangular pool and hot tub, a popular spot for guests of all ages in the warmer months. Overall this is a peaceful and relaxed property that attracts visitors seeking good value, who don't mind not being in the center of downtown.
Location
On busy State Street, outside of downtown, but walkable to some restaurants
This hotel sits off a busy part of State Street, about two miles to Santa Barbara’s downtown and three miles to the water. There’s a grocery store, restaurants, and some small shops within walking distance, and the Santa Barbara Mission is a 20-minute walk away. It’s about a 30-minute walk or five-minute drive to the main part of downtown and a 10-minute drive to Stearns Wharf. There's also a regular shuttle that runs along State Street. The well-regarded Santa Barbara Zoo is a 12-minute drive, as is the Santa Barbara Airport.
Rooms
Basic motel rooms with furnished balconies or patios; some parts feel dated
The 96 rooms here range from basic Standard Rooms to large Suites. All but the Standard Rooms have patios or balconies with tables and chairs, and some overlook the lushly landscaped courtyard and pool. Decor is modern and minimalist, with gray carpeting and dark wood furniture, plus modern bed liners, throw pillows, and curtains. The tiled entryways and the bathrooms have a dorm room-like feel, some with curtained walk-in showers and others with curtained shower/tub combos, some of which have jets. There are exterior vanities in addition to the ones in the bathrooms. All rooms have large flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, laptop-sized safes, irons and ironing boards, and hairdryers in the bathrooms. Some rooms come with mini-fridges. Wi-Fi is free throughout.
Features
Trendy restaurant and bar, landscaped courtyard with large pool and hot tub, and free Wi-Fi
The on-site restaurant Crocodile serves Italian and California-style cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the trendy bar serves cocktails, wine, and beer, with a daily happy hour. Room service is available and there’s outdoor seating in the interior courtyard, which has a large rectangular indoor pool and a small hot tub. Jewelry is for sale and on display in small cases off the lobby. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. The hotel has a conference room and a rooftop deck that can be rented for private events.
