Spanish Garden Inn

Orange tiled steps lead up to the whitewashed
entrance of the Spanish Hacienda-style Spanish Garden Inn, a small boutique
hotel surrounded by a succulent garden and palms. Inside, the lobby includes a
simple wood reception desk and a lovely living room area complete with a
fireplace, cream-colored armchairs accented by colorful pillows, and framed
paintings that depict Santa Barbara. Alcove bookshelves display tourist
information and hardcover books, while glass-cased shelving by the front desk
is stocked with bottles of wine. A bowl of green apples and floral displays add
vibrant color to the space. Outdoors, a pretty patio is set with tables and
chairs under an umbrella and native plants. A white Spanish fountain adds to
the Mediterranean ambience. Kids are welcome here, but the inn mainly attracts older couples
on a romantic holiday. 

Located on Garden Street, about three blocks from the popular State Street, the Spanish Garden Inn sits in
a residential, low-key neighborhood in the historic Presidio district.
Restaurants and shops are about a five- to 10-minute walk away, and the
property is a short walk from several museums, including the Santa Barbara
Museum of Art (a 10-minute walk) and the Santa Barbara Historical Museum (a five-minute walk). State Street, the town’s main drag lined with boutiques and
restaurants, is a five-minute walk, while other attractions like Stearns Wharf, the beach, the Carr Winery, and the Santa Barbara Mission are a five-minute drive (or 20 minutes by foot and public transport). The nearest bus stop (for Line 14) is just down the street. The Santa Barbara
Airport is about a 20-minute drive away.

Rooms and suites are simply decorated in a
charming Spanish style that includes wooden furnishings, brown tiled floors, exposed
wood ceiling beams, and white walls sparsely decorated with framed prints. Soft
white and cream hues fill the space and provide a nice backdrop for the wooden
details, while gas fireplaces in each unit add a cozy touch. All rooms have private
balconies or patios as well as 40-inch flat-screen TVs, tea- and coffee-making
facilities including French Press coffeemakers, iPod docks, work desks, and
free Wi-Fi. Suites add living rooms areas, and Deluxe Rooms come with a king, a queen, or two queen beds (all with quality Italian linens). Bathrooms typically have both soaking tubs and
walk-in rainfall showers, as well as vanities with ample storage space,
magnifying mirrors, fluffy bathrobes, and generously sized Molton Brown bathproducts including loofahs.

The hotel is set on grounds that include a
small outdoor swimming pool surrounded by several sun loungers. A lovely patio
with lots of potted plants and trees offers shaded seating and a charming
Spanish-style fountain. The hotel offers a free continental breakfast including
items like fresh fruit, granola, quiche, and pastries. In-room spa treatments
are available and there’s an evening Wine Bar, plus a library of DVDs is
available for borrow. There is a small fitness room on-site, though it was
under renovation during our visit. Business travelers are catered to with a
board room, free newspapers, and free Wi-Fi throughout. Parking is free in an
underground garage and guests have access to a computer and printer.