West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel

This small hotel occupies the same amount of property as its neighbors on the block, but the West Beach Inn feels larger, with a second building facing the ocean (housing its Premium rooms). The terra-cotta rooftops and a central courtyard, which opens to a sundeck around a pie-shaped pool, give it a Mediterranean look and a relaxed atmosphere. The lobby is both a reception area and a breakfast room, with a pretty, black-and-white tile floor. The front desk, updated in a reclaimed wood-style, occupies one wall, with tables and bench seats lining the others under black window dressings. Couples and some families tend to be frequent guests here. 

The West Beach Inn is located on busy West Cabrillo Boulevard, right across from the Santa Barbara Harbor and beach. Guests can reach either the marina or the sand in a minutes' walk. Pershing Park, with its baseball diamonds and tennis courts, is a three-minute walk around the corner. Several restaurants are within easy walking distance along the waterfront and the popular Stearns Wharf, lined with candy stores and cafes, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center is about a 10-minute walk away. Trolley stops along the boulevard can take guests to State Street, which offers more shopping, restaurants, and nightlife, in a just over 40 minutes. Santa Barbara Airport is less than 20 minutes away by car.

Most of the inn's 46 guest rooms face the interior garden courtyard, which does a lot to minimize noise and privacy issues with the exterior entry, though some have more typical doors off of exterior walkways that face a parking lot. Standard rooms are 260 square feet, with dark carpeting, contemporary furniture, and artwork in faded beachy hues, and while spaces are pleasant and comfortable, the decor has a slightly dated look. Potted plants, coffeemakers, and flat-screen TVs adorn wooden cabinets and dressers, which also house mini-fridges and robes. 

Units facing the courtyard have seating areas outside their doors (either on the courtyard patio, or the shared walkways above), with cushioned, white wicker chairs. Larger upgraded rooms have king beds or two queens, and furnished balconies. There's also a three-bedroom suite with a 600-square-foot balcony. The bathrooms are also a touch dated, with aging shower/tub combos, but they're tidy and come with a decent stock of upmarket toiletries. Free Wi-Fi and nightly turndown service with chocolates is included. 

This property has well-maintained grounds and facilities, and it offers some nice extra perks. The heated outdoor pool is set in a sundeck with white loungers and a few tables under black umbrellas. There's also a hot tub under a pavilion. Facilities here are otherwise slim; there's no fitness center, bar, or restaurant, but free continental breakfast is served in the lobby breakfast room. In the evenings, there's a poolside wine and cheese happy hour. The hotel also provides free two-hour bike rentals and one-hour paddle board sessions with nearby third party companies. Wi-Fi throughout and on-site parking are free.