Avania Inn, Santa Barbara

Recently remodeled which is nice, but it does look like the showroom of Bed, Bath & Beyond. Offered a great complementary, continental breakfast (complete with make your own waffles and many yummy pastries). The pool was too close to the parking lot and we did not use it. Location of this hotel is pretty great since it's only 2 blocks from the beach and about 5 blocks from State St. However, it is also pretty close to more of the "grungy" part of town (keep in mind this is "grungy" in Santa Barbara... which is to say it's like the nice parts of town in many other places). It is very reasonably priced and overall a great value.

Nothing to complaint about! Everything was in great conditions. My bf and I were there for 2 nights and we were never bother by anything or anyone. They cleaned the room when we wanted them to not when they wanted to. The water in the pool was super clean and temp was just right. The price was definetly worth it.

Liked everything about the place. The rooms were cleaned, comfortable and completely remodeled. The service was great have no complains about it and would definately recommend it.

If you are looking for an inexpensive hotel with class this is it. Avania Inn is amazing for what you pay for. They offer a great breakfast which is included in cost. This place is modern retro. All the rooms have been remodeled inside and out. It is walking distance to the beach, mall, and resturants. I have stayed there 2 times now and have loved it. Great service and great price I wouldn't stay anywhere else. The only thing negative is that the air conditioning units have not been replaced - but they still work just fine.

I was in a jam and needed a reservation for one night (wedding), they were way over priced at 219. plux tax. The person at the front desk was an unhappy Indian woman. The walls are paper thin. The room is modestly rehabbed but it's a very old property and feels that way. The room was dark and dingy, tub/shower chipped and cramped. As another reviewer said, the AC unit is useless and Avania is on a busy street so you can't leave the sliding glass door open. If there was anything else available I would have walked right out. It was a terrible experience, even though just for a brief overnighter. Go somewhere else, unless you are desperate and can negotiate Motel six prices.

My wife and I stayed for one week, and were very pleased. The staff were friendly and helpful. The room (third floor) was small but comfortable and quiet, and the king-size bed was excellent. The wireless Internet was excellent. The free breakfast buffet was basic (cereal, pastries, waffles, fruit, coffee) but perfectly good. And, the price was right.

This hotel is overpriced even inclusive of the 119 to 99 drop they gave us at 1130 at night. The pictures are deceptive on the site. It was clean, but the kind of room in which you wonder if they have a phone( they did) It is clean and a good location There are many hotels on the same street. There are some pastries and cofee in the am.( there are too many great places for breakfast , like D'Angelos in S. B. or Jeannines in Montecito to stay) The room is not one in which you would want to spend one additional waking moment. Poor water pressure too !!! If you are only sleeping there and leaving in the am , this is the place for you

Although the place had been redecorated with updated decor and modern furniture, the best thing about this place is the location. It's very convenient to everything but don't expect any service. The staff never seemed to crack a smile, the rate was overpriced, and the air conditioning unit was completely incapable of cooling the room. When I complained to the manager, she didn't apologize or offer any suggestion. She refused to offer any kind of a price break on the room rate because none of us had told her the previous night we were uncomfortable. Her attitude and the stupid air conditioner ruined the visit for us. I will never go back.

I read a lot of bad reviews, but was booking a last mintue trip to Santa Barbara and kind of got stuck here. I know most places can boast location, but it must be said, it really is a great location for Avania Inn. I walked to the beach, to restaurants, to coffee, to my massage. The woman working the desk wasn't saccharine friendly, but she was very helpful. I had an issue with the internet and they called specifically to give me an update. Housekeeping also called me because I had left the "do not disturb sign" on the door and they wanted to know if I needed any service. I loved the mint and chocolate colors in the new rooms. Nice flat screen TV (which I didn't use), a fridge, great internet (the provider--COX--had an issue but Avania was great), and TALL showers (I'm 6 ft) which I loved. Breakfast sucked, but I never like hotel breakfast. I grabbed some fruit and left the cereal, waffles, toast and scones alone. but the other guests, especially the kids, were having a blast with the little buffet. It was expensive for a place that essentially felt like a motel, but the rooms were clean and comfy and service was was great.

This place was an absolute mess. The pictures shown here are definitely not the Avania Inn. The place was a disgusting blob of teal and brown colors. First of all, the service was horrible. We had called the hotel ahead of time, twice even, to let them know we would be arriving late, at around 12:30am, and when we got there to receive our key we had to wait almost 30 minutes for them to come out to us. They were also very rude and unwelcoming through our visit. Fortunately, we only stayed for 2 nights. Our room was just plain gross. On our way up to the second floor the elevator had a dead bee in the light above. Then when we got to our room it smelled like bad B.O., and when we turned the light on and it didn't even work. It looked liked it hadn't been cleaned since the last visitor. There was some dirt on the bathtub and the comforters looked overused and unwashed. My daughter was even afraid to sleep on it. The only semi-good thing about the hotel was the flat screen TV in there. At night I could hear the plumbing, some weird static noises, and even people talking from other rooms! In the morning when I had gone down for the free breakfast, the seemed to not be anything good enough to eat. The 'coffee' just looked like dirty water. I could not believe this ridiculous hotel! It was said there was going to be finished remodeling after July 8, 2008, but it seemed they were not even close to starting. If it would let me this hotel would get no stars. Don't ever stay at this hotel, not even if you are desperate.