Montecito Inn, Santa Barbara

i think that the montecito inn was phenomenal. the food was delightful and the elevator was like a part of a musuem because it was one of those ancient types!

Disappointing may be an understatement. We spent ten nights in the smallest room that I’ve seen in Santa Barbara, with a view of the freeway intersection next to the hotel. The staff was not rude, but certainly indifferent, and housekeeping service was barely existent. Don’t expect the hotel desk to assist you with reservations for the restaurant, or for that matter, to assist you with anything. While convenient to Montecito, this hotel is not convenient to the beach or Santa Barbara. Like a previous reviewer, we were not thanked for our patronage during the checkout process, nor were we asked about our stay or invited to return. (It wouldn’t have mattered, as we won’t.) All in all, it was not worth the money. We’ve had far better stays at Fess Parker’s Doubletree, which is similarly-priced and at the Four Seasons Biltmore, which is worth the extra money.

We recently spent a weekend here and it was definitely below our expectations given the price we paid for an "upgraded luxury room." The bathroom was a decent size however the room was very small. We paid for the luxury room which was suppose to have air conditioning. The air conditioning never worked and our view was of the busy intersection by the freeway on/off ramp. The location of the hotel is good for walking to dinner or the beach but most of the rooms are right by the busy street. The manager was extremely rude when we expressed our dissatisfaction with our room and was more defensive than anything. Stay at one of the other hotels/inns in town or spend the extra to stay at the Biltmore.

I really can't say much in favor of this place other than that it has an interesting history. We spent ten nights, so we got a pretty good idea of what this hotel is all about, and mostly it's about indifference. The room was adequate but nothing special. Housekeeping seemed to do less every day (in spite of receiving nice tips) and the staff at the desk was generally too preoccupied with standing around to be of much help. The location, next to railroad tracks and a busy intersection, takes away from the ambiance and limits the number of rooms with a decent view. It gets pretty noisy both inside and out. When checking out after ten nights and spending more than a few thousand dollars, we were not asked how we enjoyed our stay, thanked for coming, or invited to come back, since the desk clerk was too busy talking with her coworker about her boyfriend. For the same money, you can really enjoy a stay at Fess Parker's Doubletree, or you can upgrade to the Biltmore and get your money's worth.

We started off our day in Summerland (Summerland Beach Cafe). Then off to Santa Barbara - walked up and down State Street to the end of the pier. Terrific day, so far. Then perfectly ended our night having dinner at the Montecito Inn Cafe. We were lucky - we called the day before and was able to book a room for one night. We didn't want to drive back home after dinner. The dinner, the rooms, the staff, the lounge - all wonderful. There was a little mix up on our dinner reservation, but we were well taken care of by Shane at the restaurant, as well as Katy in the lounge. They made sure we got the next table available and even paid for our drinks at dinner and while we waited in the lounge. The rooms were fantastic. Two beds, two full baths, sitting area, TV, Refrig, Radio, DVD player and spacious closets. After dinner we took a night stroll up and down Coast Village Road. The continental breakfast in the lounge the next morning was very relaxing. Well, actually the whole place is pretty relaxing - never felt like we were being rushed. Can't wait to go back - Couldn't have asked for a better weekend.

After making a reservation online back in the summer, I never received an e-mail or mailed confirmation of my reservation. This caused concern as the one night stay was growing near, so I called last week to confirm. I was told there were 2 reservations in their system, which was incorrect. I then asked them to please cancel the duplicate reservation, which I was assured was taken care of. My husband and I arrived to check in the night of our stay only to find out that they had completely cancelled our remaining reservation! We received no apology, and we were told that they just happened to have 1 room left (a queen, when we had asked for a king). We were able to take that one at a ten dollar discount. However, we found out that night that 1) the walls are paper thin, and 2) it is so noisy -- backing up to freeway and train tracks -- that it was impossible for us to sleep. Also we were awakened by the maid vacuuming the hallway at 8:00 the next morning. We informed the front desk of our unpleasant experience in the morning and did not receive an apology and were made to feel that it was our problem, not their or their reservation system's problem and that was it. We were told that in the last five years they had never had a problem with their reservation system, and that they get "thousands" of reservations with zero problems. In a five star town this was a one star experience. How can they have such a low emphasis on customer service with such stellar competitors as the Biltmore and San Ysidro Ranch?

I have stayed here on several occasions and with every stay, I rediscover its lovliness. The hotel was bankrolled by Fatty Arbuckle and Charlie Chaplin (two renowned stars of the 1920s). The rooms are beautifully appointed, with nice, romantic touches like chocolates on the pillow and beautiful, tasteful antique furnishings with modern touches like a large flat screen tv and state of the art climatization. The only small complaint I have is that the hotel can be noisy, being that it faces busy Coast Village Road. There is really no way to bypass this, but one tip, don't stay on the adobe walkway. The other reviewer is right, the clack clack of the suitcases can be very annyoying and noisy, not to mention, it can disrupt your romantic stay. Ask for a room on the "backside" of the building, but not facing the railroad tracks, again, that can be noisy. The hotel is in a perfect location as far as beauty wise, the beautiful Butterfly Beach is a short trek away and you can dine like kings at the nearby Biltmore Four Seasons Hotel. All in all, this is a real value and find for expensive Santa Barbara, and if noise is not a problem (some are more sensitive than others), this is your place!

Great Stay! This hotel was fabulous! The whole hotel was so charming: the lobby, the rooms, the restaurant. The staff was very accomodating. There were great restaurants walking distance from the hotel! The rooms were so cute. They seemed like they have been newly renovated, great touch to the hotel! I will definetely be staying here again.

Built by Charlie Chaplin & friends this hotel excels in ambience and service. There is always a roaring fire in the fireplace with a 24 hour coffee, tea, and fruit Bar just around the corner from the welcoming lobby. Freshly made scones are served with a continental breakfast every morning. The dining room is patronized by locals as well as tourists because of the delicious food and reasonable prices. The Inn includes all the usual amenities - pool, spa, sauna, and an exercise room. It's a short walk to the beach, but if you don't feel like walking the staff will gladly loan you a bicycle. Top this off with fresh flowers in the room and a chocolate on the pillow! We go several times a year. Midweek is a terrific deal.

The Front Desk staff was awesome, the rooms are beautiful and the service and food in the Montecito Cafe is magnificent!!!