Hotel Oceana Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara

I would not have stayed here. Wow, I'm shocked at the first couple of reviews I just read, because this was not our experience at all. My husband and I love to travel and San Francisco is our favorite place in the USA, so we decided to fly into San Diego, spending a couple of nights there and just ride up the coast stopping along the way (without any hotel reservations and see what we find). We were having trouble with our laptop, so we called our daughter-in-law back in Alabama (she is the Priceline Queen), to have her find us a place in Santa Barbara and she found Hotel Oceana. Now I'll be real honest, I wouldn't give this hotel 5 stars, but I would give it 3 and I'd stay there again. The person who checked us in was pleasant, the free breakfast was nice and our room (though small) was clean and the bed was very comfortable. Mmmm, let's see, what did we not like about it...the lack of parking was really the only thing I could come up with, but I can find worst things to complain about. Besides, in these times, not everyone can afford a 9day vacation driving up the coast, so I'm grateful to God for all He's blessed us with. I'll be back Hotel Ocean, some day soon.

Beware, Parking extra, the bottle of water they leave in the room, extra, the pool and and whirlpool, closed. Security, where the hell are you? I wouldnt be surprized if they charge you extra to flush. Never again.

I would never recommend this property to anyone travelling to Santa Barbara. After wating for over 4 hours for our room, it finally became dinner time and our room was still unavailable. I waited with my elderly mother from just prior to lunch until dinner time for a room that never materialized. No one offered to hold our bags, give us a beverage while we waited, nothing but "your room will be one more hour, one more hour, no one more hour." It all finally came to a head after my third attempt at check-in when it still wasn't ready and all the college age employees at the desk wanted to argue with me rather than offer any courtesy. Meanwhile, folks without reservations were given rooms upon arrival. We wasted 5 hours of our first day of vacation trying to get into a room that never was made available. Not being able to keep my Mother waiting around in the summer heat any longer to lay down, we had to find other accomodations. Naturally, as nasty as the staff was here, they actually hasd the audacity to charge me a $300 cancellation fee I dsicovered upon returning home. I cannot express enough how miserable the service is here. It gets zero stars from me. I also witnessed in my four hours in the lobby, another gentleman checking out who also had to argue with them about having been locked out of his room before check-out time. This property covets their rooms so much, they apparently don't want anyone to have them. So, in short, no room for us, no ocean view. Thank God for the Francsican Inn around the corner on Bath Street. Wonderful service there, very polite desk staff. I used to live in this very neighborhood where these hotels are located and never dreamed all that time how bad the service was at Oceana. I cannot express enough on you to try anywhere else but Oceana.

This place is nasty!! Dirty rugs, holes in the sheets, loud heater, awful rooms, rude staff, confrontational manager, no bath robe provided, squeaky floors, no sound proof - I could hear EVERYTHING my neighbors were doing. I can go on and on and on....... The general manager (Melissa T) did not offer me a discount. After I told her that I wanted to move out and go to a different hotel, she threw their 72 hour cancellation policy in my face and promised to charge my card!!!! So I had to stay there. I felt like a hostage. It is a RIP OFF!!! I was literally crying after checking out. Do not trust the pictures on the website and positive reviews on travel websites - those are fake! Do yourself a favor - stay away from this place and spend your money wisely. There are hundreds of nice hotels on the same street.

he accommodations were adequate. The hotel looks to have been recently upgraded: nice floor, LCD TV, carpet. The room was a little small. There was no closet and, unless you enjoy always sitting or lying on the bed, there was no other place to sit (no chair). The worst part of the room was that is located above a garage where the hotel maintenance staff stored working materials. They parked their van directly below our window and talked loudly and incessantly in spanish beginning each morning at around 7:30 am. Attempts to get them to be a little more considerate were unsuccessful. I think has we had a room in the front of the hotel away from the maintenance alley, it would have been a much more enjoyable stay. The breakfast was adequate. However, they actually ran out of some items, including dishes. I do have to say that the location is excellent. It is right across from the beach and easily accessible to everything.

Likes: Location! We had a comfortable queen sized bed right on the corner above the lobby. The view of the beach was beautiful. I did notice when the windows were open the traffic was loud...however, the room is equipped with double-pane windows so was quiet when we closed the windows. Right outside room was a communal patio area - very nice. Breakfast included and fairly good. Cereals, bagels & cream cheese, hard boiled eggs, Danish, fruit, muffins. Coffee, juice & milk. Not bad! Staff was helpful.Hotel is located right between the Wharf & the marina for easy walking to either location. Disliked: 'Honor bar' VERY overpriced ($3.95 for a normal Snicker's candy bar - $5 for small bottle of water, $3.95 for can of Coke). Map to rooms was confusing. Our room was nice, but I understand many rooms are being redone. Make sure you have a newly done room!

We stayed at the Oceana (in a suite) last weekend. The rooms were tiny and were basically filthy - the carpets and walls were extremely dirty. We had to move from one room to another and both were equally dirty. The explanation given was that the hotel is going to be renovated soon - this does not help the relativley high price per room charged. I would not recommend this hotel any any price.

Our family of four(which include a 2 and 5 year old)loved the well kept grounds with its fountains,sweet smelling flowers that reminded us of Hawaii; we also enjoyed the pool and hot tub. The Continental breakfast was something to look forward to with its fresh locally roasted coffee. The staff would even get us complimentary hot coffee, tea, or cocoa at any time of the day. I must add that if we hadn't gotten the great deal on Priceline for this hotel, the price would have been too high.

I want to go back soon. Staff is friendly and helpful. Wonderful location and charming rooms. Parking can be tight when full. Walking distance to State St. Wharf and beaches.

This was the only hotel with rooms available, and I was hesitant due to poor reviews. I was pleasantly surprised! It is charming and cozy, with easy access to the beach and close to State St. The room was quiet and I slept very well. The staff was accommodating and friendly. Complimentary breakfast has good choices, and free internet works best in the lobby. I do recommend this hotel, but not if you're expecting The Ritz.