Santa Barbara’s Best Boutique Hotels

Santa Barbara is one the most beautiful places to visit in California, so there are many quality accommodations here. For that extra bit of style and comfort, here are Santa Barbara’s best boutique hotels.

Image via Flickr by dalexeenko

Montecito Inn

With giant plush beds, piled with more pillows than necessary, Montecito Inn is one of the best hotels for luxury in Santa Barbara. The Inn is famous for its connection with Hollywood: it was built in 1928 by infamous Charlie Chaplin.

Sleek neutral tones of grey and white run throughout the hotel, giving it a minimalist and clean feel with a touch of class. What’s more, Montecito Inn is located just steps away from a number of pristine Californian beaches, as well as endless options for dining, shopping, and relaxing.

El Capitan Canyon

If you’re a nature lover, there are few better places to stay in Santa Barbara than El Capitan Canyon. This range of luxury log cabins in the woods offers a rustic way to experience California, but with all the added bonuses of soft, cozy beds, and fully-equipped kitchens.

The site also owns a collection of safari tents and yurts for those who want to rough it in the wilderness a little more. That said, these all come with large beds and warming heaters, so think more glamping than camping.

All accommodation options at El Capitan Canyon come with outdoor cooking facilities so that you can enjoy your food al fresco during those warm Californian evenings.

Blue Sands Motel

Blue Sands Motel proclaims itself to be one of the best value hotels in Santa Barbara, but that’s not to say the décor is shabby. The beds are big and inviting, the TVs are flat screens, and some rooms even come with kitchens or fireplaces.

The hotel is located just a block away from East Beach, one of the most popular in the area, as well as a number of Santa Barbara’s best attractions. One of the most unusual things about Blue Sands Motel is that it’s pet-friendly, making it perfect for those traveling with their pooches.

Image via Flickr by MamaOT

Lemon Tree Inn

With an abundance of palm trees on the grounds, scattered around a heated swimming pool, the Lemon Tree Inn will make you feel like you’re in a Californian paradise. The rooms here range from standard size – which, in all honesty, are still impressively spacious and luxurious despite being the most basic here – up to deluxe options with balconies and king size beds. Lemon Tree Inn’s bar and restaurant make this a lively and sociable place to stay.

Sandpiper Lodge

Sandpiper Lodge on Santa Barbara’s Upper State Street is a mix of modern luxury and traditional hospitality. The rooms are decorated in warm colors to give them a cozy feel, and each has a coffee maker, free HBO, and air conditioning – ideal for the modern traveler.

The Lodge’s pool and Jacuzzi are open to all guests, offering the perfect way to relax after a busy day of sightseeing, and the adult-only fitness center is a convenient addition for those who like to stay in shape on the road.