Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
633 East Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
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4.0
#3 of 3 resorts in Santa BarbaraLocation
4.6
Cleanliness
4.0
Service
4.0
Value
3.4
Enjoy the relaxed luxury and natural beauty of the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. Set across 8 Spanish-style buildings along the Pacific coastline, our resort has something for everyone. Our oversized guest rooms have comforts like a large HDTV, cozy seating, and a bathroom with dual vanities. Step out to your private patio or balcony for lovely views of the ocean, resort gardens or Santa Ynez mountains. Suites offer a separate living area, wet bar, rainshower, slippers and robes. On-site amenities include Spa Del Mar, heated outdoor pool, fitness center, business center, gift shop and car-rental desk. Guests enjoy complimentary shuttle service to/from SBA Airport and the Santa Barbara Amtrak Station. Enjoy casual dining at The Roundhouse or the Set. Java Del Mar is great for coffee, and you'll love the outdoor fire pits and craft cocktails at The Set. Lounge poolside at Terraza Del Mar (seasonally) and don't miss our popular wine-tasting.
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Property amenities
Electric vehicle charging station
Free internet
Pool
Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room
Bar / lounge
Beach
Bicycle rental
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Valet parking
Paid private parking on-site
Wifi
Paid wifi
Hot tub
Pool / beach towels
Outdoor pool
Heated pool
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Poolside bar
Tennis court
Business Center with Internet Access
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Spa
Massage
Baggage storage
Concierge
Gift shop
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor fireplace
Outdoor furniture
Shops
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun terrace
Sun umbrellas
ATM on site
24-hour front desk
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Self-serve laundry
Room features
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Room service
Safe
Minibar
Refrigerator
Flatscreen TV
Iron
Room types
Ocean view
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Smoking rooms available
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Park View
Family Resort
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
633 East Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Grade: 61 out of 100
61
49 Restaurants
within 0.75 miles
Reviews
4.0
4,396 reviews
Reviews Summary
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
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At the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort, guests have called out the prime location for its peacefulness and easy access to local attractions. The resort's atmosphere and cleanliness generally receive positive marks, though there are mixed reviews about the room quality and some describe them as having a motel vibe.
While the amenities like the pool and bikes are highlights, service issues and maintenance problems are a concern for many travelers. Moreover, guests often feel that the resort does not provide good value, pointing to high rates and additional fees.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Comfortable
Rooms
Dated
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Underwhelming
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Detailed Reviews
+1
Hotel's Favorite
I can’t say enough good things about this resort. First and foremost, it is located in the best yet secluded location in beachfront Santa Barbara, close enough to the pier, yet far enough from the crowds. The rooms are very clean and patios are very well maintained. The bars and restaurants have amazing varieties of food and beverage options.
As the old saying goes: “You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.” Being greeted by Sarah in the front desk this afternoon with her phenomenal service made my stay even more of a diamond experience. She is a genuine asset to your wonderful resort!! Thank you Sarah.
Joel T.
As the old saying goes: “You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.” Being greeted by Sarah in the front desk this afternoon with her phenomenal service made my stay even more of a diamond experience. She is a genuine asset to your wonderful resort!! Thank you Sarah.
Joel T.
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Traveled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Chris Inman, General Manager at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
Responded Jun 14, 2022
Thank you for your kind words on your stay. Too often, in the world of trial by social media, the best efforts of our guest service team get overlooked. It's a challenging job but we all work to spread the light and warmth of hospitality to our guests. We are grateful you took the time to recognize our location, rooms, restaurants, and guest service team. We look forward to welcoming you back on a future visit to Santa Barbara.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We have stayed here before, years ago. They have a great location that is walkable to Stearns Wharf, lower State Street, the Funk Zone, and of course the beach! Because of Covid, the gym and spa were closed, but they did have bikes available (included with the “resort fee”). The pool only had 40 chaise lounges out, which was good, and they limited time at the pool to 90 minutes. The only downside was that I had to clean my bathroom floor with the bar soap and Kleenex because it was sticky. I was rather disappointed at how dirty it was! I cleaned it several times and then went over it with tissues with just water on it before I felt it was clean enough to walk on. The sheets were clean, and everything else in the room seemed fine. The only other thing was that I had booked a room for our daughter and asked twice to have adjoining rooms. They weren’t able to do that. So, both she and we had noisy next door neighbors.
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nancy McFadden, Guest Services / Front Office at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
Responded Aug 21, 2020
lamontravel ~ Thank you for taking the time to review your stay. We appreciate your understanding of our new operating procedures during these challenging times. We certainly wish we would have know you needed housekeeping assistance while you were here. A procedure is in place for our guests to text or call the front desk immediately for service of this nature. We apologize or the problem you encountered and hope you will consider returning to the resort, if your plans include a return visit to Santa Barbara! Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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This property would probably get better reviews if it was a 3 star hotel. It's a nice 3 star hotel but a mediocre 4 star hotel. The only thing that was 4 star was the room and the service provided by the bellman. A lot of issues at check-in. The front desk sent us to a room that was not only occupied, but had a "do not disturb" sign on the door. Thankfully the key didn't work and the bellman (who was great!) radioed the front desk. We got a minor upgrade (no ocean view to partial ocean view) out of the deal but not a great first impression! The bellman was even kind enough to bring us keys to the new room. I thought all was well until I needed to run a quick errand the next morning and the key wouldn't work to exit the parking lot. They forgot to add parking access (which we paid $30/day for!) to our keys when they changed our room! As a line of cars slowly piled up behind me and I frantically tried to scan the key for a few minutes, some kind person scanned me out!
The daily free house wine for 2 was very nice. Decent wine for house too! Having to go to the front desk to get your daily allotment of water is a bit ridiculous though. I was in the furthest building so it's easily a 10-12 min roundtrip walk plus waiting in line just to get 2 bottles of water. The free water "seems" like a 4-star amenity but it'd be far more convenient to just have a vending machine on each that only takes 10 sec to walk to.
High marks on the handling of the pandemic though. Rooms had a sticker on them over the door showing they had been sanitized. Once the door was open the seal would break so that was reassuring. Hot tub was understandably closed. Never got a chance to use the pool as it was always pretty busy though. Went to the beach instead which was a great place to socially distance.
The daily free house wine for 2 was very nice. Decent wine for house too! Having to go to the front desk to get your daily allotment of water is a bit ridiculous though. I was in the furthest building so it's easily a 10-12 min roundtrip walk plus waiting in line just to get 2 bottles of water. The free water "seems" like a 4-star amenity but it'd be far more convenient to just have a vending machine on each that only takes 10 sec to walk to.
High marks on the handling of the pandemic though. Rooms had a sticker on them over the door showing they had been sanitized. Once the door was open the seal would break so that was reassuring. Hot tub was understandably closed. Never got a chance to use the pool as it was always pretty busy though. Went to the beach instead which was a great place to socially distance.
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Date of stay: July 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Chris Inman, General Manager at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
Responded Aug 6, 2020
Thank you for your visit and feedback. We regret the service failures you experienced and have shared them with our front desk team as your experience doesn't represent our service promise. The current health crisis has changed many ways we do business but hospitality is our team's primary job and we let you down. We hope to see you again to earn back your loyalty.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This weekend was the first time since the Covid pandemic that I have traveled, much less stayed at a hotel and I chose to stay at the Hilton and take advantage of my free weekend nights with my elderly parents. Prior to booking my stay, I called the Hilton and was assured that the rooms would be cleaned in a proper manner due to Covid, and that each room would have a seal to indicate that the rooms have been properly cleaned and disinfected.
First room we had, there was hair on the bathroom counter. I immediately called the front desk and we were moved to another room which I was told was still an upgrade (I'm a Diamond Member) but it smelled like mildew. I had just drove from Chino Hills, was tired and didn't want to make a fuss so we stayed in that room. The refrigerator wasn't working, so we had to have it changed. We were also on the first floor so I can hear people walking above us and the next morning I asked to have our room changed.
By 3/3:30 pm our room was changed, and Nina at the front desk assured me that the Housekeeping supervisor inspected the room personally and that the room was clean. The bellman helped me move our belongings and yet again, there was hair on the bathroom counter. This time, 2 housekeeping supervisors came, saw the hair and no one offered to upgrade us to another room and stated that if we wanted to move to another room, we'd have to wait again. Who wants to spend their vacation waiting for a clean room? Not one manager reached out to us to apologize or to see if there was anything they could do to better our stay. I got tired of moving, so I just asked them to wipe down the bathroom counter and hung out at the pool. If the housekeeping staff and supervisor can miss hair on the bathroom counter and I, the customer can see it-how clean, much less clean from Covid can the room be? Just to be safe, I wiped everything down again with sanitary wipes.
As a Diamond Member, I am very disappointed at the way the staff handled the situation and treated my parents and I. In the midst of a pandemic, this does not give me assurance in the safety of how Hilton cares for their customer's health. How clean are the rooms if 2 of the rooms still have random hairs and smells like mildew?
Hilton, you need to do a better job! People's health depends on it! And if you want people to travel and to stimulate our economy, then treat your customers better.
This was my first and will be my last time at your Santa Barbara resort. Also, your rooms are dated and needs some upkeep. You're charging $30 for parking and yet I am parking the car myself. Use the money to update your rooms.
Do better-the Hilton name should demand that!
First room we had, there was hair on the bathroom counter. I immediately called the front desk and we were moved to another room which I was told was still an upgrade (I'm a Diamond Member) but it smelled like mildew. I had just drove from Chino Hills, was tired and didn't want to make a fuss so we stayed in that room. The refrigerator wasn't working, so we had to have it changed. We were also on the first floor so I can hear people walking above us and the next morning I asked to have our room changed.
By 3/3:30 pm our room was changed, and Nina at the front desk assured me that the Housekeeping supervisor inspected the room personally and that the room was clean. The bellman helped me move our belongings and yet again, there was hair on the bathroom counter. This time, 2 housekeeping supervisors came, saw the hair and no one offered to upgrade us to another room and stated that if we wanted to move to another room, we'd have to wait again. Who wants to spend their vacation waiting for a clean room? Not one manager reached out to us to apologize or to see if there was anything they could do to better our stay. I got tired of moving, so I just asked them to wipe down the bathroom counter and hung out at the pool. If the housekeeping staff and supervisor can miss hair on the bathroom counter and I, the customer can see it-how clean, much less clean from Covid can the room be? Just to be safe, I wiped everything down again with sanitary wipes.
As a Diamond Member, I am very disappointed at the way the staff handled the situation and treated my parents and I. In the midst of a pandemic, this does not give me assurance in the safety of how Hilton cares for their customer's health. How clean are the rooms if 2 of the rooms still have random hairs and smells like mildew?
Hilton, you need to do a better job! People's health depends on it! And if you want people to travel and to stimulate our economy, then treat your customers better.
This was my first and will be my last time at your Santa Barbara resort. Also, your rooms are dated and needs some upkeep. You're charging $30 for parking and yet I am parking the car myself. Use the money to update your rooms.
Do better-the Hilton name should demand that!
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Date of stay: September 2020
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nancy McFadden, Guest Services / Front Office at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
Responded Sep 23, 2020
Fabiola S. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience about your recent stay at our hotel. As a Hilton Honors member, you are among our most valued guests. We appreciate your feedback and we're very sorry your experience wasn't what you expected and deserved. Our Director of Rooms will be in touch and he most likely has already reached out to you. Your business is very important to us and we apologize for the frustration and inconvenience these serious issues created during your stay.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rooms are very spacious and modern! Thank you very much for partial ocean view upgrade! Location is great! And thanks to Patrick for all suggestions!
One thing i found disappointing, why did we pay a $30 resort fee per day, when restaurant, bar, pool were closed... beach umbrella rent was closed too and no housekeeping was provided, we had to clean our own bathroom from sand & etc... plus first night we arrived at midnight. And most of public areas seating was closed, and public area tables near the bike area were not cleaned.
And in addition to $30 resort fee, we paid $30 per night for half empty self-parking.. not a valet, i would understand if resort fee would include parking, but otherwise extra $240 to fully pre-paid room for 3.5 days didnt seem reasonable, when RESORT facilities were closed :( even the towels provided were not beach size, but regular towels for 2 out of 3 days.
If all facilities were open, then the fee would be ok, otherwise it’s not fair to charge your partners this amount on fully paid room :(
Lastly mattress in room felt a little old and too soft, maybe it’s time to upgrade those and a mosquito net has holes in it.
One thing i found disappointing, why did we pay a $30 resort fee per day, when restaurant, bar, pool were closed... beach umbrella rent was closed too and no housekeeping was provided, we had to clean our own bathroom from sand & etc... plus first night we arrived at midnight. And most of public areas seating was closed, and public area tables near the bike area were not cleaned.
And in addition to $30 resort fee, we paid $30 per night for half empty self-parking.. not a valet, i would understand if resort fee would include parking, but otherwise extra $240 to fully pre-paid room for 3.5 days didnt seem reasonable, when RESORT facilities were closed :( even the towels provided were not beach size, but regular towels for 2 out of 3 days.
If all facilities were open, then the fee would be ok, otherwise it’s not fair to charge your partners this amount on fully paid room :(
Lastly mattress in room felt a little old and too soft, maybe it’s time to upgrade those and a mosquito net has holes in it.
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Date of stay: June 2020Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from MichaelG11700, Manager at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
Responded Jun 15, 2020
Hello Shpaki. Thank you for selecting Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort for your visit to Santa Barbara and for your kind compliments of Patrick!! Your comments will be shared with the team as we are always looking for ways to improve the resort. We appreciate your business and hope we have the opportunity to welcome you back to Santa Barbara.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My wife and I stayed at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort from Dec 10 through Dec 13, 2021. The hotel property is beautiful, the lobby area and restaurant was nice. But... it was the room that left a lot to be desired.
Upon entering our room (a junior suite), my wife went into the bathroom to put out some of our things on the counter and noticed that the bathroom was VERY dirty. There were urine stains around the toilet and on the wall. Lipstick stains on the sink counter and the floor had lots of hair (NOT ours) on it. Then we looked around the room and it, too was not as clean as it should have been. Ironically, there was a sticker on the bathroom mirror stating how "Hilton prides itself in ultra sanitary cleaning procedures". Not sure where those "ultra sanitary procedures" were... certainly not in our room.
I went down to the main desk and spoke with Manager on duty, Kezai Jones. We sat in the chairs in the lobby as I calmly explained our extreme disappointment at the condition of the bathroom and our room. Kezai was very nice and sincerely apologized and promised that a cleaning crew would go up to the room while we sat at the bar in the restaurant and had a bite to eat and a few drinks. He also gave us a $50 dining credit, 2 complimentary breakfast vouchers, four additional "free house wine" vouchers, and took $150 off our bill for the room. Even though, my intent in discussing the room condition was NOT to get "free stuff", but rather to just inform them of the condition of the room and get it cleaned, his offers were very much appreciated.
The next day.... I went into the shower only to find that the temperature control knob (this was a shower that also had body spray jets and consequently, a separate temperature knob in the middle with the water temperature marked on it) did not work!! It spun and spun and didn't change the temperature (which was ice cold, by the way). Luckily, I realized that I could actually grab the inner ring and it would turn and adjust the temperature.
Again, down to the front desk to talk to a Manager, but none was available. The front desk person promised that they would get the knob repaired.
They did not get it repaired because it "needed parts that had to be ordered", and offered to move us to a different room. But, because we had MANY suitcases and were checking out the next day, we decided to stay in the existing room since I was able to adjust the temperature.
After we checked out, I mentioned to my wife that spending $650 per night, one would think that the rooms would be in better shape, cleaner, and more updated.
I think it's time for the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort to to an introspective look around at their guest rooms and perhaps an upgrade is warranted.
Upon entering our room (a junior suite), my wife went into the bathroom to put out some of our things on the counter and noticed that the bathroom was VERY dirty. There were urine stains around the toilet and on the wall. Lipstick stains on the sink counter and the floor had lots of hair (NOT ours) on it. Then we looked around the room and it, too was not as clean as it should have been. Ironically, there was a sticker on the bathroom mirror stating how "Hilton prides itself in ultra sanitary cleaning procedures". Not sure where those "ultra sanitary procedures" were... certainly not in our room.
I went down to the main desk and spoke with Manager on duty, Kezai Jones. We sat in the chairs in the lobby as I calmly explained our extreme disappointment at the condition of the bathroom and our room. Kezai was very nice and sincerely apologized and promised that a cleaning crew would go up to the room while we sat at the bar in the restaurant and had a bite to eat and a few drinks. He also gave us a $50 dining credit, 2 complimentary breakfast vouchers, four additional "free house wine" vouchers, and took $150 off our bill for the room. Even though, my intent in discussing the room condition was NOT to get "free stuff", but rather to just inform them of the condition of the room and get it cleaned, his offers were very much appreciated.
The next day.... I went into the shower only to find that the temperature control knob (this was a shower that also had body spray jets and consequently, a separate temperature knob in the middle with the water temperature marked on it) did not work!! It spun and spun and didn't change the temperature (which was ice cold, by the way). Luckily, I realized that I could actually grab the inner ring and it would turn and adjust the temperature.
Again, down to the front desk to talk to a Manager, but none was available. The front desk person promised that they would get the knob repaired.
They did not get it repaired because it "needed parts that had to be ordered", and offered to move us to a different room. But, because we had MANY suitcases and were checking out the next day, we decided to stay in the existing room since I was able to adjust the temperature.
After we checked out, I mentioned to my wife that spending $650 per night, one would think that the rooms would be in better shape, cleaner, and more updated.
I think it's time for the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort to to an introspective look around at their guest rooms and perhaps an upgrade is warranted.
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Date of stay: December 2021
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Make sure you get a clean one that has a fully working shower.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nancy M, Guest Services / Front Office at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
Responded Jan 3, 2022
We are very sorry to learn you were disappointed with the property and we apologize for our failure to provide you with the service you expected and deserved. We are in the business of taking care of our guests and never want anyone feeling disappointed. We hope you will continue to choose Hilton Brand Hotels and Resorts for your travel and hospitality needs and wish you well in your travels.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This hotel was perfect for a weekend getaway with my husband. The location is perfect- it’s right by the beach, there is a shuttle stop out front for the little local shuttles that take you to and from downtown, and it’s also walking distance from a ton of restaurants and tasting rooms! The hotel itself has relatively spacious rooms, all centered around a pool, and the lobby features a Fess Parker tasting lounge.
Would definitely stay here again.
Would definitely stay here again.
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Date of stay: September 2019Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from MichaelG11700, Manager at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
Responded Mar 11, 2020
Greetings karon526. Thank you for selecting Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort for your visit to Santa Barbara. On behalf of the entire team, thank you for the great review. We hope your travel plans include a return visit soon.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I hate writing reviews that aren’t fantastic, but as a one off I wanted to be honest for future travelers. First off, the staff was friendly, the location awesome, and the room was comfortable. Had this been a regular stay for a few nights I would have given four or five stars.
That all said, we booked the Hilton for 6 nights for our honeymoon destination. We splurged due to our honeymoon plans changing a few months back and we expected it to be top notch. When we arrived we had a garden/mountain view over the parking lot. We asked if they would upgrade us to an ocean view which they did, but we had to pay rather than it being complimentary.
Thankfully our travel agent arranged for a bottle of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries to be brought to our room. Aside from that we didn’t have any special extras that the hotel added. The room didn’t have a romantic feel, no extra wine/food, and no bathtub etc. it was all just subpar for what we expected of a honeymoon hotel.
When my husband asked for them to try and do something special they advised that they don’t have any complimentary extras but he could pay for a bottle of wine etc.
I work for a high end, luxury safari company and am typically responsible for ensuring my clients have special stays no matter where they go. This was a fine hotel room to sleep in, it just wasn’t special in any way and was a big disappointment from the Hilton brand.
If you are wanting a romantic getaway this isn’t the place for you, but if you want to sleep in a hotel room that’s comfy and a quick getaway near the beach it’ll be just fine.
We also had a leaky AC unit in our paid for upgraded room, which was a disappointment. Their maintenance team did come fix that as quickly as possible but it still had a bit of a leak after. When they came to check it again they said it was fine and just residual leakage and will subside eventually.
Just wanted to be transparent in our experience so others can be prepared for what they will get.
That all said, we booked the Hilton for 6 nights for our honeymoon destination. We splurged due to our honeymoon plans changing a few months back and we expected it to be top notch. When we arrived we had a garden/mountain view over the parking lot. We asked if they would upgrade us to an ocean view which they did, but we had to pay rather than it being complimentary.
Thankfully our travel agent arranged for a bottle of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries to be brought to our room. Aside from that we didn’t have any special extras that the hotel added. The room didn’t have a romantic feel, no extra wine/food, and no bathtub etc. it was all just subpar for what we expected of a honeymoon hotel.
When my husband asked for them to try and do something special they advised that they don’t have any complimentary extras but he could pay for a bottle of wine etc.
I work for a high end, luxury safari company and am typically responsible for ensuring my clients have special stays no matter where they go. This was a fine hotel room to sleep in, it just wasn’t special in any way and was a big disappointment from the Hilton brand.
If you are wanting a romantic getaway this isn’t the place for you, but if you want to sleep in a hotel room that’s comfy and a quick getaway near the beach it’ll be just fine.
We also had a leaky AC unit in our paid for upgraded room, which was a disappointment. Their maintenance team did come fix that as quickly as possible but it still had a bit of a leak after. When they came to check it again they said it was fine and just residual leakage and will subside eventually.
Just wanted to be transparent in our experience so others can be prepared for what they will get.
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Date of stay: October 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nancy McFadden, Guest Services / Front Office at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
Responded Oct 2, 2020
Victoriajl34620S ~ Thank you for your compliments for our hard working team. We are pleased to know you enjoyed our beautiful location and spacious guestrooms. We are very sorry you were disappointed in our service. Our Executive Team is reviewing your comments to ensure they are used to improve our guest's experience. We hope you will consider giving us another opportunity to serve you.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Understanding that we are in a time of masks and social distancing, this hotel was not offering full services.
That being said, the property was clean and even though the Amtrak Train was loud every time it passed - the hotel was quiet and great for sleeping.
While their website and signs around the hotel describe their policies for cleaning and social distancing, it was very clear that no one was enforcing any of these rules/policies.
We asked for towels and they did not come wrapped as the website said. The sign at the pool said max of 40 people w/ a maximum stay of 2 hours, however nothing was enforced.
The keyless check-in and entry is a great feature, however, some entry doors did not work and there was very limited signs as to how to find your rooms once your App said it was available.
Services for dining were very limited and thus the line for the grab n go coffee bar was VERY long every morning. Again, no one enforced social distancing, though big stickers were on the floor. The service was very disorganized and it seemed that it was understaffed. Waiting in line for 30 mins for a cup of coffee is ridiculous.
Just a reminder, this hotel welcomes dogs. And we had not seen so many dogs on the property of a hotel ....ever. They were in the lobby, in the halls (we could hear them).. .everywhere.
While this hotel is right across the street from the beach, there really isn't any shops or restaurants nearby. Everything is walkable, if you are willing and able to walk 20min one way.
For the price, I am not sure we would stay here again.
That being said, the property was clean and even though the Amtrak Train was loud every time it passed - the hotel was quiet and great for sleeping.
While their website and signs around the hotel describe their policies for cleaning and social distancing, it was very clear that no one was enforcing any of these rules/policies.
We asked for towels and they did not come wrapped as the website said. The sign at the pool said max of 40 people w/ a maximum stay of 2 hours, however nothing was enforced.
The keyless check-in and entry is a great feature, however, some entry doors did not work and there was very limited signs as to how to find your rooms once your App said it was available.
Services for dining were very limited and thus the line for the grab n go coffee bar was VERY long every morning. Again, no one enforced social distancing, though big stickers were on the floor. The service was very disorganized and it seemed that it was understaffed. Waiting in line for 30 mins for a cup of coffee is ridiculous.
Just a reminder, this hotel welcomes dogs. And we had not seen so many dogs on the property of a hotel ....ever. They were in the lobby, in the halls (we could hear them).. .everywhere.
While this hotel is right across the street from the beach, there really isn't any shops or restaurants nearby. Everything is walkable, if you are willing and able to walk 20min one way.
For the price, I am not sure we would stay here again.
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Date of stay: April 2021
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nancy McFadden, Guest Services / Front Office at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
Responded Apr 13, 2021
Thank you for selecting Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort for your stay in Santa Barbara. This past year has been a period of change and the management team continues to adapt to the ever-changing environment as a result of COVID-19. We are very sorry we disappointed you. Your satisfaction is very important to us and we try hard to make sure all of our guests have a rewarding stay. We appreciate the feedback. The Executive Team has reviewed your comments and will use this information to improve the service for our guests.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
For $$$ a night it was not worth it. Our shower put out lukewarm water and the shower tile was cracked. The bathroom fan ran all night. The lock on the patio door broken and we could not lock it. The neighbor could have entered our room from patio. The cushions on patio chairs were ripped and had bird poop on them. All in all, the whole place needs an upgrade if you are charging these prices. Pool towels were thread bare too. Also, Hilton changed their breakfast policy. As Gold members, we used to get 2 decent full breakfasts. This trip, we received $12 per person, $24 total. The coffee in lobby was $6.00 a cup! Add a simple breakfast sandwich for another $12, and we are at $18. We had room service first morning, $68! If we had eaten in restaurant, it would have been even more. Also, we were charged $30 to park our car when the lot wasn’t even half full. Finally, there was an additional resort fee of $30 per day. You’d think the resort charge would include the parking or even a bike rental. The previous hotel we stayed at had free parking, free bikes and a continental breakfast. Overall, if you are going to charge these rates, plus a resort fee, plus parking, many things should be upgraded, including shower, pool towels, chase lounge cushions, locks and breakfast.
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Review collected in partnership with Hilton Hotels & Resorts
Date of stay: July 2021
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nancy McFadden, Guest Services / Front Office at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
Responded Jul 28, 2021
dkeenley - Thank you for taking the time to share your experience about your recent stay at our hotel. As a Hilton Honors member, you are among our most valued guests. We sincerely appreciate your feedback and wish we would have had the opportunity to take steps to make certain you were 100% satisfied prior to your departure. As mentioned in our response to your survey, please feel free to contact our Finance Department regarding any billing issues. They will be happy to assist you. We hope you will consider a return visit to Santa Barbara and the resort.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Don’t think so. Big hotel parking all around the hotel.
Yes it does :-)
Yes, I do believe I remember them saying there are safes in the rooms,
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PRICE RANGE
$364 - $555 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
fess parker`s doubletree hotel santa barbara, doubletree santa barbara, doubletree fess parkers, fess parkers doubletree resort
LOCATION
United StatesCaliforniaSanta Barbara
NUMBER OF ROOMS
360
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
Which popular attractions are close to Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort?
Nearby attractions include Cabrillo Bike Path (0.4 miles), Santa Barbara Art Glass (0.4 miles), and Santa Barbara Zoo (0.5 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a pool, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
Which room amenities are available at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What food & drink options are available at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and a poolside bar during their stay.
Is parking available at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort?
Yes, paid private parking on-site and valet parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort?
Conveniently located restaurants include East Beach Tacos, Santa Barbara Shellfish Company, and Santa Barbara FisHouse.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort?
Yes, guests have access to a pool and a fitness center during their stay.
Are any cleaning services offered at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Are pets allowed at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Does Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers a business center, meeting rooms, and a banquet room.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.