Super 8 by Wyndham Santa Barbara/Goleta

Super 8 Santa Barbara/Goleta, like many Super 8 hotels, is a typical three-story motel-style property with few public spaces beyond the outdoor pool and the lobby -- a small area with a simple wooden reception desk, tiled floors, and a few tables for guests to use during breakfast hours. All rooms are accessed from the outside and a parking lot makes up most of the grounds. There is an elevator for guests with mobility issues. Even though it’s near the airport, guests note that there’s no noise issue from the planes. Couples and families are the main clientele, attracted by the value. Many visitors are also parents visiting their children at the nearby University of California - Santa Barbara. 

Located off the 101 freeway in Goleta, the hotel is about a 15-minute drive from Santa Barbara. The Goleta Beach and Pier take six minutes to reach by car. As for the immediate area, there are some dining options and a golf course on the surrounding streets. It’s a 17-minute drive to the Santa Barbara Zoo and a four-minute drive to the University of California at Santa Barbara. Getting to the airport takes two minutes by car.  

For a value motel, the Super 8 Santa Barbara/Goleta provides decently attractive rooms. They all include brown striped carpet, beds with red or blue comforters, colorful statement walls, large black-and-white photographic art pieces above the beds, and wooden furniture. Small details like brown leather armchairs and ergonomic desk chairs put these budget rooms a notch above the rest. All rooms include amenities such as flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. Rooms with two beds or king beds have mini-fridges, though those staying in Standard Rooms can request a mini-fridge at no extra charge (note: limited availability). Bathrooms are simple with small showers, hairdryers, and toiletries. Note that smoking rooms are available, and past guests have complained about occasional maintenance issues. 

Though it has few amenities, this Super 8 does offer great hotel freebies like Wi-Fi, breakfast, and parking for cars, buses, trucks, and RVs. The breakfast buffet is mostly simple with items like cereals, yogurt, fruit, and pastries, but has the added perk of waffles, too. There’s an outdoor swimming pool surrounded by loungers and tables with chairs and umbrellas. A few vending machines provide drinks and snacks, while guests who buy their own food can use the grills to make a meal. The coin-operated laundry room is a good amenity for long-term guests.