Pros

  • Quaint and cozy Spanish-style hotel surrounded by lovely gardens and patios
  • Convenient location close to restaurants, shops, and attractions in downtown Santa Barbara
  • Charming, pleasant rooms with fireplaces, exposed wood beams, and private balconies
  • Bathrooms have both soaking tubs and walk-in rainfall showers, plus Molton Brown toiletries
  • Small outdoor swimming pool with lounge chairs
  • In-room spa services available (for a fee)
  • Small fitness room and bikes to rent
  • Lots of outdoor seating on a lovely patio with a Spanish fountain
  • Free parking in underground garage, W-Fi throughout, and continental breakfast
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Cons

  • No on-site restaurant or bar
  • Not within walking distance of beach
  • Pool is small
  • Fitness room is small
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Bottom Line

The 23-room Spanish Garden Inn is a charming upscale boutique property housed in a lovely Spanish-style building with atmospheric Mediterranean interiors to match. Lovely rooms and suites feature exposed wood beams against white walls and ceilings, as well as gas fireplaces and private balconies or patios. The pretty grounds offer patios with seating and potted plants as well as a small outdoor pool. A free continental breakfast is served daily and other conveniences include free Wi-Fi throughout, free underground parking, in-room spa services (for a fee), and a small fitness room. The central location means that restaurants, shops, and several attractions are within walking distance; State Street, Santa Barbara’s main drag, is just three blocks away. Travelers seeking something near the beach might want to consider the Hyatt Santa Barbara.

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Oyster Hotel Review

Spanish Garden Inn

Scene

Charming boutique hotel with Spanish architecture

Orange tiled steps lead up to the whitewashed entrance of the Spanish Hacienda-style Spanish Garden Inn, a small boutique hotel surrounded by a succulent garden and palms. Inside, the lobby includes a simple wood reception desk and a lovely living room area complete with a fireplace, cream-colored armchairs accented by colorful pillows, and framed paintings that depict Santa Barbara. Alcove bookshelves display tourist information and hardcover books, while glass-cased shelving by the front desk is stocked with bottles of wine. A bowl of green apples and floral displays add vibrant color to the space. Outdoors, a pretty patio is set with tables and chairs under an umbrella and native plants. A white Spanish fountain adds to the Mediterranean ambience. Kids are welcome here, but the inn mainly attracts older couples on a romantic holiday. 

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Location

Located in a residential neighborhood, a five-minute walk from the popular downtown area

Located on Garden Street, about three blocks from the popular State Street, the Spanish Garden Inn sits in a residential, low-key neighborhood in the historic Presidio district. Restaurants and shops are about a five- to 10-minute walk away, and the property is a short walk from several museums, including the Santa Barbara Museum of Art (a 10-minute walk) and the Santa Barbara Historical Museum (a five-minute walk). State Street, the town’s main drag lined with boutiques and restaurants, is a five-minute walk, while other attractions like Stearns Wharf, the beach, the Carr Winery, and the Santa Barbara Mission are a five-minute drive (or 20 minutes by foot and public transport). The nearest bus stop (for Line 14) is just down the street. The Santa Barbara Airport is about a 20-minute drive away.

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Rooms

Charming and romantic rooms and suites with fireplaces and deep soaking tubs

Rooms and suites are simply decorated in a charming Spanish style that includes wooden furnishings, brown tiled floors, exposed wood ceiling beams, and white walls sparsely decorated with framed prints. Soft white and cream hues fill the space and provide a nice backdrop for the wooden details, while gas fireplaces in each unit add a cozy touch. All rooms have private balconies or patios as well as 40-inch flat-screen TVs, tea- and coffee-making facilities including French Press coffeemakers, iPod docks, work desks, and free Wi-Fi. Suites add living rooms areas, and Deluxe Rooms come with a king, a queen, or two queen beds (all with quality Italian linens). Bathrooms typically have both soaking tubs and walk-in rainfall showers, as well as vanities with ample storage space, magnifying mirrors, fluffy bathrobes, and generously sized Molton Brown bath products including loofahs.

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Features

Swimming pool, tiny fitness center, and free continental breakfast

The hotel is set on grounds that include a small outdoor swimming pool surrounded by several sun loungers. A lovely patio with lots of potted plants and trees offers shaded seating and a charming Spanish-style fountain. The hotel offers a free continental breakfast including items like fresh fruit, granola, quiche, and pastries. In-room spa treatments are available and there’s an evening Wine Bar, plus a library of DVDs is available for borrow. There is a small fitness room on-site, though it was under renovation during our visit. Business travelers are catered to with a board room, free newspapers, and free Wi-Fi throughout. Parking is free in an underground garage and guests have access to a computer and printer.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Spanish Garden Inn

Scene

Charming boutique hotel with Spanish architecture

Orange tiled steps lead up to the whitewashed entrance of the Spanish Hacienda-style Spanish Garden Inn, a small boutique hotel surrounded by a succulent garden and palms. Inside, the lobby includes a simple wood reception desk and a lovely living room area complete with a fireplace, cream-colored armchairs accented by colorful pillows, and framed paintings that depict Santa Barbara. Alcove bookshelves display tourist information and hardcover books, while glass-cased shelving by the front desk is stocked with bottles of wine. A bowl of green apples and floral displays add vibrant color to the space. Outdoors, a pretty patio is set with tables and chairs under an umbrella and native plants. A white Spanish fountain adds to the Mediterranean ambience. Kids are welcome here, but the inn mainly attracts older couples on a romantic holiday. 

See More Scene

Location

Located in a residential neighborhood, a five-minute walk from the popular downtown area

Located on Garden Street, about three blocks from the popular State Street, the Spanish Garden Inn sits in a residential, low-key neighborhood in the historic Presidio district. Restaurants and shops are about a five- to 10-minute walk away, and the property is a short walk from several museums, including the Santa Barbara Museum of Art (a 10-minute walk) and the Santa Barbara Historical Museum (a five-minute walk). State Street, the town’s main drag lined with boutiques and restaurants, is a five-minute walk, while other attractions like Stearns Wharf, the beach, the Carr Winery, and the Santa Barbara Mission are a five-minute drive (or 20 minutes by foot and public transport). The nearest bus stop (for Line 14) is just down the street. The Santa Barbara Airport is about a 20-minute drive away.

See More Location

Rooms

Charming and romantic rooms and suites with fireplaces and deep soaking tubs

Rooms and suites are simply decorated in a charming Spanish style that includes wooden furnishings, brown tiled floors, exposed wood ceiling beams, and white walls sparsely decorated with framed prints. Soft white and cream hues fill the space and provide a nice backdrop for the wooden details, while gas fireplaces in each unit add a cozy touch. All rooms have private balconies or patios as well as 40-inch flat-screen TVs, tea- and coffee-making facilities including French Press coffeemakers, iPod docks, work desks, and free Wi-Fi. Suites add living rooms areas, and Deluxe Rooms come with a king, a queen, or two queen beds (all with quality Italian linens). Bathrooms typically have both soaking tubs and walk-in rainfall showers, as well as vanities with ample storage space, magnifying mirrors, fluffy bathrobes, and generously sized Molton Brown bath products including loofahs.

See More Rooms

Features

Swimming pool, tiny fitness center, and free continental breakfast

The hotel is set on grounds that include a small outdoor swimming pool surrounded by several sun loungers. A lovely patio with lots of potted plants and trees offers shaded seating and a charming Spanish-style fountain. The hotel offers a free continental breakfast including items like fresh fruit, granola, quiche, and pastries. In-room spa treatments are available and there’s an evening Wine Bar, plus a library of DVDs is available for borrow. There is a small fitness room on-site, though it was under renovation during our visit. Business travelers are catered to with a board room, free newspapers, and free Wi-Fi throughout. Parking is free in an underground garage and guests have access to a computer and printer.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Free Breakfast

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pool

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.