Santa Barbara Golf & Ocean Club by Diamond Resorts

Santa Barbara Golf & Ocean Club is a little misleading with their name as there’s no actual golf course or ocean club associated with the hotel. It’s a time-share property, so some guests are members who pay lower fees (or no fees) for certain amenities, while others are visitors who are sometimes subjected to extra fees and requests for time-share presentations. The grounds at Santa Barbara Golf & Ocean Club are composed of gorgeous white buildings that gather around the pool and look out toward the ocean, which is just a few yards away. Green plants, flowers, and palm trees dot the property and add to the lovely atmosphere.  Inside, the design is clean and contemporary with tiled floors, curved archways, trendy chic chairs, and hints of yellow, red, or blue in some of the decor. Couples and families are the primary clientele, and during high season, it can get pretty packed around the pool. Take note that this hotel has quite a lot of pesky fees, including a deposit upon arrival. The neighboring sewage plant and the smells that emanate from the property make their way to the resort, which tends to be a drawback for many guests.

Santa Barbara Golf & Ocean Club has a beachfront location, though the beach in front of the hotel is a bit rocky. There’s a beach that’s a five-minute walk away that’s a bit more ideal. The hotel is surrounded by other resorts, a few grocery stores, and some restaurants and bars (though most of them are located inside the nearby resorts). Though the hotel doesn’t have a golf course, Golf de Sur is an 18-minute walk away, while it’s 16 minutes to Amarilla Golf. Tenerife South Airport is a 12-minute drive away. 

Studios and Apartments at Santa Barbara Golf & Ocean Club are contemporary. They feature white tile floors and a simple decor with some accents in varying shades of blue. Though all rooms are modern, some are slightly more updated with chic high-backed dining room chairs and trendy couches versus dated wooden chairs or older blue couches. Rooms come with flat-screen TVs, DVD players, iPod docking stations, air-conditioning, and full kitchens with refrigerators, coffeemakers, kettles, stove tops, ovens, and microwaves. They also have safes and Wi-Fi but both incur charges. Many of the rooms feature balconies. Some upper-level rooms have dishwashers and laundry machines. Bathrooms are clean and come with free toiletries, hairdryers, and showers or shower/tub combos. Take note that some rooms have required cleaning fees, and are subject to poor sewage smells from the neighboring plant. 

Santa Barbara Golf & Ocean Club offers plenty of amenities and entertainment, but don't expect a golf course. There is, however, a large outdoor heated pool, children’s pool, and hot tub that are surrounded by lots of loungers and circular decks in the middle of the pool. Extra pool and beach towels cost a fee. The hotel’s spa offers massages, a sauna, and an indoor pool, plus a modest gym with cardio and weight equipment, but they both cost a fee to access. As for other things to do on-site, the hotel provides a superfluous amount of activities like a giant chess game, board games, ping pong, pool, a library of books and DVDs, and péntaque. For children, there’s a kids’ club and a children’s indoor and outdoor playroom. 

Dining options are plentiful, too. There’s an English-inspired breakfast buffet provided every morning for a fee (though it could be free if you listen to a three-hour time-share presentation). Outdoor options include the Sirocco Pool Bar and the Ocean Breeze Terrace & Chill Out. Inside, the hotel offers the Melrose Restaurant and a sports bar, W-Pub & Sports Café. Room service is available. There are happy hours during the week and occasional barbecues. For those who prefer to use their kitchen, the hotel has a supermarket on-site with slightly inflated prices for convenience. Other features include Wi-Fi and an internet kiosk, both of which cost a fee, and on-site parking which also incurs a charge.