Montecito Inn image

Montecito Inn

Hotel Inn

Chic quarters, a restaurant & a pool in a stylish Spanish-style hotel built by Charlie Chaplin. People often mention hotel, stay, staff, rooms, room, small, restaurant, location, great, time,


Address

1295 Coast Village Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93108, United States

Website

www.montecitoinn.com

Contact

+1 805-969-7854

Rating on Google Maps

4.00 (341 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: hotel (27) stay (15) staff (14) rooms (12) room (12) small (10) restaurant (10) location (9) great (8) time (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 1/5 Tobey G. 2 years ago on Google
    This hotel is rundown and has not been kept up. The walls are extremely thin and you can hear everything in the rooms around you. Rooms are small with old scratched/ dated furniture and dirty carpets. For this price point I would expect a lot more- I've stayed all over Santa Barbara for years and have had much nicer rooms with better service for much less money. Disappointing- would not recommend.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Amanda R. 1 year ago on Google
    I was VERY disappointed by this hotel. I booked a weekend getaway for my husband and based off pictures and locations thought that Montecito Inn would be perfect. First off - the room was TINY and the bathroom was very small. The pictures look way better than what they are in reality. Our AC was extremely loud and noisy so we tried opening up the windows instead - between drunk people yelling/walking around and trucks making deliveries in the early morning we could not sleep with the windows open. Second - they don't tell you ahead of time when you book but they add on additional fees to your stay! We were charged $70 for "amenities" for two nights. Their "amenities" were: valet parking (we literally Uber'd everywhere and did not move our car once!!), the pool (which is small and the jacuzzi jets button was broken), the gym (which we did not use and is also small), and a 24 hour coffee bar (which is literally just a coffee machine that you can use). What the heck! The other fee we were charged was a $50 dining credit ($25 each night) for the restaurant that partners with the hotel. We did not go to the restaurant on Friday when we checked in so that $25 was wasted and not credited back to my credit card. We went to brunch on Saturday morning and used the other $25 credit. Overall this place is way overpriced for what it is and I do not enjoy being nickel and dime with fees that are not necessary. Will never stay here again and we will be taking our money elsewhere next time we go to Santa Barbara!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Cora B. 10 months ago on Google
    For the price this room is just unacceptable. There’s hotel is charming in the lobby but once you get to the rooms, they are the size of a shoebox. The walls are paper thin and you just feel like you’re in a motel. Please do not stay here if you want to fully unwind and relax.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Reina G. 2 years ago on Google
    I have been looking forward to staying at the Montecito Inn for a long time, especially as it has been recommended by numerous friends. Unfortunately, I will never return and it's predominantly rooted in the poor service. PROS: LOCATION: The Inn is perfectly located in the heart of Montecito. This is ALL YOU WILL BE PAYING FOR if you stay here. THE RESTAURANT LOCATED AT THE PROPERTY: I am not sure if the restaurant at the entryway to the hotel is a part of the hotel or not, but if it is, it is wonderful. The staff that work the outside patio are absolutely lovely. That being said, the staff that works the inside of the restaurant are as dismissive and uniformed as the staff that works the front desk. If you want to make a reservation, make it on Open Table and skip asking anyone in the restaurant for help if walking by. VALET: The guys that work the valet are helpful. CONS: THE SERVICE: When you walk in or out of the hotel, the gentlemen behind the counter never greet you. When we checked in, it was the same story. What was the worst was the fact that despite telling the hotel that we would be arriving early as per their numerous text requests telling us to do so, when we arrived our room still wasn't ready. Icing on the cake is that when we arrived at the hotel later that evening to grab our keys, we were treated horribly by a gentleman named Ramone who wouldn't look at us, smile, tell us about the property, welcome us, etc... Both my husband and I were confused about what we did to make this man that we had never met, so upset with us. His colleague who did happen to check us in earlier in the day could have helped to ease tension, but as per every other time we walked through the lobby, he was practically hidden in his computer screen. Not sure what the staff is watching on that screen, but it must be good. Additionally, after writing Paola the Property Manager a detailed email of our experience, we never heard a peep. To me, this is unacceptable, especially for area like Montecito and a property as historical as the Inn. ROOMS: We stayed in a large king family suite. While the suite had two bathrooms, everything about the room was relatively run down. The carpets need to be replaced and there were no slippers provided. There is also no central air and only an air unit, which barely cools down the room. The bathroom sinks are so small that I had to do my makeup in the living room. AMENITIES: Outside of a pool, I am not sure what else the hotel has to offer. We also were never informed of any of the amenities, so if there are any the hotel is doing a horrible job of informing patrons of this. To save our Valentine's weekend, my husband and I decided to take a 7 min Uber to the Rosewood as our friends mentioned that the beach views and the service were unbelievable. Despite not being hotel guests, we were welcomed from the moment our Uber pulled up to the moment we left. It would be worthwhile for Paola and her staff take a field trip to their neighboring property to learn how to make people feel welcomed.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Jennifer J. 6 months ago on Google
    From the outside, this place looks new and great, but the inside was definitely not that. We stayed in the King Luxury Suite, which wasn't worth the extra expense. It's outdated and needs a refresh plus it's on the ground floor right outside a busy round about and the highway entrance. Just get the regular room if you are going to stay there.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 E W. 1 year ago on Google
    We had a reservation to attend my cousin's wedding in October 2020. The wedding was canceled due to Covid and we could not travel from Maryland for the same reason. Montecito refused to refund our room pre-payment or even issue a credit. We will never consider staying at this inflexible, unaccommodating hotel.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Paulina 11 months ago on Google
    This hotel is all about the location. It’s right on the ocean overlooking peaceful mountains. This historic establishment was once owned by Charlie Chaplin and they have his film posters all over the place but in a tasteful way. The rooms are small but clean and updated. The water pressure in the shower is so strong it might remove a layer of skin but we loved it. In the morning they provide complimentary tea and coffee at the lobby. There is a pharmacy right across the street so if you forget to pack something you can hop there. There are plenty great bars and restaurants and boutiques in the vicinity. All walking distance. The hotel offers complimentary valet parking and if you have an electric vehicle they will charge it for you. A bit pricey for what it is but the location is ideal. I would stay there again.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Allison R. 2 years ago on Google
    Very cute room with lovely old school glam. Marble is pretty. Front desk had no corkscrew for us to open our wine. Smoke detector went off as we used iron. Biggest saddnes was the shower pressure didn't really have any by the end. No breakfast. Hot tub was not hot.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Katelyn A. 2 years ago on Google
    Everyone was really nice, but between the scratched up furniture, the crazy thin walls, the restaurant sounds right outside my window, I wouldn't stay again. But what really pushed me over the edge was there was domestic violence situation on the last night of my stay, and the only person who came to help was the valet, who was clearly a teenager. I don't blame him at all, but he couldn't really do that much and he didn't have back up in case the guy came back, and a random other guest had to defend him when someone else opened their door and started yelling about "this being unacceptable they keep screaming". And to make matters worse, there's no deadbolts on the doors so I ended up putting my chair against the door in case the guy came back, since they didn't get a description or really do anything. Hope the victim is ok, but the lack of preparedness for any type of security is a major red flag for me as a young woman travelling alone.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Kathleen C. 2 years ago on Google
    Excellent location and charming lobby. The rooms need a full overhaul. The bathrooms are unacceptable. There are no amenities - not even a bottle of water or a glass to hold water. It is bare bones and overpriced.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 J M. 9 months ago on Google
    This beautiful hotel has a great location; many restaurants nearby and it's easy to get to The Funk Zone. The staff were always very helpful and the restaurant served delightfully tasty treats and dishes.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Debbie H. 1 year ago on Google
    Lady at checkin was not friendly or helpful. Room smells like it’s been smoked in for 30 years and is so tiny we haven’t any room to put suitcases down. The curtains look dirty and while I’m awake, the door has to stay open, which is to an outdoor hallway and busy roadway. If I could find another property and get a refund I would in a heartbeat. Bad recommendation from a travel agent for sure!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Maha Yogi Pradeep U. 6 months ago on Google
    This place is cute. Owned by Charlie chaplin carrie a legacy and loved the people serving . Santa Barbara is heaven and this hotel is worth it
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 J. David K. 8 months ago on Google
    An old hotel in need of some upgrading. The regular rooms are too small and the bathrooms are even smaller. The luxury suites are much better. The location is great except it's right next to the freeway.

  • 5/5 Jack R. 5 months ago on Google
    The staff here are exceptional. Most of the clients are very old and bordering senile. The staff acts like hoteliers and also retirement home workers. I was impressed by their patience and care for the very very old guests.

  • 5/5 Jacqueline E. 4 months ago on Google
    Very nice hotel. Has an old world feel. The staff are very professional and attentive. Nice to have a restaurant attached the food is good but they need vegetarian options. The room is a bit small with a king size bed but I was very comfortable and have stayed at the Mira Mar down the road but I prefer the old world elegance of the Montecito Inn.

  • 1/5 Marina 4 months ago on Google
    Location is great but that’s probably the only positive. Recommend reading through the other bad reviews here… rooms are tiny, they put way too much softener in their water (it feels like detergent), toilets don’t flush, the shower floor moves when you step on it, and the list goes on.

  • 2/5 Eric E. 4 months ago on Google
    If you ever wondered what it'd be like to stay at a hotel that stopped investing in the quality of its rooms because it was in a great location, this is the place to stay for you! Truly a terrible deal for the price point. The rooms are small and really low quality with outdated finishes very few comforts. No nice touches of hospitality. I'd recommend staying somewhere else if you can as staying here felt like a big disappointment.

  • 5/5 J M. 1 year ago on Google
    Considering the location and quality of hotel their prices are pretty darn good. Was in town for a weekend and found the hotel to have an old California charm. Beds were comfortable, rooms fairly sized, and the staff was amazing.

  • 4/5 Katareina M. 10 months ago on Google
    I like staying here, but too many celebrities like coming here as well which cause traffic jams with the paps hanging around.

  • 1/5 JR P. 1 year ago on Google
    It’s like a Motel 6 out of a horror film run by a staff out slackers. “A small luxury boutique hotel” as touted is not only humorous, but a case study in exaggeration as the greatest verbal frauds of mankind. My favorite line of the desk staff was, “ we have no rooms with a view, we sit on the freeway-that’s why it’s so loud”. Sleep in your car, you’re better off…..

  • 5/5 John B. 1 year ago on Google
    Had minor customer service issue that was resolved quickly- a sign of a great place. The location is perfect, walkable to all major shops and restaurants and the beach.

  • 2/5 Waheeda K. 1 year ago on Google
    Don't stay here unless you are ok not taking showers - Every time we turned on the shower, water pressure would fall tremendously and water would come out in a mere trickle. We called the front desk and the first time they said someone would come have a look. The second time, they said there is a scald protector - (but the water was barely warm so we could not understand this).

  • 5/5 Adrian N. 1 year ago on Google
    Great room, superb service and staff. Located just down the street from Oliver's if you're vegan and looking for stellar food that surpasses Crossroads Kitchen. Had a great stay!

  • 3/5 Jodi G. 2 years ago on Google
    I've stayed at the hotel and I've also eaten at the restaurant. The hotel was clean. It's only down the street from our friends which is why we stayed there. It's on a cute little main road with lots of shops and some restaurants. I felt it was a bit over priced but I guess you have to consider the location. The restaurant was not very good but our friends assured us it's usually very good. We later found out the head chef was out because of ...... they said he had some teeth extraction. I would give them a try again only because of our friends.

  • 5/5 Nahaleh D. 2 years ago on Google
    This place is incredible! Such a gem. My sister booked this hotel for us and we absolutely adored it. Very quaint and they had a pool and bicycles to use during our stay. The staff was so kind and incredible. The rooms were perfect and felt like we were in Europe. Walking distance to all the restaurants and shops. A 7 minute bike ride to the beach and Rosewood Hotel depending on fast you go. I can’t wait to come back and stay here. Make sure you eat at Coast & Olive located at the hotel! LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS PLACE!!


Call +1 805-969-7854 Open on Google Maps

Trends



Last updated:

Similar Inns nearby

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort image
1
Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
Hotel
Upscale seafront lodging offering polished rooms, grill-style dining & 3 tennis courts, plus a spa.
4.20 (2.9K reviews)
Mar Monte Hotel - The Unbound Collection by Hyatt image
2
Mar Monte Hotel - The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
Hotel
Casual rooms & suites, plus an outdoor pool with a bar, a Spanish restaurant & direct beach access.
3.90 (1.2K reviews)
Lemon Tree Inn image
3
Lemon Tree Inn
Hotel
Midcentury-modern rooms & suites, plus a heated outdoor pool, a hip bar & a polished restaurant.
4.00 (1K reviews)
Motel 6 Santa Barbara, CA - Beach image
4
Motel 6 Santa Barbara, CA - Beach
Motel
Modern budget property with an outdoor pool, coin laundry & free morning coffee.
3.90 (1K reviews)
Best Western Plus Pepper Tree Inn image
5
Best Western Plus Pepper Tree Inn
Hotel
Casual hotel offering relaxed rooms with Wi-Fi, in addition to 2 pools & hot tubs.
4.10 (965 reviews)
Last updated:
()