Harbor View Inn

Santa Barbara, California Coast

Resort/City View Room
Resort/City View Room
Spa
Resort/City View Room
Resort/City View Room
Spa

The hotel

You’ll feel relaxed as soon as you walk through the door of the Harbor View Inn, Santa Barbara. Once the friendly staff have welcomed you to their Spanish villa-style retreat, it’s time to really chill out. Head to the oceanfront heated pool, take in the beach views and maybe drop by Spa Beaumontia for a treatment or dip in the Jacuzzi. If you want to get out and explore, Stearns Wharf is just across the road, and there are some great restaurants a short walk away.

Amenities

  • Bar
  • Swimming Pool
  • Hot tub
  • Families
  • Room Service
  • Safety Deposit Box
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Close to Beach
  • Restaurant

Where is it

Centrally located across from West Beach and Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara. In easy walking distance of local shops and restaurants.

Hotel information

115 rooms on 3 floors in 3 buildings. All with balcony/terrace, air-conditioning, complimentary WiFi, flat-screen TV, tea/coffee-making facilities, mini-bar*, safe, iron and board, bathrobes and hairdryer. Resort/City View Rooms with either 1 king-size bed or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults.

Ocean View Rooms and Ocean View Suites with 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Pool bar (serving lunch and drinks, seasonal). Outdoor heated swimming pool. Jacuzzi. Fitness centre. Spa* with sauna and Jacuzzi. Room service*. Gift shop. Business centre. Self-parking $25 plus tax per night (payable locally, subject to change).

*Denotes local charge.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (809)
  • Very good (537)
  • Average (133)
  • Poor (57)
  • Terrible (53)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Romantic Beach Getaway

Mar 27, 2020 459jamesp459 Los Angeles, California

We chose this location based on their reviews and it did not dissapoint. In town to preview potential ceremony locations the H.V.I. is centrally located directly across from the beach and pier with plenty of restaurants in walking distance. The property consists of 4 stand alone buildings , one building is off property a block away and has its… Read more
We chose this location based on their reviews and it did not dissapoint. In town to preview potential ceremony locations the H.V.I. is centrally located directly across from the beach and pier with plenty of restaurants in walking distance. The property consists of 4 stand alone buildings , one building is off property a block away and has its own parking garage. Parking on property is 25$ valet only. The valet stand is poorly stationed at the driveway entrance with nary room for two cars before others are backed up into the street, an easy fix. The building we stayed in #3 ? Is across a walking bridge a minute from the lobby and is of newer construction. Our room was on the top floor, floor three . The room was nicely appointed , soaking tub , high ceilings and a balcony . Very cozy . The building adjoining the pool is currently under renovation and should be up an habitable soon. The pool area has a greenbelt and small walking path and there is also a albeit small , jacuzzi . The staff we encountered were all friendly and smiling. Front desk staff at check in were fantastic , Shayann and Marissa at check out. There currently is not a restaurant on property but there is food and beverage delivery service provided by the hotel and I anticipate the currently shuttered eatery will be open in the future. Overall a great stay and the welcome/congratulations card for our upcoming stay was a nice touch from management. Thank you and we look forward to staying with you again soon. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Disappointing

Mar 24, 2020 MADTOMAF Thousand Oaks, California

I would not stay here ever again. The management is terrible and ineffective when you have an issue. There are boutique hotels that are fab and then there are those that are not. This one needs help in many areas, from management to staff training to plain old customer service. None of this existed for us and it was an unpleasant experience. Once… Read more
I would not stay here ever again. The management is terrible and ineffective when you have an issue. There are boutique hotels that are fab and then there are those that are not. This one needs help in many areas, from management to staff training to plain old customer service. None of this existed for us and it was an unpleasant experience. Once you are in, they just don't care if you are happy with your room, they do not take responsibility for their subcontractors who happened to be painting when we were there and did not put any signs up so friends of ours got paint on their clothing. Who doesn't put a sign up? When asked later, front desk said it wasn't their responsibility, it wasn't their employees. Seriously? They hired them,! Our other friends had to call to get the a/c fixed, it took over an hour, then it never turned off. They just couldn't fix it. Nor did they seem to care, no call back to see if it was ok. Honestly, just find another place who cares about their service. Maybe another hotel trains their staff better to be more receptive, to honestly just be friendly. In person so nice, call on the phone and they were rude. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Just the facts Ma'am....

Mar 1, 2020 James C

First things first, if you've never stayed here, you should know that the first thing you will encounter is the Valet parking. There is no Self Parking on property, you must use the $25 per night Valet service or take a chance and park your car on the street somewhere. I didn't have a problem with that, it just would have been nice to know… Read more
First things first, if you've never stayed here, you should know that the first thing you will encounter is the Valet parking. There is no Self Parking on property, you must use the $25 per night Valet service or take a chance and park your car on the street somewhere. I didn't have a problem with that, it just would have been nice to know beforehand, because the attendant was not present when we arrived so I just parked my car and as we were getting out of the car, he came running up to me to tell me to back it back out so that he could re-park it right back in the same spot! Weird and inappropriate in my opinion. Just saying it would have been nice to read that somewhere on the Hotel's website, so I could know what to expect on arrival. The hotel itself was pleasant enough, with clean and comfortable rooms and spacious bathroom. Our room was overlooking the ocean and Stearns Wharf. Lots of great restaurants within walking distance, but no restaurant on property. The room had all the usual amenities including snacks, soft drinks and liquor, as well as very expensive bottled water, somewhere in the $40 per gallon range. If money is no issue, enjoy it, otherwise you might want to bring your own water for the coffee maker. There was no ice maker on our floor, but there was one in the building. The front desk staff was very friendly and accommodating, and all the employees greeted us in passing in the hallways or on the property. The downtown shopping district is about a mile up State Street, you can walk, but Uber was quick, inexpensive and informative about the local scene. We will stay here again on our next visit to Santa Barbara! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Business

Feb 29, 2020 Scottlin4 San Jose, California

The property was great but the management....not so much. I was visiting beautiful Santa Barbara for a 2 day business trip and found this great location. On the first night I noticed, at about 11:30 PM, the room was not cooling off. The thermo was set for 68 but it was like the heater was on. By the time they sent security to the room it was… Read more
The property was great but the management....not so much. I was visiting beautiful Santa Barbara for a 2 day business trip and found this great location. On the first night I noticed, at about 11:30 PM, the room was not cooling off. The thermo was set for 68 but it was like the heater was on. By the time they sent security to the room it was 81 degrees. He had no idea what to do so he left. It was a horrible, sleepless night even with the slider wide open..hot, sweaty night. The next day I skipped lunch to return to the hotel. The maintenance person was great. He found that a valve in the ceiling had been turned off. He was finally able to open the valve but perplexed as to how it had been turned off. That night I was able to cool it only to 76 but a bit better. I asked for a manager and they said they could get a supervisor but only if I said what I was calling about. I only wanted to have a late checkout the next day (like 3pm) so I could come back from my meeting and catch up on the sleep I lost the first night before driving 5 hours home. He said I would have to call the next day but he would comp the $25 parking fee for one night (yes they force a parking fee on top of the higher rates even though there is plenty of parking). I called the next day and again the desk clerk ran interference for the manager who would not talk to me. BTW I was not being rude but the manager didn’t want to take the time to speak with a highly inconvenienced customer. The desk clerk said I could not stay later than 1:30...pretty weak I think. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Amazing hotel

Feb 28, 2020 lovesvacation Langley, Washington

Just returned from a four night trip to Santa Barbara. Chose this hotel based on Trip Advisor and I’m sure glad we did. Hotel is amazing and definitely exceeded our expectations. Our room was exquisite, immaculate with a beautiful view of the ocean. Right across the street from the beach and very close to Stearns Wharf. Restaurants and shops are… Read more
Just returned from a four night trip to Santa Barbara. Chose this hotel based on Trip Advisor and I’m sure glad we did. Hotel is amazing and definitely exceeded our expectations. Our room was exquisite, immaculate with a beautiful view of the ocean. Right across the street from the beach and very close to Stearns Wharf. Restaurants and shops are all within very short walking distance. Staff were very friendly (all of them) and very helpful. Pool and hot tub were very nice and very clean. Also uncrowned and relaxing. We would go back in a minute to this hotel and to Santa Barbara. Great beaches for walking are just a short drive away. Also lots of wineries. Read less