Luxury hotels in Santa Barbara

Hey! When I travel I love to stay at luxurious hotels - especially the kind of places that offer over the top extras and really spoil their guests with great service, nice spas, awesome restaurants and beautiful views. What more can you want? To save some time, I've put together this list of my favourite 5-star hotels and resorts in Santa Barbara. I hope you will like it!

• 1 Simpson House Inn Santa Barbara, United States

  

  Hotel. Stay in the heart of Santa Barbara. Built in 1874, this Victorian bed and breakfast is surrounded by lush landscaped gardens and 3 blocks of city parks. It features gourmet breakfast and evening wine tastings. Guest rooms offer free Wi-Fi. The individually styled rooms at Simpson House Inn offer a flat-screen cable TV and a DVD player. Boasting hardwood floors and Victorian décor, the rooms include a coffee maker and a work desk. Bathrobes, slippers and bath amenities are provided. Guests of Inn Simpson House can enjoy breakfast in their rooms or out in the garden, cooked by a gourmet chef. Afternoon refreshments and an appetizer buffet are also provided daily. Explore the area with the property’s free bike rentals. This property is a 5-minute walk from historic downtown Santa Barbara, and is 5 blocks from Arlington Theatre. Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens is 2.3 miles away. Show full description Guest review score 9.4, rooms from around $439.

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• 2 El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, United States

  

  Hotel. Offering sweeping Pacific Ocean views, this boutique hotel is 5 minutes’ drive away from Central Santa Barbara. It boasts an outdoor pool, a spa and wellness centre and an on-site bar and restaurant. All spacious rooms include free Wi-Fi. A flat-screen cable satellite TV is featured in all guest rooms at El Encanto. Rooms include a minibar, a fireplace and a seating area. All rooms offer garden views. A 24-hour reception is provided to guests of El Encanto. A business centre with fax and photocopying services is available. Guests can unwind at El Encanto's on-site fitness centre as well. With 2 miles of this hotel guests will find attractions such as Santa Barbara Mission and Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens. Santa Barbara Municipal Golf Course is 10 minutes’ drive away. Show full description Guest review score 9.1, rooms from around $759.

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• 3 Hotel Californian Santa Barbara, United States

  

  Hotel. Located next to the Funk Zone in Santa Barbara, the Hotel Californian is just steps from the beach and features an outdoor pool. Guests can enjoy several on-site dining options and take advantage of the on-site spa. Every air-conditioned guest room is equipped with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a refrigerator, a coffee machine, free toiletries and a desk. Some rooms also feature a balcony. The hotel has two locations where guests can dine. Goat Tree offers casual dining all day offering fresh local fare including pastries and baked goods, a full breakfast menu, and cold-pressed juices and coffee. Blackbird offers Mediterranean-influenced cuisine with the Pacific Ocean and Funk Zone as a backdrop. The hotel spa, Majorelle, offers a steam room, a salon, and an indoor and outdoor lounge. Kunin Wines is 100 metres from Hotel Californian, while Santa Barbara Wine Collective is 200 metres from the property. The nearest airport is Santa Barbara Airport, 14 km from the hotel. Show full description Guest review score 8.6, rooms from around $747.

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• 4 The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, United States

  

  Hotel. Adjacent to the Sandpiper golf course, this Santa Barbara resort boasts beautiful ocean views, an outdoor pool and on-site dining. All guest rooms include a private patio with a view. At the The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, all en suite rooms include a TV. Comfortably furnished, all rooms feature a seating area. Bathrobes and slippers are provided. A variety of dining options are available at the The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara. Bistro offers Californian dishes in a casual environment. Signature cocktails are available at the O Bar + Kitchen. Angel Oak is a modern steak and seafood restaurant. Guests can also unwind at the on-site fitness centre. There are also tennis courts and hiking trails on-site. The property hosts one of the largest spas on the west coast with added features like an adults-only pool and a rooftop terrace. There is also a meeting area for guests on business. Santa Barbara city centre is 13 miles away from the resort. The Santa Barbara Mission is 18 minutes’ drive away. Show full description Guest review score 8.0, rooms from around $859.

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I try my best to keep this guide up to date and I last refreshed it in November 2022. Did I miss a luxury hotel that should be on this list? Send me an email and let me know!