Like I ever need an excuse for a). a road trip, or b). a chance to go to Santa Barbara, but this weekend afforded me both so I took it willingly! With a family wedding set for Saturday evening at the gorgeous Four Seasons Biltmore Resort, I could have taken a room there which would have arguably been much more exciting to review (and with a great room rate, thanks to some PR help). However, it didn’t fit the family budget so we downgraded uptown to the Pepper Tree Inn, a Best Western I recalled staying at almost 3 years ago on business.
For a second time, I was not disappointed. Let me preface by stating for the record: I hate motels. Sorry…but they creep me out. Having an exterior door like that makes me nervous. I don’t know how it’s different than a house, but still. Call me old-fashioned but I’ll take an interior corridor any day (except maybe at the Luxor).
One of the charms of Santa Barbara is that amost every building complies with the Spanish-style architecture that has come to define the area. The Best Western is no exception – and a beautiful example even, with trailing vines of blooming purple bougainvillea, swaying palms, Spanish tile roof and floors, crisp white exteriors and an enormous courtyard it’s actually styled (from the outside, anyway) just like the Biltmore. The staff is friendly and remembers names: a novel idea.
Inside, the rooms have a combination dated-and-modern look: soft but dark green carpet, updated bedding (too soft…), SLIPPERY tile floors in decent-sized bathrooms with ample counter space, a mirrored wall on one side, sliding glass doors that open out onto a small patio with table and chairs (and a pool!) and about 3 HVAC systems (not sure which was the one that actually did the work, but whatever). Still the room was comfortable and very un-motel-like, and the solid deadbolt alleviated my exterior-door concerns.
What I appreciate most though about the Pepper Tree are 3 things in particular: it’s CLEAN (I mean detailed clean), it’s in a fantastic location (right on State St. about 5 minutes from the gorgeous downtown area) and the amenities are great. I find, as a hotelier, that many people don’t understand why budget hotels give you so many free amenities while luxury hotels nickel-and-dime you for everything from internet to breakfast to an in-room microwave. After staying here, I don’t get it either. In our room we had a microwave, refrigerator, complimentary fruit bowl with shortbread cookies, bottled water, internet, Crabtree & Evelyn bath amenities and towels for twice as many people as needed. For someone who works at a 4-star, this is inclusiveness is unheard of unless you’re in a suite. A nice change of pace, actually :)
Guess we’ll do a compare and contrast after I check out of the 5-star I’m in this week. Stay tuned!
Best Western Pepper Tree Inn 3850 State St. Santa Barbara, CA 93105 (805) 687-5511
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Greetings from Santa Barbara CGTraveler!
We are delighted to hear you enjoyed your stay with us at the Best Western Pepper Tree Inn. Your kind comments regarding our hotel team are very much appreciated. We are very fortunate to have a wonderful team who generally care about the services given to each guest as well as pride ourselves on the quality of our guestrooms. Should your travels bring you back to Santa Barbara we invite you to return to the Best Western Pepper Tree Inn.
Warmly,
Chivaun C. Clark
General Manager
Best Western Pepper Tree Inn
Thank you for the comment – I’m honored! – and congrats, as you’re definitely the first hotel to respond to one of my reviews directly. As a hotel rep myself I know how nice it is to come across a good review, even on a humble blog :) It’s great to see a property so engaged with social media, as well. My second stay with you guys was definitely a pleasure; look forward to my next trip up the coast!
Best,
Leslie
I travel to Santa Barbara often, and like you, I love any excuse for a road trip to SB. The town in general is exceptional, and I always have a great time. Another hotel you should consider is The Sandman Inn (www.thesandmaninn.com). It is incredibly priced (can you say budget friendly!?) and the location is FABULOUS, right on State street, close to all the action.
Thank you for the rec – staying ON State would be ideal – this is perfect for my July jaunt up there :) I’ll definitely check it out!
Santa Barbara is the best town to have a few fun days in whether it be spent at the beach or drinking massive amounts of wine, it’s always a good time. I go there all the time to visit my kids and it is always a blast! I was just their for fiestas and it was so fun! I stayed at the South Coast Inn (www.santa-barbara-hotel.com). So elegant and it is the best place to escape all the city noise!
So true! I need to check out diff. hotels next time I am there – will have to look up the South Coast Inn! Thanks for the suggestion : )
I love vacationing in Santa Barbara; so gorgeous and there is so much to do there as well! I’ve stayed at the Pepper Tree Inn once and I wasn’t too impressed. It was a dated hotel and needed many moderations. The rooms were tidy but everything just seemed old to me. The pricing was alright, not too expensive either. Good for an over night stay but not for long periods of time. I was just in Santa Barbara and I stayed at the Sandman Inn (www.thesandmaninn.com). So affordable and the very quaint and lovely.
Funny, you’re the second person to mention the Sandmann Inn. Guess I’ll really have to check it out! And yea, I need to go to Santa Barbara for more than a day (or to the Four Seasons Biltmore for more than dinner!) Thanks for the tip : )
Great review of a Santa Barbara hotel. I’ve stayed here once a few years ago and it must have been before their remodel because I wasn’t too impressed with the place. It was dated and out of touch with everyone else going on in the city. By the looks of it they really took the initiative and re did everything! That’s great and it will for sure bring more customers around. I remember it being a bit pricey though which is hard to manage, especially in times like these. Recently found a great hotel in town, The South Coast Inn (www.santa-barbara-hotel.com). Elegant and affordable, can’t really top that winning combination.
Thanks Layna! I’ve heard that from a few people – I mean it’s definitely not the nicest hotel in the area, but for the price it was a heck of a deal and clean to boot. I hope they continue to do well! A couple Santa Barbarans (Barbrans? whatever…) have mentioned the South Coast Inn…with all these recs I may need to check that one out next ;)
Oh i’ve stayed here before! I was in town visiting some old college friends from my UCSB days and had a great time. The rooms were a bit less modern then this but I guess they made some alterations. That is always good! I really enjoyed staying there, it was really clean and the service was quite nice. Not ideal if you plan on going back and forth to UCSB though or the Goleta area. A bit out of the way-that was my only downside. Last time I was in town I stayed at the South Coast Inn (www.goleta-hotel.com). Right by UCSB and ideal for anyone visiting.