11 Best Boutique Hotels in Santa Barbara

Witness how beautifully a city meets the ocean in Santa Barbara. This is a beautiful place to enjoy warm weather and white-sand beaches. Dubbed “The American Riviera,” Santa Barbara has a lot for nature lovers. In this enchanting city, you get to explore fantastic food, breathe some fresh air and enjoy the sun. Once you’re here, it feels like this is your second home. To capitalize on what the city offers, staying in the best boutique hotel in Santa Barbara is a must. Boutique hotels offer a different experience than general hotels. With personal attention from the staff, all you need to worry about is immersing yourself in the beauty of Santa Barbara.

There are many reasons why Santa Barbara is also one of the top travel destinations in the USA. First, people flock to this city because of its natural beauty. Santa Barbara has some of the best beaches in California. Not only do you get to swim and surf in the ocean, but you can also go hiking and trail running. The diversity of landscapes in Santa Barbara is mesmerizing. Second, you will love the culinary scene here in Santa Barbara. Just like Los Angeles, the food scene is fantastic. Yet, Santa Barbara takes it to the next level. From local tacos to fine dining, the options are endless. And another reason why people come to Santa Barbara is for wine tasting. This city is the best place in Southern California to try the best wine. Can’t wait for your next vacation? Let’s check out all the best boutique hotels in Santa Barbara California without further ado!

Best Western Plus Pepper Tree Inn

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Most travelers already know Best Western hotels. But what about the fresh boutique concept in Santa Barbara? Western Plus Pepper Tree Inn is one of the top boutique hotels in Santa Barbara. Staying here means you already know what to expect. Best Western’s outstanding hospitality and top-notch service are impeccable. For first-timers, this is the best boutique hotel in Santa Barbara.

Surrounded by lush gardens, the Best Western Plus Pepper Tree Inn is a peaceful retreat in the heart of Santa Barbara. Besides, the hotel features heated pools and whirlpools. All the state-of-the-art amenities are there to enhance your stay. Here, you have fast internet access throughout the building. Also, you get to enjoy massage services.

Best Western Plus Pepper Tree Inn offers bright and cozy rooms with private balconies overlooking the garden. Besides, the rooms are also equipped with in-room refrigerators and coffee machines for your daily dose of coffee. In the bathroom, you’ll find Crabtree & Evelyn bath products.

Cheshire Cat Inn & Cottages

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Imagine staying in an elegant and romantic hotel with your partner. Cheshire Cat Inn & Cottages is the best boutique hotel in Santa Barbara for a romantic getaway. Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, you can expect magical moments when you’re here. You will experience what it means to live a true Californian lifestyle during your stay.

Cheshire Cat Inn & Cottages is your dream place for a weekend getaway with your partner. Strategically located in downtown Santa Barbara, you’re within walking distance of the best Santa Barbara offers. You can go in any direction and discover something fascinating to try. For that reason, this is one of the most excellent boutique hotels in Santa Barbara California.

All the cozy guest rooms and suites come with a cable TV and fast Wi-Fi connection. Even better, the rooms feature stunning views of the gardens and flowers. And the best thing is, you have a private balcony to breathe some fresh air on a bright sunny day. You deserve the best place for an unforgettable moment with your loved one.

Mason Beach Inn

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As the name suggests, this hotel offers access to white-sand beaches right in front of the door. This is a newly renovated hotel with a bright and vibrant atmosphere. Whether you’re here for a weekend getaway or an extended holiday, you’ll enjoy every second at this hotel. In the morning, you can walk to the beach boardwalk. And in the afternoon you can go shopping on State Street. It’s the best boutique hotel in Santa Barbara that places you in the middle of the action.

The Mason Beach Inn features charming Spanish Architecture with a modern touch. This hotel boasts 45 luxurious guest rooms and suites for the quintessential experience in Santa Barbara. You can enjoy the day by sitting next to the pool or taking advantage of world-class spa treatments. It’s a wonderful stay at the Mason Beach Inn. No wonder it’s one of the top boutique hotels in Santa Barbara.

The elegant and cozy rooms come with 55-inch television with HBO channels. No more missing out on your favorite series! Besides, the room also comes with a sleek workstation and overstuffed comforters. What makes the room excellent is the Keurig machine. You don’t need to go outside to enjoy a good coffee.

Inn by the Harbor

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Inn by the Harbor embodies Spanish history in Santa Barbara. It’s the best boutique hotel in Santa Barbara for history buffs who love to appreciate historic buildings. This hotel beautifully combines Southern charm with a lush garden and top-notch service. Sitting just a few steps from the harbor, it’s a tranquil escape to enjoy the beautiful atmosphere.

From state-of-the-art amenities to attentive staff, Inn by the Harbor can elevate your experience in Santa Barbara. As one of the top boutique hotels in Santa Barbara California, everything is designed with your satisfaction in mind. Enjoy a delicious breakfast each morning to kick start your day. Unwind in the sundeck courtyard or dip in the swimming pool in the afternoon.

Inn by the Harbor features cozy and spacious guest rooms and suites. Each room comes with a fridge and a coffee maker, so you don’t need to go out to get coffee. Besides, there’s also a TV and in-room movies. Want to explore around? Free bike rentals are available.

The Upham Hotel

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The Upham Hotel is one of the most legendary boutique hotels in Santa Barbara California. Can you believe that this hotel has been travelers’ favorite for more than 150 years? The Upham Hotel still embraces its legacy and historic charm to this day. However, it doesn’t mean that everything is outdated. This hotel keeps its history but constantly upgrades its technology for better convenience for the guests.

This iconic hotel features 50 rooms and suites with redwood verandas. It’s the perfect place to build intimacy and connection with your loved one. Besides, this hotel is also the ideal base to explore Santa Barbara. Sitting in the downtown historic district, you’re surrounded by beautiful buildings, local shops, and famous restaurants. It’s one of the top boutique hotels in Santa Barbara for a memorable holiday.

Upham Hotel prioritizes your comfort. You’ll find luxurious linens and plush bedding in the room. Each room also comes with high-speed Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV. Besides, you have a comfy seating area to relax and unwind after a long day of exploring.

Bath Street Inn

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Bath Street Inn is your home away from home in Santa Barbara. It’s the perfect weekend getaway spot with your family and friends. When traveling to Santa Barbara, you need a cozy place to relax and talk with your loved ones. But you also need a strategic hotel that places you in the middle of the action. And for that, Bath Street Inn is the perfect answer for you.

This cozy hotel offers a gourmet breakfast with granola, fresh fruits, and pancakes every morning. Here, enjoy a pleasant respite to escape the rut. But if you want to explore, you have The Historic La Arcada Courtyard and Santa Barbara Museum of Art, all within walking distance from the hotel’s front door.

Bath Street Inn is the best boutique hotel in Santa Barbara for a family vacation. Each bright room at Bath Street Inn is equipped with air-conditioning and television. The old-world charm will leave you in awe as you enter the room. After a busy day, kick back and relax in the seating area.

Hotel Milo Santa Barbara

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Hotel Milo Santa Barbara is one of the top boutique hotels in Santa Barbara for those who love something unique. There’s no better place to experience Palm Beach than here. This classic hotel features traditional European-inspired architecture and elegant rooms.

Your stay at Hotel Milo will be fantastic. As the best boutique hotel in Santa Barbara for leisure travelers, everything is designed with your satisfaction in mind. Relax in the lounge or enjoy the warmth of the sun in the poolside cabana. When you’re ready to explore, you can hike through mountains or wander around the city on a bike. See Santa Barbara at its best at Hotel Milo Santa Barbara.

The modern and vibrant rooms come with a cable TV. Besides, each air-conditioned room features wooden floors and a ceiling fan. Also, you’ll find a coffee machine in your room for your daily dose of caffeine. The Ocean View Suite is the best room you can get here.

Simpson House Inn

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Simpson House Inn should be on your radar for minimalist boutique hotels in Santa Barbara California. Pamper yourself in a bright and beautiful boutique hotel surrounded by stunning gardens. This hotel features 15 guest rooms. It has received the “Santa Barbara Beautiful” Award. And it was built in 1874.

Simpson House Inn invites you to experience a perfect combination between historic charm and modern luxuries. It’s true when people stay that this is one of the top boutique hotels in Santa Barbara. When you stay here, you enjoy evening wine, desserts, and a gourmet breakfast in the morning.

This hotel features individually styled rooms with cable television and in-room movies. Boasting hardwood floors and classic décor, the room is a cozy place to relax and unwind after a busy day. Besides, you have a coffee maker and a sleek work desk. If you want to explore around, the hotel provides free bike rentals.

Harbor House Inn

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The Harbor House Inn sits on the Mendocino coastline. This is a stunning hotel for a rejuvenating stay in the middle of nature. Here, you have quick access to popular attractions. Yet, you have a tranquil atmosphere you always need. After all, it’s one of the finest boutique hotels in Santa Barbara California. Harbor House Inn boasts 10-guest rooms with panoramic views and a Michelin-starred restaurant.

This hotel sits only about 30-minutes from the historic village of Mendocino. This is your ideal spot if you’re a history buff who wants to learn about Santa Barbara’s history. Want to explore nearby attractions? Enjoy free 3-speed bicycles or walk to the beach nearby.

Each spacious guest room at the Harbor House Inn comes with a television with premium channels. Besides, it also provides Netflix access to watch your favorite series. And the best thing is, the rooms include a kitchen. That way, you can cook your own comfort meal. Moreover, there are tea and coffee making facilities in each room.

El Encanto

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Want to know how it feels to stay in paradise? At El Encanto, you can. This is an iconic hideaway with the best view of Santa Barbara. Surrounded by secluded gardens, El Encanto has been a landmark of Santa Barbara since 1918. This is where celebrities come to spend their holiday. It’s elegant and glamorous as it should be.

El Encanto is the kind of place that invites you to relax and enjoy life. This is where you can breathe in the breeze and sip your favorite drink. It’s the best boutique hotel in Santa Barbara for boujee travelers who want to feel the greatest experience. There’s no place quite like this.

All rooms and suites come with flat-screen television TV. Besides, each room is also equipped with a fireplace and a seating area. This is a great place to chill after a long day of exploring. Wake up to a beautiful garden view right in front of your window in the morning. Now you know why it’s one of the top boutique hotels in Santa Barbara.

Brisas Del Mar Inn at the Beach

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Brisas Del Mar Inn at the Beach is an inspiring place for creative minds like you. This is where you can discover the best Santa Barbara has to offer. It’s the best boutique hotel in Santa Barbara for those looking for an inspiring place. Escape to stunning Mediterranean-style architecture only a few steps from white-sand beaches and a gorgeous harbor.

This swanky hotel provides an elegant base for exploring Santa Barbara. You have quick access to famous wineries, local boutiques, and elegant restaurants here. Whether you’re here for a short staycation or an extended holiday, this is a peaceful retreat that evokes magical moments. It’s so true when critics say that this is one of the top boutique hotels in Santa Barbara.

Each bright and elegant suite features a full kitchen. That way, you can get creative with your own meals instead of getting take-out. Besides, the suites feature cable TV and a fast internet connection to always stay connected. And with a fireplace and a coffee maker, enjoy a relaxing moment without going to a café.

Recommended Restaurants/Bar in Santa Barbara

• Cold Spring Tavern – Enjoy a hearty breakfast and lunch at Cold Spring Tavern. The history of this restaurant dates back to 1865. When you’re here, you should try the Buffalo Burger.
• Yoichi’s – This is a traditional Japanese dining experience that transports you to Japan. Even some of the seafood menu actually comes from Japan. Their dedication to original taste is unmatched.
• Bettina – There’s always room for pizza, right? You won’t find a better pizza place than Bettina. Enjoy delicious wood-fired pizza like in Italy. This restaurant’s root is always Italian culture. Yet, it’s also inspired by the coastal vibes of California. 

Recommended Things To Do in Santa Barbara

• Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise with Bar – Experience a fun whale-watching activity while cruising along the coastline. You’ll see dolphins, sea lions, and other fishes other than whales. Then, relax while sipping a fresh drink.
• Wine Country Tour – You can’t come to Santa Barbara and miss the wine tasting activity. Visit three famous local wineries and taste the finest wine. You’ll find award-winning selections and unique mixes. Besides, you’ll also learn about wine-making.
• 1.5-Hour Harbor Kayak Tour – Enjoy the beautiful view. But you also have the chance to meet sea lions if you’re lucky enough. The local guide will also tell you about the history of Santa Barbara.

Where To Stay in Santa Barbara

With good weather and pristine beaches, you won’t have a hard time finding the best boutique hotel in Santa Barbara. This city is your dream California vacation. Santa Barbara is also known for its luxury hotels and resorts.

So which area is the best for your next vacation in Santa Barbara? Well, that would depend on your preference. If this is your first time in Santa Barbara, we recommend staying in the East Beach area. It’s a picturesque area packed with outstanding restaurants, local shops, and excellent hotels.

Can you find top boutique hotels in Santa Barbara in other areas? Absolutely. East Beach isn’t the only interesting area. If you’re more into parties and nightlife, you should stay in West Beach. This is the bustling alternative of East Beach. Besides, West Beach is also close to Downtown Santa Barbara. But if you want true luxury, Montecito is your perfect area. This is where celebrities come to spend their holidays. Also, this is an excellent area for those who prefer tranquility.