The Bottom Line
Created by combining several 1920s-era inns, the Oceana is likely nicer than the places it replaced, but it's not without flaws. Since we stayed there in 2009, visitor ratings have continued to decline and we can longer recommend it as a place to stay in Santa Barbara.
You can find some other, better-rated Santa Barbara hotels here.
Pros
- Ocean-facing rooms have excellent views
- Convenient location
- Super-comfortable beds
Cons
- Noisy (especially in rooms that face the ocean/street)
- No air conditioning
- Not enough counter space in the bathroom
Description
- 202 W. Cabrillo Boulevard
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
800-965-9776, 805-965-4577, fax 805-965-9937
Website - 122 rooms in 6 Spanish style buildings with some "junior" suites
- Off-street parking, $10 per day (or find a place to park on the street and save the cost)
- Complimentary in-room wireless Internet
- 2 outdoor swimming pools, indoor fitness center
Complimentary 2-hour cruiser bicycle rentals (about a $25 value if used) - Up-to-date televisions, CD players or iPod docks
Egyptian cotton linens, Aveda toiletries - 100% non-smoking
- Complimentary breakfast
Guide Review - Hotel Oceana
Visitors' opinions of the Oceana vary, depending in part on where their room was located. Those who like the place praise the staff and say the breakfast is great. Those who don't like it think it delivers too little for the price and complain about the noise.
As is common in the travel industry, the writer received complimentary accommodation at Oceana Hotel. It has not influenced this review, but About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more info, see our ethics policy.
