Harbor View Inn

Great location with amazing views, easy access to Shuttle, close to restaurants. The Harbor View Inn was a nice stay. When booking your stay, be aware that there are a few different buildings and the North building is not directly connected to the main buildings. The north building is across the street from the main building and probably doesn’t have ocean views, and the pool and gym or next to the main building. If this is important to you, book a pool or ocean view room, or call the Inn to book your stay to assure you don’t get booked in the north building. Location: Stearn’s Wharf and beach access is across the street from the main building. Quite a few restaurants and cafes within close walking distance (2-3 blocks). The State Street shuttle runs from the wharf and up State Street for about a mile and a half for 50 cents a ride, or you can get a day pass for a dollar from the Visitor’s Center. State Street runs through the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. The Inn: we had gotten in right at 4pm, and our room wasn’t ready on arrival. We waited about 15 minutes for housekeeping to finish up the room, and then we were able to head up after that. A lot of people were checking in right at four as well, and most had rooms, and some didn’t. First impressions of the hotel is that it is an older building but well maintained and clean. I think Tuscan/Spanish Colonial is a good way to describe how it’s decorated. The gym is small, with only a handful of equipment. The pool is also on the smaller side, but it has a large area for lounging, a grassy area, a pool bar, tables to sit and eat, and a jacuzzi. The room: we had booked an Ocean View King room. We walked in and was greeted by a nice sized room and a great view of the pier and ocean with lounge chairs on the spacious balcony. The bed was comfortable and bathroom was clean. They have L’Occitane toiletries. If I had to be nit picky and complain about something, the light switches are dated, unless they intentionally picked a weird green/gray/brown color and paint colors could be a bit more modern. I found it a little funny that they had this awesome blue accent wall, but had muted light forest green/neutral colors for the doors in the room that made the room a little darker than it really was. It was like the main section of the room was updated with more modern colors and other half was still needing an update. Just a matter of opinion, no other real complaints. Overall, it was a great stay and would probably stay there again. The ocean view is hard to beat and I don’t think there’s any other hotel out there that can offer that. 4 stars because there was just something missing. I can’t put my finger on it, but I can’t say truthfully that I absolutely, loved the hotel. We didn’t have very much interaction with the staff, but everyone was pretty friendly.

While the location near state street and the waterfront is good, the service is not. We checked in on a Thursday night for a room in the north building. I have not stayed at this hotel for many years and did not realize there was a NEW north building. I simply booked a room with two beds and that was what was available. After a seemingly efficient check in, we were given directions to our room. While "not on the hotel map yet" we were instructed to go down the hall, into the parking lot, and across a walk bridge to the north building. We were told someone would be there to help with the luggage that we were bringing with us. Upon entering the parking lot, a maintenance person told us "an easier way" to get there and sent us to the end of the parking lot to a cross street. Both directions led us to a parking ramp, which we later discovered was the parking ramp at the north building. We ended up in Rusty's Pizza asking where the north Harbor View Inn building was. They had no clue. One reason is that there are no markings on the building to indicate that it is the Harbor View Inn. Exhausted after 12 hours of traveling and transporting luggage, we opened the patio door for some fresh air and collapsed on the bed...to be greeted by the noise of the passing train and the music from Rusty's. At least we laughed. The room itself was nice. It's new, it better be nice. The balcony is big enough for two chairs and a table, and that's it. Good amenities and some pistachios as a welcome gift. We couldn't tell if the mini bar was completely stocked when we arrived as there were items on the price list that were not in the room. Nor was anything replenished during our three-night stay. The Keurig coffee maker didn't work and I had to ask to have it replaced. Cleaning service was minimal with a dirty towel left in the sleeping area one morning.

I’m a nanny went with my boss and my kids ,, we had a great nice beautiful room nice and clean staff was so helpful,, with everything,, the rooms were clean and spacious,, the balcony was very nice the bathroom is huge and has soak in tub and separate shower the pool was clean and loved how they had a children’s pool separate awesome and convenient got double queen,, put together for kids it was best cost of there lives thanks for being so great