I usually book at Airbnb when traveling to Santa Barbara for Fiesta. Well, this was one of the rare times that booking a room at this Hilton, especially for a big event like this, was actually more economical. I booked a king room with sofa bed, partial ocean view. I checked-in through the app, but I was still required to check-in with the front desk so they can check IDs. There was a line of people waiting to check-in as there was only 1 staff member. But luckily 2 more came so the line went faster. I will say that patience can get thin after a day of traveling whenever check-in into a hotel, so I try to be aware of that when all I want to do is rest. The woman who assisted us nice. She did have to step away as my room type apparently required her manager's approval? But she disclosed that, so I appreciated that. And she explained all the amenities that were included with the resort fees. The app states water bottles, which are part of the fees, were available at the front desk. That's incorrect - they're available in your room and are replenished each day of your stay. My room was in the Camellia building and it was pretty quiet. Even the sounds of children screaming in the pool nearby weren't bothersome. The room was spacious and clean for the most part. Though, when we pulled out the sofa bed to check the mattress, it was really worn down. Barely an upright spring.. luckily the couch itself was comfortable to sleep on. I found the bed to be comfortable as well. And the bathroom was a decent size. I used some of the bathroom amenities and they were of good quality. And the shower pressure was good. I appreciate that there are two sinks, one inside the bathroom and one outside so there's privacy if the bathroom is in use. The closet space was standard. And there are a lot of drawers, as well as a decently cold fridge and a working microwave. The patio furniture was comfy as well. The tvs are a little outdated - they don't have internet access so you can't watch YouTube etc there. Speaking of internet access, it was troublesome connecting to the internet. My regular phone internet was frustratingly slow. I usually don't use public wifi, but I decided to connect to the hotel's wifi because I wanted to scroll through instagram. Well, I couldn't as the instructions on the paper key card holder didn't match to what info was needed on the login screen to connect. With that said, I don't recommend using the digital key on the app since there's barely a signal there. The other amenities we used were the free 2hr bike rentals (which the vouchers were a one time use) and the 2hr beach chair rentals. Only 2 beach chairs can be used per room, but it was still useful to have when watching the parade on the grass. We also took advantage of their wine tasting hour for HH members as well as their Sangria and S'mores Saturdays. Check with staff about the correct times as the posting didn't match the actual time they were holding that event. The only place where I bought food on the property was the cafe in the pool area. The staff members there work really hard in the heat to get the food out. I got their southwestern salad and it was delicious! The romaine lettuce was fresh and the dressing was flavorful. I also ordered a side of tortilla chips. The salsa verde was excellent, but the chips were meh. Better off going to Trader Joe's nearby to get tortilla chips. Though the rooms have been upgraded, the age of the property shows. Some of the sidewalk lights were rusted and/or knocked down. The security bar for the sliding glass door was wonky, which my dad fixed (cue in the Home Depot theme). But sitting out on the front lawn of the property in one of their swivel chairs overlooking the ocean melts every negative thought away. The property isn't far from the Funk Zone, about a 20min walk. Getting to the middle of State Street, however, can feel far if you're not used to walking. But I think booking this hotel as opposed to another hotel on State Street was worth it because of the proximity to East Beach. Btw, if you're not familiar with Santa Barbara, there are a lot of oil rigs in the channel. Some days there's a higher amount of oil in the water and that can put a sour note on your beach experience. Staff members at the hotel might not be aware of any natural seepage as there's not a specific advisory body (or at least I can't find one) about it. You can still ask them, but you should Google it, too. read more

This hotel is very disappointing and should not be considered a Hilton property. We had to wait 45 minutes to check in and our room wasn't ready while they said they would text us when it was. It was after 4pm and we had to wait AGAIN in a 45 minute line to find out our room was ready. After that, the bar tender at The Set was incredibly rude. Avoid this hotel. read more

-No charger cords in the room, all other Hilton's I go to provide a variety in each room. - Refrigerator in room doesn't work. - Checking in I had to wait 2 hours. -AC not working and it is 98 outside. - Parking is not free, you pay read more

I pre paid for my room in advance. Upon check in, I noticed 2 more charges at about 70% of room cost. I spent 50 minutes in line to check in because the staff kept leaving the desk. Finally tried to check in, the staff was confused and called a manager. After I showed the manager my credit card statement, she finally realized they double charged me but then charged my card again to "get it in their system" to refund. It's been 6 days, no refund yet, and 900 dollars down for a 1 night stay due to their mistake. I called back to get an update, they kept hanging up on purpose whenever I would get to the desk The resort is ok, a little outdated, but the customer service makes it not worth it. read more

This hotel was massive, low height but spread out into several buildings named after flowers. To me it was reminiscent of the 60's although google said it was built in the 80's. It had gorgeous views and located across the street from the ocean. The location was difficult to beat. The rooms were huge and we had a view of the ocean from our first floor room with plenty of easy parking. But the hotel was older and our room was in somewhat disrepair. The bath towels were fraying and more off white than white. There was visible water damage in the bathroom. And the patio screen door had lots of holes and would not slide and instead came off the rails. Even with these issues, we would stay here again as the ocean views were unforgettable. read more

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What happened? When this property was owned by the Parker family the service was on point. First issue - we waited in line for 45 minutes just waiting to meet with a person to check in. Yes we have on line booking, BUT if one of the persons does not have the app, then you need to get in line to get the other person a physical key. The folks checking people in would continuously leave, return & ‍, so frustrating. Next walking thru the halls, smelled moldy, old feet smell. The actual room, 142, the shower could use a thorough cleaning, there's junck along the various grout lines. The tile ceilings need to be leveled correctly. The internet was poor to nonexistent. Came down & needed to attend to some work, ended up in the lobby across from the Starbucks. For the price I really expect better, a lot better! Who's the GM? Who ever you are, do better! read more

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort - Still waiting in line. - Hotels Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Aging lackluster hotel acting like it is a luxury resort. The location is really poor for walking around actual Santa Barbara, it is 15+ minutes to walk downtown. The hotel breakfast restaurant is $33 for the buffet with just hotel pans of food, birds in the area, and children touching pastries and putting them back. The $40/night resort fee is totally unjustified: one small crowded pool filled with loud kids; 1 bike rental for the whole stay via their vendor, so unless you go by yourself there goes more money; the rest is even more meaningless, just up your rates if you want more money. In the room, the beds are really lumpy and the mattresses are showing age. I had an "upgraded" room with a balcony of a view of...someone else's balcony. The wifi only really worked in the front half of the room, and beware of accessibility as some rooms are stairs-only. Just don't stay here? I was with my dad and he is Hilton Diamond Lifetime and he said they should re-do it. read more

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort - The Roundhouse buffet - Hotels Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We wanted to get away for a couple days (we live South of here) and this was perfect! I read the reviews ahead and admit I was a little nervous BUT this resort has friendly staff, dog friendly and very clean rooms! Love the bike paths and can take a walk around very easily. We will be back!! read more

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort - Hotels Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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The good: check in staff was nice. No line. The bad: for some reason, it took maybe 20 minutes to check in to two rooms. I kept thinking there was a problem but they said there were no problems and sorry it took a bit. The good: property is wonderfully located right across from the beach The bad: it's a little outdated. We sat down at a fire pit and didn't realize there's no wait staff for orders. You apparently have to scan the qr code at the table and someone will bring u the order. We sat for maybe 10 minutes before someone explained this to us. It's not obvious. The 2nd floor rooms are not well marked. As we were being taken to the rooms the guy was telling us about the shortcut we were taking which amounted to entering thru various doors marked "Stairs" with no mention of it being a connector to another wing. We went thru four unmarked doors to get to our rooms. I met SWA flight attendants around 1130 pm who were just as confused and helped them locate their rooms as they were luckily close to ours. More bad: there are no ice or vending machines where they once were. Hey, Hilton, covid was 2020-21 you can out them back now. The good : pool is nice and clean. The bad: you need to use your room key to get to the towel bin, and neither ours nor another guests keys worked. I had to run down a staff member who sent someone to help. The worst: so we wanted a diet code and a Corona at the pool. The little food service hut is closed (no idea why) and there are those peksy QR codes again. So u have to go thru the same process as you do for food at the fire pits. It's not obvious really and I'm a techie. Anyways we ordered our two drinks and entered our location at 1205. At 1230 I received an email that the order was being processed. At 1240, I asked a towel guy (NOW he shows up) why taking so long, and he said I'd have to go to the bar by the lobby beituats who does the drinks for the pool. So I go to the bar and the bartender told me that the orders are processed in the kitchen area and runners bring the orders out. I asked why it took 45 minutes and she seemed to be aware this was an issue and (nicely) gave me a diet coke and Corona and said not to worry about a charge About ten minutes after I returned to the pool, the drink guy came by and delivered Corona and Diet Coke #2 It was almost a full hour. And the pool had maybe 25 people Left a bad impression. Overall, I'd certainly expect more from a Hilton Resort property. Something just seems a little off. I'd really provide 3.5 stars if that was possible read more

Great experience from check in through checkout . Emily, Luke our server all 5 star . Emet understands ADA so ask for her if you need any assistance or questions prior to your stay. Rhe room was large and comfortable , well appointed with wing chair and full couch in the king size room. Bed was exactly perfect as i like it hard as a rock . The pillows are luxurious down , overfilled and make things feel homey. The down quilt kept us toasty all night long . The hotel also accepts cats , so they were very friendly to our evacuation needs . Even our cat acclimated quickly to the room . We will for sure be back and its location is right on the ocean so you can an ocean view and breeze. We will be back for sure . This makes for a perfect staycation as it includes all the best of Santa Barbara with it read more

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Pretty building, terrible follow-through. If you're paying resort rates, read this first. 1. Parking is a shakedown. $42/night to self-park in an uncovered lot next to the Amtrak tracks (trains run all night), plus a $40 resort fee on top. $96 to park your car for one night. 2. Front desk and room service don't pick up. Calls get routed to full voicemail boxes, then dropped. You redial and repeat the same dead end. For a "resort," this is embarrassing. 3. Shower/water pressure: weak and unpleasant. Not a minor gripe at this price point. 4. AC units sound like they've been running since disco was popular -- loud spin-up whir every cycle. 5. Pool area: trash everywhere, nobody clears it. 6. Room service is a rip-off. ~$170 for two kids' pastas, two entrées, and a glass of milk. Kids wouldn't touch the pasta. Mussels tasted like plain seawater -- hard to screw up mussels, and they managed it. 7. Ice machine is hidden like a scavenger hunt. read more

Beautiful location walking distance from the beach. The suites are spacious well designed and comfortable. Can't wait to go back the next time we're in Santa Barbara. read more

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I chose the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort for my wedding stay and for my guest expecting an stress-free experience, but it was one disappointment after another. We had issues with room keys, incorrect credit card charges, and the rooms were so dirty that walking barefoot left our feet black. The worst part was on my wedding day when my reservation was mistakenly changed, locking us out of the room where my wedding flowers were delivered. Instead of enjoying my wedding, I spent time dealing with the front desk while my family had to ask security for access. unnecessary stress and embarrassment was all I experienced I expected much better from a Hilton resort and unfortunately cannot recommend this hotel. I tried reaching out no answer for over a week. There was zero accountability from this place. Just stay some where else. read more

We stayed at this hotel for our wedding anniversary. I paid for 2 nights on one reservation and used loyalty points for the 3rd night on a second reservation. After waiting in line for about 30 minutes, we were able to check in with a reasonably friendly gentleman. I explained that I had two separate reservations and he assured me they would be linked and we would not have to change rooms during our stay. We were checking in about 3pm, check in is not until 4pm, and our room was not yet ready. We were updated to an ocean front room, which ended up being very large and nice with a great patio looking out towards the ocean. The property is a little rundown for a Hilton resort, but the location was good and we were having a pleasant stay. On our second night I received a text about our check out the next day. I called to explain we were staying for 3 nights and the reservations should have been linked. After a long confusing hold, I was told they would have to call me back. We decided to grab a drink at the bar while waiting to get this resolved. It was about 9pm and we sat down at the bar with one other customer. The bartender was rude and seemed upset with us for coming in. We had to ask for a menu and both decided we didn't want to deal with an angry bartender at a resort hotel. We left without ordering anything. We still hadn't received a call back from the front desk. My wife was practically in tears from our rather unusual bar experience. We went to the front desk and asked about the room situation. They advised we would have to vacate our room at checkout and they would find us another room. At this point, our Hilton Santa Barbara experience was going south fast. I explained our rude encounter at the bar, and advised we just cancel the third night and take a points refund. They said they would make notes and see what they could do. Needless to say, we were frustrated and didn't sleep well. In the morning we decided we really didn't want to drive home on our anniversary day. We vacated our room as instructed. We went back to the front desk and explained the situation to yet another person. She was actually helpful and quite nice. She advised she could move us to another room, but it would not be ready until the afternoon since check in is at 4pm. She upgraded us to a suite with a fire pit. We left for lunch and checked back in in the afternoon to a very nice room by the pool. Although having to change rooms and the time and frustration of resolving everything, we were able to settle in to our nice new room for our anniversary evening. We left the next day worn out from the experience and agreed this was not a properly we would return to. Although the stay was not the worst, it was not relaxing or overly enjoyable. To add insult to injury. The next day I received $125 charge to my credit card for pool towels. We again called the hotel and we transferred around until talking to an interim manager. We were questioned on how we returned our pool towels. We explained all towels were returned into the return box at the pool. They said that we would see a refund on the towels in 3 to 5 business days. Our final parting kick from the Santa Barbara Hilton was to be accused of stealing pool towels! This hotel was a real disappointment for a Hilton property. The customer service is lacking and frustrating. The property is in need of repair and renovation. Believe the reviews for this hotel, they are accurate and not exaggerated. read more

We specifically chose this resort because it is advertised as a beachfront destination where guests can enjoy direct access to the beach. However, the beach was covered with significant amounts of tar. The tar stuck to our feet, was extremely difficult to remove, and made the beach unusable for the very purpose we booked this property. Even though natural conditions are beyond the hotel's control, at no point before our arrival or at check-in were we informed that the beach conditions were severely impacted. Had we known, we would have selected another hotel or postponed our trip. The hotel staff knew about the conditions because they had boxes of oil wipes, so they could definitely give their guests a warning. When they saw our feet and ruined shoes, they started arguing that "hotels don't care about beach tar". We are going to stay away from Hilton properties for a while. read more

We stayed here for 4 nights while attending a conference. Pros: Great location, right across the street from the beach, the room was spacious, the pool was nice, the greenery was typically nice and maintained. The lobby looked clean and nice. Cons: Saying that this resort needs a refresh may be an understatement. Perhaps saying the report needs a full remodel may be a more accurate statement. There was mold in the bathroom and in the ceiling tiles, the carpet was stained in our room, the decor was dated, the parking lot needs to be repaved, and basically many of the small/finishing touches are worn, broken, chipping, faded, etc. The customer service is bad. We had our room "cleaned" daily and on one occasion they did not replenish our bath towels. I called the front desk to request towels, and I was on hold for 30 minutes before I decided to hang up. We ended up walking to the pool, and grabbing beach/pool towels. We will not return. read more

We live staying here every 4th of July! This is our 3rd year coming to Hilton SB. We always have a great experience. Pros- beautiful view of East Beach, great activities this holiday weekend (sangria and s'mores in the lawn, 4th of July treats at the pool, etc.), rooms are a bit dated but nice accommodations nonetheless, plenty of parking, pickleball courts (must reserve), short walk to funk zone, nice pool Cons- pool orders have not been an issue in the past, but today 7/4/26 my order took over 40 minutes and nobody could tell me why my family who ordered after me had received their multiple orders and I had not. I had to ask multiple staff and finally speak to a supervisor. My drink was made promptly but that was it, no "I'm sorry", here's a free soda, no acknowledgement. I was disappointed with this customer service. I won't let this cloud my judgment of this place as our family enjoys coming here this weekend. read more

I was a little hesitant to book Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort after seeing the low Yelp rating, but I'm really glad I went anyway. I'd give it 4 stars. Our ocean view room was beautiful, spacious, and very comfortable. The outdoor s'mores were such a fun touch and the staff was mostly friendly. I was also happy the pool was open during our stay since it had been closed for renovations before. Overall, we had a great experience and would definitely come back. read more

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort - Hotels Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

first of all, the room felt like 1979 very outdated. The carpets were dirty. The towel felt like sandpaper. The lady at checkout front desk was about as rude as anyone can be. i've actually stayed at better, Holiday Inn. Than this no don't get me wrong the lobby, the restaurant was very nice, but my room view was a dirty wall and a parking lot for nearly $500. Didn't care so much about that chose not to open the sliding glass door. But honestly, the room is so outdated. The carpets were so dirty. The smell was not fresh. The sheets were stiff. No kind of luxury whatsoever. I wish I had looked at the reviews before beforehand. But most of all I was traveling with a disabled child and the checkout lady was so rude because we were 15 minutes behind which I told her I don't mind paying extra... where she snapped at me and said make it quick. You got 15 minutes. I hadn't planned on mentioning how terrible the room was. I was just grateful because the night Clerk he was amazing (we checked in at two in the morning ) he gave us extra time for checkout said we could leave at two. Unfortunately the lady said he was mistake... he was very professional. The staff at the restaurant were very professional very friendly as well, but definitely not worth the cost read more

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort - 1978 vibes - Hotels Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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I don't know if I like the place or not. There was a lot of good things going on around the resort. The room looked clean but the bathroom was very dirty. The toilet was also draining the whole night so the water kept refilling. My towels were still wet as well. The reception area and people were real nice. The business center does not fit the resort feel, just two computers in a hallway. I also got lost and when I asked for assistance the worker just pointed. So I don't know what to think. Take my experience with a grain of salt. It could've been a bad day. But there was a lady complaining about every little thing when I was there from the hrs of the gift shop to the fake maple syrup. I didn't experience any of that but the gift shop was closed during the hours it would be open. read more

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort - Room - Hotels Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Such a stunning property. It's serene. Few minute walk to the beach. Our stay was perfect. read more

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First time here! I like my room, and I am very excited to stay at this nice hotel. The pool and hot tub are super close to my room, and the people were really nice, friendly, kind and helpful, and I had such a great experience today. read more

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort - Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. - Hotels Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Completely upset with the Hilton Santa Barbara!! The day after check-out, we reviewed our bill. I was livid, there was $125 charge for pool towels! It took several attempts to get in touch with the hotel directly to reverse the charge, we will find out in 3-5 business days. When I spoke to a staff member, they asked me to verbally state where I returned the towels?! After verification, she said the charge may be reversed. We are loyalty members who know where to return our pool towels! Unbelievable, our anniversary weekend was the worst. There were several chances for this hotel to redeem itself for our unpleasant experience, but epically failed. read more

I was working for Gavin Roy Presents (dj and lighting) at a wedding at the Hilton. I was surprised to find one of the industry's best is here, bartending! Watching him working the wedding is an expert class in hospitality. In down time he checks on guest, myself, Gavin as well as the other vendors. So shout out to Nelson. read more

Shoutout to Nelson for making sure my friend and I had the best time! He was super friendly, checked on us often, and had the kind of energy that makes you want to stay longer. The service was amazing without ever feeling over the top. Also, the s'mores were a solid 10/10 and I'm still thinking about them. If you stop by, definitely hope you get Nelson! he made our whole experience even better! Never ever let him go he is truly a gem :) read more

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort - Hotels Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

UPDATE PUBLIC SAFETY SHUT DOWN THE POOL. Very disappointed in our stay here. For spending over 300 a night this place is not worth it. The service is lacking, they do not have enough staff to support this place, getting a hold of the front desk is impossible in the evening, the pool was so disgusting I dont think I have ever seen a hotel pool look that gross, the lights flicker in the bathroom, the shower didnt work upon arrival, and they charge a lot for parking and they charge for use of the wifi which is ridiculous when youre paying so much for the room. Had an awful experience on check out with the manager, a woman named Cynthia, Sylvia or Cindy or something. She was so defensive and nasty. As soon as she walked up to us to talk she had a defensive nasty attitude. We reported this place to public health and safety, the BBB and the Hilton Corporate. Do yourself a favor and do not book here. read more

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort - Hotels Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Whoever was the male phone operator at 10:30pm on 8/9, he needs some customer service training. He lets the phone ring continuously and when he finally answers, he's quick to transfer the call to an automated system to book a block of rooms. read more

I stayed at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort for a family wedding, and unfortunately the experience was very disappointing. Our room keys did not work properly, there were issues with the room charges, and the cleanliness of the room was unacceptable. The floors were so dirty that our feet were black after walking around barefoot. The biggest issue was the confusion with the bride's room on the wedding day, which resulted in her being locked out of her room and unable to access important wedding items. It was frustrating to see so much unnecessary stress placed on the bride and her family on such an important day. For a hotel of this caliber, especially one hosting wedding guests, we expected much better service and attention to detail. Not a single person has reached out to make it right. Unfortunately, I would not recommend staying here. read more

Attended the welcoming mixer the day before my cousin's wedding at the hotel. Only had a chance to check on but the rooms are decent size, but really could benefit from a face lift. After the drive from SD, energy was low. But then our Bartenders (Carlos and Nelson) stepped in with satirical wit and banter, as well as perfectly crafted libations! Carlos even had a couple NAs for the lady that had great flavor. If you get the chance, you can bet Nelson if he can quick draw open your beer without missing like a commercial. Food was on point and the staff made the night perfect. read more

Mediocre rooms for the price and it's not actually a beachfront property. Parking fee is $42. Worst of all is the service-- you can't get through to the front desk, no matter how many times you call. read more

My sister, my best friend, and I recently stayed at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort for a belated birthday getaway. My sister generously redeemed 300,000 Hilton Honors points for our stay, so we arrived expecting the level of hospitality and service we've come to associate with the Hilton brand. Unfortunately, this property fell far short of those expectations. From the moment we checked in, the service was inconsistent. We were assigned a first-floor "Mountain View" room that overlooked the parking lot. Since there were three of us staying in the room, we requested an additional set of towels and some ice for my sister, who was recovering from a knee injury. We were told the ice machine was broken and that ice would be delivered promptly. Nearly 40 minutes later, the ice finally arrived, but the extra towels were forgotten. I eventually had to walk to the front desk myself. To the manager's credit, she was kind, apologetic, and offered several options to make things right, including a bar credit, breakfast, or returning some Hilton Honors points. She also assured us housekeeping would immediately deliver the missing towels, which they did. Unfortunately, the communication ended there. My sister called the following morning to let the manager know which option we had chosen and was told she would receive a return call. That call never came. Later that afternoon, after multiple unanswered phone calls, my sister drove to the lobby to speak with someone in person. At the same time, our room still had not been cleaned until approximately 4:30 p.m., and another guest in the lobby was experiencing the very same issue. Additional problems continued throughout our stay. Our refrigerator stopped working, ruining the food we had brought for the trip. The fitness center was closed, with only a very small temporary room containing a few pieces of equipment available instead. Hallways were unusually warm, and we noticed generators operating outside during much of our stay. Eventually, management upgraded us to an ocean-view room for our second night, credited our parking charges, returned a portion of my sister's Hilton Honors points, and even sent champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries to our room. Those gestures were appreciated and certainly helped improve the experience. However, at checkout we still had to verify that the promised credits had actually been applied because they initially had not been. Thankfully, everything was eventually corrected. The resort itself has an incredible location directly across from the beach, but the property feels dated and appears to be struggling with maintenance and staffing. Between the broken ice machines, non-functioning refrigerator, closed fitness center, delayed housekeeping, unanswered phone calls, and apparent electrical issues, it seemed the hotel was operating under challenges that significantly affected the guest experience. What disappointed us most wasn't that things went wrong--unexpected issues happen at every hotel. It was the lack of communication and follow-through. As someone who spent years working at Nordstrom, I understand that exceptional customer service isn't about perfection; it's about how problems are handled. While several employees were genuinely kind and tried to help, the overall experience simply did not reflect the standards we've come to expect from Hilton. Santa Barbara is a beautiful destination, and we made wonderful memories despite the hotel's shortcomings. I sincerely hope the property addresses these operational issues because it has the potential to be an exceptional resort. read more

I want to recognize Alexx at the Hilton front desk for providing exceptional customer service. From the moment I arrived, Alexx was warm, welcoming, and genuinely helpful. They made the check-in process quick and easy, answered all of my questions with patience, and went above and beyond to make sure I had everything I needed for a comfortable stay. It's clear that Alexx takes pride in providing outstanding hospitality. Their professionalism, kindness, and positive attitude made a lasting impression and truly enhanced my experience. Hilton is fortunate to have someone like Alexx representing their team. Thank you, Alexx, for making my stay so enjoyable! Sheree Young and Diana Grieff read more

This place has really gone downhill after it was changed to a Hilton. The Fess Parker used to be lovely... sophisticated. The grounds used to be enchanting. Now they are grungy. The rooms are really oddly configured, dark and depressing. Heavy fire-like doors for the bathrooms. The hotel is pretty dingy. Carpet is old. I paid about $750 a night after taxes. The front desk does not want to please. And they don't answer the phone. They only want to text. They really need to remodel if they're going to charge this much for rooms. Never again! read more

When we arrived there were two people working the registration desk and a line of 8-9 guest waiting. It took quite some time to get through check in as both employees were very slow and the process appeared to be outdated and inefficient. After check in we went to the Set restaurant for a bite to eat while we waited for our room to become available. We waited at the restaurant check in while several employees walked by ignoring us for several minutes. Eventually one of the employees who had walked by us a couple of times finally showed us to a table. We were at the table for over 6 minutes before contacted by our server (she was very pleasant). We noticed a charge to our credit card of approximately $200 more than our stated total. I assumed this was a security deposit. I attempted to phone the front desk, on several occasions however the AI attendant continued to advise that all front desk personnel were busy helping other guests and AI could help. When I advised AI what I needed they attempted to send me to accounting or finance, not sure which but there was no answer. The following day I went to the front desk in person to ask about the $200. When I entered the lobby I was first in line and three employees were helping other guests. When the first employee finished she stared at her computer for a minute or two, looked up at me and walked into the back room. A second employee then finished with his guest (now there were three other guests besides myself in line) and he too ignored us all and walked into the back room. About 7 minutes later the first employee returned and assisted me. When I inquired as to the $200 increase on the credit card and mentioned could it be the deposit, she said they charge $150 a night (we were staying 2 nights) so the charge should be an extra $300 that will eventually come off the bill. When I asked why it shows up on your invoice as $200, she couldn't say. I asked if I could check my room bill from the tv in our room, she said no. We then went to the Set restaurant for dessert. When we arrived there were about 7 people at the bar and 6 parties total at the various tables inside and out. Guessing about 20% occupancy. After 3-4 minutes the hostess came up and asked how many in our party (3) she said the servers told her they were backed up and to hold any new customers for 10 minutes. We told her we were here just for dessert. She checked with the servers again and they told her we still had to wait. After approximately 8 minutes we were seated. Housekeeping has been fantastic. However, the Set restaurant and Front desk staff did not deliver. For a four star property the customer service was atrocious and very disappointing. No communication from the front desk, you can't make eye contact with a customer then leave the room with speaking. The restaurant crew was more concerned with the group at the bar and engaging with them than assisting other customers. read more

Beautiful location and kind staff, but poorly maintained and half-hearted amenities The Hilton Beachfront Santa Barbara sits in a truly beautiful location with stunning views, well-kept grounds, and easy access to the beach, the wharf, and the zoo. The restaurants are excellent, the food is delicious, and every staff member we met was warm and gracious. The wedding we attended was lovely, and the housekeeping staff were especially kind. Unfortunately, the experience does not match the setting or the price. Rooms cost between five hundred and seven hundred dollars per night, and for that, guests should be able to expect care and attention to detail. The problem is not a lack of luxury or fancy extras, but that the existing amenities are not maintained with pride. Our room had corroded mirrors, cracked tile, and mold in the shower. None of this is about expecting the Ritz-Carlton, it is about basic upkeep and quality. The pool area is the clearest example. It is a large and inviting space that could be wonderful, but it feels cheap because of how it is managed. There is no food service, only drinks at a snack bar that appears fully equipped to offer more, but instead has blocked windows and messy exterior. Towels are locked in a cabinet that guests must open with their room key, and there is a warning about a $25 fee if they are not returned by nine in the evening. This creates an atmosphere of penny-pinching rather than hospitality. The hot tub is crazy, not relaxing. We wanted to relax by the pool, enjoy lunch, and spend the afternoon there, but the lack of service made it unwelcoming. At other resorts such as Rancho Bernardo Inn, the pool is lively, full of families and guests who stay to eat and enjoy because the experience feels cared for. It is not about luxury, it is about doing what you have well. The Hilton Beachfront Santa Barbara has everything it needs to be a wonderful destination. The location is extraordinary, the staff is kind, and the amenities are already in place. What is missing is pride in maintaining them and a guest experience that feels thoughtful and complete. Until that happens, the property will continue to fall short of its potential and its price. read more

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Great service. Great drinks. Great fun! Cosmopolitan drink was the best Thank you guys! read more

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort - Hotels Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Came here for a family getaway, and had a very relaxing time. Pros: -arrived a few hours early and they were able to accommodate and check us in early -Very helpful and polite staff everywhere in the resort -Away from the downtown area, so not as loud, and very peaceful -Older resort, but still very beautiful Cons: -shower head had low water pressure, so had to take longer to take a shower -toilet took longer to fill up, so had keep flicking the handle - its a LONG WALK to the downtown and wharf area. Suggest renting bikes, car, or golf cart to get around In all my family really enjoyed our stay, and we will definently be back read more

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Sooo friendly everyone, the place is stunning will definitely go again !!!!!!! Can't wait to go back there to golf with my boyfriend read more

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Location, location, location!! In walking distance to the beach, pier, funk zone and many restaurants, it doesn't get any better. The property is huge with games stationed at different areas of the property. Pool with jacuzzi with poolside bar is a plus. Some reservations come with breakfast buffet and some don't so be sure to get your breakfast vouchers when checking in if your reservation came with complimentary breakfast. Rooms are very spacious with some minor upgrades or repairs being needed. Will definitely come back. read more

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The location, bell desk and room size were positive. Everything else was a disaster. Check in took forever, long line with one person. After 30 minutes they finally called for back up. Got to my room and the key didn't work. It's a huge resort, so I had to walk all the way back. Front desk doesn't answer the phone. The hallways aren't air conditioned, the thermostat read 80. Front desk personnel act like they are doing you a favor to check you in. My key finally worked for my room, but not the parking gate and no one answers that phone either, so now I need to request a refund on the additional $45. Bathroom is run down, there was a hole in the wall, shower curtain had a tear, shower pressure was low. The closet access point was broken, so I could see through the wall. Mini fridge was barely cold with no adjustment option. The restaurant staff is minimal, we had to go looking for a server on a Monday afternoon, brought food with no utensils or salt & pepper. Seems like they are under staffed and poorly trained. Poor signage throughout the resort. The map is useless. The room numbers don't coincide with the floor you're on, they match the building#. Hilton corporate should audit this location and try to salvage their name. For the price, I expected more and won't be returning. The term "resort" hardly qualifies. Spend your money else where. read more