My husband and I just need a quick get away from LA and why not Santa Barbara .We came across Harbor House Inn through Yelp because they have such a good review compare to some other property and matter of fact we like it so much so we went back 2 weeks after the first visited. Location : Very convenient and walkable to a lot of restaurants.Which we love. Parking : If you stay on the queen suite side there are limited spaces but they do have permit for you to park on Bath St. as well but if you stay the other side of the property which is King suites.Those rooms came with 1 parking space per room. Rooms : First time we got room No.7 which was a queen suite.Man oh man that bed was one of the most comfortable we have ever slept on in a hotel rooms.The room came with full stove and kitchen utensils,Coffee maker and ground coffee.If you decide to cook yourself some food they pretty much have everything you need.The second time we stayed on the king suite side at room 118A. The front door facing the street,So it slightly noisy than the other side of the property.The room was spacious,Basically it's like a studio apartment.They have everything you need. Vibe : It's very clean property.One of the cleanest property I have ever stayed.Cozy warm,Charming.Overall such a lovely place. Staffs : Every single one of them were nice and friendly.Check in and check out process went very smooth.They offer you a free snacks in the office as well. We're already booked our next trip with them to celebrate our anniversary and 4th of July in Santa Barbara. If you looking for a place to stay in Santa Barbara.Come here to Harbor house inn.You won't be disappoint. read more

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The good: This was a really quaint, cute, and thoughtful hotel. I liked how the parking spots weren't marked by paint but instead the stone pavement were white marking the lines. They have a garage that opens around 8 or 9 AM (they don't open it too early because the garage door is loud for guests) and has free stuff for you to use including beach cruiser bikes, beach lounge chairs, towels, beach toys, umbrellas, and more. The lobby has snacks (granola bars, bananas, orange, etc) that were accessible during their hours (they close at 9) as well as a water machine from which you can fill your aluminum water bottles from your hotel room. I liked how they didn't use plastic trash bags, no plastic bottles, and no plastic soap containers. It seemed that they were really eco-friendly. We interacted with 3 hotel staff members and all were helpful and friendly. They gave us a list of kid-centric things to do. We stayed in unit 8 which had a queen bed and a living room as well as a kitchenette. The kitchen had everything we needed and the tools were clean, new and orderly. The unit was clean as well. The palm trees in the middle of the parking lot are nicely lit at nice. The water pressure in the bathroom was super strong. I liked that the bathroom had a window as well as the kitchen. Some rooms have a small patio door in the back. From our kitchen window we could see plants and flowers. Outside of our room there were cute tables with lots of flowers as well. It's a great location and walking distance to the beach. The bad: We accidentally went a few blocks down from here to Harbor View Inn first and then realized our mistake. Two different hotels! The bathroom is on the small side. The interesting: The parking lot is small so they don't allow big trucks/vans. If you check-out before 7:30 am (like we did) then you will leave your keys in the mailbox out front by their office. read more

Harbor House Inn - Recs from the staff for kids - Hotels Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Great little hotel/motel spot. Fantastic location, one block from the beach. Free bike rentals + beach toys ! Rooms were nice, dated, but very clean (it reminded me of staying at my grandparents..). Not bad, certainly a somewhat throwback/nostalgic type of inn. Front desk was helpful and check-in was a breeze Very easy parking right out front read more

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A very small but cute and romantic hotel only a block or so away from the beach. The stack has been amazing, with free coffee, tea, snacks, and water for guest. The room is small, but very comfortable, with a fridge with freezer, and a TV. Our room, number 10, had a private little patio sitting area in front of it, and it appears that the other rooms do also. The motel offers free beach cruiser, bicycle, rental, and beach accessories for a guest. read more

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I thought I wrote this review after our trip in November 2024, but apparently, I forgot. That being said, I no longer remember names, but I do remember the excellent customer service and friendliness of the staff. Our room was comfortable and I appreciated the refillable water bottle we received along with the ability to refill it with fresh, cold water in their lobby. The snacks in the lobby were also a nice touch after running around all day. We received numerous recommendations for places to eat, drink and visit and we enjoyed each one that we were able to get to. If you are in Santa Barbara, don't hesitate to book your stay here! read more

Absolutely LOVED this hotel!! The young man at the front desk couldn't be any more welcoming, friendly and helpful. Our beautiful Deluxe King studio room (with free, dedicated parking spots for these rooms) was immaculately clean and so spacious! Loved the beach chic decor, tons of windows, comfy bed, well-stocked kitchen, huge closet room, living area bistro table and sofa as well as the pretty white Victorian bathroom. It honestly feels like your own little "casita". The hotel is well-located, walkable to beach/pier and State Street. We can't wait to come back again for a getaway in our little casita! read more

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Harbor House Inn was everything we wanted. The rooms are mid-20th century apartments that have been thoroughly refurbished and tastefully updated for 21st-century hotel guests. So all the working parts are modern and easy, but the layout is a charming throwback to a bygone era. The courtyard has cozy places to sit. Our room had a kitchen. The property is a couple blocks from the beach, very near Stearns Wharf. We walked there and then to State Street for dinner. There are dozens of great restaurants, bars, and stores along State Street and nearby blocks. And if you don't want to walk, the property offers free bicycles for riding wherever. No pool or on-property restaurant, but we didn't want those. We wanted a quality hotel room in a great location for vacationing in Santa Barbara. Harbor House Inn (for us) was totally that! read more

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The rooms and fittings show that someone with taste and sense is thinking about what is nice for them and giving it to guests without penny pinching The "must haves" are here and also the "how nice" Good bed that is firm( though it's a little high for disabled or short people) Nice sheets Air conditioning Clean bathroom And also The bathroom is REALLY clean, the fixtures ( like towel bars) are installed correctly so they are not wiggly), the towels are absorbent and soft Slippers and robes Kitchen: has NICE dishes and even cooking items like Pyrex baking pans, salad bowl, all in good condition. There is butter and cream in the fridge and the ice cube trays are the nice covered ones so the ice doesn't smell The chairs in the room recliner and were very comfy. read more

Truly an oasis for anyone traveling all day and desires a super clean and comfortable night's rest. The staff here are enthusiastic and eager to help in anyway they can. Stayed two nights in the same week, but in different rooms. Both immaculate. Loved that there's a full-sized coffee maker and coffee in each room. Good coffee! Bed super comfortable with lovely sheets. Very quiet. The property includes an abundance of flowers and potted plants and outdoor seating. They also offer bikes and beach chairs for guest use. (I think I saw boogie boards for loan too!) Wish we had more time here! Looking forward to a return trip to SB. Would definitely stay here again! read more

Very pleased with our stay at the Harbor House Inn. Check-in was fast and friendly. There are snacks and a water station to refill your water bottle. Our deluxe king studio was very comfortable and clean. Hardwood floors, blackout shades and curtains, small seat no area, Netflix, kitchen with full size stove and refrigerator with everything you need to prepare meals, walk-in closet, and super clean bathroom. Also, free bike loaners, beach chairs and towels. Lastly, reserved parking for the deluxe king studios. Easy walk to restaurants and the beach. Definitely staying here the next time we are in town! read more

I stayed here for my recent visit to Santa Barbara after reading all the glowing reviews. The location is in a prime area as it is close to everything but far enough so that it's peaceful at night. The room had everything I needed with nice little details. The bed is super comfy. I love the decor and it was the perfect option for my trip. All the spaces were thoroughly cleaned as well. I will definitely stay here again. Thank you so much to the owner and the staff for being warm and friendly to me from time of my initial reservation until my last day. I appreciate everyone for also remembering my birthday. Blessings! read more

This is going to be our #1 choice for Santa Barbara visits from now on. So beautiful and the office staff so professional & friendly! They went above and beyond to make us feel welcomed. It looked & felt more like a cottage apartment than a room and now I want to live there! We stayed in room 2A, very spacious with lots of personal details added. Check their website to see all the amenities they offer. They are very generous and easily define what hospitality means. Thank you, we look forward to our next visit. read more

Just checking out from this very great Inn. I've stayed here a few times in the past but it's been upgraded and it's so comfortable, clean and a great deal! The bed was extremely comfortable. The linens were so soft. I had the best sleep. Everything is so well appointed and perfect for a quick getaway to Santa Barbara, just a walk to the beach. I'm definitely coming back. Thank you Harbor House for the great upgrade and making my stay so enjoyable! read more

Stayed at this Inn for my birthday a couple months back. I have to say it is such a sweet and charming Inn. Close proximity to the beach. They have free bikes to use during the day and some small snacks in the lobby to take with you. The room I stayed in was SO cute and charming!!! It felt like my own little apartment, came with everything you would need. It also had great tall ceilings, a walk in closet and overall felt very grand. I enjoyed my stay and look forward to visiting again. read more

Harbor House Inn - Hotels Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We entered the office and were greeted like family. This is one of the nicest places we have stayed. Everyone was so friendly. The room was spotless and had everything we needed. It is walking distance to downtown and the wharf. We extended our stay by a day because we liked it so much and did not want to leave. The owners are amazing. The housekeepers were the best and so sweet. A real family feel. An added delight was meeting Ophelia, the 15 year old black pug. Can't wait to go back! read more

Exceptional experience at Harbor House Inn. The rooms, service, and location exceeded expectations, and for great rate. The office and housekeeping staff are so nice and reliable in ensuring the most comfortable and enjoyable stay possible. They have a great complimentary rental selection of well-kept beach/city gear (bikes, beach chairs, towels, umbrellas, boogie boards, etc.). The room and bathroom were astonishingly clean and comfortable, and the shower pressure & temperature were solid. The location was so quiet and peaceful, while still being well situated for exploring Santa Barbara. We'll certainly be returning. read more

I love this place. It's clean, comfortable, and well maintained. It's tucked into the neighborhood and just a short stroll to all the places you want to check out. We made use of the bikes to go to ride along the beach. The weather was perfect. Note: Part of the draw of coming to this place was wanting to meet the person responsible for responding to that crazy post. I almost fell off my chair reading that reply it was so appropriate and with that humor attached to it *chef's kiss* read more

Perfect location, 2 short blocks from the beach. Nice and quiet setting with easy access to rooms. read more

Harbor House Inn - View from our room - Hotels Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We stayed at the Harbor House Inn based on the strong online reviews for the property. It exceeded our expectations in every possible way: the location is walkable and convenient, the property is very clean and nicely appointed, and the owners are incredibly friendly and welcoming. We parked for free on the property and received a complimentary upgrade to Unit 2A, which is a suite and larger than the unit we originally reserved. The woman who checked us in --- perhaps the owners' daughter? --- was warm, knowledgeable, and very kind. Our suite, while not fancy, was exceptionally comfortable and decently appointed. It included a very comfy king-size bed with high-end pillows, a kitchenette with a mini fridge, a large bathroom with a therapeutic tub, a TV with cable and Netflix, and a small, narrow patio with a little table and chairs. The bathroom included a walk-in shower, a private commode room, robes, disposable flip-flops, bath gel, lotions, a blow dryer, and a large sink. Check-in time is 4 p.m. and check-out time is 11 a.m., with a late, 1 p.m. check-out available for an additional $35. Limited free parking is available on the property for standard-size vehicles. Ample street parking is available nearby for those who have larger vehicles or who arrive too late to secure a spot on the property. ("No parking tantrums, please.") Could the TV be larger and the remote control easier to use? Sure, but it's tough to find much to pick on here. They run an exceptional operation and create a welcoming, comfortable guest experience. We truly enjoyed our stay at Harbor House Inn and look forward to returning soon! read more

Such a pleasant place to stay in every dimension. Clean, quiet, comfortable, spacious, well-appointed, well-located, a friendly staff who genuinely care about their guests and are willing to go the extra mile. It even provides bikes and beach equipment to guests. Also a great value. It was our first visit to this particular hotel, and it will now be our go-to whenever we are in Santa Barbara. read more

Harbor House Inn made my first vacation in Santa Barbara super special! Location is great, just a quick jaunt to the beach -- I couldn't believe how close it was. It's also walkable to most of popular restaurants in town. Not to mention the rooms are clean and have everything you need AND MORE. So many great amenities! You can even grab towels, chairs, umbrellas, and toys for the beach. They also offer bikes for rent. This is by far the best hotel I've stayed at all year. The staff were unbelievable nice and I'd gladly stay here again. Thanks for making my birthday extra fantastic! read more

Harbor House Inn - Kitchen - Hotels Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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I was looking for a place to stay with my family close to the beach and zoo. I came across harbor house inn, however, when I called the front desk to inquire availability, the woman who answered the phone on 9/2 at 9:30am was extremely rude. She informed me of the rooms that they have and also told me prices would be somewhat cheaper online, however, once she heard that I had children, her mood changed. She started to tell me that "they" try to keep a certain ambiance at their location. Once I told her that one of my children was a newborn, she went even further and started to tell me that the rooms might not be accommodating. A king size bed and a queen pull out.. pretty sure that's enough space. I told her we were just going to be sleeping there and out and about during the day so we don't really need much "space" that she was trying to tell me I needed. The website says the guest room size is 4.. but she was then telling me that 3 people is a lot in the room. Why advertise 4? Either way, I was excited to stay here, but given the fact that she was rude regarding having children stay at this inn, I won't be spending my money here. If you have children of any age, don't come here. read more

Wow!! The hospitality is outstanding. There is nothing you will need when you come here, except to relax and enjoy SB. The staff here is beyond friendly and go out of their way to make you have an enjoyable experience. They provide everything you need to go to the beach, which is two blocks away. Chairs, umbrellas, blankets, towels, you name it! They even have bikes if you need them. The king size room was perfect. It even had a full kitchen. It was super clean and just beautifully decorated. The bed was my favorite...the bed and the sheets were the best I have ever experienced at any hotel, it was the most comfortable sleep I have had in a long time. It was beyond my expectations. I didn't want to leave. I wish we could have stayed longer. I would 10/10 recommend this hotel. read more

The reviews posted here and on Trip Advisor are spot on! This place is a gem. Comfortable, nicely appointed spacious rooms in a tranquil setting within walking distance to the beach make staying here a no brainer. Complimentary snacks, bikes and beach gear complete a lovely get away that will have my husband and I coming back for sure. Staff is very friendly and helpful and room rates are quite reasonable although we stayed on a Sunday so weekend rates might be a bit higher. Parking is not the easiest and there's no pool/spa, but that was not a big deal to us. read more

If you book here, be mindful of the fact hat there's no way you can avoid paying a hefty cancellation fee even if you have a very good reason, like getting covid, and you cancel days ahead of time. My family all lives around Santa Barbara and warned me not to book here. I didn't heed them because it looked like such a nice place. In an era when Covid might come upon you any time, avoid this place like the plague (as it were). read more

The INN was the best part of our Santa Bárbara experience. The good The room felt like a small apartment! The room was cozy Management was attentive. You rock Carlen! You were so gracious and patient with me with all my little requests through the day. Water pressure was amazing! It felt like a spa. Bathrobes included with slippers The INN is a couple blocks from the beach. Next time, we are staying more than just one day! It was perfect! read more

Super super super cute hotel!!! I'm so happy that we chose here to stay. The hotel room is very clean, good size and well organized. They are so thoughtful to have a small kitchen including coffee maker, water heater, microwave and all the silverware, cups and plates. The bathroom is wide and clean, and they prepared 4 bath towels. You can also get some free snacks and fruits at front desk office. I definitely will recommend my friends this cute place. read more

Harbor House Inn - Hotels Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Stayed here in June 2023. Decent stay. There are much better options in SB. I've revisited SB 3 other times since then. Just stayed at a great Airbnb this week and the Marriott Downtown, Castillo Inn and Hilton SB Beachfront are other great, friendly local options if you're coming from out of town. Wouldn't recommend Harbor House and won't stay again. read more

We absolutely loved this place. We got unit 5. Parking is easy, staff are super friendly. I loved that there are free bike rentals to guests and we did that on our second day in the area. Would definitely stay here again. It's centrally located by everything read more

*** 4.5 stars *** Really nice people, perfect location, free parking, outdoor entry (and not many rooms) allows for proper social distancing, free bikes/scooters/boogie boards - I see why this hotel is #1 on tripadvisor! 4.5 not 5 stars because the room itself while being totally comfortable and having everything that you need is a little bit dated, but that certainly did not take away from our comfort our happiness staying here. We loved it and will definitely stay again! read more

My girlfriend and I had a wonderful stay in one of the deluxe king rooms at the Harbor House Inn. Walking distance from the beach, its location can't be beat. Owned and run by a family, their personal touch and excellent attention to detail made for an inviting and cozy experience! We enjoyed their clean, beautiful room with a kitchen, comfortable bed, and soft, fluffy towels. We especially appreciated the complimentary fruits and snacks and the use of their bicycles for cruising the beach. Parking was very convenient. Will definitely return the next time we're in Santa Barbara! read more

Where do I begin? I have stayed in several hotels in SB including the Biltmore. This is my favorite! Extremely clean. The bed was so comfy! Spa tub, cute patio and the room was spacious. Love all the small touches they made to the room. You also have access to bikes and items you would need for the beach. We parked our car and didn't touch it until we left. Superior hospitality. Family owed. Needless to say, when we come back, this is where we will stay. read more

Harbor House Inn - Hotels Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

The location was amazing! We stayed in the therapeutic tub room and it was so worth it for the air bubbles in tub! More relaxing with bubbles from air than the usual water jets. Area was quiet and walking distance to State street and beach plus pier. They had bikes to rent until 8pm. Very friendly and plenty of parking for cars. Room was quiet and bed was very cozy. Room more spacious than I anticipated. read more

Such an incredible find!! We've never had a warmer welcome than from Ben here at the Harbor House Inn. The place is small and quaint - and that makes it peaceful and quiet! Our room was like a condo and had everything we needed and then some. What struck me was how upscale and tasteful the furnishings and decor are. Everything is much nicer than your standard hotel. We also enjoyed the proximity to the harbor and beach - easy walking distance. We didn't take a ride on their beach cruiser bikes this time but we plan to next time. Classy place, upscale beachy vibe, and we'll definitely be back soon! read more

Harbor House Inn - Love this decorated oasis in their courtyard - Hotels Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

My husband and I stayed here this week for the first time. The service was incredible, the location is perfect. We chose a deluxe king room, it was large, so clean and beautifully decorated. I travel to the area for work and we will definitely be back. read more

Lovely small inn. Beautifully well stocked rooms. Very clean. The key is really the terrific staff. Personable, friendly, accommodating. Great location close to beach and walking distance from Stars Street. I'd stay here again in a minute. read more

Just have to experience this place. The pictures don't do it justice. Family owned and they take pride in delivering a memorable stay for their guests. Every detail has been well thought out. The owners are so NICE! In a perfect location to walk to so many attractions that Santa Barbara has to offer. read more

Wonderful experience - we were debating between this place and Harbor View Inn which is more of a traditional hotel. No regrets choosing this place! The hospitality and customer service were stellar. We stayed in Room 4 with the Queen Studio and the pictures were exactly as described. Very clean with modern fixtures. The room felt spacious with the living room and kitchenette area. TV has guest streaming access with Netflix and Hulu. The bathroom shower was great with a rainfall showerhead. The location was nestled in a cute neighborhood and easy walking distance to the beach and State Street. I also thought it was convenient to just park right outside the room and parking was free as well. I understand now why this place is rated so high! read more

Spacious room, great location and gracious hosts. The heat and AC system is a little odd, even the instructions say you won't hear anything while it's on. Beyond that, there's barely any airflow coming out of the vents. But it did work as needed. They have lots of complimentary food items including really large bottles of water which is much appreciated. The duvet and linens are really soft, but the pillows and bed were too firm and uncomfortable. The bathroom was spacious and very clean. However the shower pressure was extremely weak and was an unsatisfying experience. The price was fair for the value and location. read more

This is one of the nicer hotels I have stayed at, due to its variable amenities, cozy, ambience, and creative/unique layouts of the rooms. I have stayed here multiple times over the last 5/6 years. This stay was one of the worst experiences I have ever had in ANY hotel. This is saying a lot because I am constantly traveling. I had a late night away from our rented room and consequently returned late in the evening to the hotel. All of the "guaranteed" parking spaces were taken, and we had to park not the street. My travel companion and I set our alarms for 9am and went to sleep. Unfortunately, we ended up sleeping through our alarms , and at exactly 11:09 am, not a minute later, we were awoken by a violent knocking and jostling of the door knob to our room (there are no security latches on their doors so this was quite frightening) by the owner's son Cody. I was dazed from just being awoken, went to the door and politely explained that we had slept through our alarm and that we would be happy to pay for a late check out . Cody angrily barked that they don't do late Check outs and that he was calling the police. Both of these were lies meant to scare and mislead us. No police officer is coming for someone being 9 minutes late checking out of a hotel! Also it says on the in room pamphlet and on their website that for $35 you can extend your stay till 1:00 and that people who booked direct instead of with a third-party get first priority on this. We booked via third party which saved us over $200. Is this why we were being treated like criminal trespassers and not valued guests?! Cody continued his rant, showing no compassion or empathy for my situation. He used gruff, aggressive, and threatening posture/vocalization. He finished by saying I had 10 minutes and then he was going to ENTER MY ROOM and bring the police. He must've said the word "police"about 17 times. Sure enough, Cody came back nine minutes later and began to start to unlock the door screaming, "I'm coming in!" There's no security latch on the door, as I mentioned before, and I ran into the back kitchen area out of fear that he was breaking into my room in an extremely agitated and aggressive state. As a woman, I was terrified. My travel companion had to step in and stand up to him. Once he knew a male was in the room, he seemed to calm down. Cody it's not ok to do this!!! It is not appropriate for a four star hotel to treat respectful, quiet patrons that did absolutely nothing to deserve such abuse. In fact, I don't believe that anyone paying money to stay at a hotel of any kind and causing absolutely no problems hshould be treated this way. We checked out at 11:30 today, only 30 minutes late. The Harbor House employee who claimed that he was trying to save us from a $50 parking ticket, then attempted to charge our card $200 at 12:12pm. The charge was declined because we turned it off, anticipating possible financial abuse. This hotel employee then made a SECOND attempt to charge our card for $100, when the $200 was declined. He finally settled for keeping our $75 deposit, with no explanation provided. So what exactly was this money for, if $35 is the price to extend your stay two hours? This is criminal. This is abusive. I really wanted to give two stars because it's such a nice hotel but just thinking about all this, I cannot in my good conscience not give this the least amount of stars possible. I still wonder what the heck the Cody was planning on doing if he fully forced his way into my room?! I understand that this is a family run operation, and that his Mommy owns the place, but he absolutely needs to be fired. I am in shock. I want my deposit back, and I am going to write this review on every single possible outlet I can find (so is my travel companion). read more