What a charming place to stay! My holiday surprise was being treated to a bungalow on the property. We could not have asked for more of an old world experience (1871-- I'm an architecture buff/former architectural restorationist) Although quite old, the rooms had all the modern amenities. The staff were accommodating & friendly. We did not eat in their dining room, so we have no reference. Only a few short blocks to the bike-friendly main street (State). Recommended!!!! read more

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We enjoyed our stay at The Upham Hotel overall. The staff were friendly, helpful, and attentive throughout our visit, and the customer service was excellent. The grounds are beautiful and peaceful, with plenty of outdoor seating areas to relax and enjoy the property. That said, our room wasn't quite what we expected, especially for the price. It felt smaller than it appeared in the photos, and there were several maintenance and wear issues that made it feel less upscale than we anticipated. The bathroom door didn't close completely, the sofa was noticeably worn and stained, and the bedskirt had a large hole in it. We understand that this is a historic hotel and appreciate its charm, but we were expecting the furnishings and room condition to be better maintained. Overall, we had a pleasant stay because of the wonderful staff and lovely grounds, but we do think the guest rooms could use some updates and better upkeep to better reflect the hotel's pricing. read more

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Our stay was extremely disappointing from start to finish. The air conditioner barely worked and couldn't be adjusted, making the room uncomfortable. The bed also seemed unstable--when both of us sat on the edge, it tipped enough that we almost fell off. To make matters worse, we were woken up at 6:00 AM by loud dumpster trucks because our building (The Lincoln) was located right next to the dumpsters. Then, at 7:00 AM, tree trimming began directly outside our room, making it impossible to get any rest. We were in town for a wedding at the courthouse at noon and asked if we could extend our checkout by just 30 minutes beyond the 11:00 AM checkout time. Unfortunately, we were told that our building happened to be scheduled for maintenance at noon, so our request couldn't be accommodated. For the price and reputation of this hotel, we expected a much better experience. Between the uncomfortable room, early morning noise, and lack of flexibility, this stay fell far short of expectations. We won't be staying here again the next time we visit Santa Barbara. read more

This place is a true 'one of a kind' hotel experience. My partner and I stayed a night in one of the garden cottage rooms. The grounds are lush and quiet, and the check in area is inviting and sunny. The room is spacious and filled with natural light. Our room came with a little outdoor space, king bed and wall ac unit. The bathroom is small, but has a large tiled shower. My one gripe is the odor of the room. Upon entry there is a noticeably musty/ old house smell. We opened all the windows and doors to get some fresh air flowing when we arrived. It seemed to be coming from the AC unit, but it's an old hotel so it could be the room itself. Overall we enjoyed our stay and would recommend it. read more

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I recently returned for a complimentary stay provided by The Upham! Although my night was comped, I will still provide an honest review! This stay was phenomenal. I stayed in another area called the Iris Cottage, I believe. This room was bigger, cleaner, and a lot more sound proof than my previous room. All staff were kind and helpful! I was not looking for things to dislike or critique, I was simply hoping to have a re-do of my stay at this historical hotel. I am grateful for the management team for reaching out after my first stay to apologize and offer another stay! The Upham is now on my preferred hotels 'list' whenever I visit Santa Barbara ! Can't wait to go back! read more

Upham Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

The parking lot is hard to find because it's on one way streets. Put the address 105 West Sola Street Santa Barbara, CA in the GPS and across the street is the entrance to the parking lot. If you put in the address to the hotel it'll take you to the front where you can't park. Once you get to the parking lot it's a right turn into a small parking lot so bring the small car not the big truck. Once you get there the grounds are full of plants and it's really well kept. It's an older hotel but it's well kept and I liked the nostalgia of it. We had room 22. Loved the high ceilings and the complimentary wine at the front desk at 5pm. The front desk staff were always friendly and helpful. We would definitely go back. read more

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I have been staying at the Upham Hotel in Santa Barbara for the past 35 years. It had always been a wonderful, relaxing and exceptional experience. Jan, the former General Manager, always greeted the guests, ensured she met everyone's expectations and ran a top-notch historic hotel. Food, wine and snacks were plentiful and the guest rooms were well-maintained. Upham WAS an exceptional place to stay, which is located near State Street and many fine restaurants. This past week, my wife and I stayed again in one of their quaint cottages. This was NOT an experience we will be repeating. Started off with the front desk young (twenty something) receptionist, who could have cared less about the guests she was checking in. We arrived a bit early and our cottage was not ready, so we strolled down State Street to do some shopping. The young clerk assured us that she would call us when our room was ready. Result - Absolutely no call, text or attempt at communication regarding our room. Finally. When we arrived back at the hotel, she simply tossed the key on the counter and that was that. No welcome, no inquiry about if we needed anything. Our cottage itself was long overdo for an update. Furniture, bed, carpet and furnishings had definitely seen their days. Room was musty, air conditioner was extremely noisy, toilet was difficult to flush and shower was moldy. Upham also used to be known for their extremely nice happy hour (with wine, cheese, cookies and fruit) which were plentiful. Now there is only wine (stored behind the front counter) and some Oreo cookies. You actually have to ask the receptionist to fill your glass and it's not like they are pouring nice wines. Breakfast at the Upham Hotel used to be a delight. Coffee, tea, milk, juices were always available. Food included bagels, pastries, cereals, fruits, etc. Used to be a full continental breakfast, which was a great perk. Now, you get coffee and a muffin! Quite a cutback for the guests. As we chatted with other guests (who had also stayed at the hotel previously) then had many of the same complaints. Apparently, under a new general manager, the Upham Hotel has changed and NOT for the better. From now on we will seek better accommodations in SB and stay at establishments that actually care about properly serving their customers. Sad to see a great historic hotel deteriorate into a very mediocre place. Our experience was so bad this time, we packed up early and drove home early. Could not imagine staying another night in a musty cottage , with a noisy A/C unit! read more

We just finished a four-night stay at the wonderful Upham Hotel, and loved every minute of it. I love the history and the old-fashioned charm of this beautiful little hotel. It's like staying at your grandmother's house. We stayed in one of the Garden Cottages with a Fireplace (#29) at the back of the property. Comfy, quaint and so cute, with a small outdoor patio for relaxing with a beverage and a book (although the WiFi worked out there, too). Very quiet and relaxing, both inside our cottage and outside. The cottage had plenty of room for the two of us, with two armchairs and a table next to the fireplace; a small refrigerator which kept everything icy cold; a desk; a king-size bed with nice linens; a large dresser; a walk-in closet with a light and full-length mirror; a room outside of the bathroom with another dresser and a mirror; and a small but adequate bathroom. The shower was great: nice pressure and lots of hot water once you let it warm up for a couple of minutes. Move the water handle to the 7 o'clock position for maximum hot water. Honestly, if there was a kitchen, I would move in and stay there. The gardens are lush and beautiful,with many rose and camellia bushes, mature trees, clivia plants, grass and bunnies! Two small rabbits live on the property and you can see them several times throughout the day. The grounds are also home to many birds and squirrels. The staff here are very friendly, helpful and welcoming. Complimentary coffee, hot water for tea, muffins, scones and pastries are served each morning from 7-9 am. (Get the caramel scones if they have them; they are delicious!). Complimentary red and white wines are generously poured from 5-7 pm daily, and Oreo cookies and milk are available from 7-9 pm. There's also free parking. State Street is only two blocks away for shopping and dining, and Ubers are plentiful and cheap for trips to and from the ocean and harbor, and to the Old Mission (a must visit). This was one of my top 5 best hotel stays ever. I absolutely loved every minute of our stay, and I was sad to leave. Definitely treat yourself to a visit here, and stay in one of the cottages. It is absolutely worth it. read more

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The staff at the Upham are friendly. The rooms are clean. The overall atmosphere was cozy. I highly recommend the Upham.

Initially, I felt this hotel had barely a passable rating for a 3-star "boutique" hotel. That is, until they *threw away* a gift I had accidentally left on the hotel lobby counter within 24-hours of leaving it. I'm so stunned that they'd throw away a guest's items before the 3-day weekend even ended, and there was little that the front desk agent apologized for. I read reviews before booking and there were some hard critiques that made me wonder if they were being too harsh. Afterall, our friend made the suggestion to book this place so how bad could it be? The non-existent bathroom fan is true and how muggy it makes the bedroom despite having to open the small bathroom window (facing public space) is also true. There's damp-rid in the closet which did absolutely nothing. The room was uncomfortable to sleep in even with the AC turned on. Mind you, it's January and outdoor night temperatures were in the 50's. We won't be coming back. read more

This is the oldest hotel still operational in soCal apparently. How cool! Stayed here for one night when seeing a show at the SB Bowl. I loved the charm and quaintness and its history was not lost on me. Room was large with plenty of space for two people and a nice, walk in closet. Beds were very comfortable. Staff were all very helpful and friendly. Highly recommend staying here! read more

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Listening to our neighbors having sex AGAIN through the paper thin walls here!!!! It's impossible to have ANY quiet here. We can hear them showering ten times a day and now the constant sex noises. The kind of cringy sex noises where he keeps talking loudly while grunting and asking her stupid questions. I feel like I should tip them for being forced to listen to their "show" Bathroom had ants, place is really old. Reeks of everyone who EVER lodged here. Bathroom is super old. The staff is delightful and super helpful. Very hardworking, kind staff! Constantly working and always offering help. The walls are just too thin! We never ate at their restaurant so I cannot comment. Parking is a literal nightmare. I watched a guy in a BMW slam right into a porch railing. Another guy parked his Porsche ON the entry walkway!!! More loud grunting. I'm not coming back here..no pun intended. We parked a block away most of the time. read more

We recently stayed at the Upham, and overall, it was just average. First off, they really need to improve customer service. At check-in, we were told their would be scones at breakfast. There were not, just sugar filled muffins. For a variety of reasons I can't eat sugar. Our room in the Lincoln Building was small and noisy. Unfortunately they have Direct TV, which is really unstable and the picture kept going black while I was trying to watch the end of the Spurs/ Knicks game. We had some ants in our bed. Told the staff and they just shrugged. At any other place they would have apologized and offered us a new room or a reduction in rate. Speaking of rates, the Upham was way overpriced even by Santa Barbara standards. We do not recommend. read more

Our experience: a bad dorm room. The shower tiles had mold all over, the bathroom had a persistent urine odor, the room walls offered ZERO sound insulation...we heard every step, thump, people passing the room, carts rolling the paths outside, etc., the room had noticeable dust, cobwebs, and aging carpet. The only blessing was, we were only there one night. read more

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The Upham, where I've stayed on and off for almost thirty years, remains a wonderful, homey, gorgeous and humble property. What sets them apart is service: I had to stay for several non-consecutive nights for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, and beyond the excellent service for those visits, they let me be a laptop hobo on the off days and let me change into my red carpet clothes for evening events. Further, when a filmmaker canceled on us at the last minute, they cheerfully reversed the charge. They didn't have to do that but extended themselves for me anyway. Truly a pleasure, and we recommend the property highly. read more

This is absolutely one of the cutest hotels I've stayed at. When I originally booked my stay I was not completely sure how the hotel looked because there were not a lot of pictures. We stayed in individual little "cottage" like rooms that were so cute and had their own little small patio area and own private entrance. The hotel is one street over from State St for convenience! Our room had a mini fridge and although the room is small there is plenty of space for everything. The bed was very comfortable and the hotel also has free wifi. There is plenty of parking and we were able to get a spot right next to our room although all spots are not far apart. I really liked that the bathroom had drawers to organize my things and I loved the vanity area with the huge mirror. When we walked in we were greeted and shown around the hotel for easy accommodation. You are also handed a map so you do not get lost. They also have a wine happy hour which I wish we could have gone to but maybe for next time. Each area also has cute little cottage names! I loved my stay! read more

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The Upham is a classic vintage hotel. However, very limited parking. We had to park a quarter of a mile away. The grounds are very nice but our patio sitting are was messy and completely unusable. The restaurant which was an Upham highlight is closed. I think I will check out a different hotel next time. read more

Upham Hotel - Maybe blow off the patio so it can be used. - Hotels Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Really liked the Upham, in particular the gracious, friendly, helpful, supportive staff. I'm 62, I've traveled a great deal and stayed at hundreds of hotels over the years. In my working life, I was a Chief Marketing Officer and owned the client experience. It's very difficult to get the details right, particularly for picky people. Example: I like to get up early and start working at 5 a.m. I don't make coffee in the room, it wakes up my wife, so I usually tough it out or find a coffee shop close to the hotel. I can't recall the last time - if ever - coffee was ready at 5 a.m. I got down to the lobby, and an actual live human being was there to greet me. I didn't have to ring a bell or call out. John was right there. That, in itself, was both unusual and welcome. I asked him when coffee would be available. Recently, I stayed at a comically overpriced resort hotel, and the staff - when I could find one - said "coffee will be ready at 6:30." Fine, that's okay and par for the course for resort hotels. John said, "How about if I make a fresh pot right now?" To all hotels everywhere...that's the right answer. And I can count on one hand the times I've received that specific answer, in four decades of staying at hotels. Other little details...shower pressure and temperature was perfect. Pretty rare in hotels. Very quiet, so we could sleep. EXTREMELY comfortable bed. Check-in was quick and painless. The Upham is a cute, quirky (in a good way) boutique hotel close to State Street. And for the type of hotel and the area, it is very reasonably priced. Next time I'm in Santa Barbara, I'm going straight to the Upham. read more

We love the Upham! My family has been staying with the Upham for various occasions over the years, I spent my 30th birthday with my best friend at the Upham, so it was fitting my fiancé and I chose the Upham for our wedding weekend. We rented multiple rooms for us and our family. It was wonderful and feels like a home away from home. The grounds are beautiful and it's very close to everything. Staying here made our wedding weekend feel extra special and extravagant and we can't wait to come back for our anniversaries the only thing we hope for is that they bring back the cheese for their happy hour and their breakfast, That was always a nice touch! read more

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The hotel is quaint but not well maintained. The bathroom of our room has no fan, leading to moisture, mold and dry rot throughout the room. The floors are paper thin, and our upstairs neighbors constantly woke us up by just walking. Housekeeping closes early so can't request additional towels, etc. And I've never stayed in a hotel with no parking. Won't be returning. read more

We came to Santa Barbara for a concert and decided to try the Upham Hotel this time around. We found the accommodations very nice as well as the staff. The grounds are beautiful and the location was perfect for the event we were attending. Our room was very clean, warm , and cozy which provided for a wonderful nights sleep after the show. We were very happy with everything and will be returning. read more

We have been staying at this hotel for many years however this past experience was not great and we will probably not be back. The place looks super rundown. Our room although large in size smelled old and the carpet was gross. There's no pen and writing pad in the room, toilet paper was half used, and we had to look in the closet to find another roll. There were no bathroom items like Q-tips, shower cap, etc...coffee maker didn't work, air conditioner was not super cold. Our fire alarm monitor started to beep in the morning. They used to have a much bigger spread for breakfast now it's just only pastries. They advertise wine and cheese....never saw any cheese. Wine is not out, I guess you have to ask for it. They used to have wonderful cookies in the evening with milk now they're only serving Oreos. The trash next to the pastries and coffee was overflowing at 6am on both mornings. Although a great location, we will not be back. Super sad. read more

It's in a great location. Courtyard is lovely. Facilities are nice but our room did show its age, wear & tear. Bed wasn't awful but not comfortable. In the room & online they promise a basket of goodies & a bottle of wine but they don't actually offer it. The front desk blames corporate. Breakfast has a very small selection- fine if you eat muffins but difficult if you are gluten free or like protein in the morning. Towels scratchy & thin. No conditioner just shampoo in the bathroom. Front desk not really friendly or welcoming. read more

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Super friendly staff. Close to State St. Bed was one of the best I've ever slept in. Great work !

We stayed for a few days here. My overall experience here was just ok. The grounds are beautiful and the original hotel is very charming. The rooms are clean and somewhat comfortable. The website says the beds are plush and cozy. While the room was cozy the bed was hard and the pillows had seen better days. The sink had a crack in it that made me feel unsafe. The kurig was dirty inside so we didn't use it . There are a lot of little things that need just some care and attention. The light on my patio didn't work and was hanging. My sister said her toilet in her room was wobbly! The restaurant on site was a very nice experience. The food was amazing. The wait staff maybe need a little polish with their skills . The service was slow and that appetizer came out after our meal was done and had to be asked for. I probably would not go back unless these things would improve read more

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Many years have passed since we returned to the Upham. How comforting it was to see this little hotel has kept all its quaintness and charm. The gardens and grounds are pristine. All the staff have been congenial and helpful ~ Steve was so welcoming upon check in, Deb was so warm and accommodating on the phone and after we arrived making great recommendations for local restaurants within walking distance, and Patty who sets up the complimentary continental breakfast was a pleasure. Our cottage with a fireplace was cozy and quiet which was just what we needed. They serve complimentary wine from 5-7 which is such a nice touch. We cannot wait to return! read more

Our son was getting married in Santa Barbara, so family booked rooms here and we hosted the pre Wedding party in the Garden Room. Anissa Moritz helped us plan a wonderful event and the rooms were all beautiful. Thank you for making our wedding weekend memorable. read more

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This 150+ year old charmer in downtown Santa Barbara was reasonably priced (compared to others in the Summer) and close enough to walk to State Street, but far enough to have quiet time. They offer free parking for guests on site, provides a small continental breakfast in the mornings, local wine hour in the evening and wifi. We did not try the restaurant on site but could smell amazing things from outside our room. Although this is not the fanciest of stays, the service and historic feel of the property is really enchanting. read more

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Do you want a good nights sleep? Don't stay here! Do you want old rooms that creek with every step and stained mattresses with rude front desk associates (Ramon)? Then Stay here! We travelled a few hours to stay here as it was our first time in Santa Barbara. We called about 10 min before arriving to our hotel to ask about our room availability and if we can drop off our luggage. We were met with the worst attitude by a front desk clerk named Ramon. He told us that he can't tell us if the rooms are ready and that we have to be here physically in order for him to tell us. Once arrived 10 min later, he was very happy to tell us that the room was not ready (big shocker as his attitude over the phone made him seem upset and very rude we already expected it not to be). I asked why he couldn't tell us if the room was ready and he started saying that people tell him that they are close by and end up coming way later. If that was the case wouldn't you ask us when we are arriving? Or emphasised that you don't want to have the room sitting for hours? Weird. Once we met him in person he was very very short, told us he would call us when our room was ready-- which ended up being almost 4 hours later. We get the text our room is ready and we head over. Immediately you are met with an Odor that is attached to the foundation of the hotel, smells like wet wood or kind of like mold. Ramon-- I hope you get the help you need and find a place where you want to work. It is very apparent that you are not the customer service assistant, or face, that should be checking people in or even taking phone calls. read more

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I have a new place that I love - it's The Upham Hotel in SB. I can't wait to go back! I do wish the hotel offered more during breakfast, but the wine from 5pm-7pm was a great perk. Louie's California Bistro right on the premises was a great surprise as well. A close walk to State St and a Starbucks a few blocks down - so it's well placed. I can't wait to stay again. read more

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On the weekend of April 16-18 my family of 6 stayed at the beautiful Upham Hotel to celebrate my husband's birthday. We were welcomed like family, even receiving a hand written birthday greeting from the Upham Family. The grounds at the Upham are so inviting with beautiful places to gather or sit, and the rooms are large, clean, quiet and beautifully appointed. Our beds were so comfortable. The team working the front desk were very kind and helpful. Two staff members, Jasmine and Denise, went above and beyond to meet our needs. On Saturday afternoon we were scheduled for a Celebration Boat Cruise leaving from Stearn's Wharf but risked missing the boat due to challenges to secure transportation for our group of 6 on a busy Saturday afternoon. I called the front desk for recommendations. Jasmine recommended one particular taxi company but they were booked; she then offered to drive us to the wharf herself! At the last minute we were able to find a Lyft for 4 of us and Jasmine drove my husband and me. We all made it to our boat just on time! We were so grateful. On the morning of our departure I met Denise. I recalled how helpful Denise had been when I made our reservations so was very happy to meet her in person. This time I asked if she would take some photos which she kindly agreed to and she took some great ones; a couple are attached. We now consider the Upham Hotel to be our home away from home when whenever we visit Santa Barbara. Thank you Upham family and staff. Kathleen & Paul Fahey read more

Upham Hotel - Kathleen and Paul - Hotels Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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A quiet, historic in for couples. He very romantic place to stay. And really it feels like a wonderful getaway at the same time like a home away from home. read more

Amazing, quiet and beautiful hotel. It has the feel of a more personal getaway rather than the busy crowded and loud large hotel properties. The staff is amazing and the receptionist Natalie was super friendly and it even made me (an introvert) feel very comfortable. I would definitely recommend staying here at least once to try it. Not sure how all the other rooms are but ours was small and personal but it had its own private balcony where you can sit and eat and talk if you wanted to. Our room made us feel like we truly were just the only ones here and we slept like babies because of how quiet it was at night. And with 4 kids back at home we don't get much of a quiet night. We loved sitting in the courtyard because of how peaceful it was. read more

Upham Hotel - Small court yard - Hotels Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Awesome Experience! Hanna the manager is very nice and had a little care bag for my son! I would definitely come back again!

Zero water pressure Zero counter space Extra charge for early check-in Good location but do not recommend read more

Disappointed in this place after having stayed there for over 25 years , and not for the past decade -coming back , rather than being warm and caring like we remembered it was rundown , overpriced and they just charged me $100 for something they should not have. Too bad. read more

6/23/22 we checked in here for 2 bedrooms for my family and plan to stay till Monday. It's a beautiful old hotel with beautiful flower gardens etc... We hope to come and stay again. Thank you management, Aiko read more

I love old hotels and I wish I could recommend this one. The best part is the location, close walking distance to the Santa Barbara Public Market, an absolute marvel for food. Alas, that is the best I can say about the Upham. In town for a wedding, we booked the Jacaranda Suite for three nights at approx $500/night. First, the room is listed on the website as a king room. It is not. It probably never was since there is no room for the bed if you plan to have a night stand or open the tiny closet. This was infuriating to us, to be honest. If I wanted a queen bed (or maybe it was a double--hard to say) I'd have booked one. Know what I mean????? The furniture in the room is outdated and so worn as to be unusable. The best part of the room, honestly, was the enclosed patio. High walls for privacy, the furnature was comfortable and the outdoor rug was a nice touch for the feet. I had coffee and a mediocre bagel from the lobby every morning. When we checked in, at around 9pm, no one was around and when we rang the desk bell and young woman emerged from the back with one of those 'WTF could you possibly want' looks. We should have known then. I'm guessing every place in SB is expensive but I'd hope you'd at least get the bed size you asked for someplace else. We won't be back. read more

I stayed here the first week of June, after the Memorial Day weekend, and avoided the crowds. I stayed in the Santa Barbara rooms. Pros: - The hotel is very reasonably priced for the area. They don't charge parking or resort fees - Friendly front desk staff - Walking distance to downtown, shops, restaurants, etc. - Beautiful common areas to lounge - Good water pressure, hot water comes on very fast Cons: - Hotel is in very desperate need of a remodel. I understand the desire to for a old-world, historical charm, but the same aesthetics may be accomplished with remodeling - Paper-thin walls. I stayed in a building with 2 rooms downstairs and 2 rooms upstairs, even though our neighbors were quiet and respectful, we could hear every footstep and sound. We only overlapped with our neighbors for one night, and it was hard to get good sleep and R&R when you can hear your neighbors bound up and down the stairs late at night and early in the morning. I'd HATE to be here on a full capacity day. - Garbage collection with the super noisy trucks come multiple times per week, very early in the morning. Again, disruptive to sleep. - Double / triple / quadruple paned windows would be nice (related to the desperate need for a renovation) read more

Would not recommend, only booked because it was a last minute trip and this was the only vacancy I could find, not only is it really over priced, the GM was condescending to me when I complained about check in being almost 2 hours late. Website says 3pm check in, got there at 3 and the room wasn't ready until 4:45. I asked the GM if they have any kind of comps for the 2 hour delay she said "this is a hotel, it happens" so I guess that late check ins are pretty regular here, so be advised if you like checking into hotels on time. read more