We planned a 4-day getaway travelling as far as Cambria for two nights and spending one night in the Santa Barbara area. In checking prices and reviews for Santa Barbara for one night, a Saturday, I was discouraged by the high prices and the many negative reviews as well as the no one-night reservations on the weekend. Knowing that Goleta was just about a ten minute drive north, I decided to check hotels in that area and settled on the Best Western Plus South Coast right off Highway 101. The price was right with our AAA discount so I booked it. What a pleasant surprise! The hotel is large and beautiful, the staff is lovely and gracious, the dining room pleasant, the food selection was plentiful and tasty and the room was very comfortable with a wonderful bed. The hotel offers free parking and free wi-fi. Fresh baked cookies are set out in the late afternoon and we arrived at just that time so enjoyed a warm cookie as we checked in. The pool area is large and inviting and there is a separate area with a jacuzzi. Just outside the dining room are tables with umbrellas and chairs where you can, on a nice day, enjoy your breakfast or a cup of coffee outdoors. We enjoy a "good" cup of coffee and in the dining area there is a specialty coffee machine that actually grinds the beans before the coffee goes into your cup. There are several choices for the coffee from regular and decaf to latte, expresso etc. Newspapers are available in the dining room. The hotel is located just off the freeway and we heard no freeway noise at all. From the front of the hotel you really don't see the freeway even though the street parallels the freeway. Since it was dark by the time we got checked in and were ready for dinner we asked one of the young ladies at the front desk for a recommendation. She gave us a few choices and we settled on the Elephant Bar which I'll review separately. Just a little north of the hotel is a business area with a good variety of places to eat, including Outback Steakhouse, Denny's, a few fast food places, Chinese and Mexican. Sunday morning we were back in Santa Barbara in about ten minutes. We will definitely stay at this hotel our next trip to that area.

This place really has it all for the business traveler, free parking, free wifi in all areas, free high quality breakfast at a good corporate rate. Whats not to like here? It is a good location - you can get anywhere you need too quickly. Its close to the airport. They have a van to the airport if you need it and they will take you limited places around. There are places to eat close by for dinner just down the road. I also signed up for the frequent stayer program - but I forgot the name. The price is reasonable and since I had a rental car. The staff is friendly and helpful. The work out room is new and nice - the pool and hot tub are great. The grounds are nice and well maintained and the entire property is clean. Only down side is highway noise and train goes by once and awhile but pick your room location and work with the front desk to find a quiet room. I will be back every time I go there and I am in Goleta on business frequently - its my go to place. Its a nice break from the pompous full fare places that give you less and charge you more. This is how its supposed to be done.

This was by far the best Best Western I have stayed at. I was concerned that it was so close to highway but our rooms were quiet and faced a garden.
The staff was great, very responsive. The beds were very comfortable, room very clean, decent pool and breakfast.

I stayed here over the weekend for an event I attended at UCSB. Before staying here I didn't know that hotel prices are much more reasonable in Goleta than in Santa Barbara proper. The drive time that the savings will cost you is 10 minutes. This place is better than the best/new Holiday Inn Express you would ever stay, and trust me I used to be a multi year platinum Priority Club elite guest. The rooms are very clean with DVD player, microwave and refrigerator. I found a great rate online at their web site. I used to stay out of the SB area due to the price of lodging, but the South Coast Inn has made me a believer of staying in Goleta!