The property was a little bit different than we expected we liked the way it looked, we showed up in Santa Barbara without reservations and the price was right. You could tell right away the staff take pride in the upkeep. The room was acceptable with some cute decorations. No AC and a little warm when we arrived but after a few minutes with the windows open and ceiling fan on it was comfortable. I read some of the reviews and they must have stayed at a different place or their expectation level is off the mark. Armando the clerk was great, gave us a good rate and was most helpful. Yes it is true the windows don't lock but I am not paranoid and I don't think the German tourists were interested in breaking in to our room. The property does not have bedbugs and the staff were very diligent in their housekeeping. No there is no pool but the beach is right there! Breakfast is a joke but Sambo's is down the block and serves a great breakfast If you need anything Armando is your man

It is right on the beach so can't fault location but the price was $160+ which I thought was a bit steep, and the room itself was not that good. No air-conditioning which I thought was strange for California, only a fairly ineffective ceiling fan. Beds were ok, but without a/c the room became very stuffy at night. Wifi worked ok. I am sure there are better and cheaper options like Motel6 but not quite so well situated.

Walked in from the street and asked for a room (strong smell of ganja from the Office?). Looked nice from The outside, but The room was in bad need of maintanence. No AC, the bathroom-door wouldnt close, The bathroom-window wouldn't open (!). The paint is coming of The walls, the shelves in the bathroom are rusty etc. Nice seawiev, and if the owner would spend of his ripoffmoney to fix this place up, it would be really nice. CHECK ROOM BEFORE YOU CHECK IN!!!!!!

We arrived late in Santa Barbara and the Ala Mar was the first place that we came too. When booking in the office wanted cash payment. Room was a bit quirky but with a very large bed. The bathroom was actually in the bedroom and there was a separate toilet which was so small that your knees banged on the toilet door. The door to the room off the balcony would not close easily and you really had to bang it shut and it could not be locked from the inside. People were sitting on the balcony right by our room and we expected that we were going to be kept up half the night but, in fact, it was very quiet and we got a good night's sleep. I suggest that you check the room out before taking it. Breakfast was very basic but it was pleasant to sit on the terrace and look over the beach. I am glad that we only stayed one night. It was very expensive for what you got. We have stayed in far far better for the money. It was fine for a one nighter but don't book your annual vacation there!