There's no ice machines or accessible water and hotel is spread out to where this makes for drought like conditions. Resort fees are an added charge not communicated in the credit card booking process. Their reservation experience is so complicated your whole experience is based on how you book the reservation. Late check out makes for late check-ins for paying customers with lots of questions. In room dinning is only available for a little over 12 hrs. The hotel is just too expensive for the mediocre luxury service provided.
First time in Santa Barbara. Californian is a lovely hotel for exploring Santa Barbara Funk Zone. It's a very lively area with lots of people, but it didn't interfere with our sleep at night. Hotel layout is unusual. Our room was in the same building as lobby. Pool and Spa are in a building across State street. Restaurant is across E Mason street. Great view from the rooftop pool (our room didn't have view). Awesome food at the restaurant. Nobody seems to swim at the nearby beach in the middle of July, so we didn't either. There are occasional homeless people roaming the area, including beach.
Location is in a very touristy area and the property is spread across 3 buildings. This is not a 5 star resort and over priced. Unfortunately, front desk staff is very young & doesn’t have expertise required for checking in guests.
5 Star Hotel with 1/2 Star service. Where do I begin: Check in - we were vaguely waved by front desk clerk to our room/ it’s out to the right elevator to 3rd floor Room ready at 4.45 not 4 Room service ordered at 7pm -rang front desk and spoke to Max - he told me he was right on it- rang Max 3 more times - never heard back from Max so gave up at 10pm Towels are gorgeous to look at but they are so non absorbent- your laundry uses too much fabric softener. Here’s the tip; Use the robe instead. Resort fee! Never even told about the pool, bikes etc….. what a joke Decor beautiful…… you can put a goat in Chanel but it’s still a goat! Buffet unit scratched, bubbling gloss 1 or 2 pack on the top. Should have gone with a similar finish to the grey faux wood tiles on the floor. We’re there for 3 days. Awake every morning at 6.30- went to get coffee from the goat restaurant and the same server did not recognise me! Even after having four coffees every morning. Las Vegas Venetian Resort remembered my name and my order after 2 days- and they are super busy. That blew me away. All reviews that are left have the same line from management as a response; please don’t condescend to your guests- address the problems you obviously have. Not one good morning from front office, valet, or waiting staff but your grounds people, maintenance and housekeeping were amazing. Swap them to the service rolls and put your other “front of house” people in their rolls. As an ex hospitality worker I am appalled that: Room service ended at 8pm (if you get it at all) The restaurant -the goat- has a message that they are busy and can’t answer the phone but they will get back to you (three days and nothing) The complete non-recognition of guests - I’m not American so my accent stands out and is memorable. That this hotel is open- charging what they do for below sub standard service is beyond me. Management you need to train your staff in customer service, curtesy and how to follow up with guest complaints. Please do not respond with thank you …. we are sorry…… blah blah. DO SOMETHING…
Lovely location but really expensive. A bit disappointed with the service at the pool and the AC in our room did not seem to work. Also, the tv only worked once in a while. Overall I would stay there again simply for the location.
Consists of 3 smart buildings at the beach / harbour end of town. We stayed in the building with the roof top pool. Pool deck was amazing. Mountains at the rear. Ocean to the front. We drank fizz, swam in the pool and loved it. Room was smart and spacious. Hotel didn't feel corporate or stuffy. Genuinely relaxed. Didnt give 5 stars because the service was a bit patchy around check in / check out. Not sure why. Could be a lot slicker (waiting, hanging around, a few different people to speak with to get car parked and bags out.....still not sure I understand my bill on check out.......)
Gorgeous from beginning to end. Moroccan style and decorations in a very beautifull spot in town. Nice details, pretty decor, lovely and clever pictures on a perfect location. Everything was perfect! We loved our stay here and would recommend
Check in could have gone smoother- but it was a really busy weekend and the rooms werent ready in time. However when we walked into our rooms, our frustrations vanished. You cannot beat the location of this hotel, valet parking is smooth and easy, but luggage wasnt delivered to our room as promised. Property is large and seems a tad disjointed... The food at the goat tree was SUPERB and great value for money as well. Room service sucked.
We stayed at this hotel for a wedding and would not stay there again. Even though it was a charming property and had great aesthetics, the service experience at this hotel was not becoming of a luxury hotel. The front desk staff we experienced were especially unpleasant and unprofessional.
So, So, for the money. I would rate it as a 4 star with the lack of employees. It may be just a sign of the times??? We had some check-in issues with the incorrect rooms assigned for our friends, whom booked the same room type/cost as we did.
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