Reviews are ordered by language and date with a maximum of 25 reviews.
An enjoyable stay
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3.9 |
Guest name: SC_Globetrotter, Los Angeles
Guest type: Honeymoon
stayed in Jul 2008
Santa Barbara has one of the best 4th of July fireworks shows I've seen and opted to come up for the holiday weekend. My boyfriend and I chose to stay here primarily since one of the nights was at my corporate rate and it's a fantastic location.
For HHonors members, there is the option to e-check in in advance (like airlines) and you even get to pick your own rooms. However, the website wasn't working for me so I ended up calling about it. Having read the previous reviews about the train noise, I spoke to an agent who recommended the Eucalyptus building. Thus, upon arrival at the hotel, I went to the front desk to pick up our room keys and those yummy choco-walnut cookies. Our room was right by the pool and nice and spacious. The decor is decent.
That night, we didn't hear the trains, but I did the second night. I think you can't really avoid the train noise where ever your room is located.
The workout room is really nice and it opens up to a beach view. The equipment is all pretty up to date and most cardio machines have their own tvs.
There is also an onsite "Wheel Fun" for bike rentals that is very convenient.
Overall, we had a nice stay. Yes, it's a little pricey for the rate, but for a sprawling resort like this, it's commensurate with SB and the season. The staff is nice, except for the maitre'd at Rodney's Steakhouse. In trying to find a nice restaurant for dinner prior to the fireworks show, we popped in there w/o a res, in hopes that a table might be avail. When we asked and said we didn't have a res., he wasn't the most pleasant in turning us away, saying "Not now" in a stern voice and to come back after 10 p.m. Aside from that, the staff was pleasant and the bellhop service was speedy. If you can get a decent rate, it's worth staying; otherwise, if you're going to pay $400+, you might as well stay at Bacara.
My ratings for this hotel are:
4.0 Check in / front desk
3.0 Value
4.0 Service
3.0 Rooms
5.0 Location
4.0 Cleanliness
Only if you like kids....
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3.3 |
Guest name: COBookgirl, Colorado
Guest type: Honeymoon
stayed in Jun 2008
This is s lovely property, great rooms with beautiful gardens. The service that we received from staff was fine. However, I think that every parent and their screaming child was at the hotel for the same three days that we were. We were upgraded to a garden view room and were outside enjoying the wine and cheese that we brought when we were joined by the family of 5 in the next room. All thoughts of a quiet, romantic couple of days were gone. The pool turned out to be another nightmare for the same reason. I don't think that changing rooms would have helped. We won't be back.
My ratings for this hotel are:
3.0 Check in / front desk
2.0 Business service
2.0 Value
4.0 Service
4.0 Rooms
4.0 Location
4.0 Cleanliness
Very good Resort
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4.0 |
Guest name: TripComment, Porto, Portugal
Very Good Resort, with great environemnt.
My ratings for this hotel are:
4.0 Check in / front desk
3.0 Business service
5.0 Value
4.0 Service
3.0 Rooms
5.0 Location
4.0 Cleanliness
Good Resort, pity about the train noise
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3.9 |
Guest name: JBean73, Auckland
We stayed from 1 - 6 June 2008 with our 2 year old. The facilities are great, the rooms nice and large. The beds are very comfortable. Staff were overall accomodating helpful and friendly. Well located near the beach and a short walk to State Street, the Zoo and Stearns Wharf. Beautiful gardens.
The train noise (horn blowing) is incredibly loud especially at night and woke our 2 year old a few times, which was not good. For this reason we would not go back.
However we have booked into another Double Tree on the strength of the facilities of this one - and are hoping they will be comparable, without the train noise. If you do stay at this resort I suggest you insist on being as far from the rail tracks as possible.
My ratings for this hotel are:
3.0 Check in / front desk
4.0 Business service
4.0 Value
4.0 Service
4.0 Rooms
4.0 Location
4.0 Cleanliness
Rip Off!
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1.9 |
Guest name: SingN1L8y, Fontana, CA
Guest type: Honeymoon
stayed in Jun 2008
My husband and I stayed at the Fess Parker Doubletree one night. It was supposed to be a "splurge" for us with a nice room, beyond our budget, but fun. Well, it was horrible. The room smelled like mildew, the view was of the next building not the mountains. An ocean view room would have costed another $100. The walls were so thin! We heard screaming kids playing in the hallway and in their room all evening! There was not continental breakfast. It costed $14 + if you wanted anything for breakfast there. After the cost was already $400! The bathtub was small and cheap. We will NEVER go back and DO NOT recommend it to anyone! What a rip off!
My ratings for this hotel are:
3.0 Check in / front desk
2.0 Business service
1.0 Value
2.0 Service
1.0 Rooms
3.0 Location
1.0 Cleanliness