Santa Barbara Hotels
Presidio Motel
- Critic's rating
- LAT
Average User Ratings
- Overall (3)
- Rooms
- Service
- Location
1620 State St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Tel. (805) 963-1355
Fax. (805) 962-3639
info@thepresidiomotel.com
The price is right at this hipster motel-in-the-making on the northern end of State Street. It's not a luxury hotel, but it's more than you would expect for midweek rates that start at $69. And the staff is friendly too.
Chris Sewell and his girlfriend, Kenny Osehan, who leased the two-story structure three years ago, have been remaking it ever since. Most of the 16 rooms have new tile baths and mod, minimalist furniture. The rest, while plainly furnished, sport nice touches such as art photos and, in upstairs rooms, hand-crafted origami mobiles.
Pros: Helpful staff. Spotless, comfy bed. Artistic vibe. Near Alameda Park, with a playground, and Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden, with a pond and nature trails.
Cons: About 1-1/2 miles from the beach and two blocks from the last stop of the Downtown Waterfront Shuttle. Exterior, motel-type access to rooms. Thin bath towels. Spotty maintenance. (In my room, the closet rod was rusty, the microwave's glass plate was missing and the shower lacked a soap dish.) Some street noise.
wherever it appears.