Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

Santa Barbara, California

Star rating

Standard Two Queen Room
Fess Parker Wine Tasting Room
Ocean View King Room
Standard Bathroom
Accessible Bathroom
Lobby
Junior Suite
The Set
One Bedroom Suite Resort View
One Bedroom Suite Bathroom
Fitness Centre
Resort View King
Standard Two Queen Room
Fess Parker Wine Tasting Room
Ocean View King Room
Standard Bathroom
Accessible Bathroom
Lobby
Junior Suite
The Set
One Bedroom Suite Resort View
One Bedroom Suite Bathroom
Fitness Centre
Resort View King

The hotel

Oozing seaside charm, Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort puts you just a flip flop stroll from the sands and ocean. Check out the casual coastal menu of its restaurants, and the Central Coast vintages in its Wine Tasting Room. And if that's not enough of the seaside vibes for you then check out the styling in your room for even more of a beachy feel (and ocean veiws if you opt for them)!. When you’re not making the most of your beachfront setting you can relax by the heated outdoor pool and whirlpool, enjoy some lawn games in the palm-dotted grounds or pop to the sanctuary of the Spa del Mar for one of the wonderful treatments.

Amenities

  • Kayaking
  • Tennis
  • Yoga
  • Families
  • Bar
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Internet Access
  • Restaurant
  • Room Service
  • Safety Deposit Box
  • Spa
  • Swimming Pool

Where is it

Located just across from East Beach, on 24-acres in Santa Barbara, one mile from the Funk Zone District. Within a 10 minute walk of the pier and a 15-minute walk of downtown Santa Barbara.

Hotel information

360 rooms and suites, with a light and airy beachfront-style theme. All have either a balcony or patio, air-conditioning, WiFi access, HDTV, mini-fridge, coffee maker, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, bathroom amenities, and safe. 

Standard Rooms have either 1 king-size bed and a sofa bed, or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 people.

Resort View rooms offer pool or garden views, with either 1 king-size bed and a sofa bed, or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 people.

Partial Ocean View rooms with either 1 king-size bed and a sofa bed, or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 people.

Ocean View rooms with either 1 king-size bed and a sofa bed, or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 people.

Junior Suites feature a spacious living area with sofa bed, larger bathroom with dual rain shower heads, bathrobes and upraded amenities, and 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 4 people.

One Bedroom Resort View Suites feature a separate living room with sofa bed, larger bathroom with dual rain shower heads, bathrobes and upraded amenities, and master bedroom with 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 4 people.

Ocean View One Bedroom Suites are the same as above, but with sea views from the balcony.

Complimentary shuttle service to Santa Barbara regional airport, and to the downtown Santa Barbara AMTRAK station (reservations require 24 hours in advance). Self-parking $42 plus tax per night, and Valet parking $50 plus tax per night (payable locally, fee subject to change).

The Roundhouse (open for breakfast, with buffet and a la carte options). The Set (serving bistro-style classic dishes, open for lunch, dinner, drinks and weekend brunch). Java del Mar (located in the lobby, serving breakfast sandwiches, Starbucks coffee, and other snacks). Wine Tasting Room (open seasonally). Terraza del Mar (poolside bar serving drinks and light bites - open seasonally). Room service*.

Outdoor swimming pool. Fitness centre. Spa del Mar*. Salon del Mar*. Cinema under the stars. Lawn games including croquet, giant checkers, giant chess, cornhole and bocce ball. Table tennis. Shuffleboard. Tennis*. Beachfront yoga classes*. Bicylce rental*. Kayak* and paddle board* rentals. 

WiFi access*. Concierge. Room service*.

This hotel has a resort fee of $40 plus tax per room, per day (payable locally, subject to change).

Resort fee includes: - Internet access for up to 2 devices - Complimentary fitness classes - 2-hour bicycle rental for up to 2 people - 2 bottles of water daily (available from reception) – 2 beach chair - 20% discount on spa treatments and tennis clinics – Local activity discounts. Resort fee, tax and inclusions are subject to change - please see hotel check-in for current inclusions available to you upon arrival.

*Denotes local charge.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (1586)
  • Very good (1248)
  • Average (840)
  • Poor (472)
  • Terrible (318)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating High expectations - big let down on room quality and service

Aug 26, 2025 A C

We booked a stay here with high expectations and we were very excited to stay at the Hilton we created a membership. When we were on the phone with Hilton we booked a hotel room and requested 2nd floor beach view and we were told if it was available we would be upgraded. They did not promise. Long story short we were told at the front desk… Read more
We booked a stay here with high expectations and we were very excited to stay at the Hilton we created a membership. When we were on the phone with Hilton we booked a hotel room and requested 2nd floor beach view and we were told if it was available we would be upgraded. They did not promise. Long story short we were told at the front desk beach view was “available” for an additional $200 per night on top of our reservation. We were accepted the downgrade and went to our room which was a regular parking lot view. We showed up to the room and there was a hole in the ceiling, an exposed light with no backing, and mold in the ceiling trims and the toilet. We called the front desk and spoke to the supervisor EVELYN, she had a slightly condescending tone when she spoke with me and after 20 minutes of conversation she offered a courtyard view first floor, and refused to offer anything else without charging extra. Then we were downgraded from a king to a dual queen in a different building. We were offered a bellman which would require us paying more money do we carried all our bags ourselves. I am very disappointed in Hilton and how this entire thing was handled. It could have been an easy fix but it seems they were more concerned with making the most profit on the beach view as is it was “filling up” Very dissatisfied with Evelyn’s help and staff. Pictures attached. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating High class? High price.

Aug 21, 2025 Dyfrig Huw J

Prime location and the hotel looks sublime. Rooms are nice, staff are generally helpful and the pool is a good size for those who are as scared of sharks as I am. It is expensive however so a short stay may be warranted.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Disappointing mid-week family vacation

Aug 9, 2025 Lindsay B San Diego, California

Very mediocre experience, which was disappointing for a "resort." If you stay during the week be aware you will not have access to all the resort offers. First, we liked the pool. Big, clean, good temperature. Nice chairs. Plentiful towels. It was mid-week so not too busy. The bicycle rental was also nice and easy and we appreciated the hotel… Read more
Very mediocre experience, which was disappointing for a "resort." If you stay during the week be aware you will not have access to all the resort offers. First, we liked the pool. Big, clean, good temperature. Nice chairs. Plentiful towels. It was mid-week so not too busy. The bicycle rental was also nice and easy and we appreciated the hotel providing coupons for the service. Next, the room itself was underwhelming. Beds were average. Pillows were meh. Website advertised queen beds, but our family swears they were only full size. Don't trust the info on the website about whether the amenities are open or not. The pool cafe was open, the website said it’s closed (pleasant surprise). Salon Del Mar website says it opens at 9am. Actually opens at noon per sign in the window. The website says the salon offers nail services. Called to make an appointment and was told they don't have a nail tech on staff. They said they recommend Tina’s up the street and frequently send people there. (Tina's did a good job.) Now for the really disappointing parts. Be aware that in the middle of the afternoon, from 1:30-5:00pm, there is nowhere on the premises to get food on weekdays. The breakfast buffet is only available on the weekend and usually on Fridays (but not always according to our server). Since we were there on a Thursday, we ordered from their menu. Little things still weren’t right. Missing whipped cream on the pancakes and one cup of fruit when we requested two. Had to go hunt for our preferred sweetener packets for the coffee. We were pleasantly surprised to find that the pool bar was open. It offers a menu with drinks and food, but food can only be ordered on the weekend (no indication of that in the menu). We purposely chose not to have maid service, but called at one point to request fresh towels as the front receptionist recommended. Lady on the phone asked how many people are in the room so they would know how many to bring. I said 4 people. She also asked whether other things needed a refresh: toilet paper (yes we need more), tissues (we're fine), tea & coffee (also fine). While we were out housekeeping left 2 full-size towels, 4 hand towels, no wash cloths. No TP. I called back and then they brought 4 full sets of towels (guy on the phone got a little short with me when I confirmed they would send 4 full SETS this time). I forgot to mention the TP the 2nd time and we still didn't have a refill, so we snagged some off an unattended cart. Nothing about our trip was bad. Just a series of disappointments made for a very mediocre experience at what was supposed to be a wonderful resort. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Consider other options

Aug 8, 2025 nymw New York City, New York

Probably the worst hotel experience I can remember in recent memory. The first room they checked us into we had to walk through a first floor that was flooded and had industrial blowers and the whole place smelled like a musty basement. The second room they moved us into the air conditioner didn't work and it was 74° until 2 o'clock in the morning… Read more
Probably the worst hotel experience I can remember in recent memory. The first room they checked us into we had to walk through a first floor that was flooded and had industrial blowers and the whole place smelled like a musty basement. The second room they moved us into the air conditioner didn't work and it was 74° until 2 o'clock in the morning when I called to Request fans. I went to the front desk at 9 AM to request an engineer or come up and repair the air conditioner and came back at almost 1 o'clock and nobody had been there yet. Tried to order room service around 2 o'clock, and it is closed and doesn't open until three. Tried to rent a bike at 3:20 and they said they don't rent any more bikes despite the fact that they said bike rental closes at four. The hotel charges a premium price plus $600 during the weekday and much higher over the weekend for their location relative to the beach, but it is a dated old hotel that is in desperate need of an upgrade. There are plenty of other places to stay. I would avoid this place or setting set yourself up for some disappointment. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Absolutely Amazing!

Aug 6, 2025 tony7321 Boca Raton, Fl

I had an AMAZING time at the Hilton Santa Barbara. The location of this hotel is Incredible. The views from my ocean view room were spectacular. I stayed in the main section of the hotel where the lobby is and had a wonderful stay. The rooms were updated and well appointed. A special shout out to Elba at the breakfast restaurant for her… Read more
I had an AMAZING time at the Hilton Santa Barbara. The location of this hotel is Incredible. The views from my ocean view room were spectacular. I stayed in the main section of the hotel where the lobby is and had a wonderful stay. The rooms were updated and well appointed. A special shout out to Elba at the breakfast restaurant for her wonderful service and also Jose at Set restaurant, they both are the best! I read all the negative reviews and almost didn't stay here, but I'm glad I ignored them. I can't wait to visit Santa Barbara again and stay at the Hilton. Read less