De La Vina Inn - Santa Barbara, California

Jean B.

Wonderful stay!

Everything was perfect. The room was impeccably clean and had everything I needed. The bed was very comfortable and the pillows were great.

The gardens are quite lovely and peaceful….Great place to enjoy my morning coffee.

The common areas are relaxing and set up for business, reading or just mingling.,

The staff couldn’t be nicer. Very caring & kind …And the location is right where you want to be.. I walked everywhere..

My stay was above my expectations .. and I highly recommend!

Jean

G5299DUcathyt

We stayed here for two nights during a West Coast Road trip. It was booked fairly last minute. We stayed in the Somerset room.|Contrary to other reviews we absolutely loved the place ! We have never done the automated check in, however we found it worked really well. We arrived early, but were able to check into our room and the housekeeper was very helpful. |We were contacted by Humberto, who responded quickly to WhatsApp messages and was extremely helpful and friendly. We loved it so much we booked in for one night on our return journey!|The hotel was clean and quiet, the room was clean and well maintained, and the bed was very comfortable, there was extra bedding and a heater in the room.|It wasn’t a problem for us that there was no one onsite as we were out for most of the day exploring 😊

Lisa R.

We had a wonderful and relaxing time at this beautiful inn! We stayed in the Penthouse suite. Amazing views from the mountains to the ocean! So charming - very comfortable beds and bedding, jacuzzi tub, super clean! This was my second stay at the inn and I’ll be staying again in the future!!

JMSTRINGER

I was really disappointed with the De La Vina Inn. I'd like to say that it was just because I'm haven't stayed at a "limited service" property before, but that's not the case. We've stayed at AirB&Bs, etc. and I'm comfortable giving up on the service of a hotel if there is a meaninful savings, but this wasn't the case with the De La Vina Inn. There wasn't a significant savings, and there were more than a few instances when we would have appreciated the service and regular maintenance that comes with a hotel in this price range. ||I'm giving two stars because the bed was comfortable although small for two regular size people, and there was ample hot water for a shower. That's it. Our room needed a good cleaning, some new paint, and updated plumbing. The toliet wouldn't flush and the shower reminded me of what I've seen in a youth hostel from my backpacking days. ||All intereaction is via text. If you call with an issue, you'll recieve a text instead of a call back. We had to call because when we returned to the hotel following dinner out, our parking spot was taken. There are exactly eight spots to park in to accomindate the guest, and if someone takes more than one you are out of luck, or invited (via text) to find a spot on the street. We also called because at 10PM we heard another guest struggling to get into their room because they couldn't figure out the code/lock system, which is admittedly a bit tricky and made more so because of the poor lighting in the doorway. We had to get out of bed to help these folks get in their rooms or we worried we'd hear them out there all night. It's hard not to hear the other guest in normal circumstances. This is an old home and and unless everyone is whispering and not walking around you'll hear everyone and everything. When we got up in the morning, we were met with someone trying to get in the house to meet one of the other guest. We had to keep them out, because of course we had no idea who they were. But it was really awkward to be in that situation. All of these issues we faced would have been solved by having some staff available for the hotel. ||In one of my texts to the person managing the property I asked with total sincerity if they were a real person. I wasn't trying to be rude, but all of the responses and automated check-in information I recived via text all started to seem like they were AI generated. There was the constant refrain in the communication that, "customer service is our highest priority". It is important for the folks running the place to know that just saying it is a high priority is not actually making it true. We only stayed one night, and I'm grateful for that. We were visiting friends who live in Santa Barbara, and they recommended we stay closer to the beach, but I was really fooled by the reviews and the pictures of this place. Plus, I thought it would be quieter in town. We won't make that mistake again. ||When taking a second look at the five star reviews I noticed that many of those folks rented the entire house, and I can see how this place would be great for a wedding party or some large group taking the entire place. After my stay at De La Vina in I have a new apprecation for what comes with actual people and regular service at a hotel, or even a more attentive AirB&B.

Jan R.

Our recent stay in the Darcy Room at De La Vina Inn exceeded all expectations! The thoughtful combination of historic charm and modern comfort created an unforgettable experience. The king-sized bed was exceptionally comfortable, but what truly set this room apart was the luxurious bathtub and private terrace overlooking the front garden--perfect for enjoying morning coffee while listening to birds.
The inn's location is ideal. We could easily walk to Santa Barbara's fantastic restaurants and attractions, yet the property felt like a peaceful retreat. The garden areas are beautifully maintained and create a serene atmosphere. We particularly appreciated the secure keycode access system, which made coming and going effortless.
What impressed us most was the attention to detail throughout the property. From the cozy common areas to the immaculately kept gardens, every aspect of De La Vina Inn has been carefully considered. The room itself struck a perfect balance between historic character and modern amenities, making our stay both authentic and comfortable.
If you're looking for an intimate, charming alternative to larger hotels in Santa Barbara, the Darcy Room at De La Vina Inn is an absolute gem. We're already planning our next visit!

Terry A.

Even without a concierge on site, the service was readily available, meeting our needs. We were upgraded to the penthouse suite, where we enjoyed quiet, beautiful views, a lovely outdoor space and nicely accommodate rooms. It was a pleasant experience. Great coffee, too!

Frank L.

Very nice, clean room. Two minor complaints though. The front door and windows need a curtain. With blinds closed, a peeping Tom could easily peep. We used the extra blanket as security. Also, the brass-ish art to the left of the bed needs securing. I touched it when getting up in the middle of the night, and it fell off the wall just missing hurting my foot. Other than that, I highly recommend this stay

kelli H.

What a great little inn! We absolutely loved this place. Our room was wonderful with a private patio. The location was perfect as well. The beautiful yard and patio was a bonus as well. Communication from staff was exceptional!