Avania Inn of Santa Barbara

Avania Hotel in Santa Barbara was a charming, comfortable stay with a relaxing coastal feel. The rooms were clean and the staff were friendly. From here it's an easy short walk to Stearns Wharf, the beach, and lots of good shops and restaurants. Parking was convenient, and we appreciated the complimentary breakfast before heading out. Everything felt well kept and welcoming. The location couldn't be better. I'd highly recommend it for a peaceful stay within walking distance of the waterfront and downtown.

I came to SB for a wedding and had relatives staying at several nearby hotels. Mine, Ava is, was the best! It was the only one with a hot continental breakfast: scrambled eggs, sausage, hash browns, freshly made waffles, plus yogurt, cereal, pastries, fruit, juice, and a full-service cappuccino machine. My room had everything I needed, including an ironing board, hair dryer, and toiletries. The bed, pillows, and duvet were so comfortable, and the room was clean and contemporary. Staff were attentive and kind. They noted my package deliveries and got them to me promptly and safely. I couldn't have asked for a better 4-day stay. I'll be back!

The rooms smelled like mold. I tried two different rooms, then told the manager, who said he'd give me half my money back if I cancelled. I paid for half the room and ended up staying next door at the Lavender Inn. Terrible hotel and even worse service. The manager's response below is ridiculous. Nobody checked the room for smells. There was one staff member, and she brushed off my concern, saying company policy meant she couldn't refund me. I booked online 30 minutes before I arrived. There was absolutely mold or mildew in the room, which the front desk attendant admitted was due to the recent rains. Hotel staff contacted Jacob, the manager, directly. He said he would only return half the cost if I cancelled. Put simply, Jacob's response below is BS CYA language meant to persuade the next customer not to avoid this place. Asking to speak with a manager and saying I planned to share my review were completely reasonable given what happened. Great job gaslighting your customers, Jacob. My strong recommendation is DO NOT GO. Find another hotel.

The location was a pleasant surprise, a few blocks from the beach and about 15 minutes on foot to State Street and Stearns Pier. It's an older motel-style building that's been completely updated, and it was clean and comfortable with really nice staff. I booked because of the price and ratings, but I'd recommend it to anyone going to Santa Barbara for an escape.