I have fond memories of Best Westerns and have enjoyed my stay at several of them over the years (other cities). This one did NOT live up to Best Western's standards.

The hotel is rated as a 3-star hotel, but I'm guessing that's due to the amenities that it had previously. This is the only Best Western I have ever been to that does not offer a complimentary breakfast due to "recent" renovations (when I called prior to my stay, I was told that the last room was renovated 5 years ago!). Their website lists that they do not have breakfast, or a fitness center, so I was aware before we arrived that these were lacking. However the in-room hotel flyer STILL referenced a fitness center, two pools and hot tubs, and free breakfast. Even the map they handed to me at check-in referenced a gym, the pools, and a massage(?) room. Only one pool and one hot tub were operational. They were extremely crowded each night, as a result, we only used them once (the pool towels were not even restocked so we walked to our room dripping wet). And my room was dirty -- sticky cabinets and drawers. I washed my hands or used sanitizer after I touch something.

I am jealous that the other reviewers had great service at the front desk. We did not. When we checked in, no one informed us of the complimentary coffee, water, and juice that would be available daily in the lobby (I only noticed these when I went there to check out). The woman was not welcoming at all. And I read from another reviewer, just now, that we could have accessed nearby Gold's Gym (for free) if we just showed our ID and keycard! Again, no one told us this at check-in. When I checked out, I received barely any eye contact, just "you're all set". No "thank you for staying with us", etc.

We almost got into a couple of head-on collisions in the parking lot, as we could only get to our room via a one-way driveway, though some other guests ignored the one-way signs. This hotel needs more signs to make it clear which direction cars should go. Perhaps the front desk should inform guests that it's one-way, before there's an actual accident in the parking lot. A few times, I returned to the hotel to see a vehicle parked in front of the lobby, in the middle of the parking lot entrance. WHY wouldn't the front desk staff tell them to move their vehicle so the weren't blocking traffic to guests' rooms?

The only good thing about this hotel was its location: close to a mall, close to plenty of dining options, and central(ish) in Santa Barbara. But with the loss of their amenities, they should probably be a 2-star hotel (and they should definitely update their handouts).