Hampton Inn Santa Barbara/Goleta — Hotel in Goleta

I had a mixed experience at this hotel during my recent trips to Santa Barbara.

The first week I stayed here was not memorable in that things pretty much went the way they should. The room was fine, had a spacious refrigerator, and ample space for me to work. The breakfast in the morning was adequate, serving a daily-rotating selection of scrambled eggs, mini cheese omelets, sliced sausage links, roasted potatoes, sausage patties, and french toast. You can make your own waffles, or grab various fruits, cereals, pastries, and juices. Three selections of coffee between a robust blend, regular blend, and decaf blend. Overall, breakfast was above average for this type of property.

The desk employees at this property were all friendly and competent. They remembered my name. My laundry and dry-cleaning was well taken care of and put in my room when it arrived. They even held stuff for me over the weekend.

The second week I stayed here, my experience was not as good. One day I came back only to see about six police cars, two county sheriff cars, and a sketchy-looking man being led to one of these cars in hand-cuffs. Not a good look.

Furthermore, my room smelled -- and the smell got worse every day. Smelled like something was dying/rotting. I complained about it and nothing really got done. Mind you I was paying nearly $300/night to stay here. Also, my shower door was broken, as it kept sliding open while I was showering, which is a lot more annoying than it sounds. Fortunately, they DID fix that one.

My client was an early riser and my schedule with them was generally 7am-4pm each day. This meant that I sometimes got back to the hotel at 4:30pm -- and housekeeping still hadn't gotten to my room. So I needed to standby as they came in between 4pm and 5pm to do my room. This happened three times in one week. I should have told the front desk to have my room done early, but I would have thought after the first or second time the housekeeping crew would have caught on to my schedule. Maybe that's an unreasonable expectation? I don't know because this has never been a problem for me at any other hotel I've stayed at, and I stay over 90 nights per year in hotels on average.

From the hotel, you can walk a few minutes to El Pollo Rico (great Mexican hole-in-the-wall), Wendy's, a liquor store, and The Imperial (excellent speakeasy-style bar), so it's not a terrible location.

When I stayed here, I didn't yet have Hilton Honors status, as I usually stay at Starwood and Marriott properties. Now that I have status with Hilton, I'm hoping I can get better rooms and that my complaints around how my room smells are taken...

The staff is unprofessional. There was an issue with the reservation in the system and the front desk staff called and asked if we were supposed to check out. No we had a two night stay and the reservation should reflect that. We returned to the hotel and the person at the front desk said the manager wasn’t here and the person who actually called was helping someone else. So we waited almost 10 minutes. When he finally came back he said the system showed a one night stay and he had to extend the stay. He said it was a courtesy call because he was trying to find out what was going on with our room. The courtesy would have been an apology for the confusion or even just acknowledging that you made an error. When asked for a manager they both chimed in and said there was no on site manager. They gave us the manager’s phone number for us to call him ourselves. I’ve never heard of that in all my years of customer service experience. So we called the manager and when he answered he said he was off and couldn’t help because he was out and about enjoying his day off. We asked why answer and he said he’s not from this state and he didn’t know if it was corporate calling him or not and he didn’t recognize the number so he answered. Sorry but no. Staff would know that you’re off and would not give your personal number out. As a manager, you know or should recognize corporate numbers. Worst case scenario, he should at least have given a number to call to make sure the issue was properly addressed. A manager’s top priority is customer service especially in the hospitality industry. Not to mention the lack luster breakfast they provided. The room was supposed to have king beds and we got queens and was told they’re booked. The bathroom door was this sliding thing that had gaps at both ends so no true privacy. The location is weird too. It’s like it was plopped in front of these apartments and made to fit the space. Where I live, which is 3 hours away, we have a Hampton and that one is what you expect a Hampton to look like. Tastefully decorated and in a prime location. This is at best an upgraded Ho Jo’s from back...

If you have served your Country and rely on a service dog to help you live you need not apply to this hotel. On June 27th 2023 at approximately 4:00pm I entered the lobby of this Hampton inn excited to see son who I hadn't seen in 4 years. I am a Government Certified first Responder to the Terrorist Attacks of 9/11 on the World Trade Center towers in NYC. Because of that day and the following two years i spent working down there, I as most of us did became very sick. PTSD and the numerous breathing illnesses top the list and I am fortunate enough to have a beautiful weimaraner dog who has been professionally trained to help with my breathing issues. As I was at the front desk and I had a reservation already booked I was questioned as to what I needed the dog for perplexed about my personal health being queried I stated that he insures I wake up in the morning. With that I hear a voice from behind me say that's an emotional support dog not a service dog. It was a lady who claimed to be the manager and after refusing to look at he's US Registry service dog tag which was on his service dog vest and I not needing an argument" I said you win ill pay for him" then the manager told me no your not staying here tonight he's over our weight limit, Beauregard at that time was 3 years old and a pure breed Weimaraner who at best was 70lbs at the time. Completely astonished at the managers stance I simply left the hotel and had to find a welcoming hotel near by. MY CARD WAS STILL CHARGED, from the reservation I made prior I called the hotel when I got my statement and was told I would be reimbursed but that never happened. It took me a long time to actually sit down and write this review because it remains one of the most unsettling things I've ever...