The Upham — Hotel in Santa Barbara

When I first got to this hotel, I almost left because it seemed incredibly rundown and dilapidated for $400 a night. I’ve stayed in several inns in the area and they were really lovely. This hotel felt like a rundown holiday inn Bed and breakfast without the breakfast. When I woke up, I was really itchy in certain spots and had a few bites. I wasn’t sure if it was from mosquitoes that had gotten in the room or something else so I asked if I could be switched to another room. The only room that they had was an ADA room. I asked to see it and was told to wait until someone else got there to show me. When they came to show me, they were really aggressive with me. They were really pushy and wanted me to make a decision as to whether I wanted to switch into the room or not - but I hadn’t even seen it yet. I was waiting on them to show me it. And I was only switching because I was getting bites in the other room! ||It was all around a very, very stressful experience. When I finally did get to my room the carbon monoxide smoke detector was going off, the outside chair seat cushions weren’t put on, and the shower was leaking. I asked to speak to the manager about it and she came over with such aggression, I was shocked. She would not check the smoke detector, would not put the cushions on the chairs. I also asked her to close the door so mosquitoes wouldn’t get in when she was talking with me and she refused. This room was $400 a night! And then she proceeded to berate me. I told her that the only reason I was switching rooms was because of the rash I woke up with, and she asked me to show it to her. To physically show her my body under my clothes. I would have to take my pants off to do so. This was so violating. A hotel manager asking to see your body is beyond inappropriate. Why didn’t one of the other two people that I told this to initially tell her this in the morning?? She then stated that I was difficult because I had asked to have a fire put out in my room the night before. I have very bad asthma and the logs that they use in the fireplaces are made of plastic. I was allergic to the ingredients in it and I asked nicely if they could help me put it out. Which they nicely did. This is now used against me? I’m handicapped and have asthma and have an auto immune disorder, I am very sensitive to certain chemicals. I can’t ask a Hotel if they can help me put out a plastic log? I can’t switch rooms after I wake up with an itchy rash and not be berated for it?? I left, Kane in hand, at 10:30 PM to go to a different hotel. This woman refused to be bothered to even check a smoke detector. I have never witnessed such ableism and despicable behavior from a general manager at a hotel as I have at this hotel. It was disgusting. The simpson inn is 2000 times better and the same price. Please go there because this place...

When I first got to this hotel, I almost left because it seemed incredibly rundown and dilapidated for $400 a night. I’ve stayed in several inns in the area and they were really lovely. This hotel felt like a rundown holiday inn Bed and breakfast without the breakfast. When I woke up, I was really itchy in certain spots and had a few bites. I wasn’t sure if it was from mosquitoes that had gotten in the room or something else so I asked if I could be switched to another room. The only room that they had was an ADA room. I asked to see it and was told to wait until someone else got there to show me. When they came to show me, they were really aggressive with me. They were really pushy and wanted me to make a decision as to whether I wanted to switch into the room or not - but I hadn’t even seen it yet. I was waiting on them to show me it. And I was only switching because I was getting bites in the other room!

It was all around a very, very stressful experience. When I finally did get to my room the carbon monoxide smoke detector was going off, the outside chair seat cushions weren’t put on, and the shower was leaking. I asked to speak to the manager about it and she came over with such aggression, I was shocked. She would not check the smoke detector, would not put the cushions on the chairs. I also asked her to close the door so mosquitoes wouldn’t get in when she was talking with me and she refused. This room was $400 a night! And then she proceeded to berate me. I told her that the only reason I was switching rooms was because of the rash I woke up with, and she asked me to show it to her. To physically show her my body under my clothes. I would have to take my pants off to do so. This was so violating. A hotel manager asking to see your body is beyond inappropriate. Why didn’t one of the other two people that I told this to initially tell her this in the morning?? She then stated that I was difficult because I had asked to have a fire put out in my room the night before. I have very bad asthma and the logs that they use in the fireplaces are made of plastic. I was allergic to the ingredients in it and I asked nicely if they could help me put it out. Which they nicely did. This is now used against me? I’m handicapped and have asthma and have an auto immune disorder, I am very sensitive to certain chemicals. I can’t ask a Hotel if they can help me put out a plastic log? I can’t switch rooms after I wake up with an itchy rash and not be berated for it?? I left, Kane in hand, at 10:30 PM to go to a different hotel. This woman refused to be bothered to even check a smoke detector. I have never witnessed such ableism and despicable behavior from a general manager at a hotel as I have at this hotel. It was disgusting. The simpson inn is 2000 times better and the same price. Please go there because this place...

January 17, 2021 Life is all about second chances. And I’m grateful to be given this second chance to stay at the Upham Hotel. Our entire stay has been incredibly marvelous. I need to mention first & foremost the lovely person behind it all - Denise Spain, General Manager. Ms. Denise went above & beyond to rectify the unfortunate experience we previously had. She was there to greet us when we arrived and she even personally went with us to show us our room and we had a short but fun, light & positive conversation. Our experience this time started very delightful and pleasant and I didn’t want it to end. The hotel grounds is such a unique space with its expansive garden areas with wooden beach chairs where you can quietly read a book or enjoy a glass of their wonderful complementary wine. There is even a smaller garden area beside the main garden where I envision to be a good space to meditate with the sound of water trickling from the small fountain. Or just enjoy the peace that the space brings. The gazebo is also a unique touch which gives a classy and elegant feel to the overall vibe of the outdoor area. The room we stayed in was spacious and extremely comfortable. It was also well-lit. The highlight of it all for me was our own private patio. We frequent hotels when traveling and very rare do I experience a hotel such as this where you can enjoy your coffee, your meals, a good read or just to lounge in your very own patio in the comfort of your hotel room. The bathroom was newly renovated with a good space and great shower. There was that exquisite basket filled with delicious baked goods waiting when you arrived, along with the complementary bottle of wine (which I thought was a genuinely thoughtful touch). The bed was comfy with clean and fresh-smelling sheets. All the staff were wearing masks and were adhering to social distancing. This time around, I couldn’t really mention any areas for improvement and I can only hope that this hotel continues to thrive in the leadership and guidance of their General Manager. Ms. Denise, please continue to move forward in leaps and bounds. Thank you very much for a memorable birthday weekend you...