Santa Maria Inn — Hotel in Santa Maria

We live about 20 minutes away from the Santa Maria Inn and I’ve always wanted to stay. Since it’s Covid we opted out of having a birthday party for our four-year-old who is turning five. He wanted to go swimming for his birthday And they happen to have their pool open. We were offered a room that had a Jacuzzi tub for $129. It was room 132 the room that Charlie Chaplin apparently stayed in. So they were cutting us a fat deal. The back of the door says normally this room goes for $469 for 1 to 2 people . Fortunately the motel was not busy at all. The good stuff: I really love the old-school charm on the old side of the hotel. You can literally feel the wooden floor boards creak under your feet through the carpet as you walk around. The halls and lobby area smell of aged wood it’s quite lovely. I love all of the memorabilia that’s placed throughout the Old halls and lobby. They have the old wooden phone booths missing the telephones of course. Most of the doorhandles are original doorhandles with the skeleton key holes in the room. The receptionist was really really nice and accommodating. I needed some extra pillows around 8 PM and she went and found me two. I understand it’s an old hotel on our side So you can hear everything that happens from people just walking in the hallway to people going up the stairs to the second floor. The main door to our room isn’t level so light shone through the bottom of it. I love all the original doorways and trimming. The garden is beautiful and there seems to be a black cat that belongs to the hotel Who hangs out in the garden area. The stained glass is beautifully placed in the lobby areas. They’re are beautiful decor mirrors throughout the hotel. The heat and air conditioner worked great. Basic cable of 50 channels. Beautiful balcony with a fountain right outside. There’s a nice size pool that was slightly heated and a hot tub that we did not get to check out. A family of 8ish was in it for a few hours having a party. The jacuzzi tub in our bathroom is very deep and actually pretty big.

Now for the not so good: If I had paid the $469 for this room like it’s listed on the door I would totally complain. The cleanliness of the room leaves me wondering about what the housekeepers are doing on the clock. We had clean towels at least i hope they were clean. The jacuzzi tub and bathroom had hair everywhere and left over soap from someone else. So we opted out not to use the tub. They’re is food splats everywhere, dirty finger marks all over the doors, dust piled thick behind side tables, couch, all around upper bed trimming, candle holder decor, and the tops of curtains. My allergies were going off. The floor in our room was not vacuumed. We found trash, sunflower seed shells, I think old candy, and long black curly hair everywhere. The white couch has gross stains on it. There was change and face mask cream under the couch cushions. The microwave was nasty it had food smeared inside and out. The family in the hot tub were drinking tall boys and throwing marshmallows and chips in the hot tub water. Since Covid I really thought this being more of an upscale hotel they would be more about cleanliness. But I was grossed out touching anything in the room. In conclusion, would I stay here again? Yes if I’m not paying $400. Would I refer people to stay here? Yes as long as they’re not paying $400 and I would definitely let them know how gross the room was. I think it’s time you all had a talk with your head housekeeper or maybe pay them better so they do a...

Upon arrival and checkin the light skinned Hispanic female at the front counter refused our pet package and a copy of the receipt. She also refused her name. Who cares, we went to our room only to find that it had none of the amenities we were promised over the phone the day of and prior. The fan was grinding and smelled like hot wires, the toilet was leaking, refrigerator didn’t work, no microwave and the smell of sewage was so intense that we went back down to ask for help. Same female heavy make up, heavy set with black hair pinned back by barretts, refused to call for maintenance or a manager, kept taking more guests in line ( Hispanic males) Several other people interrupted the line to ask her questions and procure assistance to which she was only too glad to help, but kept telling me I had to wait and the line was longer now. A group of gentlemen even stepped aside stating, “ she was waiting before we even walked in, you can help her first” to which she disagreed, refused assistance to me and continued checking in other people. When someone else finally came to help her she asked what I needed. This new associate Veronica, got me assistance right away, they moved us to another room… upon walking in, I realized how cold it was and that there was a heavy traffic noise, the fridge was not working, and still no microwave so I went to go turn on the heat ONLY to find that the window was Broken Open, went back down stairs. The nameless associate was now telling Veronica that I was only in it for a refund when I approached the desk. Veronica then told me that since “ You booked through a third party, we can’t switch you rooms again.” I asked why when all I want are the amenities that I booked and a non broken window, she said she could have maintenance come check it out. I went back to the room and waited . Maintenance said that “ someone had put a new lock and handle on the window backwards and upside down and to fix it, he would have to remove to wooden sill and the room would be unusable for the night”. I went back downstairs to inform the checkin staff & was told there was nothing more they could do without getting in trouble because all their managers had gone home for the night. Luckily I was now having a severe enough panic attack for Veronica to “ break the rules” and try to get me another room. She did and then she had someone bring up a microwave. The room was FILTHY, but warm, the microwave was old, burned and full of food from other guests. After I cleaned and vacuumed for three hours to get rid of the bugs, animal hair, old food and other filth, already out $300 we settled in for the remainder of the night.

WORST PLACE EVER! Gone downhill So far in the last year we will not be back. We are returning guests at least once per year… never again

Ps, this is Not Everything that has gone on in this visit, I’m just too exhausted to continue reliving this. I will be posting...

The Santa Maria is very comfortable with it's own unique experience and atmosphere. The rooms are spacious and clean, and the ceiling fans are a big plus! The age, feel, and retro look of the hotel makes it an easy recommendation without a doubt. However, subpar service diminishes the reputation of the establishment. I will say that the majority of the personnel and staff are very welcoming and accommodating. However, this is not true for all. To explain: I was approached by security while sitting inside my vehicle, which was parked in the parking garage of the hotel. He inquired as to whether or not I was a guest at the hotel, which is 100% understandable. I took no issue with that, I informed him I was and presented my room key, which he accepted and went about his way. The very next night, the exact same scenario, I was approached once again by the same security officer, who once again asked if I was a guest at the hotel. I assured him I was, but he became more inquisitive, asking if I were sleeping in my vehicle, not jokingly but as serious and certain as he could be. Doing my best to be unbothered, I provided him with my name, room number, and the duration of my stay. He took down my info but then proceeded to tell me that I was not allowed to sit in my car inside of the parking garage and that if I had a room at the hotel that I "HAD" to go to my room. He stated that due to "SECURITY" reasons, I wasn't allowed to do so, and I "HAD" to be in my room if I was staying at the hotel. I listened to what he had to say but disagreed and made it a point to stop by the front desk to speak with a manager. I spoke with a staff member, who informed me that she was aware of the situation and proceeded to tell me that it was hotel policy. I asked her if that policy was posted anywhere throughout the hotel so that I may read it. She told me it was not, but she could provide it for me, but that she didn't have it readily available at the moment, and I would have to come back later in the day. She was not nice about it at all. She was very rude and a little frantic. She snapped at me, telling me not to argue as if I were trying to cause a disturbance. But I was very calm and very patient, and as politely as I could, I told her I was not arguing, I was just trying to verify what was being told to me. She again repeated that I would have to come back later, so I did, only to be informed by a different staff member that the previous attendant documented the incident but did not leave a copy of the supposed policy. He stated that he was not aware of the policy but also said that he was fairly new. The actions and behaviors of the security officer and night attendant really ruined my initial impression of the Santa Maria Inn and changed the entire perspective of...