Hotel San Buena — Hotel in Ventura

Let me start by saying that the hotel has a feel that perhaps rivals Ojai Valley Inn, or the Four seasons in Montecito. Unlike the Ojai valley inn and the Four Seasons, it lacks a competent administrative staff. It starts and ends with the managers on site. On two separate occasions I have had bad experiences with managers. Interestingly enough the main staffing is good! It would seem like the upper management is not well-trained they seam incapable of handling clients that are dissatisfied. On two separate occasions the managers have been rude, short, unsympathetic, and just wanted to shut me. One of those complaints was that I never got a call back after leaving two separate phone numbers! I just get the impression that the managers perhaps could use more training? I still enjoy and love the place and every time I'm in Ventura I stay there or my employees will stay. The best compliment a business can get, is a repeat customer. However, this last encounter was not a good one. The manager did not want to hear me complain that I had not received a courtesy call back and that this had been the second occasion that this has happened. Her attitude was short, arrogant, smug, and condescending. It's difficult to explain but it's one of those exchanges where you know the other person is just being fake nice and trying to hide their disdain by trying to move the conversation forward instead of listening to you? I'm sad that I have to give this negative review because I do enjoy this hotel and I want to make sure that it stays in business by frequenting it. It would seem that the owners understand the vibe that they are trying to convey. I can tell they have invested a lot of capital and passion in the decor and style. I can tell that the owners also know what a good hotel should be. I am grateful that they brought this hotel to Ventura. Ventura although is a beautiful city it does not have many exceptional hotels that rank up there with comfort charm and distinction. This hotel has all that... This hotel would benefit from training its managers to be a little more sympathetic to a polite complaint or even an irritated or frustrated guest. I will admit that I felt myself getting more frustrated because of the feckless response I was getting. But isn't the point of having a compitant manager someone that is trained to handle an irritated...

Wow! This hotel is a gem! I was in town for a big fundraising bike ride and decided to stay at Hotel San Buena rather than at one of the big chain hotels that the bike ride organizers suggested. I'm so glad that I did.||I stayed here for 3 nights. The price was reasonable, and the service was excellent. No...it wasn't just excellent...it was some of the best service that I've ever experienced at a hotel. I've stayed at multiple Four Seasons, Ritz Carltons, Fairmonts, Andazes, and other hotels that are known for great service. Hotel San Buena was better than most of them. I'll definitely be staying here the next time that I'm in town.||Here is what I loved about this place:|• It's a "new" hotel in a recently restored historic building.|• Excellent service.|• Fair price.|• Beautiful room that is decorated to show the historic nature of the building.|• Quiet room.|• Walking distance to Downtown Ventura.|• Secure valet parking, or free street parking.|• Free beverages and snacks in the fridge.|• They'll bring you free coffee in the morning.|• The AC works well, and is super quiet. You'll hardly even hear it.|• Wine bar in the main lobby.||Here's what I didn't like:|• Nothing.||This hotel costs a bit more than the Marriott or Crown Plaza...and it's so worth it! You should pay a little extra and stay here. You'll...

I have stayed here solo a few times. It’s hands down a step above any other hotel in the downtown area. Beautifully renovated historic building in unbeatable location. With that said, here’s what you probably need to know since expectations are everything.

The friendly and attentive staff is what really makes this boutique hotel a gem.

The standard rooms have an open concept with the showers. (Keep this in mind if you’re traveling with a friend). With that said, the rooms are lovely, spacious, and spotless. Very comfortable beds and really nice touches throughout highlighting the old Lodge.

Some reviews have mentioned the noise from above. I have never had this issue staying here personally, stayed on multiple floors. Slept like the dead.

Unbeatable location if you want quick access to downtown and beaches. Free bikes on site.

Ventura doesn’t really have a luxury hotel market if that’s what you’re looking for (head north to Santa Barbara). In my opinion, San Buena is where you want to go if you want to elevate your stay above the holiday inns and residence inns in the area. And I think the room rates are commensurate with the quality...