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Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

3.5 star property
Hotel with a bar, near Santa Barbara Harbor

Photo gallery for Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated
Coffee shop
View from room
1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated
1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Breakfast available
  • Parking available
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi
The current price is AU$406
includes taxes & fees
8 Oct - 9 Oct

Explore the area

View map
524 State St, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101
  • Santa Barbara County Courthouse
    ‪13 min walk‬
  • Santa Barbara Harbor
    ‪15 min walk‬
  • Stearns Wharf
    ‪16 min walk‬
  • Santa Barbara, CA (SBA-Santa Barbara Municipal)
    ‪13 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Room, City View (Cozy)

1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Room, City View (Cozy)

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)

Highlights

Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Heating
Smart TV
Separate bedroom
Premium bedding
Bathrobes
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Premium Tree House, View (State Street View)

1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Premium Tree House, View (State Street View)

Highlights

Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Heating
Smart TV
Separate bedroom
Premium bedding
Bathrobes
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room (Cozy)

City view

Room (Cozy)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)

Highlights

Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Heating
Smart TV
Separate bedroom
Premium bedding
Bathrobes
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Premium Room, Mountain View

Mountain view

Premium Room, Mountain View

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(2 reviews)

Highlights

Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Heating
Smart TV
Separate bedroom
Premium bedding
Bathrobes
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Premium Penthouse (Drift)

1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Premium Penthouse (Drift)

Highlights

Furnished balcony or patio
Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Heating
Smart TV
Separate bedroom
  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 King Beds

View all photos for Penthouse (Drift)

1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Penthouse (Drift)

Highlights

Furnished balcony or patio
Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Heating
Smart TV
Separate bedroom
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room (Bunk Room)

Property amenity

Room (Bunk Room)

Highlights

Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Heating
Smart TV
Separate bedroom
Premium bedding
Bathrobes
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Premium Room, Balcony, City View

1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Premium Room, Balcony, City View

Highlights

Balcony
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Heating
Smart TV
Separate bedroom
Premium bedding
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

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About the area

Santa Barbara

Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels places you steps from Antioch University and within a short 5-minute stroll of Paseo Nuevo Mall. Highlights at this hotel include in-room free WiFi and Smart TVs. .The hotel's own lounge bar is a nice place to enjoy a drink. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi in public areas and a coffee shop/cafe. Each morning to-go breakfast is served between 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM. There's also the convenience of self parking. .Attractions within a 10-minute drive of this 3.5-property class Downtown Santa Barbara hotel include Santa Barbara Bowl and Santa Barbara Zoo.

What's nearby

  • Santa Barbara County Courthouse - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Santa Barbara City College - 13 min walk - 1.2 km
  • Santa Barbara Harbor - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Stearns Wharf - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Santa Barbara Bowl - 4 min drive - 2.3 km

Getting around

  • Santa Barbara Station - 8 min walk
  • Santa Barbara, CA (SBA-Santa Barbara Municipal) - 12 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Santa Barbara Craft Ramen - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Joe's Cafe - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Sandbar - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪The Cruisery - ‬2 min walk

About this property

Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

Hotel with a bar, near Santa Barbara Harbor
There's a coffee shop/cafe on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. WiFi is free in public spaces. Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels also features concierge services, express check-in, and express check-out. Parking is available for a fee.

This 3.5-star Santa Barbara hotel is smoke free.

  • 46 guestrooms or units
  • Breakfast available (surcharge)
  • Express check-in
  • Express check-out
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Concierge
  • Lift
  • No smoking on site
  • Bar or lounge
  • Coffee shop
Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels offers 46 air-conditioned accommodations with a safe and complimentary bottles of water. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. Beds feature premium bedding. 43-inch Smart televisions come with digital channels and Netflix.

Bathrooms include a shower, bathrobes, complimentary toiletries and hairdryers. This Santa Barbara hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is provided on request.

Similar properties

Front of property

Hotel Santa Barbara

  • Pet-friendly
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Gym
4.5 out of 5, Wonderful, 1,015 reviews
The price is AU$362
includes taxes & fees
14 Oct - 15 Oct
Hotel Santa Barbara

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Uncovered parking on site (USD 25 per day)

Food and drink

  • Daily breakfast to-go available 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM for a fee: USD 5 to 15 per person
  • A bar/lounge
  • A coffee shop/cafe

Things to do

  • Bicycle rentals

Conveniences

  • Luggage storage

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (on request)

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Lift
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible public bathroom
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant

More

  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Dressing gowns
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 43-inch smart TV with digital channels
  • Hulu
  • Netflix
  • Streaming services

Food and drink

  • Free bottled water

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age - 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

An adult aged 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
There is no front desk at this property
Guests will receive an email within 48 hours before arrival with check-in instructions and an access code; your host will greet you
Prior to arrival, you must complete online registration via a secure link

Access methods

Access code, host will greet you

Pets

  • No pets allowed, but service animals are welcome

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cots (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for to-go breakfast: approximately USD 5 to 15 per person
  • Uncovered self-parking fee: USD 25 per day

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit and window guards
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children. If you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. Cash is not accepted. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit and window guards in all accommodation. Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.

Property is also known as

Drift Santa Barbara
Drift Santa Barbara a Member of Design Hotels
Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels Hotel
Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels Santa Barbara

Frequently asked questions

What is the cancellation policy at Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels?

Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels offers free cancellation on select room rates. Check out the cancellation policy for more info.

How much does it cost to stay at Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels?

As of 15 Sept 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels on 8 Oct 2025 start from AU$406.29, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is parking available at Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels?

Yep, Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels has an uncovered self car park for USD 25 per day.

Are there any beaches close to Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels?

The closest beach to Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels is Leadbetter Beach (1.9 km).

What makes Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels a romantic place to stay?

A lounge bar, plus premium bedding in the guestrooms, help set the scene for a romantic weekend at Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels.

Does Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels serve breakfast?

Yep, to-go breakfast is on offer daily between 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels?

No, Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels does not offer an airport shuttle service.

What time are check-in & check-out at Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM. Check-out time is 11:00 AM.

Are pets allowed at Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels?

No, only service animals are allowed.

Reviews

Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels Reviews

8.4

Very good

9.4/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

8.2/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.8/10

Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 219 out of 373 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 57 out of 373 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 44 out of 373 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 29 out of 373 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 24 out of 373 reviews

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Juan

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Iman

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ricardo

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Paul

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The check-in/out is all done through text messages and very convenient and quick. The room felt uncomfortably small for two people, with limited privacy in the bathroom area. Although the ventilation system was running, it didn’t seem to circulate the air effectively. Even with all the lights on, the room remained quite dim, contributing to a confined and gloomy atmosphere. The layout was awkward, with the wash sink positioned unusually close to the bed — it felt more like a converted bathroom than a proper guest room. At times, the space felt so claustrophobic that I had to leave the room just to get some relief.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

William

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gus

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

TIMOTHY

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very clean
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

6/10 Okay

Amanda

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
The hotel room we got was small.. especially for the price but the manager was really sweet and refunded it for us due to the pictures being misleading. I for sure rate the customer service a 10/10 though! The aesthetic is really cute too.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Edwin

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Love everything
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Ludovic, Newport Beach

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Rooms are deceiving in the photos. It’s much smaller than I would have deemed acceptable. Can’t walk around the bed since the queen bed is the full width of the room.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amanda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

2/10 Terrible

David

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Noise was insanely loud, keeping me up most of the night
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Reece

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very boutique chic
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tlazolteotl

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

NANCY

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Junus

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Drift - highly recommend

Super easy check in. Great aesthetic. People seem to complain on reviews about the cozy room size but it's definitely enough space if you're not planning to spend all day on your room. I found Drift on Design Hotel's website. They never disappoint. Location is great but you'll have to be okay with some noise if you're there towards the end of the week/weekends.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kristy

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Overall great experience, great location and the hospitality was amazing
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Geneviève

Liked: Cleanliness
Super friendly, easy check in and out and beautiful deco
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

6/10 Okay

Darcy

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

design & great team let down by operation choices

We had a number of SB options and I chose Drift based on the aesthetic which does not disappoint. Unfortunately the views and size are quite significantly different than the pictures. It is my responsibility to check sq footage. I did not. The views etc are sadly not as represented and linens, towels were in very rough shape, frayed and worn, etc. On the other hand, staff was extraordinary and would have done anything in their power to help. Would definitely encourage the team to return to coffee in the room. Doesn’t make for a relaxing stay when you need to dress to coffee. For the price and excellent staff, some things are not meeting the level they should.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jose

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

6/10 Okay

Clara

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Ken

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

4/10 Poor

sheri

Business traveller
Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Cleanliness, room comfort

Cute Concept - Needs Improvements

Cute concept but rooms too small/dark and dusty/musty. No signage/hard to find at night, no parking:valet-public parking lot $3/hr, no coffee makers or vending machines for after hours
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

2/10 Terrible

Alma

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was extremely noise, neither my husband and I couldnt sleep, drunk people screemeing on the halway, not safe
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Room comfort
Room too small, not organized efficiently. No place to unpack and put things. One person should not have to crawl over another to get in or out of bed.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025