Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

3.5 star property

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1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated
1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated
1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated
Lounge
Private kitchen

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Breakfast available
  • Parking available
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

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

Room, City View (Cozy)

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Premium Tree House, View (State Street View)

  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Room (Cozy)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Premium Room, Mountain View

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(2 reviews)
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Premium Penthouse (Drift)

  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 King Beds

Penthouse (Drift)

  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Room (Bunk Room)

  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Double Beds

Premium Room, Balcony, City View

  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Similar properties

About this property

Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

Hotel with a bar, near Santa Barbara Harbor
Along with a bar/lounge, this smoke-free hotel has a coffee shop/cafe and self parking. WiFi in public areas is free. Additionally, concierge services, express check-in and express check-out are on-site. Housekeeping is available on request.
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.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on-site or nearby; fees may apply.
Our customers tell us they can't get enough of Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels's great location. During your stay, you're just a quick walk from Antioch University. You'll find features such as free WiFi in public areas, plus a bar and a coffee shop/cafe.
  • Free WiFi
  • Grab something to eat at the coffee shop/cafe or stop for a drink at the bar/lounge
  • To-go breakfast served daily for a fee
  • Self-parking available for a fee
  • Services include a concierge and luggage storage
  • On-site recreation includes bicycles to rent
  • Guests have great things to say about the location and the proximity to shopping
  • Just a 5-minute drive from Santa Barbara Bowl and a few minutes from Santa Barbara Zoo
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.

For a fee, guests can enjoy a to-go breakfast daily from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Languages

English, Spanish

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 at the property

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

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
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
This property does not have a front desk. Prior to arrival, guests must complete online registration with the property via a secure link. Guests will receive an email 48 hours before arrival with check-in information and an access code. The host will greet guests on arrival. An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

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

Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels Reviews

Reviews

8.4

Very good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 211 out of 361 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 55 out of 361 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 43 out of 361 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 28 out of 361 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 24 out of 361 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

8.2/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

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

4/10 Poor

Robin

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Room comfort

Uncomfortable but good location

If you are looking for a location on State Street, then it's worth taking a look at this property but rooms are very dark, cold, and small. The bed /pillows uncomfortable, no parking, no place to put your suitcase, no closet. It was clean. But you have to request maid service via text if you need towels or trash removed etc.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Claudia E

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Excellent location and great environment. Totally recommended!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kendra

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kazuya

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Travelled with family
Great place and location
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

2/10 Terrible

Samantha

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Terrible communication. Canceled reservations without warning. Do not recommend.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tiffany

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

Jason

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Justin

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautifully designed and located in a fun area.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Evelyn

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024