Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

3.5 star property

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

View from room
Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated
Exterior
Balcony view
Coffee shop

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Breakfast available
  • Parking available
  • Bar
  • 24/7 front desk

Explore the area

View in a map
524 State St, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101
  • Place, Paseo Nuevo Mall
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Santa Barbara County Courthouse
    ‪13 min walk‬
  • Place, Santa Barbara Harbor
    ‪15 min walk‬
  • Airport, Santa Barbara, CA (SBA-Santa Barbara Municipal)
    ‪16 min drive‬

Room options

Room (Cozy)

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

State Street Premium View Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • City view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

Ground floor (Cozy)

7.4 out of 10
Good
(6 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

Premium Room, Mountain View

  • Mountain view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

Premium Penthouse (Drift)

  • City view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Queen Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

Penthouse (Drift)

  • City view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

Room (Bunk Room)

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Double Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

Premium Room, Balcony, City View

  • Mountain view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

Similar properties

About this property

Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

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, a 24-hour front desk and express check-in 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
  • 14 minutes by foot from Santa Barbara County Courthouse and a 5-minute drive from Santa Barbara Bowl
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.

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transport

  • Uncovered parking on site (USD 33 per day)
  • Limited on-site self parking

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

  • 24-hour front desk
  • 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
Guests will receive an email within 48 hours before arrival with check-in instructions and an access code; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Prior to arrival, you must complete online registration via a secure link
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Access code, staffed front desk

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 33 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
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. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property. 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. 263 out of 444 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 66 out of 444 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 54 out of 444 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 34 out of 444 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 27 out of 444 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Staff & service

8.4/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Grace

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location - cute rooms- great attentive service
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

6/10 Okay

PHILLIP NELSON

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Hotel was very clean and location was great. Room was very small.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Wesley

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Front desk service was so accommodating - both day team and night team. Hotel was clean and so cute. The coffee shop and bar attached to the hotel was a perfect addition.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amanda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Lovely little hotel, friendly staff. Very modern and clean. Positioned directly on the main road near lots of shops and nightlife so you don’t have to travel far for entertainment. I would stay here again for sure and would recommend.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

juan

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Great location and service
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tiffany

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
The staff was nice and the hotel was comfy
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

nicholas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Amazing hotel with even better staff! Would stay here every time I’m in Santa Barbara.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Fantastic room, very clean and a comfortable bed. Nice staff and the bar, Dusk, was a lot of fun as well.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Natalia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very clean, comfortable room. Cozy, quiet. And coffee in the morning was delicious.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Yvette

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Our staff was fantastic. We loved the bunk beds! Everything was amazing. Would stay there again!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jordan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Quick weekend getaway at Drift and in Santa Barbara and we had a blast. Fantastic hotel in the heart of downtown that exceeded expectations in every way!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was very nice and clean! It was close to everything!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Norita

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

Excellent Choice of Hotel

Perfect location right on State Street near restaurants, shops and other places.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia

Mom and Daughter getaway

Great location to restaurants and the beach.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Daoud

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Joe from the concierge was awesome! She was helpful and just the best! She made us feel so comfortable.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

6/10 Okay

Nienchu Kimberly

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
The human-less check in system never works. Other than that the hotel is nice.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Claudia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great place to stay
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023
Verified

6/10 Okay

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The hotel is in a great location but all the odd number rooms face a loud venue with music going until 2am. Terrible for anyone who can’t sleep with music coming through the walls.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Youjin

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Drift Hotel was so amazing! It was the perfect location to walk around State St, and explore around Santa Barbara
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Kimberly

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
perfect spot to stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kristy

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

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Great place and location
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Justin

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

2/10 Terrible

Daniel

Bed had hairs on it. General manager was rude and condescending. The “Mountain View” rooms are actually parking lot and trash dumpsters views. Wouldn’t recommend
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026