Motel 6 Santa Barbara, CA - Beach

The location of this Motel 6, just a block from East Beach and within walking distance of Stearns Wharf and the restaurants and cafes on State Street and taquerias on Milpas, just can’t be beat. It is very affordable as hotels go these days, and the recently decorated rooms are cute and equipped with a microwave and mini fridge. The Wifi worked well and the shower was very strong and nice and hot. The bed was comfortable too. The pool was kept very clean and looked well maintained although we never used it. The only drawback we experienced is that the TV had some cable channels but was not a “smart” TV so we couldn’t use Airplay to stream from our Apple devices, so we watched Netflix instead on our iPads and MacBooks. We stayed at the hotel when there were few people and by the weekend the Motel 6 was fully occupied but we didn’t experience any bothersome noise from the other guests.

My daughter stayed here a couple years ago and raved about the whole place. She said it was a hidden gem. So, a friend and I met for a getaway and stayed here for three nights this week. We loved our stay. We were both sooooooo surprised. We had a room with two very comfortable beds, a brand new mini-refrigerator, and plenty of pillows. The room was immaculate, the location excellent, front desk assistance superior. Really, we were blown away at every level. The place was very quiet and we slept so well! We didn’t use the pool, but it looked sparkling clean. Motel 6 has upped its game! At least this one has. We stayed at a pricey hotel on State street for our last girls’ trip and it was so noisy we didn’t sleep well plus it was very tired looking. This Motel 6 surpassed that one by a mile for $175 less per night, two blocks from the beach, and they offer free parking! We will definitely return with our husbands.

Good price for a nice location across from the beach. The rooms are bright and cheerfully decorated with a modern take on nostalgic beach vibe. Great sized shower. The rooms are not soundproof but I'm a light sleeper. And I prefer firm mattresses but the bed was comfy enough.

Absolutely surprised by how pleasant this stay was. The rooms were SO CUTE! They had this vintage beach vibe that was adorable. We got a room with a retro fridge, coffee pot, and microwave that all matched. Everything was very clean and the people were all very nice. You get a free bottle of wine upon check in. The pool was clean and cute too! Had it been a warmer and longer stay, it would have been a lovely place for a dip! The location to the beach is just a short walk across the street, and the room we had had a beach view. It’s a very short drive to the zoo and other locations, restaurants etc. Obviously it’s a motel, so expect noise outside when people are walking by, but again it’s a motel so that’s expected. They do have quiet hours and the lobby attendant was very responsive when someone wasn’t following the quiet hours and handled it very quickly and effectively. For the price and the name I was not expecting much and this place went above and beyond the expectations of a Motel 6 for sure! Would stay here again!

We stayed one night at this motel and overall it was quite good. Check-in was simple and straightforward, there were no insects, and the general cleanliness was fine. That said, you probably shouldn’t look too closely into every corner or crack, and I even found a pair of earplugs from a previous guest in my bed, which shouldn’t happen after cleaning. All in all it was a solid stay and acceptable for a motel, although it felt a bit expensive for what it offered.

SO glad I decided to swing by to check it out before booking on the app! The young man at the front desk was so rude and unwelcoming, I almost just walked out without asking the question I had. It really doesn't take much effort to say "Hello" or "welcome in". Without looking up from his phone, he simply said: "CREDIT CARD AND ID"! I wasnt even checking in yet, just looking at the property for a longer stay but after the encounter with this absolute jerk, We decided to go elsewhere. Also no microwaves or fridge. (Unless you spend extra $20.00 per night) EACH. RUDE and OFFPUTTING.

Great location, very close to the beach. Room was tight but very clean we just needed it for a night so it was alright. The guy in the check in office was very nice his name is Jonathan he accommodated us in a room

We were very impressed by how well-run this property is — clean, comfortable, and with an incredibly polite, attentive staff who clearly care about the guest experience. Our room on the second floor had a lovely ocean view and a fun retro décor that added so much character. It was also super functional, clean, with everything you could possibly need while away from home. The bed? Amazing. One of the most comfortable we’ve slept in. The little touches made a big difference — fresh, white towels, nice-smelling Dove toiletries, and even complimentary coffee in the lobby. There's also an ice machine and a cozy pool to relax by after a day out. Free parking. Location-wise, it’s perfect: just a short walk to the beach and a great base for exploring the charming Santa Barbara. If the name “Motel 6” gives you pause — don’t let it. This place breaks all the Motel 6 stereotypes. It’ was fantastic stay! 👌