Hotel Californian in Santa Barbara, California

Hotel Californian sits next to the Funk Zone, within walking distance of East Beach, West Beach, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. The architecture was designed by Martyn Lawrence Bullard, blending Spanish and Moroccan aesthetics into a look not found at other local hotels. Guests have direct access to the Urban Wine Trail, with Kunin Wines 100 meters away and the Santa Barbara Wine Collective 200 meters from the property.

Each air-conditioned guest room includes a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a refrigerator, a coffee machine, free toiletries, and a desk; some rooms have a balcony. The hotel offers custom-built bicycles for exploring the Funk Zone, a complimentary shuttle cart within a 2-mile radius, and a heated rooftop pool with panoramic coastal views. A personalized turn-down service leaves local inspirations and keepsakes in the room each evening.

Two on-site restaurants serve guests: Goat Tree offers all-day casual dining with fresh local pastries, baked goods, a full breakfast menu, and cold-pressed juices, while Blackbird serves Mediterranean-influenced cuisine overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the Funk Zone. The hotel also operates a coffee house on site, and Society wine bar on the corner provides wine flights and a wine club membership option. Room service delivers breakfast, and special diet menus are available upon request.

The on-site spa, Majorelle, includes a steam room, a salon, and both indoor and outdoor lounges for relaxation. Treatment options include full body massages, facials, body wraps, and manicures, plus a full hair salon offering cuts, coloring, and styling. The hotel also has a fitness center, a sauna, a hot tub/jacuzzi, and yoga classes available for guests.

Hotel Californian provides bicycle rentals for self-guided tours of the local wine trail and beaches, and a house car that can transport guests within a 2-mile radius of the property. Evening entertainment includes live music and performances on select nights, and the hotel is pet-friendly with pet bowls and designated pet policies. Business travelers have access to meeting and banquet facilities, a business center, and fax/photocopying services.

Design: Moroccan-Spanish architecture by Martyn Lawrence Bullard

Location: Steps from Funk Zone, wineries, and the beach

Wellness: Majorelle spa with steam room, sauna, yoga classes

Dining: Blackbird (Mediterranean) and Goat Tree (all-day casual)

Amenities: Heated rooftop pool, custom bikes, pet-friendly

Awards: Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Award winner