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The Upham Hotel

Santa Barbara, CA • 1404 De La Vina St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101-3027

What Makes This Hotel Stand Out

Its unique historic architecture, beautiful gardens spread across multiple buildings, and personalized service create a distinctive and charming atmosphere that sets it apart from modern chain hotels.

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Parent Pro Tip

To maximize your family's comfort and privacy, consider booking one of the individual cottages or suites, especially if you have multiple children or need separate living space.

Why Families Love This Hotel

Charming historic hotel with lovely gardens, offering family rooms and suites. Great location near downtown Santa Barbara attractions. Complimentary wine and cookies are a nice touch.

The Upham Hotel offers a charming, historic stay in a prime Santa Barbara location, ideal for families seeking character and proximity to attractions. However, potential guests should be aware of possible inconsistencies in room upkeep and limited dedicated kids' amenities.

Best for: Families looking for a charming and character-filled stay in a prime downtown location, particularly those who appreciate history and well-maintained grounds.

At a Glance

Family Score
7.1
AI-Powered
Out of 10
4.3
50 ratings
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦All Ages
Best For
$350+/night
Luxury
💰good Value

The Upham Hotel offers good value for its prime location and historic charm, though some guests feel certain aspects cou...

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Room Setup

The Upham Hotel offers family rooms and suites, with some guests mentioning spaciousness.

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Kids Features

Specific amenities for children, such as a pool or playground, are not prominently mentioned in the reviews.

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Family Dining

The hotel has a restaurant, Louie's, which received a positive mention.

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Location

The hotel boasts an excellent location, being a short walk from State Street, which offers numerous shops, restaurants, and attractions like the Santa Barbara Courthouse.

Map Location — The Upham Hotel

1404 De La Vina St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101-3027

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Best For:
school-ageteensmulti-gen
Consider Carefully:
infantstoddlers

The hotel's historic nature and lack of dedicated children's facilities like a pool or playground make it less ideal for very young children, while older children and multi-generational families can appreciate the unique charm and convenient location.

Detailed Family Analysis for The Upham Hotel

Our AI has analyzed 50 family reviews to give you detailed insights about what makes this hotel great for families.

🏆 Overall Family Assessment

The Upham Hotel offers a charming, historic stay in a prime Santa Barbara location, ideal for families seeking character and proximity to attractions. However, potential guests should be aware of possible inconsistencies in room upkeep and limited dedicated kids' amenities.

🏨 Room Setup & Space

The Upham Hotel offers family rooms and suites, with some guests mentioning spaciousness. Cottages and individual bungalows are also available, providing more privacy. Bedding configurations vary, so it's advisable to confirm details when booking for families.

🎯 Kids' Amenities

Specific amenities for children, such as a pool or playground, are not prominently mentioned in the reviews. The hotel's charm seems to lean more towards a relaxed, adult-friendly atmosphere with beautiful gardens and common areas.

🍽️ Family Dining

The hotel has a restaurant, Louie's, which received a positive mention. While a hot breakfast was previously offered, some recent reviews note a shift to continental options like muffins and bagels. Complimentary coffee and evening cookies are provided, which can be a nice perk for families.

✨ Cleanliness & Safety

Reviews generally indicate the hotel and its grounds are clean and well-maintained. However, a few recent reviews mention worn furnishings and potential issues like mold in bathrooms, suggesting inconsistency in upkeep.

📍 Location & Attractions

The hotel boasts an excellent location, being a short walk from State Street, which offers numerous shops, restaurants, and attractions like the Santa Barbara Courthouse. The beach is also within a reasonable walking distance.

💡 Practical Tips

Parking is frequently mentioned as being tight and sometimes inadequate. Staff are generally described as friendly and helpful, with some guests highlighting personalized service. Express check-in/check-out is available.

⚠️ Things to Consider

Some guests have reported issues with dated furnishings, inconsistent heating/cooling in rooms, and noise disturbances from adjacent rooms or the parking lot. A few reviews suggest a decline in overall quality and service in recent times.

Hotel Amenities

Other Amenities(20)

InternetFree InternetMeeting roomsNon-smoking roomsSuitesBanquet RoomAir conditioningMultilingual StaffConference FacilitiesFlatscreen TVPrivate BalconyBaggage StorageBathrobesEnglish24-Hour Front DeskIronOutdoor FurnitureWake Up Service / Alarm ClockSafeExpress Check-in / Check-out

🛎️Services(6)

Free parkingWifiFree WifiBusiness centerPublic WifiLaundry Service

🏊Pool & Water(1)

Beach Access

Family Activities Near The Upham Hotel

Kid-friendly attractions and things to do nearby

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Santa Barbara Zoo

1.5 mi

A well-regarded zoo with diverse animal exhibits and beautiful ocean views.

Outdoor
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Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

1.2 mi

Engaging exhibits on local natural history, geology, and native cultures, with a planetarium.

Indoor/Outdoor
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Santa Barbara Maritime Museum

1.8 mi

Explores the region's rich maritime history, with interactive exhibits and artifacts.

Indoor
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Santa Barbara Waterfront & Stearns Wharf

1.7 mi

A lively area with shops, restaurants, and views, offering a classic California pier experience.

FreeOutdoor
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Old Mission Santa Barbara

2 mi

A historic landmark offering insights into California's Spanish colonial past and beautiful architecture.

Indoor/Outdoor
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MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation

1.4 mi

An interactive science and technology museum that's fun and educational for all ages.

Indoor

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions from families about The Upham Hotel

Is there a pool or playground for kids at The Upham Hotel?
The Upham Hotel does not explicitly offer a pool or playground for children. Its charm lies more in its gardens and historic ambiance.
What are the parking arrangements like for families?
The hotel offers free parking, but reviews consistently mention that the parking lot is very tight and can be difficult to navigate, especially for larger vehicles or when busy.
Are the rooms suitable for families with young children?
The hotel offers family rooms and suites, some in cottages. While generally clean, some older reviews mention worn furnishings. It's best to clarify room details and inquire about any specific needs for younger children.
What dining options are available for families?
The hotel has a restaurant, Louie's. They also offer complimentary coffee in the morning and evening cookies, which are family-friendly perks. Breakfast has shifted to continental options.
How close is the hotel to family-friendly attractions?
The Upham Hotel is very centrally located, within walking distance to State Street's shops and restaurants, and a short drive to attractions like the Santa Barbara Zoo and MOXI.

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The Upham Hotel
7.1 Score$350+/night

AI summaries and family ratings are generated by Hotels for Families. Always verify details directly with hotels before booking.