After a long flight from Bangkok we wanted a convenient and comfortable hotel to park up for a couple of days to get over our jet lag. In short Sandpiper Lodge Santa Barbara ticked all our boxes for comfort and convenience.
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Hotel Access
First impressions count, and we were very impressed at how easy the Sandpiper Lodge was to find. We had endured a long haul flight from Thailand, then a 2 hour drive from LAX in our hire car. We were very happy to find the lodge quickly after exiting Highway 1 onto State Street.
When we found the Lodge we were happy to see a large spacious car park out the front of the 24-hour front desk. After our fast check-in we drove around the back to find a huge car park with ample space. Our medium size SUV was a breeze to park, as the parking spaces are sized to suit large pick up trucks.
Breakfast
Our very first meal in the United States was quite memorable. We found the breakfast area and were surprised to see that it was help-yourself to the food. There was a variety of cooking equipment to make your own breakfast, the first time we had encountered this style of breakfast.
The complimentary continental breakfast was delicious and nutritious. We rarely pass up a free meal, so we had our fill of the oats, yogurts, cereals, pancakes, toast, coffee, fresh fruits and juices. The dining area was clean, tidy and well stocked, we thoroughly enjoyed our breakfasts.
Hotel Facilities
All we really used was the TV, air conditioning and free wi-fi. Although there was an outdoor pool and jacuzzi, it was a little too chilly in May for us to make use of these. The fitness center didn’t get any of our attention thanks to our jet lag. But the good news was that we found the free wi fi signal to be strong and fast, and the internet access top notch.
ATM’s
Next stop for us was the ATM’s to withdraw some cash. We found 3 or 4 banks just 5 minute walk along State Street. All banks here cater for drive up customers, which we also availed on our final day.
Sightseeing
Santa Barbara was the first stop on our California Road Trip, and we were keen to get out and do some local sightseeing as quickly as we could find our feet. Here’s how we spent our first 3 days in Santa Barbara whilst staying at the Sandpiper Lodge.
Day 1: Museums and Historical Sights
- Old Santa Barbara Mission
- Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
- Santa Barbara Old Courthouse
Day 2: Beaches and Dining
- Stearns Wharf
- Moby Dick Restaurant
- Beachfront
Day 3: Wildlife and Gardens
- Whale Watching aboard the Condor Express
- Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens
The Rooms
We booked the standard Guest Room. In general the rooms were spacious and comfortable with a sort of country style decor. What really impressed us was that we had a bonus room, kind of a kitchenette style room. It was well appointed with kitchen appliances including coffee-maker and microwave oven, amongst other appliances. The standard hair drier and ironing board were also available.
Flat screen TV was large with stacks of great channels. And the free wi fi was excellent. Overall the rooms were very well appionted. Oh, and the beds were super-comfortable too. We did not want to leave after our 2 night stay, the beds and the room felt so comfortable.
Do We Recommend the Sandpiper Lodge Santa Barbara?
The Sandpiper Lodge Santa Barbara is a terrific choice for budget minded travellers. But it is not a budget hotel. It is comfortable, well appointed and quite sophisticated. And it’s in a great location on State Street.
Booking.com
We chose this Lodge based on its high customer ratings on Booking.com, 8 out of 10. That is an exceptionally high customer review score. In fact I would rate it even higher at 8.5 out of 10. It’s a great place to stay, I seriously hope you get to experience it someday too!
Here’s a nice promotional video to see what the Sandpiper Lodge rooms and facilities look like.
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