Compare and book 5 Star hotels in Santa Barbara, California

Known as the American Riviera, thanks to its attractive Spanish colonial architecture and temperate year-round climate, Santa Barbara has a number of stylish five-star hotels perfect for a luxury stay.

Near designer shopping malls and eclectic Californian wineries, Santa Barbara’s five-star hotels range from beach-front resorts with spas and infinity pools to ranches deep in the mountains. Wander through immaculate gardens or enjoy a meal in the hotel’s top-notch restaurants.

5 Star Hotels in Santa Barbara

The standard of accommodation available in Santa Barbara is particularly high and the city has many luxury hotels and beach resorts. Book a room in one of Santa Barbara's sophisticated hotels and you'll have access to the city's vibrant downtown, its many cultural attractions, as well as the palm-lined white sand beaches Santa Barbara is famous for.

Cultural Attractions in Santa Barbara

If you can tear yourself away from your hotel's infinity pool, visit the iconic Mission Santa Barbara, an 18th-century cream-and-pink church known as the Queen of the Missions. The Santa Barbara Museum of Art is also nearby and features a range of works by Matisse and Monet, as well as pieces by well-regarded 20th-century American artists.

Take time for a guided tour of Lotusland in the upmarket suburb of Montecito. Lotusland is a 37-acre botanical garden renowned for its rare plants and animal-shaped topiary, and is the former estate of eccentric Polish opera singer, Madame Ganna Walska.

Where to Eat and Shop in Santa Barbara

Indulge in some retail therapy at the Historic State Street Plaza shopping mall, where you can buy leading designer brands or hip surf labels and popular high-street stores. After a day of sightseeing or shopping, head back to your five-star Santa Barbara hotel for a margarita on the terrace, or venture downtown and try one of the many stylish wine bars and wineries on an urban wine tour, a popular way to taste California's best vintages.

From swanky beachfront resorts to iconic luxury hotels, use Expedia to find a five-star hotel in Santa Barbara to make your stay perfect.