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Our top choices for Santa Barbara 5-star hotels

1. Rosewood Miramar Beach

Rosewood Miramar Beach
5.0 star property
Montecito
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (356 reviews)
"Amazing Resort"
United States
TIGRAN
The price is £1,147
includes taxes & fees
16 Nov - 17 Nov
Rosewood Miramar Beach

2. Hotel Californian

Hotel Californian
5.0 star property
Santa Barbara Beach
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (1,002 reviews)
"Very clean best service, beautiful location"
United States
Karen
The price is £481
includes taxes & fees
30 Nov - 1 Dec
Hotel Californian

3. El Encanto Santa Barbara

El Encanto Santa Barbara
5.0 star property
Upper Riviera
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (618 reviews)
"Just wonderful can’t wait to go back"
United States
Christina
The price is £544
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
El Encanto Santa Barbara

4. Simpson House Inn

Simpson House Inn
5.0 star property
Upper East
9.8 out of 10, Exceptional, (734 reviews)
"One of the best places we have stayed in."
United States
Victor
The price is £324
includes taxes & fees
7 Dec - 8 Dec
Simpson House Inn

5. Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara

Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara
5.0 star property
Montecito
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (656 reviews)
"we had an unfortunate experience with insects. property was neautiful as usual and staff was very acomodating."
United States
Anonymous traveller
Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara

Top Santa Barbara Hotel Reviews

Find out more about Santa Barbara

Pocket Guide: 5 Stars Hotels in Santa Barbara

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best 5-star hotels in Santa Barbara?

According to Expedia guest reviews, El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara, Hotel Californian and Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara are some of the most popular 5-star hotels in Santa Barbara. Offering best-in-class amenities and impeccable service, you'll enjoy a luxurious and comfortable stay.

How much does it cost to stay in a 5-star hotel in Santa Barbara?

There are several pricing options for a 5-star hotel in Santa Barbara on Expedia. The amount you pay will depend on your holiday dates, length of your trip and other factors. Compare all of the available properties for your desired dates and use our pricing and other filters to score the perfect high-end stay.

  • Search for the lowest price per night from £324

What makes a hotel 5 stars in Santa Barbara?

From gourmet restaurants and all-day fitness centres to swimming pools and superior bedding, the 5-star experience in Santa Barbara is all about relaxation and luxury. But it takes more than just top-notch perks to get a 5-star rating. Stays also have to deliver superior guest services like in-room massage treatments, dry cleaning and laundry and room service any time day or night.

Are there any 5-star all-inclusive resorts in Santa Barbara?

Our convenient filters are the best way to search for exactly what you want. Check the "All inclusive" and "5-star" boxes to see the most upscale hotels in Santa Barbara where your meals, lodging, entertainment and activities are included in the upfront price. At these escapes, your trip is pure extravagance from the moment you arrive.

What are the top 5-star spa hotels in Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara boasts a selection of 5-star spa escapes that offer therapies designed to revitalise both the body and mind. Get away to Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, Hotel Californian or El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara and focus on your health and well-being.

Are there any 5-star holiday rentals in Santa Barbara?

Our site doesn't offer any 5-star holiday rentals in Santa Barbara. However, you can still find a range of top-rated retreats where the only thing on your itinerary will be to unpack and enjoy yourself. See what's available by searching through our holiday rentals in Santa Barbara.

Are there any 5-star hotels in downtown Santa Barbara?

Experience downtown Santa Barbara from El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara. Book this 5-star hotel and enjoy easy access to some top things to see and do.

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