Name: The Upham
Address: SANTA BARBARA, Santa Barbara, 93101, US

8/10

Excellent

17 Jul 2026

Bailey

We stayed in the main building, above the restaurant kitchen... It was so loud as they cleaned up. If I didnt have to be up at 3am to get to a super early job I probably wouldnt of mind but

4/10

Poor

15 Jul 2026

Ali

The room we stayed for first night smelled really bad (mildew). They did change our room to a much better room.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

13 Jul 2026

Michael

Great place to stay. Wish we had booked another night or two...property is lovely.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

13 Jul 2026

Jon

Cool that it is a hotel with historic origins. Very charming and excellent location. But we found the rooms had very little natural light and a strange layout. The patio furniture was filthy. Nowhere to refill water bottles. Staff was very kind but we returned the second day around 3pm and no room service had taken place until we went to the desk and requested it. Parking lot is a major game of tetris.

Overall this place has a lot of potential, but definitely lacking amenities.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

09 Jul 2026

Qian

A very cute boutique hotel

Partner

8/10

Excellent

09 Jul 2026

Melissa

Beautiful property and only comment is that the walls are thin between cottages so you can hear your neighbors.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

08 Jul 2026

Lori

The gardens are so nice. The hotel is very quiet and central. There is wine each night which was fun. There is also water and coffee and snacks all the time.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

08 Jul 2026

Marta

Loved how close it is to everything the room was very spacious and clean. The staff were really friendly. Definitely will be returning soon.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jul 2026

Dominic

It was a very cute property. Nice location and walking distance to downtown. Parking was a challenge. The parking lot is very tight and limited.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jul 2026

shabi

Great surprise
Loved the. Cottages

10/10

Exceptional

04 Jul 2026

Terri Rae

Gorgeous gardens and we loved the history of the Upham!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Jul 2026

Maria

Close to stores and restaurants. The place is very clean and quiet

Self

8/10

Excellent

02 Jul 2026

Brian

Place was nice . Parking is an issue.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Jul 2026

Michael

Great independent property and would definitely stay there again. Upscale continental breakfast in the morning with high end pastries.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

29 Jun 2026

Rebecca

Great location. We walked to have our breakfast place nearby. Staff are friendly and free parking is a plus. We enjoyed our stay.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 Jun 2026

Kathryn

Beautiful quaint hotel. The landscaping is amazing.

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

29 Jun 2026

Daniel

Really nice place to stay. Walking distance to many restaurants and bars. Saturday street fair is awesome.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

28 Jun 2026

Sandra

The Upham was everything previous reviewers had said.... Very positive. This hotel is a gem and reasonable. Spacious room, manicured grounds, cozy community rooms to have wine or the great selection of pastries and coffee in the morning. Easy to walk to State street for shopping, dining, etc. I was there only 1 night and the only glitch was that the tv had no sound when turned on. The lovely Front Desk woman could not fix the problem but gave it a good try. Not a big deal this short trip. Parking is tricky, limited cramped spaces on the hotel grounds (but it's free!) or park on street (watch for street sweeping days) 90 minutes limit (9am start time).

Family

8/10

Excellent

28 Jun 2026

Irene

Very well located. Walking distance to restaurants and most importantly to the court house, since we were there for a wedding. Beautiful old building with all the charm of of vintage Santa Barbara. The bed was comfy, shower was adequate although the bathroom was small. No place for toiletries with a pedestal sink. Everything was clean, towels and toiletries provided were good quality. From the lighting to the decor it was a transport back in time. You can't find this charm in modern hotel chains. Staff was super friendly and free continental was a great way to start the day. Free parking on premises was convenient although tricky as it's on a first come basis. Overall a great stay. Would definitely stay again on our next visit to Santa Barbara.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

27 Jun 2026

Craig

Lots of street shopping on State Street

Self

10/10

Exceptional

26 Jun 2026

Yesenia

Beautiful

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 Jun 2026

Karen

Beautiful setting, lovely areas of shops, eateries easily walkable. Parking on site is first come first serve but many spaces. Complimentary morning pastries with coffee, tea. Spacious clean room with historic vibe. No elevator to our 2nd level garden room but was fine. Highly recommend!

Partner

2/10

Poor

26 Jun 2026

gary

Wry disappointed in the Upham! I grew up in Santa Barbara and the Upham has been a favorite of my family for many years. During a recent family visit I chose to stay at the Upham and was very disappointed by the experience: the grounds are beautiful and the lobby/staff are very helpful and nice. My complaint has to do with the room - it was very shabby and out of date; On two occasions there wasn’t enough water pressure to take a shower; insufficient hot water in the mornings.

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jun 2026

Winnie

Staying here was a great and unique experience. It felt like a step through time but with modern amenities. The Upham is cozy without feeling small, and has reminders of its historic past throughout the premises. (Super comfy beds too!)

I would have no qualms returning here on another visit to Santa Barbara!

Family

8/10

Excellent

23 Jun 2026

Emi

Very charming hotel. Good location. Our room was in a detached building with four rooms overlooking the courtyard.

The staff was very nice. The reason for 4 was noise from neighbors and the parking was not available as we checked in late.

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

21 Jun 2026

Dennis

Nice hotel right in the middle of town. Easy to walk everywhere.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Jun 2026

Richard

Awesome place!!

Self

10/10

Exceptional

21 Jun 2026

BEATRICE

Great historic hotel with the most accommodating staff. Loved the location that allowed for easy walks to the State street shops and restaurants we love. We highly recommend and will definitely be back!

Partner

8/10

Excellent

20 Jun 2026

Verified traveler

Second time here. Great location and wonderful property. However, their complimentary breakfast has greatly declined and is nothing more than a mediocre pastry, coffee or tea and water. They shouldn’t even embarrass themselves. Why bother if you can’t do it right for this caliber hotel.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jun 2026

Marc

We loved staying here. The rooms are unique compared to standard hotel, the grounds are lovely and quaint, and the happy hour with a free glass of wine was a perfect Santa Barbara treat.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jun 2026

john

Always a pleasant stay here! So calm and tranquil and clean! Love that they still use a real key for doors! The grounds are always well kept! So convenient to State street! Love the complimentary breakfast.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Jun 2026

Gabriella

Such a lovely spot in Santa Barbara! Staff was friendly. Loved the happy hour and the grounds. Flowers were beautiful, great to sit and enjoy. Room was a nice size and bed was comfy!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Jun 2026

A Maurice

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10/10

Exceptional

12 Jun 2026

Michael

Beautiful little cottage, perfect setting, lovely campus, exceptional restaurant, perfect location, an absolute gem. The room was perfect, the bed was comfortable, quiet, peaceful, serene, and highly recommend. Would stay there again in a heartbeat!!!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jun 2026

David

Good location in downtown SB, good value! Parking available! Very friendly and helpful front desk staff. Will certainly stay again!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jun 2026

Lydia

Beautiful property. Staff was so friendly and the restaurant & bar was wonderful and great to have on site. Snacks provided, happy hour and continental breakfast pastries and delicious coffee from SB Coffee company. Rooms were spacious, clean, and bed was comfy. Gardens and cottages have lots of seating to sit & relax. Away from the chaos of downtown & wharf but still walkable. Really loved our stay! We'll be back soon!

Partner

8/10

Excellent

07 Jun 2026

Alexa

Super cute property. Garden setting is lovely! We had a room with a little attached patio, which was perfect for a morning coffee. The room had a bit of funky smell but appeared clean so wasn’t sure what to make of it. If we were staying any longer I would have mentioned to the management. Great location.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jun 2026

Leo

Beautiful quaint hotel with great clean rooms, staff were kind and helpful.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Jun 2026

John

Not what I expected. It was a visit to the past. The check in counter had a switchboard! The lobby was the early 30’s.
The grounds are beautiful. The room was a cottage. Clean, spacious, a private patio.
Thumbs up!

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

29 May 2026

Eduardo

Very nice cozy property within very quiet neighborhood. Walking distance to dining options. Inner courtyard very relaxing after a day around town. Excellent location for day trips to nearby Montecito, Solvang, Simi Valley, and wineries.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

28 May 2026

Veronica

Here’s a balanced review that keeps your honesty while still being fair and thoughtful:

The Upham Hotel has so much charm and potential, and there were definitely aspects of our stay that we truly enjoyed. The grounds are beautiful, peaceful, and full of character. The location is excellent, and the staff throughout our stay were warm, welcoming, and accommodating. I also loved the boutique feel of the property — enjoying a complimentary glass of wine during happy hour in the evening and coffee and pastries in the morning was such a nice touch. There are multiple cozy spots around the property to sit under the trees, relax, and enjoy the atmosphere.

That said, while I understand this is a historic property and older buildings naturally come with less modern convenience, the guest rooms themselves felt overdue for upgrades and deeper attention to cleanliness. Our room had a noticeable mildew smell, the carpet felt old, and some of the furnishings appeared very worn. Unfortunately, the recliner chair in the room had visible hair and debris on it, which immediately gave the room an overall unclean feeling. The mattress also left a lot to be desired in terms of comfort.

For the price point of this hotel, I do think investing back into the rooms themselves would make a huge difference and better align the accommodations with the beautiful grounds and overall experience the property is trying to create. The charm and location are absolutely there — but please refresh the rooms.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

27 May 2026

Shera

The Upham Hotel was a delightful place to stay during our visit to Santa Barbara. The staff was friendly and hospitable providing answers to all inquiries. We will definitely tell our friends about the hotel and our experience there. Thank you for such a wonderful stay.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

27 May 2026

Gabriel

It was nice and well located, the restaurant was excellent, my wife didn't feel at easy knowing the driveway which was in direct access to our room, was openly accessible for anyone specially overnight. The hotel warns you to not open the door when someone knocks, unless the hotel calls you in advance, flying bugs were at issue

6/10

Pleasant

27 May 2026

Brad

Upham used to be charming and shabby chic. Now it's just shabby. The carpet in the halls and the room was stained and dirty. This place needs a major remodel.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

26 May 2026

Nora

.

10/10

Exceptional

26 May 2026

Odrie

My husband and I stayed at the upham for our wedding day/baby moon vacation. Not only did we fall in love with the building the staff was super lovely and helpful. Our room was clean and no issues. We definitely want to stay there when we go back to Santa Barbara.

Friends_and_family Family

6/10

Pleasant

26 May 2026

Lorraine

We were assigned room 10 which was right above the restaurant. It was VERY noisy from 9:00 am to 10:30 pm. Lots of banging, yelling, things dropping, pounding, etc. we asked for another room but told they were full. Parking is limited, street parking is the overflow. The hotel was within blocks of great dining and most everything we did, good location.

10/10

Exceptional

25 May 2026

Frank

Beautiful landscaping courtyard was amazing

Partner

8/10

Excellent

24 May 2026

Kathryn

Beautiful grounds with lovely landscaping and nice courtyard. Good location close to State street. Room was clean and comfortable but small. Parking is limited so we had to park on the street.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

23 May 2026

Nikhil

Hard to park. Beautiful stay

Family

10/10

Exceptional

22 May 2026

Naomi

Charming, gracious, sophisticated and well maintained property. Super clean, wonderfully located, anything you need within blocks of the hotel, kind and thoughtful staff, easy parking, comfortable bed, enchanting property. I stayed there almost 30 years ago and could speak more highly about this property and staff.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 May 2026

Richard

The onsite parking spaces was greatly appreciated. Maybe it is hard to find a space at certain times of the year but there were lots of spaces when we were there in May.
It is a very pleasant neighborhood to walk with State St only a couple of blocks away and Carrillo just a few blocks more down De La Vina to the south.
The lobby and the adjoining sitting room/library with its beautiful fireplace is a wonderful place to spend some quiet time.
The restaurant is not up to the caliber of the hotel. Their menu is very unexciting and it would be nice if breakfast was served at such a quality hotel.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 May 2026

Qingmei

Very nicely decorated hotel, great location, clean and good fresh fruit, happy hours with great red wine

Family

10/10

Exceptional

15 May 2026

Laura

Lovely property, parking was safe and easy within half a block, shops within walking distance, the staff was lovely, and the whole experience was comfy cozy.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

13 May 2026

Cindy

We loved our stay at the Upham! We had a great room in the Lincoln building! The room was so clean, and big! We even ate at the hotel restaurant - highly recommend! Close to all of the fun spots in Santa Barbara! Can’t wait to come back!!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 May 2026

Daniel M

Parking was easy

10/10

Exceptional

12 May 2026

Cheryl

This hotel was opened in 1876 by a relative of Abraham Lincoln. It is a really charming property and our favorite of the 4 hotels we stayed at during our trip up the California coast. It was the only hotel that still provided daily maid service unless you put out your \"do not disturb\" sign. Personally, I only ever need towel and trash service for a short stay, but I was so happy that the hotel is doing well enough to continue this tradition. The gardens around the property were beautiful and well-maintained. Everywhere we looked there were employees tending the garden, cleaning the property, and making repairs (the gazebo was being repaired while we were there). We saw more employees at this small, boutique hotel than at any of the larger hotels we stayed at. It is basically a bed and breakfast, since they provide a bountiful continental breakfast in the mornings, wine in the evenings, and cookies and milk at night.

The location is so close to State Street (the main street in downtown Santa Barbara) that we just walked to breakfast, lunch and dinner, unless we wanted to go somewhere a bit farther away. We would gladly stay there again!

Friends_and_family Family

4/10

Poor

11 May 2026

Sheva

There was a lots of noise from above floor until 11 pm

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

09 May 2026

Craig J

Small, personal, and wonderfully located for downtown Santa Barbara.. that’s the beauty of the Upham. 5 Stars.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

08 May 2026

David

Wonderful location just a couple of blocks from the State Street action. The lovely grounds and cottagelike ambiance made this the perfect place to stay for a few nights on our first visit to Santa Barbara.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

06 May 2026

Mary

Appreciated the lobby amenities.,

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

01 May 2026

Molly

Polished & Constructive

The property has a lot of charm, and I’ve enjoyed staying here in the past—particularly in the suite—but this recent visit was disappointing. The bungalow rooms are in serious need of an upgrade. The bathroom, in particular, was difficult to use (the shower setup felt cramped and outdated), and the room had a noticeable musty smell.

Another major issue is the noise—walls are extremely thin, making it easy to hear everything from neighboring rooms unless you’re in a more secluded (and pricier) unit.

Service was also underwhelming. The front desk staff came across as somewhat disengaged and not especially solution-oriented. For example, when the property’s ice machine broke, the response was more dismissive than helpful, and basic alternatives weren’t proactively offered.

I really loved my stay back in 2021, but this time around, the experience didn’t justify the price. Without some meaningful updates and improvements, I’d be hesitant to return.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

30 Apr 2026

Shan

a charming place with great location, a perfect place for laid back and chill vacation

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

26 Apr 2026

Elisabeth

Professional and welcoming staff. Charming and comfortable common guest spaces inside and within the beautiful courtyard. I was not able to stay in one of the many quaint cottage-like accommodations, but the room I had was clean and comfortable. Perfect location with a fine dining experience attached to the lobby and wrap around porch.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

24 Apr 2026

William

Great hotel. Great location!

Self

6/10

Pleasant

24 Apr 2026

Brian

It’s ok. The Upham is a group of bungalows. My room was on the second story of the building at the edge of the property so there was lots of walking and steps. Some of the rooms were in garden settings. Mine overlooked the parking lot. Breakfast was tier three muffins and scones, no orange juice. There were mandarin oranges, which was nice.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

24 Apr 2026

Iris

Charming and comfortable!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

22 Apr 2026

Susan

Absolutely loved this charming hotel! Located a few blocks from State Street, it was convenient to shopping and restaurants (a far walk to Stearns Wharf but doable). The staff was welcoming and friendly, offering happy hour complimentary white/red wine and cookies and milk later in the evening. In the morning, coffee and delicious scones/muffins and fruit are offered on the sun porch. The grounds are beautiful!! A lovely garden with different seating areas offers a quiet, relaxing space to sit with wine or coffee. The flowers smelled so fragrant which was an added bonus. I wish we were staying more than 1 night to enjoy the gardens more. The rooms are actually in outer “cottage” buildings. Our room had our own little patio with a bistro set. It felt very private. Our room/bathroom were small but comfortable and quaint. The only drawback was that the guests in the adjoining room were up at 6 am and we could hear them walking around, packing etc. Other than that, it was the perfect place to stay. Absolutely loved it!
*There is also a new, upscale restaurant located on the property, separate owner. We did not try it.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

20 Apr 2026

Anton

Awesome experience

10/10

Exceptional

19 Apr 2026

Douglas

Decent location with good parking options and pleasant breakfast option. Spacious room with comfortable bed.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

19 Apr 2026

Kevin

Parking was extremely good. Staff very efficient and professional very clean hotel.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Apr 2026

Hannah

Our stay was lovely - the room was very clean and comfortable, the grounds were beautiful and pleasant to sit in, and the location is very close walking distance to restaurants and shops. We appreciated the free coffee and the happy hour wines. Would definitely recommend this hotel and would stay here again.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 Apr 2026

Scott

We always love coming here. The gardens are beautiful, the lobby is comfortable and the rooms are spacious and clean. Just a block and a half from State Street makes it an ideal location to stroll and get lunch or dinner without a car. The beautiful weather didn’t hurt, either! Great place to relax and enjoy.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 Apr 2026

karenn

Parking can be challenging as it is a first come first serve basis. But other than that, I highly recommend…the location is so accessible. Walking distance to some of the local and touristy spots in the area

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Apr 2026

John

Great place, wonderful vibe. Always one of our Santa Barbara favorites.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Apr 2026

Yvonne

Parking can be tricky … but property is beautifully manicured
We stayed in a room upstairs from lobby
It was nice to run downstairs to fetch a cup of coffee Felt like home
Only con … no blow dryer in room and outlets were scarce

10/10

Exceptional

14 Apr 2026

Carol

Staff lovely. Property beautiful. Character! A little older but beautiful. It felt very home-like!

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

13 Apr 2026

Ann

Beautiful grounds and buildings. The cottages with decks looking over the gardens are really nice. Enjoyed the breakfast in the sun room. Great location within walking distance of everything.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Apr 2026

Dhemetrios

Easy parking. Close to town center.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

12 Apr 2026

Connie

Very vintage and beautiful

10/10

Exceptional

10 Apr 2026

Anthony

Everything was exceptional

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

09 Apr 2026

amy

This hotel was delightful from beginning to end. We enjoyed our stay to the fullest from the garden to happy hour to our morning coffee and chats with other guests.
Looking forward to our next visit.

10/10

Exceptional

08 Apr 2026

Marco

Excellent location and beautiful hotel.

Partner

2/10

Poor

07 Apr 2026

Amina

The exterior is adorable, charming and well kept, but it’s only a façade. Our one‑night stay came with serious issues: extremely moldy shower tiles, a strong persistent urine odor in the bathroom, thin walls, and dust and cobwebs living in the corners and behind furniture. The only positive about our stay was, it was only one night.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

05 Apr 2026

Karen

Great hotel and a very good location

10/10

Exceptional

04 Apr 2026

patrick

Clean and easy

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

01 Apr 2026

Cris

Charming vintage hotel in great condition. Beautiful grounds and a comfortable room.. good location. I would go back.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

31 Mar 2026

Michael

Its a nice in with a beautiful garden and outdoor sitting area.property parking is limited with street parking being the alternative. Our room was clean and spaciousbut a bit outdated for our tastes.

10/10

Exceptional

31 Mar 2026

Kathleen

super cute. I was here on business and looking forward to coming back with my husband

Self

10/10

Exceptional

30 Mar 2026

Seth

The property and staff were top notch! I also love the location of the Upham—walking distance to State Street but off the beaten path enough for a quiet vibe.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

25 Mar 2026

Kris

Such hard worker cleaning crews - the perfect room for 3 friends. (2 bedrooms and 1 and half bath. Favorite outdoor lounge areas - great to read , enjoy coffee and or wine. Highly recommend

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

23 Mar 2026

Javier

Super friendly! Great location! The property is well maintained, and I loved the overall cozy home vibe the hotel gives. Will come back!!

10/10

Exceptional

20 Mar 2026

Tammy

Great place. They changed my room for me immediately when the gate to my cottage couldn't close.

Self

8/10

Excellent

15 Mar 2026

Peggy

Great location. Perfect for a family reunion.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

15 Mar 2026

Patrick

Great location in center of town, extremely friendly staff, and a Napa CA style B&B look and feel.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

09 Mar 2026

Sharon

We didn’t get out in the area but the room and outdoor surroundings were lovely.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

09 Mar 2026

Jose

There is no pool or jacuzzi the plumbing of the bath needs upgrading the staff needs a customer service review course and the amenities are poor oreo cookies a in the evening what are we 5?

Self

8/10

Excellent

08 Mar 2026

Sherry

This is a very charming and unique property. I stayed here for a work trip. My room was right off of the yard area which has seating for folks. The issue that I had was people sat right outside my door for hours at time and talked while I was trying to work. I could hear word for word. Since I was working I needed quiet and put in airbuds. Not the end of world but if you want quiet then keep this in mind. It was totally quiet at night.
I was pleasantly surprised that there is a continental breakfast every day. They put out Oreos and milk at night
There is a restaurant on site which is busy at night and right next to the lobby.
Had to street park my last night as the parking lot is small.
Very close to state street so you can walk to restaurants and shopping.
They do use old fashioned keys for rooms and you have to take it with you because door locks.
The furnishings were fantastic. Real heavy wood.
They do clean daily which was nice.
Front desk staff was friendly. It’s just one person most of the time.

Self

8/10

Excellent

05 Mar 2026

Wendy

Staff were very accommodating. Room temperature was problematic due to air handling systems that did not provide a way to easily have air movement. It was unseasonably warm and the room became quite stuffy.

Lots of lovely places to sit outside and on covered porches. Nice continental breakfast provided each morning.

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

03 Mar 2026

Kenneth

It’s a unique boutique historic property kept in excellent condition. My only gripe is parking. There’s not enough so if it’s busy you can get shut out of a space and then you have to hope you can find street parking. They should have an overflow lit.