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Prices shown are the lowest nightly rate found in Oct 2026, 2 adults. Pick your dates and press Check prices for live prices.

United States · Updated 9 October 2026

The best luxury hotels in Santa Barbara

6 luxury hotels in Santa Barbara, compared on guest scores, price for your dates, rooms and location.

6Hotels compared2 with a Michelin Key
9.7Top guest scoreRosewood Miramar Beach
$924Median per nightLowest rates, Oct 2026
1,809Guest reviewsBehind these scores

Best luxury hotels in Santa Barbara for score, location and price

Each card is the highest-ranked hotel on its measure that is not already picked (hotels with 50+ reviews).

Circle Bar B Guest Ranch
Highest guest score

Circle Bar B Guest Ranch

9.3 from 132 reviews
Harbor View Inn
Top-rated location

Harbor View Inn

Location 9.6/10
Hotel Californian
Most reviewed

Hotel Californian

121 reviews, 8.7 average
El Encanto Santa Barbara
Lowest price

El Encanto

From $995 a night

Santa Barbara luxury and 5-star hotels compared: price and guest score

Luxury hotels in Santa Barbara compared: area, guest score, location score, Michelin Keys and lowest price per night
HotelAreaGuest scoreLocation scoreMichelin KeysFrom, per nightAvailability
Rosewood Miramar BeachCheck termsMontecito, Santa Barbara9.7 (7)9.82Sold outCheck availability
Circle Bar B Guest RanchFree cancellationSanta Barbara9.3 (132)9.6–$736Check availability
El Encanto Santa BarbaraFree cancellationSanta Barbara8.9 (100)9.41$995Check availability
Harbor View InnFree cancellationWest Beach, Santa Barbara8.8 (1,337)9.6–$458Check availability
Hotel CalifornianFree cancellationEast Beach, Santa Barbara8.7 (121)9.5–$924Check availability
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa BarbaraFree cancellationGoleta, Santa Barbara8.1 (112)9.1–$1,104Check availability

The 6 best hotels in Santa Barbara, ranked by guest score

Rosewood Miramar Beach photo 1Rosewood Miramar Beach photo 2Rosewood Miramar Beach photo 3Rosewood Miramar Beach photo 4Rosewood Miramar Beach photo 5
01

Rosewood Miramar Beach

Montecito, Santa Barbara · 1759 South Jameson Lane, Montecito, Santa Barbara, CA 93108, United States

9.7Exceptional7 reviews
  • 2 Michelin Keys
  • Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star (2026)
  • Rosewood
Location9.8
Value for money8.8
Comfort9.8
Staff9.8
    Sold out
    El Encanto Santa Barbara photo 1El Encanto Santa Barbara photo 2El Encanto Santa Barbara photo 3El Encanto Santa Barbara photo 4El Encanto Santa Barbara photo 5
    03

    El Encanto

    Santa Barbara · 800 Alvarado Place, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, United States

    8.9Excellent100 reviews
    • 1 Michelin Key
    • Leading Hotels of the World
    Location9.4
    Value for money7.8
    Comfort9.3
    Staff9.1
    • Free cancellation
    From $995
    a night · lowest rate found Oct 2026
    Harbor View Inn photo 1Harbor View Inn photo 2Harbor View Inn photo 3Harbor View Inn photo 4Harbor View Inn photo 5
    04

    Harbor View Inn

    West Beach, Santa Barbara · 28 West Cabrillo Boulevard, West Beach, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States

    8.8Excellent1,337 reviews
    Location9.6
    Value for money8.3
    Comfort9.4
    Staff8.9
    • Free cancellation
    From $458
    a night · lowest rate found Oct 2026
    Hotel Californian photo 1Hotel Californian photo 2Hotel Californian photo 3Hotel Californian photo 4Hotel Californian photo 5
    05

    Hotel Californian

    East Beach, Santa Barbara · 36 State Street, West Beach, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States

    8.7Excellent121 reviews
    • Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star (2026)
    Staff9.1
    Comfort9.4
    Value for money7.2
    Location9.5
    • Free cancellation
    From $924
    a night · lowest rate found Oct 2026

    Luxury hotels in Santa Barbara: frequently asked questions

    What is the highest-rated luxury hotel in Santa Barbara?

    Rosewood Miramar Beach has the highest guest score in this selection: 9.7 from 7 reviews.

    How much does a luxury hotel in Santa Barbara cost?

    The lowest nightly rates found in Oct 2026 (2 adults) range from $458 to $1,104. The median is $924 a night. Prices change with dates.

    Which luxury hotels in Santa Barbara include breakfast?

    When rates were checked in Oct 2026, none of the lowest available rates in this selection included breakfast.

    Which luxury hotels in Santa Barbara offer free cancellation?

    5 of 5 hotels offered a free-cancellation rate when checked in Oct 2026: Circle Bar B Guest Ranch, El Encanto Santa Barbara, Harbor View Inn, Hotel Californian, The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara.