Standard Room, 1 King Bed
from $179
Ala Mar by the Sea
2.0 out of 5.0
2.1
out of 5
Average Guest Review
See all 20 reviews
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Recent guest reviews
Good Hotel! Great Location! Close to State Street & right across the street from the beach. Can walk anywhere
Parking is an issue during busy weekends. Patrons may be forced to park in the street where there is a one hour time limit. We opted to use Uber in order to not lose our parking space. The rooms do not have A/C, you get a small fan instead. Our room was very run-down, paint peeling, stains in the restroom with a strong bleach scent and the tile floor was not too clean. Motel 6 would be a better and cheaper option. On a positive note, the bed was very comfortable!
The advertisement on Orbitz was misleading that the room would have an ocean view. We were given a ground floor room with window with broken shutter, looking out to the parking lot, next to ice machine. They should have at least provide two different rates for ground floor, no view, and ocean view units. The ceiling fan is old and swinging unsafely. Details need to be improved to match the $300/night for this room type that the owner is charging.
Nothing spectacular about this hotel, but it is well located, priced, and the rooms are comfortable. One thing to keep in mind is that the rooms do not come with an AC.
I would not recommend staying here. To start from the outside it looks like a broken down Motel 6. We entered the room and it smelled like a bad air freshner to cover up the mildew. One of our windows latches did not work therefore anyone at anytime could open the window from the outside. The door would not close all the way and the lock for the front door also had something wrong. (we were on the 1st floor) then the dead bolt would just spin and not engage. I got stuck in the bath room because the door knob fell off and was unable to turn the handle. If my wife had not been in the other room I would have just broke down the door. I wonder if they would have noticed as it appeared routine maintenance was not their strong suit. The bed was horrible like a canoe and too firm, made my hips and shoulders hurt. The 2 positive things... the location and the TV other than that I would stay off the beach and rather then stay there again. (staff) When I borught all this up to the people at the front desk it was sorry oh well like they had heard it before. Had they demonstrated they cared and offered anything help, comp, whatever my comments would not be this strong however its obvious they dont care. They have a great location therefore they can charge allot and do not much. FYI their idea of the continental breakfast was package oatmeal, coffee, and prepackaged pastry. No juice no donuts, 7 eleven budget food.
I had a late check-in, and traveling on business. The room not only was clean, but had the beach charm that I was looking for. The bonus: not one, but TWO rainforest showers and two tubs - one a Jacuzzi tub. The first thing I did was soak in the tub. Parking was good and across from the ocean - excellent for the price - extraordinary for the location.
this hotel is on the beach and that's all that's going for it. The rooms are dated, the furniture had cigarette burns in it; it was noisy at night, and there were smokers out on the common walkway late at night. It was way overpriced. I paid for two nights and checked out to stay with a friend it was so nasty there.
The motel was a little worn and rundown but nothing we couldn't handle and the LOCATION was absolutely perfect. Beautiful views and a VERY SHORT walk to Stearns Wharf and State Street. I would --- and WE WILL --- stay here again!
This motel was dirty and in disrepair. The bathroom was so bad that we did not shower. Got up in morning and straight out the door. It was gross.
i had a great experience here! staff was super sweet and accommodating as ever. awesome location - i was able to walk everywhere i needed to go downtown on state street and in the area. it's right across from the wharf and has a patio to hang out on and enjoy the view of the beach. it is a motel so be prepared that it doesn't look new or have modern designs. i was also able to bring my dog with me which isn't that easy to find last minute in SB.
No A.C.----room was hot and steamy and when you open windows,it's noisy.No pool--the breakfast was coffee and soggy danish--sucked.
Wow !!! I learned my lesson ... I read some reviews before going and still thought to myslef, I am not a high maintenance person, I don't need much to make me happy, but I guess there is ONE thing that I FOR SURE need and that is a air conditioner in 80 degree weather !!!!! That was the most awful experience EVER !!!! And for $300 - That is criminal to charge that much and not have air conditioning. WILL NEVER STAY HERE AGAIN !!!! NEVER !!!!
i thought I was in the interior of Mexico by the side of a cowpath with this place. Seriously bad news. Major money for a place that should not be in business. Old decrepit room, with mice running around. My advice is stay away from this place at all cost.
This place is below par! You shouldn't book anyone into it! I would not recommend it! Unplated receptacle, broken door trim, non-working ceiling fan,etc. You should not book again!
It was nice and clean freinly staff may have enjoyed it more but partner had a emergency and needed to cancel so I. Tryed to cancel but could not per hotel personal so I. Went alone
staff was great but hotel price was too much ...no pool, no ac, windows would not lock, door lock was broken....for almost $200 a night !!!!
The rooms lack privacy. The "ocean view" windows all face guest walkways, so you must keep shutters closed for any privacy. No air conditioner in very stuffy room, but you need to keep windows closed due to noise and traffic all night. Worse yet, there was a fake thermostat on the wall. Thin walls and ceilings added to the noise problem. Poor service from a smart-alec kid at front desk. For instance, I asked for soap (which they don't provide), and he said "I'll add it to my list." Way over-priced. I wouldn't stay there again for free.
I rented 2 rooms, on for my girlfriend and I and one for her mom. Our room had a closet nailed shut and a coat rack attached to the door. Her mom's room reeked of cigarette smoke even though it's a non-smoking hotel. Her window crank was broken, and neither wall heater was operating. The desk clerk spent about 20 minutes trying to get one started, but then it wouldn't shut off. We both had to use portable heaters. Each room had thin floors/ceilings and the sound from upstairs poured through.
Upon check in we were given a room that can only be described as a dark, dingy slum. The comforter and matching shams were filthy; the pillows old and filthy; for two people there were 2 threadbare towels with large yellow stains and one threadbare, stained wash cloth. The broken light fixtures were straight out of the discard bin from Goodwill. We asked for another room and were given a key to a similar room, with a bigger bed. The clerk then gave us another key for a 2nd floor room. This room was nice, updated, bright & clean. Same threadbare towels, however. For the money, there are better, cleaner places with pools.
We could tell driving in that it was not going to meet our expectations. It only went down hill from there. Shabby and dirty were tollerable compared to the smell (smoke from neighbors) and the noise. Then, trying to cancel make the whole experience just awful.
Hotel highlights
- Close to Presidio Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara Museum of Art
- Free continental breakfast
- Free WiFi in public areas
- Free parking
Ala Mar by the Sea places you within a mile (2 km) of popular attractions like Presidio Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara Museum of Art. This 18-room motel welcomes guests with conveniences like free breakfast and free self parking. On the beach, it's also near Santa Barbara County Courthouse and Mission Santa Barbara.
Dining
Start your day off right with a free continental breakfast.
Rooms
The 18 rooms have free local calls. For entertainment, guests can enjoy cable TV. Bathrooms have hair dryers and free toiletries.
Property features
Guests of Ala Mar by the Sea have access to free WiFi in public areas. If you plan to drive, free parking is available. Staff members can help with accommodation requests, and provide front-desk service during limited hours.
Guest reviews for Ala Mar by the Sea
good hotel! great location! close to state street
Everyone
Good Hotel! Great Location! Close to State Street & right across the street from the beach. Can walk anywhere
disappointing - stay away!
Everyone
Parking is an issue during busy weekends. Patrons may be forced to park in the street where there is a one hour time limit. We opted to use Uber in order to not lose our parking space. The rooms do not have A/C, you get a small fan instead. Our room was very run-down, paint peeling, stains in the restroom with a strong bleach scent and the tile floor was not too clean. Motel 6 would be a better and cheaper option. On a positive note, the bed was very comfortable!
renovation needed
Everyone
The advertisement on Orbitz was misleading that the room would have an ocean view. We were given a ground floor room with window with broken shutter, looking out to the parking lot, next to ice machine. They should have at least provide two different rates for ground floor, no view, and ocean view units. The ceiling fan is old and swinging unsafely. Details need to be improved to match the $300/night for this room type that the owner is charging.
weekend stop over
Singles
Nothing spectacular about this hotel, but it is well located, priced, and the rooms are comfortable. One thing to keep in mind is that the rooms do not come with an AC.
santa barbara ala mar
Families
I would not recommend staying here. To start from the outside it looks like a broken down Motel 6. We entered the room and it smelled like a bad air freshner to cover up the mildew. One of our windows latches did not work therefore anyone at anytime could open the window from the outside. The door would not close all the way and the lock for the front door also had something wrong. (we were on the 1st floor) then the dead bolt would just spin and not engage. I got stuck in the bath room because the door knob fell off and was unable to turn the handle. If my wife had not been in the other room I would have just broke down the door. I wonder if they would have noticed as it appeared routine maintenance was not their strong suit. The bed was horrible like a canoe and too firm, made my hips and shoulders hurt. The 2 positive things... the location and the TV other than that I would stay off the beach and rather then stay there again. (staff) When I borught all this up to the people at the front desk it was sorry oh well like they had heard it before. Had they demonstrated they cared and offered anything help, comp, whatever my comments would not be this strong however its obvious they dont care. They have a great location therefore they can charge allot and do not much. FYI their idea of the continental breakfast was package oatmeal, coffee, and prepackaged pastry. No juice no donuts, 7 eleven budget food.
best kept secret in santa barbara
BusinessTravelers
I had a late check-in, and traveling on business. The room not only was clean, but had the beach charm that I was looking for. The bonus: not one, but TWO rainforest showers and two tubs - one a Jacuzzi tub. The first thing I did was soak in the tub. Parking was good and across from the ocean - excellent for the price - extraordinary for the location.
dirty smokers hotel
LGBT
this hotel is on the beach and that's all that's going for it. The rooms are dated, the furniture had cigarette burns in it; it was noisy at night, and there were smokers out on the common walkway late at night. It was way overpriced. I paid for two nights and checked out to stay with a friend it was so nasty there.
location! location! location!
Couples
The motel was a little worn and rundown but nothing we couldn't handle and the LOCATION was absolutely perfect. Beautiful views and a VERY SHORT walk to Stearns Wharf and State Street. I would --- and WE WILL --- stay here again!
never again
Couples
This motel was dirty and in disrepair. The bathroom was so bad that we did not shower. Got up in morning and straight out the door. It was gross.
great last minute booking
GetawayWithFriends
i had a great experience here! staff was super sweet and accommodating as ever. awesome location - i was able to walk everywhere i needed to go downtown on state street and in the area. it's right across from the wharf and has a patio to hang out on and enjoy the view of the beach. it is a motel so be prepared that it doesn't look new or have modern designs. i was also able to bring my dog with me which isn't that easy to find last minute in SB.
