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Ala Mar Motel
Category: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Hotels [Edit]
102 W Cabrillo BlvdSanta Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 962-9208
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
15 reviews for Ala Mar Motel
15 reviews in English
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Review from Aud P.
Alhambra, CA
10/14/2011
Well, I have to say that in reading previous reviews of this place had left me a bit skeptical before my stay here last weekend. I was very tempted to forfeit the money and go elsewhere. But since we were meeting my cousin there, and she booked the room, I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt.
We were only staying there one night, which is one of the reasons why we stayed here. This place really wasn't as bad as some of the reviews said it to be. Well, I can only speak for room 108. Besides the bed being a bit too firm for me, it was okay. I peeled the sheets back, and it's a new mattress. Although it wasn't need for the one night we stayed, the electric fireplace worked well. Not sure about an a/c unit-didn't need that either. The bathroom was very clean; shower stall was spotless. For some reason the bathroom door couldn't stay shut though, but if it's just you and your someone special, then so what. Besides the fact that the couple upstairs was very "active" most of the night; I slept pretty good. For some reason the closet gave me the heebie-jeebies, so I wedged a chair in front of it.
The continental breakfast included a belgian waffle maker, as well as your basic pastries, coffee, tea, oj.
People, it's a Motel! If you want more - go to the Biltmore!!! -
Review from Kevin M.
Upland, CA
11/12/2011
I have stayed at fabulous hotels, ate at nice restaurants, and experienced the best service on an airline. I also have experienced the worst in hospitality. This year has to be the worst year for me when it comes to hospitality customer service. I have never stayed in motels before, but I surely picked the wrong time and place to experience one. I stayed at a motel in Santa Barbara called the Ala Mar Motel. This motel had to be the worst hospitality experience for me. One, the motel overcharged me; two, they gave me misinformation on the rates and total; and three; they gave me a room that had a sewage problem.
So overall, not a good hotel/motel deal. I did tell people about my experience, but to this day I despise the Ala Mar and its inexperienced staff. I have had other hospitality mishaps like my worst roundtrip flight experience on United Continental Airlines and my worst Brazilian Vegas restaurant experience. I feel that these businesses need to improve on quality and customer service. My recommendations for the Ala Mar is that they need to short-end their rates even though it sits on the beach, fix their rooms, improve their accommodations, and bring experienced people in hospitality. -
Review from Don G.
San Francisco, CA
3/9/2011
As others have stated, come here with low expectations. It's definitely a motel. The location is great and free parking. That's where the positives end.
There's no heating in the room other than an electric Amish fireplace. I've only seen those in SkyMall, which gives it the one star.
The rooms are small and everything about the place is old. For just under $100, it's not bad. I definitely wouldn't go here for a weekend getaway with the lady.
I compare it to a sketchy room in Vegas, which you don't mind because you're only crashing there for a few hours. That's what I suggest you do here. -
Review from Jerome C.
San Francisco, CA
9/23/2011 4 photos
DON"T STAY HERE!!! Unless you want some crack!
I swear to god I spent the night listening to some woman on crack bang the door on the room below me yelling, "You F'n rapists! Give me my fucking crack! I"m calling the Fucking police if you don't give me my crack!" All the while she was banging and yelling at the top of her lungs. People in the adjacent apartment (not the night manager, mind you) yelled at her to go away which she finally did at 1am-1:30am. I would have called the night manager but THERE ARE NO PHONES to do so!
At around 3am the crack head came back and repeated the same stuff. Banging, screaming, lots of profanity, etc. It was clear that she and the guy in the room below we super spun out on crack and were lifers in that place. After 40 more minutes she finally went away. Big frickin deal, I was already so pissed off that I couldn't sleep the rest of the night.
This place ain't cozy, it's frickin gross! The carpets are ancient and nasty, the bed is worse, and the furniture doesn't even belong in a half way house, which apparently the motel is.
DO NOT STAY HERE...IT GROSS!!!! -
Review from Peter R.
San Mateo, CA
Nice owners, but VERY old school rooms. No A/C, yes oscillating and overhead fans, yes Menonite faux-fireplace (with mantle - good thing, because the rooms are COLD otherwise), 50's era bathroom with updated sink & faucet, big flatscreen TV...but the Ala Mar is RIGHT across the street from the beach (the beach that is immediately south of the Sea Landing Breakwater at the harbor). So if you like the laid-back neighborhood of the harbor area, plus it's sights and the smell of the ocean, then the Ala Mar will do.
A few other things: clean sheets and room but pretty pricey for a two-star. I guess FW Woolworth was right: "Location, Location, Location." -
Review from Amanda M.
Concord, CA
10/12/2010
The only good thing about the hotel is the LOCATION.
The photos on the web site make me giggle. How long ago were these taken? 20 years or so?
Our "penthouse room" was laughable. Everything felt dirty from the old dirty couch to the loudest squeaky old bed to the rusted out shower with broken tiles and a dirty plastic shower curtain.
There was nowhere to put towels.
There wasn't even anywhere to put my clothes! Not a single closet or drawer anywhere! So, we tried to lay out clothes on a chair but everything pretty much had to stay packed in our bags for our entire stay.
There was no space in the itty bitty restroom. Something was wrong with the toilet so we seriously had to jiggle the handle so the water would stop running.
The big huge jacuzzi tub that had the window with the GREAT view... you guessed it.. "OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE DO NOT USE" Seriously!?!?!?!?
The guy at the front desk when we inquired about the tub was like "Yep, it's broken." Taping a piece of paper on it and telling us not to use the tub was ridiculous. You should inform your guests of things like this!
I don't know if they ever wash the bed comforter and was scared to use it.
I am grateful that my hubby and I were able to have wonderful weekend together (and didn't have to spend much time in this ridiculous hotel). -
Review from Danielle C.
Huntington Beach, CA
1/18/2008
I have to disagree with T.K. by Santa Barbara standards this place is cheap, and they are one of the only place across the street from the OCEAN that don't require a two night minimum on the weekends. The location is awesome, right at the bottom of State Street, across from Stern's Wharf, and a block from sambos!
My fiance and I stayed here for a weekend of wedding planning. We both found the accommodations comfortable, and were pleasantly surprised to find that our room had a private patio with chairs and a little fireplace. Yes, the furniture was dated, and yes, I imagine that the place would be nicer with a few upgrades, but then it wouldn't be as cheap!
I also liked that they offered a free breakfast in the morning. The make your own belgian waffle machine rocks! We each had one, a few cups of coffee, orange juice, cereal, and enough pastries to old us over past lunch time.
I would stay here again, and I am recommending to to my wedding guest as an affordable accommodation. -
Review from Kristen G.
Los Angeles, CA
3/13/2011
This place deserves better reviews than it's received! The front office staff was friendly and helpful, you can't beat the location, and the room was exactly what we were looking for. Room 117 was pleasant, charming, and clean...the decor was an eclectic jumble of festive distressed southwest-style furniture and tiles. The bathroom was spotless, and the jacuzzi tub was AMAZING- hot water is NOT a problem at this motel. The bed was huge and comfy, the funny little electric fireplace did its job admirably, and the view of the sunrise from the deck was a welcome bonus. Overall, I can't get over how pleasantly surprised I was upon seeing the room, especially after reading all of the other reviews for this place. Santa Barbara isn't a cheap town to stay in, and this place really was a good deal. Definitely coming back here in the future.
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Review from Jana Z.
Long Beach, CA
2/17/2011
Great price! Great owners (super friendly) and beautiful room. We first found our room to be a little on the small side, however adorable and quaint with a fireplace and jacuzzi style tub. We were able to upgrade our room to the room next to us. Oh my god that room was adorable. It was much larger, with a microwave and mini fridge and the jacuzzi was the main attraction. Easily a two person tub with the flat screen articulating to relax in the tub and watch some mindless drama. Right on the beach, the location was great. Not only was there easy access to the beach and the Stearns wharf, its a block away from state street. We didn't have to drive anywhere. We are definitely staying here on our next Santa Barbara vacation and getting room 119!
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Review from Eric B.
Encino, CA
7/4/2009
This cute little motel is a great place to stay on the beach in SB. Remember it is an older place, but most of the rooms have been updated. We went fot the fourth of July weekend and the location was great for the fireworks and chaos. If you want wall safes and room service, this is not your place. Our room did not have a fridge. The bed was good and terrific jacuzzi tub that easily fit 2 people. Good, serve yourself waffle bar in the tiny lobby with coffee, toast and juice that you can take to the upstairs patio and eat overlooking the beach.
No pool, no AC, lots of fans, but the temp usually doesn't get that hot here. Close to the Electric shuttle and the pier. -
Review from renee c.
Murrieta, CA
3/6/2010 6 photos
What a pleasant stay at Ala Mar! No complaints whatsoever! Armando from the front desk was amazing with all his help and kindness. Our room was room 119. Classic little small casita style room with a big tub jacuzzi for two which was awesome with a bottle of wine and bubbles, and the Huge flat screen tv that moved toward the Jacuzzi to view, Bed was huge and comfortable for sleep, Small fridge for the goods, Electric fire place that kept us cozy, and bomb waffles from the waffle maker in the extra small lobby. Eating breakfast on the front deck was a great way to start off the day in Santa Barbara. Everything just blocks away from this Motel. Restroom very small but who cares! Perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Review from caeton f.
Los Angeles, CA
9/15/2010
This place SUCKS! I booked a reservation here online and waited for a confirmation which never happened, I also never got a response of any kind. So I call the place three days before the reservation (which was for my wife's bday) to see whats up. The guy who answers the phone starts looking at the reservations, asks my name, starts searching and when he says that my reserved room has been sold he giggles! WTF, why would he giggle?! So I ask him what the hell happened and he says that the online procedure is just a "request" for a reservation, well the website does not make that clear. Also, why didn't I receive contact from them stating that the room has been sold???? This has ruined my wife's bday and all of my plans. I hate this place, don't ever go here, it's run by amateurs! I run a little bar in LA and we are more responsive to reservation requests!! Seriously guys!!
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Review from T. K.
Thousand Oaks, CA
10/10/2007
I'm very conflicted about this place. It's certainly not cheap. At least not on a weekend, towards the end of the Summer. On the positive side, they don't require a two night stay like 99% of the hotels in Santa Barbara.
The location is AWESOME. It's right across the street from the beach and a very short walk to Stern's Wharf. It is a short cab ride to the "downtown" part of State Street.
There is a sun deck with a great view of the beach. We got a bottle of wine at the 7-11 (yeah, I know, very classy) and drank it while watching the sunset.
Okay, those are the good things. The not so good things are: They do not have enough parking!!! If there are no open spots in the TINY parking lot, you have to park on the street. Do you know what a nightmare it is to park on the street in S.B.?
The actual room is dumpy and the bathroom is tiny. I didn't care about these things for two reasons: 1. I'm a guy. 2. We didn't spend much time in the room. My Girl was either a super trooper or she didn't really care either. The front desk help left a little to be desired. She basically had a "you're screwed" attitude about the parking and they couldn't even produce any advil for my Girl who had a headache. And no, wiseguys, the headache wasn't from the 7-11 wine, she had it right when we checked in. She probably got it from riding in the car with Me all the way from L.A.
The last of the downers about this place is that it has no pool.
Anyway, I give the Ala Mar three stars for it's location, the sun deck, and the fact that it enabled me to have a truly wonderful weekend with my best Girl. -
Review from Mary C.
Pasadena, CA
6/13/2010
Obviously we did not have the good fortune be drunk enough to fully appreciate this dump! The bathroom had no place to hang towels so they were in a rack in the room next to the TV. Once the towels were used there wasn't really any place in the bathroom to hang them except for the top of the shower, which had a door that would not close properly most of the time making it very hard to maneuver such a small space. There were almost no amenities except for shampoo and soap. Not even a soap dish. There was no clock, no paper or anything to write on, not even a do not disturb sign Not amused!There was a phone but it did not work. The bed was very close to the wall on the right side and there were two pipes coming out of that wall that were capped. obviously from old utilities making it an ankle hazard. The front door had a quaint stained glass window but no curtain so that bright light from the exterior streamed through it all night long.Once again, drunk would have helped here..Also, there is not enough parking like they advertise so we had to park out front on the street in front of the homeless vets next door where they sleep 3 deep on the sidewalk.Maybe they were drunk enough!
We were given this room because we travel with our dog and they felt it was the quietest place for us.This hotel has a lovely upstairs observation deck that has seating for probably 30 people in the front of the hotel that is away from most of the rooms. The view of the ocean and all of the action on Cabrillo Blvd is the best thing about the hotel. If that was too classy for you there was a picnic table directly in front of our room which was basically in the freaking parking lot. Every morning and evening a group of elderly women traveling together would congregate in "this" area and talk rather loudly, disturbing my dog. I do not understand being put in the only room that was acceptable for the dog if people could hang out right in front of it or why the heck they would choose to sit there?. I guess it was closest to their box of wine.
Here is the main problem. We noticed a rather loud rattling in our wall in the afternoon and mentioned it to the clerk. He said he would check into it.We left to walk the dog and go for dinner. We managed to finally fall asleep after the old bats had enough of their wine and stumbled back upstairs to their rooms. The rattling returned with a vengeance this time it would happen about every 10 minutes and last for about 20 seconds. At about 12:30 AM we realized that it was not going to stop and rather than pack up and drive home in the middle of the night I decided to go to the office to see if there was an emergency number to call. There was, but I was almost accosted by a(you guessed it!) drunk homeless man while I was writing down the number. We did get the emergency person right away.My husband pleaded with him to move us to a new room but he assured us that there was no room at the Ala Mar or it's sister property Villa Rosa next door.. He did show up and heard the loud strange sounds for himself. He then traced the noise to a pipe which ran the length of the hotel and tied into out room somehow. This pipe apparently had not been secured properly and every time the ice machine went through it's cycle it would rattle furiously. It sounded like a machine gun! He turned off the Ice Maker and that crazy racket finally stopped. So that was good.....for a while.
The next thing I know about 2 AM we are awoken by a loud drunken bunch of partyers in our parking lot when one of them announced"Dude I can't believe I got a room!" Even though the irony of this was not lost on me I was already livid and not getting any better.The next 30 minutes or so were taken up by these kids running up and down the alleyways yelling and screaming at each other and generally goofing off. Did I mention that they were totally wasted?
The party that ensued from that room was insanely loud . That had brought their own sound system and were blasting gangster rap all of the while whooping and hollering as loud as they could scream.This noise was coming from a balcony and echoed all over the hotel. It was unnerving!The police finally came to calm them down. Not too long after this the sun came up and the 6 people in a single room above us started clomping around like elephants again.At this point I wish I had a hangover at least I would have slept! -
Review from j l.
Santa Clara, CA
5/26/2010
Worst motel ever. It was so dirty, we even found fake eyelashes on the wall next to the sink! 1 star for the friendly staff. But never again.
