The Steward, Santa Barbara, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Hotel and wedding venue
Holds ceremonies and receptions
Reviews
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I can't believe that it took me YEARS before checking out the Steward bar at the renovated Steward property. I met a dear friend for a drink during happy hour and it was wonderful. Nice choices for seating, good drinks, happy hour prices are gr...
eat. A nice fellow handed us some gin cocktails that they are experimenting with. What? a free drink to top it all off! If you have not been to this part of town due to the construction -- the roundabouts are open and flowing. It's worth the trip just to enjoy the roundabouts.
We recently stayed here for a family retreat,
and it was exactly the breath of fresh air we needed. After enduring the stress of the boys' final exams and the chaotic process of moving them out of their UCSB apartment dorms, this property provi...
ded the perfect environment to unwind and decompress.
From the moment we arrived, the mature landscaping and historic grounds made us feel like we had stepped into a secluded hideaway. My wife absolutely fell in love with the place, saying it felt like a hidden "Relaxing Garden Retreat" because of how peaceful and tucked-away the property feels.
Our suite setup was incredibly convenient, especially with the pool access located just outside of our patio doors. Being able to step right out and enjoy the water made the stay feel seamless and incredibly relaxing for the whole family.
Because we were out on the road most of the time, we didn't get a chance to try the on-site restaurant, but we did take advantage of the local food scene. Our boys tend to eat on a later schedule, so we ended up ordering a lot of evening DoorDash. The delivery process was smooth, and the room's layout gave us plenty of space to relax and eat together.
If I have to note any downsides, the room's mechanics do show a little bit of the property's age. The air conditioner was definitely on the louder side when it kicked on, and because of the building's layout, you can hear the upstairs neighbors walking around at times. It wasn't a dealbreaker for us, but something to keep in mind if you are an incredibly light sleeper.
Overall, the atmosphere, the stunning grounds, and the beautiful suite layout made for a fantastic stay. We left feeling completely refreshed. Highly recommended for families looking for a peaceful Santa Barbara retreat.
Ok I read the bad reviews but I did a little side research on my own so we decided to try a stay here. The grounds are beautiful upon arrival. The reception desk and subsequent follow-up were excellent. It is close to the freeway but our room w...
as quiet except for the air conditioner which
I’ll get to in a minute. The suite is comfortable and the bedding was perfect for a good nights rest. Parking is ample and convenient to the rooms. The reviewer that compared this property to a motel is delusional. The only negative that we encountered was the air conditioning which was indeed very loud as it cycled but it did provide adequate cooling. Air conditioner aside we would return. We actually like the fact that it’s a short drive from the hub of downtown. That makes it easier to access and park. A 15 minute drive is worth it to us.
I stayed at this hotel from April 6th through April 10th, 2026, and overall, my experience was very positive. The property itself was great, and the front desk staff were consistently friendly, welcoming, and professional during both check-in a...
nd check-out, which I truly appreciated.
My stay included paid breakfast vouchers, and for the most part, that process went smoothly. On Monday and Tuesday, I presented my voucher to the staff serving breakfast, and it fully covered my meal—no additional charges were mentioned, and I simply left a cash tip.
However, on Thursday morning (April 9th) around 8:00 AM, I had a different experience. The gentleman who took my order informed me that while the voucher covered the meal, it did not cover tax, and I needed to pay the difference. While the amount was minimal (just over a dollar), that’s not the issue. The inconsistency is what stood out. No other staff member on previous days—or even the server on Friday—mentioned or charged tax when I used the same type of voucher.
In addition, this staff member’s demeanor was noticeably unprofessional. He was rude to the woman assisting him, which created an uncomfortable atmosphere while I was trying to enjoy my breakfast. It reflected poorly on the overall service experience.
If charging tax separately is indeed hotel policy, it needs to be communicated clearly and applied consistently by all staff. Situations like this create confusion for guests and detract from an otherwise great stay.
Aside from this issue, I did enjoy my time at the hotel, but I hope management addresses both the inconsistency and the professionalism concerns moving forward.
Our room was infested with ants. When I mentioned it to the lady at the front desk, she chuckled. When she realized I wasn't amused, she condescendingly promised to send someone to our room. Someone did come, but it didn't solve the problem.
T...
he air conditioning unit was so loud that we had to turn it off just to get some sleep. And the windows didn't open, and they don't have mosquito screens anyway. So by morning the air in the room was uncomfortable.
On both mornings, we were served by men who seemed overworked and overwhelmed. On the second morning, the man told us he was too busy to make a cappuccino. Only when we offered to make them ourselves, he accepted to make them for us.
There were never any towels available at the pool. Every time, we had to ask and wait for someone to bring some.
There are simply too many guests and not enough lounge chairs around the pool.
And the final disappointment: I accidentally left a shirt in our room. Instead of offering a reasonable solution, the hotel referred me to a third-party shipping service that wanted to charge $83 to send it back to Canada.
We spend $1,500 over two nights, and they can't even send me my shirt free of charge. Especially considering I expressed my dissatisfaction with the obove items, and the lady told me ''Oh I'm so sorry to hear all this feedback. I'll certainly mention this to the manager, who should be in touch with you''
That person never contacted me.
What terrible customer service.
It's a real shame, because this property has the potential to be extraordinary.
Adam and Nadia Bottari
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