Home › West Coast › Santa Barbara › Simpson House Inn
Historic inn

Simpson House Inn

Santa Barbara, United States · ★★★★★ · 9.8/10 Exceptional · guest rating

Simpson House Inn in Santa Barbara, stone path leading to a large treeSimpson House Inn in Santa Barbara, wooden cottage with a window among plantsSimpson House Inn in Santa Barbara, cozy interior with a stone fireplaceSimpson House Inn in Santa Barbara, bedroom with a large bed and nightstandSimpson House Inn in Santa Barbara, glass-enclosed shower with a checkered floor

Historic inn in downtown Santa Barbara, with quiet gardens, gourmet breakfast included, a spa and afternoon wine with light appetizers served daily.

Simpson House Inn is a historic inn on East Arrellaga Street, in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. The description highlights its gardens, with jasmine and fountains that help soften outside noise. It has a very high guest rating across several hundred reviews. The listing classes it among the city's luxury inns.

Each morning a gourmet breakfast is served in the English garden, and in the afternoon there is wine and appetizers. In the evening the bed is turned down with pillows and chocolates. It is a fit for anyone who prefers the personal feel of an inn to the scale of a big hotel; confirm service hours with the property before you travel.

Why stay here

  • Historic inn with gardens in downtown Santa Barbara
  • Gourmet breakfast included in the English garden
  • Wine and appetizers in the afternoon
  • Theaters, museums and courthouse about 8 to 10 minutes on foot
  • Tip: book ahead for weekends and holidays

The setting

The photos show stone paths under large trees, wooden cottages surrounded by plants and an outdoor dining nook with wicker furniture. Rooms and suites have roomy beds, some with a stone fireplace and a sitting area with leather furniture, as well as glass-enclosed showers. The feel is of a private garden in the middle of the city center.

What we like

  • Gardens with jasmine and fountains in the heart of Santa Barbara
  • Gourmet breakfast included in the English garden
  • Wine and appetizers in the afternoon
  • Theaters and museums about an 8 to 10-minute walk away
  • Parking and Wi-Fi at no charge, according to the listing

Worth knowing

  • A small-scale inn with fewer services than a resort
  • Weekend and holiday dates fill up quickly

Don't miss

Walk to the Granada Theatre and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, both within ten minutes, and leave time for Mission Santa Barbara, about fifteen. In the late afternoon, return to the inn for wine in the garden.

Planning a luxury stay? See rooms, rates and availability for your dates.See rates

Facilities

  • Gourmet breakfast included
  • Afternoon wine and appetizers
  • Gardens with fountains
  • Spa
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Parking included
  • Air conditioning
  • Laundry
  • Housekeeping
  • Evening turndown service
  • Fireplaces in some rooms

Location

The inn is at 121 East Arrellaga Street in Santa Barbara. The Santa Barbara County Courthouse, the Granada Theatre and the Arlington Theater are about an 8-minute walk away, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art about 10 and Mission Santa Barbara about 15. Traffic varies with the time of day and the season.

Address: 121 East Arrellaga Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101

Map of Simpson House Inn with nearby hotels5★5★
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors

Tours and activities in Santa Barbara on GetYourGuide

Ready to book? Check current availability and guest reviews.Book now

More photos

Simpson House Inn in Santa Barbara, sitting room with a fireplace and televisionSimpson House Inn in Santa Barbara, spacious sitting room with leather furnitureSimpson House Inn in Santa Barbara, outdoor dining area with wicker furniture

Frequently asked questions

What does a stay include?

The listing mentions gourmet breakfast, parking and Wi-Fi at no charge. It also refers to afternoon wine and appetizers. Confirm with the inn what your rate includes and the hours of each service.

Is it an inn or a large hotel?

It is a small-scale inn with gardens and a more personal touch. That means fewer services than a large hotel, but more calm and attention to detail.

What can I visit on foot?

The Granada Theatre, the Arlington Theater, the courthouse and the art museum are between 8 and 10 minutes away on foot. Mission Santa Barbara is about a 15-minute walk.

Is there a spa?

The listing shows a spa among the services. Treatments and hours can change with the season, so it is wise to check them and book ahead.

Want to compare dates? Check availability for Simpson House Inn / see the current rates.

More five-star hotels

El Encanto in Santa Barbara, small building with a tile roof

El Encanto Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara · United States
Resort · ★★★★★ · 9.4/10 Exceptional

Luxury hotel on the Upper Riviera hillside with a pool, spa, restaurant and bar, a few minutes by car from downtown and the beach in Santa Barbara.

Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara, oceanfront hotel with mountains and palm trees

Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara · United States
Resort · ★★★★★ · 9.4/10 Exceptional

5-star resort on the Pacific in Montecito, in the Santa Barbara area, with gardens, a pool, a spa, a beach club and three restaurants on the grounds.

Hotel Californian in Santa Barbara, lobby with a central seating area

Hotel Californian

Santa Barbara · United States
Resort · ★★★★★ · 9.2/10 Exceptional

Luxury hotel in downtown Santa Barbara, Moorish and Spanish Colonial in style, with a spa, a pool, a restaurant and a bar, steps from the beach and the wharf.

Four Seasons Resort Vail in Vail, spacious lounge with a fireplace

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail

Vail · United States
Resort · ★★★★★ · 9.6/10 Exceptional

5-star resort in the heart of Vail Village, a few minutes' walk from the Vail slopes, with a spa, an outdoor pool, fireplaces and mountain cuisine.

The Adolphus in Dallas, modern interior of the hotel

The Adolphus, Autograph Collection

Dallas · United States
Hotel · ★★★★★ · 9.0/10 Exceptional

Classic luxury hotel in downtown Dallas, near the aquarium and the Perot Museum, with a spa, pool, restaurant, fitness center and valet service.

Windsor Court in New Orleans, hotel entrance with a dark awning and steps

The Windsor Court

New Orleans · United States
Resort · ★★★★★ · 9.8/10 Exceptional

5-star hotel in downtown New Orleans, minutes from Canal Street and the French Quarter, with an outdoor pool, spa, garden and The Grill Room restaurant.

All stays in Santa BarbaraWest CoastAll five-star hotels

Book now