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





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.
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
Tours and activities in Santa Barbara on GetYourGuide
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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.
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