Fess Parker's Doubletree Resort Resort - Page 2

The check in process could have been friendlier, I was hoping that they could have been more accommodating seeing as I was in a large group and needed special considerations. But they were quite accommodating with the size of our group and the requests for food and liquor that came with our wedding party twenty four hours a day.

The train was a problem. The business center was small. The staff was friendly.

I liked the complementary breakfast for hotel cardholders. I did not like that it was a dog friendly hotel. Probably I will not stay there again for this reason.

We enjoyed our stay and were thrilled to find out they allow dogs. There are so few "nicer" places that do. The staff was great and they cater to families on the go and had a lot of great pointers there were not on any of the millions of flyers.

We stayed during a time of revamping but our room was nice just the same. The locale can't be beat and we will definitely stay again.

It's not cheap but we thought it was worth it just to stay in a nice place with the pooch and the kids.

First thing you need to know about this property is that aside from the vast, poorly landscaped asphalt parking lot which surrounds most this class B- hotels "mountain view" rooms, you then have to look beyond the very active Amtrak line which appears to run adjacent to and all along most of the property's eastern boundary. But then you also have to overlook the industrial rock mining facility right on the other side of the rail line!

To the staff’s credit they were indeed pleasant and responsive in relocating my guest and I to a garden view room. I suppose I could have been fairly well placated except that I immediately noticed this new room (121) happened to be located directly across the hall from a stank little circa 1970 workout room with a single closet turned "massage room".

Yup, what should have been one of the most active areas of the building was indeed just as quiet as could be at least until the boisterous yakking of morning housekeeping detail got started in the interior hallways, but I’m quite astonished that Hilton/Doubletree has the audacity to include either “resort” or “spa” in the name of this property.

Don’t be fooled by the pictures on Expedia or the hotel website either! Granted, the recently refurbished rooms are indeed large, attractive and comfortable (definitely avoid the mountain view rooms though) but the public spaces are all very, very tired, poorly lit and truly in need of a major renovation.

Overall, even at $150 a night this place would have been highly disappointing.

They provide wonderful service. The hotel has a great location and beautiful rooms and facilities. I only wished I could have stayed longer. You definitely see everything around Santa Barbara while you are there.

This hotel made me feel welcome: The warm cookies and the smiling, friendly staff made me feel welcome.

The location was beautiful and great. But the hotel was bit pricey.

This is a high class establishment in a wonderful area, near many tourist activities. The hotel offers great service and beautiful rooms.

This hotel made me feel comfortable: They provided for many of your needs without you having to ask, or think about them. There were plenty of places to walk, think, and relax without being hassled with service and staff, although they were present if you needed them.

The hotel has a beautiful location. They have nice, clean rooms and a very friendly, helpful staff.

This hotel made me feel pampered: They gave extra cookies at check in. The room was overlooking the beach. I had an individualized phone number provided so that others could reach my room if they called me during my stay.

We have been coming to the Fess Parker since 1992 every year. It’s a long way from Germany. We love the beautiful rooms, excluding the standard view, because of the noise of the train. The location close to the beach is great, the food is very good, also the bar with live music. The blooming gardens are perfect. On bad thing: it is getting more and more expensive.

The hotel is overpriced and understaffed. The floor was very noisy with other clients being rude and management doing nothing about it.

It was a wonderful experience. I love Santa Barbara.

This is a nice hotel. But they lost my reservation for the airport shuttle pick-up both times I've stayed there, which was frustrating.

It's in a beautiful setting, located near the beach.

There was a major problem with room service but we were compensated for it!

Great location, wonderful grounds, welcoming ambience. Well maintained tennis courts an additional plus. Staff was generally very helpful.

For those in the know, Fess Parker's Doubletree is Santa Barbara's premiere destination resort. With its primo location (across the street from the beach), richly furnished rooms, great staff and newly remodeled facilities - there's no reason this hotel shouldn't be considered "the cream of the crop." I've racked my brain, trying to think of something I could knock the Fess Parker for - but I've come up empty handed. On the flip side, I am overflowing with compliments. Instead of boring you with everything though, I'll just mention my favorite aspect: the Olympic size pool. Did I mention it's heated? It feels like a bathtub. It’s a great way to relax - especially at night.

This hotel made me feel important: They treated us well when we asked to move rooms. Our AC did not work well and they were very nice about sending someone to help.