Kimpton Canary Hotel
31 W Carrillo St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, Santa Barbara, United States
4-star hotel
Guest rating: 4.4 / 5
Kimpton Canary Hotel is a 4-star boutique property in a Spanish-style building in downtown Santa Barbara, at 31 W Carrillo St, just steps from the Santa Barbara Museum of Art and El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park. Rooms are styled with four-poster beds dressed in Italian linens, flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, and yoga mats, while suites add separate sitting areas and soaking tubs. Guests can also arrange in-room spa treatments. On-site amenities include a rooftop pool and lounge and a restaurant serving modern American cuisine, plus access to an adjacent fitness center. Complimentary perks set this hotel apart, including loaner bikes for exploring the city, morning coffee and tea service, and a nightly evening wine hour. The location puts guests within a mile of Stearns Wharf and the Funk Zone's restaurants and tasting rooms, and within about two miles of the Santa Barbara Zoo, making it a well-placed base for exploring the city on foot or by bike. WiFi is available but carries a surcharge.
Best for
This hotel suits couples and leisure travelers who want a stylish, walkable downtown base near the Museum of Art, El Presidio historic park, the Funk Zone, and Stearns Wharf, with loaner bikes making the beach and waterfront easily reachable. The rooftop pool, evening wine hour, and in-room spa services also make it appealing to travelers seeking a boutique, amenity-rich stay rather than a large resort.
Travel tips
Use the complimentary loaner bikes to reach Stearns Wharf (about 1.2 miles) or the Funk Zone (under a mile) instead of driving, since downtown parking can be tight. Budget extra for WiFi, as it's not included in the room rate. Note that guest reviews mention thin walls between rooms, so light sleepers may want to request a quieter room location when booking.
What guests say
Guests consistently praise the hotel's downtown location, attentive valet and front-desk staff, comfortable beds, and rooftop pool, with several calling out strong food and overall service. A recurring complaint is that rooms feel small and that walls between rooms are thin, letting noise from housekeeping or neighboring guests carry through. A smaller number of reviewers reported more serious service lapses, including a room not being cleaned before a special occasion and one guest describing dismissive treatment they felt was unfair compared to other guests. These negative accounts contrast with the majority of reviews, which highlight friendly, accommodating staff and a polished guest experience.
Check availability · Booking links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure