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7.1

21 reviews

The Waterman

The Waterman

12 East Montecito Street, Santa Barbara, 93101, California, United States

Choose dates to view prices

Snorkeling

Outdoor swimming pool

Free wifi

Air conditioning

Sun deck

Terrace

24-hour front desk

Mountain view

The Waterman

The Waterman is a 3-star hotel in Santa Barbara, United States. Nestled at 12 East Montecito Street, just 0.5mi from the city center, this coastal retreat invites travelers to feel the sea breeze while staying close to downtown. With 21 reviews and prices starting from $233 per night, comfort comes with a friendly price tag.

Amenities include free Wifi, air conditioning, and an outdoor swimming pool (free), plus snorkeling (free), beach chairs/Loungers (free), sun deck, terrace, patio, and non-smoking rooms. Accessibility features include wheelchair accessibility and upper floors accessible by elevator. Extra charges apply for Pet Friendly, Private Parking, Parking On Site, Meeting/Banquet facilities, Live music/Performance, and Horseback riding.

Located in California, United States, The Waterman sits at 12 East Montecito Street, about 0.5mi from downtown Santa Barbara, offering mountain views and a convenient base for exploration. A gateway to Santa Barbara’s coastal charm.

Set at 12 East Montecito Street, The Waterman sits about 0.5mi from downtown Santa Barbara, offering inviting mountain views and a convenient base for exploration along the coast.

Outdoors, a heated outdoor pool welcomes guests year-round, with an adults-only policy and a shallow end for easy dips. Free snorkeling, beach chairs/Loungers, a sun deck, terrace, and patio create a relaxed coastal vibe, complemented by free Wifi, air conditioning, and non-smoking rooms. Pets are welcome with potential extra charges, and payment options include Discover, Mastercard, Visa, JCB, American Express, and Diners Club.

A range of room options is available, including King Rooms, Queen Rooms, Suites, and Standard Rooms, with various pool-view and poolside variants to suit different preferences. This property is designed for travelers seeking comfort at a friendly price, all within a short stroll of Santa Barbara’s coastal charm.

Closest airports

Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

8.5mi

Santa Maria Airport

54.9mi

Most popular amenities

Snorkeling

Outdoor swimming pool

Free wifi

Air conditioning

Sun deck

Terrace

24-hour front desk

Mountain view

Non-smoking rooms

Wheelchair accessible

Beach chairs/Loungers

Patio

Elevator

Picnic area

Upper floors accessible by elevator

Free toiletries

Rooms

Show 6 photos

Room - 4 Twin

4 Twin Beds

250 sqft

Microwave

x4

+

x3

More details

Room, Multiple Beds (4 Twin Beds) is 248 square feet and includes 4 single beds 80-130 width.

PETITE QUEEN - 135 SQF, Guest room, Poolside, Pool in The Waterman

Show 5 photos

Petite, Queen Size, Pool View, Poolside

1 Queen Size Bed

140 sqft

Private Bathroom

Flat-screen TV

Patio

Air conditioning

+

More details

This double room has a cable TV and air conditioning, patio access, outdoor furniture, free bath amenities, retro-inspired telephones, work desk, 55" flat-screen TV, Access to communal kitchen, includes a twin-sized murphy bed.

COZY KING - 175 SQF, Guest room, Poolside, Pool in The Waterman

Show 5 photos

King Room, Pool View, Poolside

1 King Size Bed

170 sqft

Private Bathroom

Flat-screen TV

Patio

Air conditioning

+

More details

This double room features patio access and air conditioning, outdoor furniture, free bath amenities, retro-inspired telephones, work desk, 55" flat-screen TV, Access to communal kitchen, includes a twin-sized murphy bed.

COZY KING - 175 SQF, Guest room in The Waterman

Show 5 photos

King Room

1 King Size Bed

170 sqft

Mountain view

City view

Private Bathroom

Flat-screen TV

x4

+

x3

More details

This double room has work desk, air conditioning, free bath amenities, retro-inspired telephones, 55" flat-screen TV, Access to communal kitchen.

COZY KING - 175 SQF, Guest room in The Waterman

Show 5 photos

Cozy, King Size

1 King Size Bed

170 sqft

Mountain view

City view

Private Bathroom

Flat-screen TV

+

More details

This double room features air conditioning, free bath amenities, retro-inspired telephones, work desk, 55" flat-screen TV, Access to communal kitchen, includes a twin-sized murphy bed.

Show 4 photos

Sqf, King Size

1 King Size Bed

135 sqft

Kitchen

Flat-screen TV

+

More details

This double room has work desk, air conditioning, free bath amenities, retro-inspired telephones, 55" flat-screen TV, Access to communal kitchen.

PETITE QUEEN - 135 SQF, Guest room in The Waterman

Show 4 photos

Petite, Queen Size

1 Queen Size Bed

140 sqft

Mountain view

City view

Private Bathroom

Flat-screen TV

+

More details

This double room has a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, free bath amenities, retro-inspired telephones, work desk, 55" flat-screen TV, Access to communal kitchen, includes a twin-sized murphy bed.

Show 3 photos

Sqf, 2 Queen Size Beds

2 Queen Size Beds

185 sqft

Kitchen

Flat-screen TV

Wheelchair accessible

+

More details

This double room features air conditioning and cable TV, free bath amenities, retro-inspired telephones, 55" flat-screen TV, Access to communal kitchen.

Show 3 photos

Petite Sqf, Queen Size

1 Queen Size Bed

140 sqft

Mountain view

City view

Private Bathroom

Flat-screen TV

+

More details

This double room has a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, free bath amenities, retro-inspired telephones, work desk, 55" flat-screen TV, Access to communal kitchen, includes a twin-sized murphy bed.

Show 6 photos

Standard, 1 Bed

160 sqft

Minibar

Flat-screen TV

+

More details

Guests will have a special experience as the double room provides a rooftop pool. This air-conditioned double room includes a flat-screen TV with cable channels and a private bathroom. The unit offers 1 bed.

DOUBLE UP - 185 SQF, Guest room, 2 Queen in The Waterman

Show 5 photos

Room - 2 Queen

2 Queen Size Beds

185 sqft

Mountain view

City view

Private Bathroom

Flat-screen TV

x4

+

x3

More details

Two Queen Beds

Show 5 photos

Petite, Queen Size, Poolside

1 Queen Size Bed

Kitchen

Free wifi

Flat-screen TV

+

More details

Guest reviews

7.1

21 reviews

Categories of assessments

Cleanliness

Comfort

Location

Facilities

Staff

Value for money

WiFi quality

Featured reviews:

🇺🇸

Kb

8.2

August 2023

Trendy good location

Bathroom was awkward bc compact. Feet in wet shower. The bunk stairs were a bit painful to stand on bare foot. Lots of dust on the top shelf above the bunk. Hasn’t been cleaned up there in ages. Don’t mind the strip club across the street the location is great otherwise. Confusing about parking - when booking thought it was included but then on site payment required. Heard other guests complain about the same confusion too. So for $400/night it isn’t a deal but it was best available

🇺🇸

Jay

9.1

February 2022

The location was extremely convenient, especially since we didn’t have a car for most of our trip. It is just a few blocks from the beach and a short to moderate walk to a number of other popular Santa Barbara attractions. It’s also very close to the Amtrak station, which is one of the reasons we chose it since we traveled there by train. Also, the staff were extremely polite and professional and made us feel quite welcome. We received excellent customer service during our stay there. The hotel is located in a beautiful Spanish style building that blends in well with the predominant architectural style in the area.

The rooms are extremely small, and ours lacked any type of closet or any means of hanging up our clothes. Not even a simple hook on the wall. Not a big deal for us since this was a casual trip, but I don’t know what one would do if they had a suit or some other nice clothes that needed to be hung-up during their stay there. I can understand that the rooms are too small for a traditional closet, but I don’t see why a couple hooks or a small hanging rod couldn’t be attached to one of the walls to accommodate this.

🇺🇸

Anonymous

8.2

October 2022

loved the location, and communal kitchen. There is plenty of water, soda, and a machine that makes sparkling water to hot water in one!

Rooms were very small, bathrooms were cramped, shower door when closed is up against toilet.

🇺🇸

Brene

8.2

December 2023

Friendly and social staff. In the funk zone area. And they had great amenities with local vendors and free drinks

🇺🇸

Tkobook

10

December 2021

Location is terrific near downtown and the Funk zone where bars and fun shops are located. Super helpful staff answered any questions and were very knowledgeable about area sights and restaurants. The communal kitchen was handy with most of the necessary items for ice and bfast, and snacks.

Room was a bit cozy but expected for the area.

🇺🇸

Jesus

8.2

June 2023

is nice place very small but it was good for one night

everything was fine I had to pay for coffee and parking

🇺🇸

Calhoun

10

October 2024

Location and parking on site.

Wish the lighting in the bathroom was brighter.

🇺🇸

Behnaz

8.2

September 2021

My room was exceptionally clean, but small. The staff are great. Kyle was very kind and welcoming, and patiently showed me a room so I decide if I like the rooms. If one is looking for a competent staff and clean rooms, this is the place. location is right next to highway and noise. Rooms are furnished and designed nicely .

Location.

🇺🇸

Calhoun

9.1

May 2024

Great location and great customer service from the staff.

Broken lower tile in the shower

🇺🇸

Jason

9.1

August 2021

Staff is impeccable, very friendly and informative. Room was very clean and very stylish. Common areas also well kept and nicely done. Parking was convenient. Overall a pleasant and comfortable place to stay.

Room was pretty small. Not sure of the utility of the "community kitchen" concept, but I did only stay for a day, so it may have been more useful on a longer stay.

Points of Interest Around The Waterman

Attractions

Stearns Wharf

0.3mi

Funk Zone

0.3mi

Leadbetter Beach

0.5mi

Santa Barbara Waterfront

0.8mi

Santa Barbara County Courthouse

0.8mi

Santa Barbara Museum of Art (SBMA)

0.9mi

Shoreline Park

1.3mi

Old Mission Santa Barbara

2mi

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

2.2mi

Montecito

2.6mi

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden (SBBG)

3mi

State Street

4.4mi

Goleta

7.9mi

Solvang

28.5mi

Yasawa Islands

30.3mi

Pools

Location

  • Outdoor

Features

  • Heated
  • Shallow end

Age restrictions

  • Adults only

Availability

  • All season

Amenities of The Waterman

Snorkeling

Outdoor swimming pool

Free wifi

Air conditioning

Sun deck

Terrace

24-hour front desk

Mountain view

Non-smoking rooms

Wheelchair accessible

Beach chairs/Loungers

Patio

Elevator

Picnic area

Upper floors accessible by elevator

Free toiletries

Stay rules - The Waterman

  • Check-in / Check-out

  • Pets

  • Internet

  • Age restrictions

  • Curfew

  • Parking

  • Children and beds

  • Cards accepted at this property

Frequently Asked Questions - The Waterman

Does The Waterman allow guests to stay with pets?

Absolutely! The Waterman hotel not only allows pets, but they also understand that your furry friend is a part of your family. However, please keep in mind that there might be additional charges for your pet's stay. So, feel free to bring your pet along and enjoy your stay at The Waterman hotel!

At what times are check-in and check-out at The Waterman?

The check-in time at The Waterman is 04:00 PM and check-out is at 12:00 PM.

Is vehicle parking offered by The Waterman?

Yes, The Waterman hotel offers private on-site parking for guests at a rate of $35 per day. Reservations for parking are not required.

How much does a stay at The Waterman cost?

The beginning rate for stays at The Waterman is $233. Bear in mind that pricing can alter depending on room configurations and dates. For a precise figure, enter your stay dates.

What are the room types available at The Waterman?

The Waterman hotel offers Cozy King rooms which are 175 sqft in size and come with a king size bed. These rooms can accommodate 3 adults and 1 child. The hotel also has Petite Queen rooms, which are slightly smaller at 135 sqft, but still accommodate the same number of guests. Both room types are non-smoking and some rooms have poolside views.

How can guests spend their time at The Waterman?

Guests at The Waterman can spend their time enjoying the leisure amenities provided by the hotel. One of the main attractions is the outdoor swimming pool. This pool is available all year round and has a heated feature, making it enjoyable no matter the weather. It also has a shallow end, making it suitable for all guests.

In addition to the pool, guests can relax on the beach chairs/loungers provided by the hotel. They can also soak up the sun on the sun deck while enjoying live music or performances organized by the hotel.

For those looking for more active activities, the hotel offers bicycle rental, snorkeling, horseback riding, diving, bowling, cycling, hiking, canoeing, windsurfing, ping-pong, and fishing.

Guests can also participate in the various entertainment activities organized by the hotel, including cooking classes, movie nights, stand-up comedy shows, and evening entertainment. There are also board games and puzzles available for guests to enjoy.

Does The Waterman have a pool for guests?

The Waterman hotel has an outdoor pool called Pool 1. The pool is available all season, heated, and has a shallow end. It is restricted to adults only.

What methods of payment does The Waterman accept?

The Waterman accepts a variety of payment methods including Visa, American Express, JCB, Diners Club, Discover, and Mastercard. Unfortunately, cash is not accepted at this hotel.