Review: Kimpton Canary Hotel (Santa Barbara, California)

Review: Kimpton Canary Hotel (Santa Barbara, California)

About

Nestled in the heart of Santa Barbara, California, the Kimpton Canary Hotel blends Spanish colonial architecture with modern luxury. Originally built in 1924, this boutique gem was once a schoolhouse and later transformed into a luxury hotel. The preservation of its original architectural details, including its terra-cotta tiles, grand staircases and wrought-iron balconies, are part of what makes this Kimpton unique and inspired in the most “Santa Barbara” way possible.

At A Glance:

• Average Nightly Cost During Stay: $548
• Loyalty Program: IHG Rewards
• Loyalty Category: N/A
• Discount Applied: 16,000 Points (1-Day Flash Promotion!)
• Room Type as Booked: 1 King Essential
• Room Upgrade: 1 Bedroom Suite
• Resort Fee: $39.27
• Parking Fee: $45+ Per Night

Booking/Redemption

A while back, IHG had a flash sale good for one day only where it was possible to book this hotel for just 16,000 IHG rewards points. This meant a CPP value of 3.425 for IHG points on the redemption, which is just about as good as it gets (ever)! And that was before the room upgrade.

Location & Parking

Situated at 31 West Carrillo Street, Santa Barbara, California, the Kimpton Canary Hotel enjoys a prime location that’s within walking distance of Santa Barbara’s most famous attraction – State Street, and its shops, restaurants, and art galleries. The historic Santa Barbara Courthouse and the Funk Zone are also nearby.

For guests of the hotel, valet parking is the only official option at $45 per night.

FHOP Tip: Although valet parking is the only official option, guests can also park in some nearby public parking lots (for a fee) or at the metered parking spaces on the street (which I found to be plentiful).

Lobby

The lobby exudes Spanish-style and elegance with its high ceilings, exposed wooden beams, and tiled floors.

The Kimpton Canary Hotel’s lobby showcases local artwork, and guests can participate in wine tastings featuring regional vintages.

Each evening, the hotel hosts a complimentary wine hour in the lobby. It’s a wonderful way to mingle with other guests and sample some of the finest local wines.

Front Desk & Check-In

Check-in was professional and courteous as we were recognized for our IHG Diamond Status and informed we had been given a room upgrade to a 1 King Suite.

We were also handed (our choice of) a glass of wine, which we went with the white (which was indeed the way to go).

IHG Rewards Loyalty Program Benefits

IHG Rewards Club Diamond Elite members enjoy the following benefits at the Kimpton Canary Hotel:

• Upgraded Room: Expect a room upgrade, subject to availability. We got this.
• Late Checkout: Sleep in a little longer with a guaranteed late checkout. We got this.
• Welcome Amenity: A thoughtful surprise awaits you upon arrival. We got this.
• Complimentary Breakfast: Breakfast for two at Finch & Fork. We got this.

Welcome Package

We were given this welcome letter along with the complementary tote bag (below).

Hallway

Suite Walkthrough Tour

Suite Entrance

Room Upgrade: 1 Bedroom Suite

Upon entering our suite, we were instantly blown away. The upgrade was a spacious 1 Bedroom Suite with a separate living area that featured a plush sofa, a fireplace, and a small dining table.

The bedroom boasted a four-post, king-sized bed with comfortable and luxurious linens.

Living Area

Bedroom

IHG Rewards Club Diamond Elite Welcome Gift

Suite Amenities

Closet

Bathroom

The Spanish-themed marble bathroom came complete with a soaking tub, shower, and water closet was well-lit and sparkling clean.

The hotel featured Atelier Bloem bath amenities, which I consider to be high-quality products (although I always find it peculiar they mix and match fragrances).

Breakfast At Finch & Fork

For our complimentary Diamond Elite breakfast, we headed down to Finch and Fork.

We ordered the F&F Eggs Benedict and the Shakshuka – both of which were delicious. I could now see why the restaurant was so popular and crowded.

Image: ihg.com

The Property Interior

Image: ihg.com

Image: ihg.com

The Property Exterior

The hotel’s crown jewel is its rooftop terrace, where guests can sip local wine while basking around the pool with the Santa Ynez Mountains as the backdrop. The panoramic views of Santa Barbara’s red-tiled rooftops, palm trees, and the Pacific Ocean are outstanding.

Swimming Pool

The hotel’s heated rooftop pool features a bar, sun-beds, and views for days.

Image: ihg.com

Things To Do Nearby

1. Explore State Street: Wander down State Street, where boutiques, cafes, and art galleries beckon. Don’t miss the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.
2. Hit the Beach: East Beach is perfect for sunbathing and beach volleyball.
3. Shop in the Funk Zone: This artsy neighborhood is home to funky boutiques, wine tasting rooms, and colorful murals.
4. Take A Hike: Santa Barbara is known for its many awesome trails. On this stay, we hiked the popular Inspiration Point Trail (see below).

The FHOP Bottom-Line 10 Ratings

The Bottom-Line Review: Kimpton Canary Hotel (Santa Barbara, California)

We had an excellent stay at the Kimpton Canary Hotel in Santa Barbara. I have zero complaints or criticisms.

The Kimpton is a delightful blend of Spanish-stylings and history, luxury, and excellent personalized service. We enjoyed the unique fusion of original architectural design, modern boutique-hotel amenities, and their commitment to supporting local artwork.

The overall service and treatment of elites was excellent – the upgrade to the 1 Bedroom Suite was amazing – and even the small things like the welcome wine, gift bag, and little treats, made a huge difference. You can tell they didn’t “phone-in” the hospitality. The hotel’s prime location near State Street and dining at Finch and Fork were also excellent.  I highly recommend this hotel to couples and tourists to Santa Barbara looking for an upscale property with excellent service.

FINAL RATING: 9 out of 10