Blue Sands Inn, A Kirkwood Collection Hotel

4.0 star property
4-star beach motel near Stearns Wharf

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Blue Sands Inn, A Kirkwood Collection Hotel

Reception
Interior
1 bedroom, in-room safe, individually decorated, blackout drapes
Deluxe Room, Fireplace, Ocean View (Upstairs)
Exterior

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Housekeeping
  • Air conditioning
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
421 South Milpas Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103
  • Cabrillo Pavillion
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Santa Barbara Zoo
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Stearns Wharf
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Santa Barbara, CA (SBA-Santa Barbara Municipal)
    ‪15 min drive‬

Room options

Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds, Kitchen, Pool View (Ground Floor)

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(10 reviews)
  • 20 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed, Ocean View (Upstairs)

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(5 reviews)
  • 23 sq m
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Fireplace, Pool View (Upstairs)

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(10 reviews)
  • 18 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Pool View (Upstairs)

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(9 reviews)
  • 18 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed, Kitchen, Ground Floor (Patio & Fireplace)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • 23 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Ocean View (Upstairs)

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(10 reviews)
  • 23 sq m
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Deluxe Room, Fireplace, Ocean View (Upstairs)

8.2 out of 10
Very good
(10 reviews)
  • 23 sq m
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible, Ground Floor

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • 18 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds, Fireplace, Pool View (Upstairs)

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(17 reviews)
  • 20 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

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About the area

Santa Barbara

Oceanside stay.At this Santa Barbara Beach motel, you'll be within a 5-minute walk of Chase Palm Park and Cabrillo Pavillion. Santa Barbara Zoo and Andree Clark Bird Refuge are also within half a mile (1 km).

What's nearby

  • Cabrillo Pavillion - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Santa Barbara Zoo - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Stearns Wharf - 4 min drive - 2.6 km
  • Santa Barbara Bowl - 5 min drive - 3.3 km
  • Santa Barbara Harbor - 8 min drive - 3.3 km

Getting around

  • Santa Barbara Station - 8 min drive
  • Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) - 14 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪Santa Barbara Shellfish Company - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪East Beach Tacos - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Moby Dick Restaurant - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Fishouse - ‬2 min drive

About this property

Blue Sands Inn, A Kirkwood Collection Hotel

4-star beach motel near Stearns Wharf
As a guest of Blue Sands Inn, A Kirkwood Collection Hotel, you'll find an outdoor pool, a terrace, and tour/ticket assistance. Public spaces have free WiFi. An area shuttle within 0.01 miles and a beach shuttle are available for a fee. Blue Sands Inn, A Kirkwood Collection Hotel also features a picnic area, concierge services, and a water dispenser. Free self parking is available.

This 4-star Santa Barbara motel is smoke free.

  • 1 building
  • 12 guestrooms or units
  • 2 levels
  • Built in 1953
  • Poolside lounge chairs
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Tour and ticket information
  • Concierge
  • Terrace
  • Outdoor picnic space
  • No smoking on site
  • Water dispenser
Blue Sands Inn, A Kirkwood Collection Hotel offers 12 air-conditioned accommodations, which are accessible via exterior corridors and feature safes and hair dryers. Each accommodation is individually decorated. Refrigerators and microwaves are provided. Bathrooms include showers and complimentary toiletries.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. 40-inch flat-screen televisions come with premium cable channels. Additionally, rooms include fans and blackout drapes/curtains. Housekeeping is offered daily and irons/ironing boards can be requested.

Languages

English, Spanish

Similar properties

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave
  • In-room refrigerator
  • Outdoor pool

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free offsite parking
  • Area shuttle (surcharge) up to 0.01 mi
  • Beach shuttle (surcharge)
  • Shopping center shuttle (surcharge)
  • Free self parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking and van parking available

Things to do

  • Bicycle rentals
  • Outdoor pool

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Grab bar near toilet
  • Low-height counter and sink
  • No elevator
  • Raised toilet seat
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible van parking

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • 40-inch flat-screen TV with premium cable channels

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blackout drapes

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Access via exterior corridors
  • Air conditioning
  • Fan
  • Heating
  • Individual decor
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: 10:00 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • Pets: USD 30 per pet (varies based on length of stay)
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Maximum 2 pets
  • Pets cannot be left unattended
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Pet fee: USD 30 per pet (varies based on length of stay)
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Cash is not accepted. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit in each accommodation.

Property is also known as

Blue Sands Inn Santa Barbara
Blue Sands Motel
Blue Sands Motel Santa Barbara
Blue Sands Santa Barbara
Blue Sands Hotel Santa Barbara
Blue Sands Inn
Blue Sands Inn A Kirkwood Collection Hotel
Blue Sands Inn A Kirkwood Collection Property
Blue Sands Inn, A Kirkwood Collection Hotel Motel
Blue Sands Inn, A Kirkwood Collection Hotel Santa Barbara
Blue Sands Inn, A Kirkwood Collection Hotel Motel Santa Barbara

Blue Sands Inn, A Kirkwood Collection Hotel Reviews

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 505 out of 871 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 216 out of 871 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 75 out of 871 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 36 out of 871 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 39 out of 871 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

7.8/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Geoffrey

Disliked: Room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Rochelle

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

6/10 Okay

Cheryl

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
So. The staff was very nice and helpful! My problem was with three things. First off I paid with Expedia and was charged every temporarily each day. Not a fan of that and unnecessary. Second the coffee situation, there is only coffee in the lobby instead of in our own room. We were at the mercy of whoever and whenever they made it. (Btw offering oatmeal would be a great perk)Thirdly there isn’t a dresser in the room. Most people would not consider these issues but they were to me.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025

2/10 Terrible

reika

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities
They had given my reserved room to another guest who wanted a room on the ground floor. Why do they think I had reserved a room on the ground floor!? And to switch without asking me first?? He handed me the keys and said that I got 2 rooms for the same price. No thanks!!! I would’ve walked out and went to another hotel if it wasn’t so late already. That room would’ve allowed all three of us to stay together, which was the whole point of staying in SB overnight!! Instead, I was given two small rooms upstairs. No elevator on the facility. No small kitchen with a stove and a dining table. This is utterly unacceptable. We went out to eat first and there was no one on site to speak with when we returned. I am still furious. I will bring up this issue to them tomorrow.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

4/10 Poor

Katlin

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children, Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
This is not a 4 star hotel. The room was covered in sand. The towels were cheap, the toilet paper was cheap and the room was tiny. The biggest issue is that they use some really cheap cleaner in the room that smells disgusting, burns your eyes and throat and makes you feel nauseous. We couldn’t even sleep through the night, our daughter woke up crying at 5am and wouldn’t go back to bed. She didn’t get better until after we got out of the room for a couple of hours. They may want to look into whether or not that cleaning product is toxic.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Nick

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Always felt like cleaning started too early and went on
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

karima

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It was very close to the beach and the property area was very clean and quiet.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Rachel

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We only stayed for one night but it got the job done. Really clean with a cute aesthetic and nice, attentive staff. Our only complaint was that the walls were a little thin and the curtains weren’t blackout so the room was a bit bright for our liking in the morning. Overall, would recommend and return.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Salvador

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very close to the beach. Staff is friendly
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Decent enough stay. However, the walls are very thin. No info page/booklet in rooms so had to call the front desk for WiFi password, where to find the fireplace remote etc.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

6/10 Okay

Liberty

Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jane

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The location of this hotel is very good. It is close to the waterfront of Santa Barbara. We had some trouble trying to understand how to use the heat in the room, and the staff person came up to our room and showed us how to operate the remote for the heater. This was above and beyond what I might have expected somewhere else. And my husband and I appreciated it. While this hotel is a bit older, the decor of the room was up-to-date and appropriate for the setting. We very much enjoyed the fireplace in our room. If we ever find ourselves in Santa Barbara again, we will definitely stay at this hotel!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Janine

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Clean, comfortable & stylish stay: beach adjacent

Such a delightful stay at Blue Sands Inn. Excellent locations just steps from the beach, a grocery store next door, with a heated pool and comfortable and clean rooms PLUS a kitchen if you decide you want to eat in. I would definitely stay again. The check in was easy, the front desk friendly and helpful. Free parking in this location was a plus and I enjoyed the boutique vibe and california chic style in the lobby and rooms. Coffee and tea is provided too!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jordan

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

4/10 Poor

Nikkie

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Room comfort

Worst place I have ever stay

Not a good experience. Honestly, I would not recommend or would ever stay here again. The room was nice, but the heater did not work, and when I told the maintenance people, I was told I had to wait for onsite to fix it, which would be 3 days later. There is a two-inch gap from the door to the threshold, and it was freezing the week I was there, not to mention dangerous, especially as a solo female traveler. I tried explaining that there was nothing done about that. The light in the bathroom was not functioning, so showering in the dark was fun and very interesting to put on makeup. Last but not least, I don't sleep well with the lights on, and the front curtain was missing the blackout curtain that the other window had, so not a lot of sleep was going on. The only up side was the proximity to the beach and heated pool.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Manuel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cosette

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Gina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved the location steps away from walking along the beach
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Samantha

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gustavo

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent location, super clean, comfortable bed and William at the front desk was fenomenal, not only with the checking but his recommendations for dinning.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kayden

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Bryce

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kymber

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Troy

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Julia

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Cleanliness
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025