Fess Parker's Doubletree Resort in Santan Barbara, CA

The Mrs and I had the chance to stay at Fess Parker's Doubletree Resort in Santa Barbara, CA for a couple of nights over Thanksgiving weekend.  As part of the Hilton Honors program, we used full points (50,000) for Friday night (my points) and were able to use the Points & Pay option (25,000 points and $85) for Saturday night (Mrs' points).  Fess Parker's Doubletree Resort is arguably the best hotel to stay at when visiting Santa Barbara. The resort is across the street from the main beach, quite elegant, and a short walk to the festivities (shopping, restaurants, bars) on State Street.

Parking is ample, but will cost you $19 per day.  There is valet service which we did not use so I can not provide you with details.  Upon check in, we were not upgraded to an ocean view room, but that isn't necessarily true when you read on.  They said they didn't have any ocean view rooms left for Friday night (we did arrive late around 8pm), but some would open for tomorrow if we wanted to switch rooms.  We said we would look at the current room and decide in the morning when we saw the view.  Our room ended up being in the farthest building (Bougainvillea) from the reception, but there is parking near it so that was of no issue.  Fess Parker's resort is made up of several 2-3 story buildings on the property.  On the way to our room, we walked by the pool and jacuzzi which seemed to be nicely heated for the 50 degree evening weather.

The room was nice and spacious for a regular king room.  There was a small lounge chair as a separate seating area.  What we did like was the separate vanity in the room so that the Mrs could do her hair/makeup while I was steaming up the bathroom taking a shower.  The bathroom itself was very large with the regular Doubletree amenities.

There is a safe in the room in the top left drawer of the furniture.  The desk was small and the power outlet on the desk light did not work.  So if I had had to work in the room, it may have been annoying' but I was on vacation.

The patio was on the small size, but had enough room for 2 chairs and a small table.  The view  would have to wait for the next day.

Upon waking up, we quickly went outside and found this as our view:

While not the perfect ocean view, it sufficed that we did not elect to change rooms for the second night.

Overall, Fess Parker's Doubletree Resort is a wonderful hotel to stay at in Santa Barbara.  The going rate for a hotel room is near $350+ which I think is high, but probably market for the area.  I don't tend to spend that much time in the hotel to justify paying that price.  There is a new Hyatt down the road (further from State Street) and of course a Four Seasons even further south that I will consider when next in the area.  I feel that using points is worth it at this hotel and even the points/pay combo is great.