We are travelling to Santa Barbara with our young kids in a few weeks. We'd love to stay at a beachside hotel with a pool. Four Seasons and Fess Parker/Doubletree are about the same rate, do you recommend one hotel over the other for a standard room? Any other recommendations would be appreciated. Thank you.

The Biltmore is stunning and you can't even compare it to Fess Parker..imo..we have friends that live right next store and have stayed there and love it..just make sure you get a room that has been renovated with no musty smell..the ocean is across the street so things have a tendency to get moist..
Another option is the lovely San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito but its not oceanfront but a gorgeous Rosewood property.
August in Santa Barbara is magical and the ocean temp should be nice to swim too.

What site did you go on to see the rates about the same? I'd love to find some good rates for the Biltmore. We've stayed at both resorts, but the Biltmore is much more elegant and formal. I thought the rooms were about $750 a night, the FP less than that.

However, with a young family the FP is really great, too. Large rooms with balcony, sofa sitting area, nice pool, bike and surrey rentals on site. Our 5 year old loved it earlier this year. Be sure and go to the Zoo, it's a nice size.

Thank you for your recommendations. To MBnancy, the 4S is offering a "buy 2, get 1 night free" offer...this puts the avg. nightly rate at the FP price point.

Four Seasons is south of Santa Barbara in Montecito

Stayed at Harbor View Inn last year. On the water across from the pier. Rooms very large and comfortable with nice pool. Centrally located. Price was good. Check if they have any specials.
kratochvilsbj

I've heard good things about Harbor View Inn..maybe for Thanksgiving.
Thanks!