RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT SANTA BARBARA GOLETA, Santa Barbara

The Residence Inn is positioned right next to the airport, making it a practical choice for flyers. The Goleta train station is a short walk away, which provides an alternative to driving. UCSB is only 4 km away (about an eight-minute drive), and downtown Santa Barbara with its theatres and museums is 15 km south, easily reached by car. The surrounding area lacks on-foot dining and retail options, so having a car is useful for accessing nearby supermarkets, restaurants, and the beach. Private on-site parking costs US$20 per day with no reservation possible.

Rooms are designed for longer stays: each studio features a full kitchen with cookware, a tea and coffee maker, a dining area and a desk. Private bathrooms have either a bath or shower with free toiletries. The standard bedding setup includes one king or two queen beds plus a sofa bed. Courtyard-facing rooms on the first floor are available with a patio. Some rooms are connecting. Though the sofa bed mattress has been noted as uncomfortable, a mattress topper is available from the closet. Noise from the airport is variable - some rooms are whisper quiet, while others closer to the flight path may hear planes. The property does not offer rooms with a balcony.

Breakfast is included and runs until 9:00 AM, offering a standard Residence Inn spread that includes hot items, pastries, fresh fruit, yoghurt, and a high-quality coffee selection. The breakfast room features seating that opens onto the courtyard, which feels pleasant and airy. There is no restaurant, bar, or evening meal service on the property. The nearest dining options require a short drive. Many guests find the breakfast sufficient to start the day and then use the in-room kitchen or barbecue grills for other meals. The hotel also has a mini-market for snacks and can arrange grocery deliveries.

The outdoor area is a central feature: the heated pool is open late, and the hot tub offers a relaxing soak. Surrounding the pool is a landscaped courtyard with sun loungers, an outdoor fireplace, a picnic area, and several lawn games including a putting green, cornhole, ping-pong and a giant chess set. There is also a barbecue area for cooking. The fitness centre is free and open 24 hours, equipped with three treadmills, three bikes, weights, benches, and stretching mats. Bicycle rental and a golf course within 3 km are available for an extra charge.

Wi-Fi is free in all areas. The front desk is staffed around the clock. The free business centre provides fax and photocopying, and meeting rooms are also available. Laundry and dry cleaning are offered for an additional cost. A small on-site shop sells snacks and drinks, and grocery deliveries can be arranged to stock the room kitchen. The property is wheelchair accessible with a lift and accessible parking spaces. Cots are available on request. All rooms are non-smoking. Accepted payment methods include major credit cards such as American Express, Visa, MasterCard and Discover.